Moms Computer Build

[Dr DMoney]

My mom needs a new computer. Instead of buying a computer off the shelf and throwing away money, I have offered to build her a new computer.

I will be using newegg to buy all the parts.

I want this computer to last as long as possible. But the budget is very tight. No more that $600 and $500 is the optimal range. So the cheaper the better but not at the expense of performance.

Specs:
Motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
PSU: Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 400R ATX12V 400W Power Supply 120/220 - 240v NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail
Ram: Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
GPU: Newegg.com - XFX PVT86SYAFG GeForce 8400GS 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
Mouse/Keyboard: Newegg.com - Logitech 967973-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys PS/2 Standard Deluxe 250 Desktop Mouse Included - OEM
HDD: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
DVD: Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - Retail
Case:Newegg.com - Rosewill RZS01 SLV SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail


*Note*
I know that I need a x64 bit OS for 4GB. I already have a copy of x64 xp and x64 vista Ultimate. Which would be the better to use. Also she will be just using her old monitor, but I am just thinking of going to goodwill and finding a better one. If I am missing anything or if you have a different compination a specs then please post. The reason I want 2x 2gb of ram is becasue today 2gb is standard and in a year it will be 3.5 the max for 32 bit os. In a few years I can see the standard being 8gb of ram. That may seem extreme but to really think about it vista will make everything upgrade to that standard to actually run well on the system.

 

[dario03]

I think 2gb of ram would last a general computer user a long time. Having more than 2gb is more of a future proof for games, video editing, cad.

 

[ricanflow]

In that case go amd, you will get good performance for the dollar. An X2 5000+ black edition @3ghz is equal to that e6550, and costs $70 less. Am2 boards are cheaper, also.

 

[maroon1]

From the benchmarks that I saw the difference between E4600 and E6550 is negligible, but E4600 does overclock much better and it is cheaper
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Allendale 2.4GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Or you could get the E6750 or the new E8400 if can spend a little more

Change the video card to this
Newegg.com - ZOTAC ZT-84SEG2P-FSR GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

 

[maroon1]

In that case go amd, you will get good performance for the dollar. An X2 5000+ black edition @3ghz is equal to that e6550

AMD's Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition | Tom's Hardware

According to this review, 5000+ @ 3.1GHz was 2.5% slower than E6550

And 5000+ @ 3.3GHz was only 2.5% faster that E6550

To be more exact, you need to to overclock 5000+ to around 3.2GHz to get an equal performance to a stock E6550

 

[ricanflow]

AMD's Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition | Tom's Hardware

According to this review, 5000+ @ 3.1GHz was 2.5% slower than E6550

And 5000+ @ 3.3GHz was only 2.5% faster that E6550

To be more exact, you need to to overclock 5000+ to around 3.2GHz to get an equal performance to a stock E6550

Well, 2.5% is really nothing, and the 3.2ghz is easily done, all you have to do up the multiplier to 16x and the voltage to 1.4ghz. Anyways, 3.0ghz is enough power for the build ....i think you would agree.

 

[veg1992]

AMD's Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition | Tom's Hardware

According to this review, 5000+ @ 3.1GHz was 2.5% slower than E6550

And 5000+ @ 3.3GHz was only 2.5% faster that E6550

To be more exact, you need to to overclock 5000+ to around 3.2GHz to get an equal performance to a stock E6550

unlocked multiplier on the 5000+ BE

 

[Dr DMoney]

This is going to be my moms computer. I have no plan on overclocking. do you think that this is the best deal or should I go amd without overclocking. Also I am going to stick with my GPu because it has 512mb instead of 256mb.
With ram being so cheap why not go with 4gb of ram.

 

[maroon1]

Just get E4600 or E6750, both are better than a stock 5000+

EDIT: 8400GS is not powerful enough to take the advantage of 512MB memory

And the 256MB version that I suggested does perform better because it have higher memory speed

 

[Vaanish]

I would say, that for general computing tasks, which I assume thay this rig is going to be used for, an e2180 would offer more than enough power.