prarie
07-16-2005, 07:28 PM
A friend wants to get a new computer and has asked for help. She is not a hard core gamer and was planning to spend $1500 + tax on a HP model, but I think $1000 before tax or less is much better suited to her needs. So far this is what I am considering suggesting.
Case: Antec 3700 BQE + extra 120 mm fan - $120. I have the case and love it as it is so quiet.
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000 + Venice core - $206
Hard Drive - 200 GB SATA - $130 - $150 - MB supports SATA and the cable is thinner, price is cheap so why not.
Memory: 1 GB Crucial Value Select Ram or comparable - $130 or $150 for the OCZ Premier
DVD Burner: Benq 1620A Pro or 1640 if it is out in next week or two - $70
MB choice: Does AI NOS really work as most MB now offer it? Heard there were some problems with MB firewalls, did they straighten the issues out?
Asus A8N E - $150
DFI LANPARTY UT NF4 ULTRA-D MOTHERBOARD - $190
Abit A8N - $180
Graphics Card: She is not a hard core gamer so doesn't need SLI or an expensive card. Wants TV out, and might as well go with PCI-E since she has the slot on the MB. No bias in ATI vs Nvidia or name brand biases. Want to spend less than $200, Option 1 is to spend in the $180 range, option 2 is to spend around $120. Also does not want a "hair dryer sounding" card. Just taking a quick look looks like ATI X300's, X600's, X700's; Nvidia 6600's, . Some cards have the 256 MB option for another $20 in this price range. Is it worth it?
Two potential cards:
Asus Silencer EN6600 256 MB - $170
Sapphire X700 256 MB - $164
Heatsink ???
Which puts the grand total under $1000 minus the taxes.
Any suggestions for above or better given the price constraints would be great.
Thanks.
Case: Antec 3700 BQE + extra 120 mm fan - $120. I have the case and love it as it is so quiet.
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000 + Venice core - $206
Hard Drive - 200 GB SATA - $130 - $150 - MB supports SATA and the cable is thinner, price is cheap so why not.
Memory: 1 GB Crucial Value Select Ram or comparable - $130 or $150 for the OCZ Premier
DVD Burner: Benq 1620A Pro or 1640 if it is out in next week or two - $70
MB choice: Does AI NOS really work as most MB now offer it? Heard there were some problems with MB firewalls, did they straighten the issues out?
Asus A8N E - $150
DFI LANPARTY UT NF4 ULTRA-D MOTHERBOARD - $190
Abit A8N - $180
Graphics Card: She is not a hard core gamer so doesn't need SLI or an expensive card. Wants TV out, and might as well go with PCI-E since she has the slot on the MB. No bias in ATI vs Nvidia or name brand biases. Want to spend less than $200, Option 1 is to spend in the $180 range, option 2 is to spend around $120. Also does not want a "hair dryer sounding" card. Just taking a quick look looks like ATI X300's, X600's, X700's; Nvidia 6600's, . Some cards have the 256 MB option for another $20 in this price range. Is it worth it?
Two potential cards:
Asus Silencer EN6600 256 MB - $170
Sapphire X700 256 MB - $164
Heatsink ???
Which puts the grand total under $1000 minus the taxes.
Any suggestions for above or better given the price constraints would be great.
Thanks.