Computer hardware help

D

dbzeag

Wants to kiss you where it stinks
Jun 9, 2006
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My friend is looking to upgrade his Duron 700mhz system for a new one. He just got a very nice Creative Labs sound card and has a decent AGP card and 160gb hd already. It uses SDRAM, btw.

What I am thinking is the following system:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811162018

This will work for the barebones system he is looking for. He just wants to surf, play music, chat, email.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813157092

I picked this board because it uses PCI-E or AGP, DDR or DDR2, any socket 775 (including the newest Core 2 Duo), onboard NIC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820150014

Cheapest two sticks of RAM for 1gb I could find.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819116213

Decent enough chip for 64 bit if he wants with dual core on the faster bus.

This system will then give him the chance to upgrade a piece here or there as he sees fit. If he needs more RAM, just grab new sticks (up to 2gb). If he wants the latest from nVidia, slap that in. If he wants the Core2Duo Extreme, slap that in. I think this system is very versatile. We are going to recycle he current HD, burner, AGP video card, and that sound card.

What does everyone else think? He is looking to spend $300 or less.

PS - Of course I will be formatting and reinstalling the OS.
 
Uh, why does he need a dual core processor if all he's doing is email and web surfing? 2GB of RAM also seems like overkill for his particular uses. I mean, if he's going to start gaming on it, then by all means. He won't be able to until he ditches the AGP card, but you've given him an upgrade path there, so he should be good.

If he's just going to use it as a web machine, then you can get a decent little laptop for $300. Once you find the joys of wireless internet, you can never go back.
 
theacoustician said:
Uh, why does he need a dual core processor if all he's doing is email and web surfing? 2GB of RAM also seems like overkill for his particular uses. I mean, if he's going to start gaming on it, then by all means. He won't be able to until he ditches the AGP card, but you've given him an upgrade path there, so he should be good.

If he's just going to use it as a web machine, then you can get a decent little laptop for $300. Once you find the joys of wireless internet, you can never go back.
Click to expand...

It's only 1gb of RAM. 2 512mb sticks.

The celeron D isn't much cheaper, $40. I guess for lowballing the system as much as possible I guess that is an option.

Edit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112205
 
theacoustician said:
Uh, why does he need a dual core processor if all he's doing is email and web surfing? 2GB of RAM also seems like overkill for his particular uses. I mean, if he's going to start gaming on it, then by all means. He won't be able to until he ditches the AGP card, but you've given him an upgrade path there, so he should be good.

If he's just going to use it as a web machine, then you can get a decent little laptop for $300. Once you find the joys of wireless internet, you can never go back.
Click to expand...

He does not want a laptop, I worked with him on that one. I love mine, but he said he doesn't need it. Whatever :shrug:
 
I've never understood why the average user thinks they need computer purchasing help. All they need to do is make a number up of how much they can spend and then get the most expensive unit at that number. Chances are they're not going to notice any difference whatsoever between dual-core or single, DDR1 or DDR2, SATA or IDE (the list goes on), when all they do is download porn and mp3s.

(this is KNYTE)
 
dbzeag said:
It's only 1gb of RAM. 2 512mb sticks.

The celeron D isn't much cheaper, $40. I guess for lowballing the system as much as possible I guess that is an option.

Edit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112205
Click to expand...
I misread your thing on the RAM then, my bad. Hey, if he has the extra cash, whatever, that's cool. He just doesn't really need it. Also, how old is his power supply, what brand, what power rating? 250 or more and he should be set, but if its old and an off brand, I'd go ahead and replace it now.
dbzeag said:
He does not want a laptop, I worked with him on that one. I love mine, but he said he doesn't need it. Whatever :shrug:
Click to expand...
Yeah, it would seem to be the ideal thing for him here considering his usage.
I just feel bad seeing people spending a lot just to surf the web. Maybe you can talk him into a TV tuner card and he could use the box as a media center. At least then he could get more usage out of it as a DVR.
 
Do you need a case? I have one you can have if you want to pay for the shipping. It's like new, I only used it for 2 months until I realized it was too small and had inadequate cooling for my system...theac will verify this as he is the one who drove me to Fry's to buy the case I currently use. Anyways, this case should be fine for what you are doing. It's one of these: http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=93000

It is completely stripped, you would need to buy fans and a PSU for it. But it's a good case for a small to medium level machine.
 
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kiwi said:
I've never understood why the average user thinks they need computer purchasing help. All they need to do is make a number up of how much they can spend and then get the most expensive unit at that number. Chances are they're not going to notice any difference whatsoever between dual-core or single, DDR1 or DDR2, SATA or IDE (the list goes on), when all they do is download porn and mp3s.

(this is KNYTE)
Click to expand...
Pretty much. Unless you're into gaming, multimedia editing/creation, or other processor intensive activities, its more about quality of build and what you want to spend rather than tech specs.
 
Its fine, but leave the 25 dollar cases alone. They either have no vents so anything you put in it runs hot and you have to retrofit a bunch of fans in it or they cut you up if you just look at it. They were fine in the duron days, but not now. You can probably find a decent quiet Antec for 30 dollars more.
 
Ryokurin said:
Its fine, but leave the 25 dollar cases alone. They either have no vents so anything you put in it runs hot and you have to retrofit a bunch of fans in it or they cut you up if you just look at it. They were fine in the duron days, but not now. You can probably find a decent quiet Antec for 30 dollars more.
Click to expand...

The one i'm offering him is 50 bucks without a power supply when it's bought new. It can hold 2 120mm fans one in front, and one in back, and 1 80mm fan on the side. it's a good case for a middle to low end machine but not for the beast I originally bought it for.

I just don't want the damn thing sitting empty in my dining room anymore, blondie will give me much hot lovin' if I get rid of it. Please help me get laid, I'll get an estimate for shipping if you are interested :fly:

Edit: plus I would buy a better psu than that other case you have posted above has in it, you'll regret that one as soon as you start getting random restarts and device failures.
 
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ERage said:
Do you need a case? I have one you can have if you want to pay for the shipping. It's like new, I only used it for 2 months until I realized it was too small and had inadequate cooling for my system...theac will verify this as he is the one who drove me to Fry's to buy the case I currently use. Anyways, this case should be fine for what you are doing. It's one of these: http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=93000

It is completely stripped, you would need to buy fans and a PSU for it. But it's a good case for a small to medium level machine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer, but that is going to be too big for the purpose he needs. Awesome case, though.
 
ERage said:
The one i'm offering him is 50 bucks without a power supply when it's bought new. It can hold 2 120mm fans one in front, and one in back, and 1 80mm fan on the side. it's a good case for a middle to low end machine but not for the beast I originally bought it for.

I just don't want the damn thing sitting empty in my dining room anymore, blondie will give me much hot lovin' if I get rid of it. Please help me get laid, I'll get an estimate for shipping if you are interested :fly:

Edit: plus I would buy a better psu than that other case you have posted above has in it, you'll regret that one as soon as you start getting random restarts and device failures.
Click to expand...

If I get the celeron chip, this system won't take much juice at all. The case's stock price is more than the case I speced AND the PS AND shipping :(
 
dbzeag said:
Thanks for the offer, but that is going to be too big for the purpose he needs. Awesome case, though.
Click to expand...

:wtf: too big or too expensive?

it supports standard atx and micro atx boards which you appear to be considering a standard atx board. it's not a huge case by any means...just a mid tower.

Whateva diva :p
 
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