Ok My Compaq (Presario 5010US) has died once again; this time it won't read my CD-ROMs (2). I have swapped out the cable and drives. It does recognize them being there but doesn't know what to do with them. I get a CODE 41.

So I think its time to purchase a new Computer; however my monitor, key board, and mouse that is still good. I am not looking for top of the line nor the bottom end models. I would like something to be good, work efficiently, reliable, and along with looking good.
This is what I am loking to accomplish with my New PC.
 I am looking for everyday use, mainly for school work.
 I use my Computer to listen to music all the time. I have my computer hooked into my home theater system.
 I am not an extreme gamer. I know Sims 2 doesn’t work on my current PC.
 Playing DVD on my PC isn’t important – I have a DVD player as part of my home theater and it’s in the same room as the Computer.
 Burning CD is important!
 2.0 USB
 I already have an XP format disk.


My Price Limit is $400 (without Rebates). The lesser spent the better.

My List of parts: Total $396. (Without Rebates)
 Ultra UV Wizard Blue ATX Mid-Tower Case with UV Reactive Clear Side, Front USB & Firewire Ports and Ultra X-Connect 400-Watt Power Supply - $80-30 = 50
 Samsung / 52x32x52x CD-RW / Black OEM with Software - $24
 MBM-7VT600P-2400 :: Gigabyte 7VT600P-RZ Via Socket A ATX Motherboard and AMD Sempron 2400+ Processor - $115
 Mushkin Green Line 128MB PC2700 DDR 333MHz Memory X2 - $40
 Connect3D Radeon 9250se / 128MB DDR / AGP 8X / VGA / TV Out / Video Card - $60-20=40
 Masscool / Socket A/370 / AMD Athlon XP up to 2800+ / Ball Bearing/Aluminum Fins / Copper Core / CPU Cooling Fan - $10

What do you think? If you where building a system for under $400 what would you have instead of what I have?
Also in the future there could be add-ons with my new computer.

 

I would bump the ram to atleast 2x256

The SE cards are budget cards that don't perform as well as the standard radeon cards, but if the sims is the most graphics intensive thing you use it should be fine.

Everything else should work fine.

Not sure if that case has any colored LEDs or not but they can be very bright. Annoying in my opinnion.

 

Do you really need a case? Cant you just use the compaq one and save yourself $50?

Dont know much about that motherboard but make sure it's a good one. You can have the best ram, processor and video...but if the mobo is crap - it's all crap. Plus, there isnt THAT much cost difference between a top of the line one and a medium grade - cheap on. I think I got my Asus P4C800 Deluxe for $110 on ebay...check maximumpc.com for some ratings: http://www.maximumpc.com/reviews/mot...rds/index.html

 

My Compaq isn't going to be used again... It doesn't sit flush to the desh... it has a tilt back to it and its not a happy case anymore. Its also falling apart.

What about Intel?

What AMD is equivlent to an Intel P4?

 

what OS do you plan on running? in all reality, XP shouldn't be run with less than 512 RAM. It can be run with less, but if you want smooth, reliable operation, 512 is the minimum.

 

the system isnt too bad.. semprons are just re-badged athlons.. so that 2400+ is supposed to compare to an Intel P4 2.4Ghz.

BUT... you can get a better board/cpu combo for the price.. on pricewatch you can get a AMD Sempron 2800+ 333Mhz FSB (faster then the 2400, that only has 266Mhz FSB), and an MSI motherboard for $117, WITH fan.. so you actually save $8 over the current setup your building, and you get a much better setup.

2x128mb is wasting your money. You can get 1 stick of 512mb for $34 courtesy of pricewatch. Then you still have a slot free and you get double the memory... win, win.

As for the video card, you can get a nVidia FX5200 for $46 (no rebates), and it will out perform that card, its only marginally slower then the 9600SE, which is $68.

You also forgot to add in the cost of a harddrive, dont know if your using it from your compaq or not?? but if you aren't then you can get a seagate 80gb drive for around $41.

Tally it all up.. and you get.

Your Case = $50
52x Name brand CD-RW = $20 (software doesn't matter)
(MSI & AMD 2800+) MOBO & CPU = $117
80GB HDD = $41
FX5200 Video = $46
512mb Memory = $34

Tower Total = $308 (don't know how you got to $396)

 

Thanks for the info. I was using Tiger Direct for the prices, because my buddy had a print catalog that he gave me.

