A build for a friend!

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

My friend wanted to me scrounger up a build for around $300. Yeah, tight parameters. I took my NewEgg skills to the distance. So here it is.

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ AM2: Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Orleans 1.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail

ECS RS485M Xpress 1100 AM2 mobo:
Newegg.com - ECS RS485M-M (V1.0) Socket AM2 ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Hitachi Deskstar 80GB SATA HD:
Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K80 HDS728080PLA380 (0A30356) 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Corsair VS DDR2-533 1GB kit:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Cooler Master case:
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Fortron 350W PSU:
Newegg.com - FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX350-PA, version 2.2 RoHS, SATA, 350W Power Supply - OEM

I know I lack a XP disc or DVD drive. We're reusing those from his past build.

Now, that total is about $255, or $285 shipped. This rig is for homework, surfing the net, musicks, etc. I therefore didn't see the need to go further than the integrated X300 video. Any recommendations?

I'm apparently competing with another computer techie on the same build for the same person. Except he's using a OEM 3400+, 939 Asus mobo... the catchers... Wintec DDR, Rosewill $10 PSU, Rosewill $20 case. The funnier part is that it's still $340 shipped because he put a 7300LE in it. I'm using better parts and clearly a smarter shopper. I've even told my friend who's buying the PC this upfront. I think he'll still go my route, since it's cheaper, but hopefully he understands the extent of the other idiots' choices.

Right, recommend me. I've got to print this out by tomorrow.

[One4yu2c]

Upgrade the RAM to Corsair's DDR2-667 1GB kit for a dollar more (LINK), or spend an extra $5 on Wintec's DDR2-800 kit (LINK). ADATA also has 800 on the cheap, which will run $10 more than the 533 you spec'd (LINK). Neither brand is as desirable as going with Corsair, but either one would be fine for a budget based build (I recently used ADATA on a family member's build, and have no complaints thus far).

I'd also point out to your friend that for $20 more, he can double the hard drive size to 160GB, and be sitting pretty with a beefy 16MB cache (LINK). Combined with the RAM upgrade, he'd be looking at anywhere between $305 and $315, depending on which kit of memory.

[gvblake22]

How about this:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600 dual core processor ($59)
ECS GeForce6100SM-M motherboard ($50)

Combo Price for CPU and motherboard = $100

Kingston 1GB DDR2-667 CAS 5 memory stick ($40) (only a single 1GB stick so it can easily be upgraded to 2x1GB in the future)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB hard drive ($70)
Antec NSK4400 case with 380W PSU ($80)
_____________________________________
Subtotal = ~$289.96

Shipping = ~$22.12
_____________________________________
TOTAL = ~$312.08

[One4yu2c]

I think Blake deserves the budget shopper award, and incidentally, I'll second that config.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Well, I'm definitely going for the memory and the CPU/mobo combo, but not so much on the case/PSU. It's unnecessary for him, and also, that 350W Fortron is good and more than enough.

I'll talk to him on the hard drive, I'm sure he'll do that.

EDIT: You know what pisses me off.... I bought the Corsair set of RAM I linked to for $70 a month ago...

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

Well, I'm definitely going for the memory and the CPU/mobo combo, but not so much on the case/PSU. It's unnecessary for him, and also, that 350W Fortron is good and more than enough.

I'll talk to him on the hard drive, I'm sure he'll do that.

The case and PSU were just convenient because they are both good products and come packaged together. I built a system for a friend using that same case and PSU (as well as the processor) and it was truly a pleasure to use, I was very surprised!

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

OK, you failed to mention that the X2 was an OEM CPU.

[One4yu2c]

You can pick up a basic AM2 cooler for just over $10 shipped (LINK). That's going to bring your friend's tally to around $325, but considering he'd have a dual-core, I'd lay the option out there for him and let him decide.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Good find Paul. OK, that works.

I think I can still keep the total under $300 shipped. Haha. Lemme work around a bit.

OK, sorry, wait up. The reason I chose that motherboard is because I know that the X300 graphics are decent enough and can keep up in a few games... I don't know if I can say the same with the 6100.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Right, so.

Any other recommendations with a board running good integrated video?