 

yea, tigerdirect isn't that great of a company.. i've dealt with them before and had no problems, but apparently they are pretty shady. and now, their prices really aren't that great.. so many other distributors with better prices. pricewatch has the listing for nearly every company in the states, with the prices in order. only thing is, I would try and find the best company pricing for all the parts, instead of cheapest from each location. cost you a fortune in shipping.

 

Dont forget to Froogle too. Froogle.com

 

I'd use a Gigabyte mobo over an Asus nowaday.....maybe a year ago I would have choosen different....Although I never owned an asus mobo so my opinion is based on the masses whining about them on www.hardforum.com...

 

Min Requirement for XP home is 64 Ram.....128 will run it pretty good, 256 is overkill for just the OS alone....that being said I'd never build a system with less then 512 Ram esp. since the machine is going to be used alot for media apparently....

 

I'd HIGHLY recommend www.newegg.com they are really on the ball. MOST people receive stuff from them even before they're ship date. When using Pricewatch.com read the reviews of the companies before even considering to buy from them....

Youre set up seems pretty good to me for what youre going to be using it for. I would really suggest 512 meg of RAM though. DVD burners are getting less expensive too (60-70 bucks for a nice dual layer burner)....Seems like something you might like since youre obviously into burning media and music.....As far as motherboards I'd stick with Gigabyte, MSI, Asus (but not they're latest and greatest....they're are other good boards manufactors too like DFI but thats geared a little more turned the gamers and overclockers, but they make a good product regardless...

Good Luck

 

I have never ran anything but Asus mobos, and never had a problem.

Asus's are famous for being super easy to overclock, and they update their BIOS files quite often.

I second Newegg, they are one of the best online places to get your gear from.

 

first time i've ever heard that, i mean.. personally i find them simple to setup, but when i worked at a computer store we had 1 asus board returned about 4 times cause people just couldn't figure out how to configure it. And I agree with the above posts ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte are all quality boards.. but, like anything.. you can get a cheapo model where the quality could be lacking, along with features.

 

I looked at pricewatch… I have to order from many different companies, and the shipping and what not wouldn’t have been that much helpful.

So everyone has given some input so here’s what I have come up with now.

- Case: ASIAPRO ASYS Silver ATX Mid Tower Case with 450W Power Supply, Model "8676SW” – 32.50
- Mother Board: MSI "K7N2 Delta2-LSR" NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket A CPU - $56.00
- CPU: AMD Sempron 2600+ 1.833GHz, Socket A Processor - $81
- Memory: Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2700 - $33
- Hard Drive: Seagate 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST380011A, - $60
- Video Card: APOLLO nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "FX5200L1-128M" - $51
- CD/DVD: NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3520A, - $57
= Grand total of $400 including shipping.

How does this system sound?

 

If you are gonna game, go with a better vid card.
I had the Asus FX5200 when I built my current rig, and it lacks.
It will not even play some of todays stuff.
I am running an ATI 9600 Pro right now which is a very good under $200 card.

But when the funds roll in (Boeing callback) I will be droppin' in a $500 ATI XT 800 vid card.
One of the best ones out right now in the AGP format.

If you wanna stick with NVIDIA, the 6600 is a good one, and gives the ATI 9800 Pro a run.

Your ram, you can do better with PC 3200 which is better than the 2700.

The case, that is a cheap price, but the power suppy I bet is really cheap.
Do not skimp on the PS.
Here is a very good thread here on a PC hardware forum I use.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/rema...4798~mode=flat

Also here is a link there for figuring out how big a PS you need when you add up all your stuff.
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

 

Corey - What Power Supply's would you recommend? I am looking for a 375-425w power supply.

 

I would go with an Antec True Power, or if you want to manage your cables better, go with the Neo Power one like I plan on getting.

Both are on Neweggs site.
The cool thing about Neweggs site is you can read reviews from people who have bought the gear.

http://www.newegg.com/app/manufact.a...alog=58&DEPA=0
Thermaltake has an add on the above link for a 480 watt one, and they are pretty good too.
But Antec seems to be one of the most reliable PS out there.

Newegg sells Aspires as seen on their site, but from some of the reviews I read, they have problems.

Antec:
True 480
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-914&depa=0

Neo Power 480, the one I will get
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-924&depa=0

And while you were talking aboug a case earlier, check out their huge case area.
Here is the puppy I plan on rebuilding my current setup too, the Gaming Bomb II
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...123-071&depa=1

Not cheap, but it is first class.
No fancy X window or design, just a simple window like the one I put in my current case.

 

hope that helps..