first time computer builder-need advice

[krispy1993]

I am a high school student who would like to build a fast PC for internet surfing, email, and general media for less than $600. I don't know a lot about computers, but I have friends who do, and one who recently built his own computer. I am currently the owner of a Gateway PC designed for windows 98 that has been "upgraded" to windows 2000. What components (Case with a Power Supply, Motherboard, Processor, Memory (RAM) , Hard Drive, Video Card, DVD/CD drive) would you all recommend for less than $600 I would like to have built in capability to connect to my home's wireless network. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
-Chris

 

[Muffin Man]

welcome.

what else will you be needing?

monitor, keyboard, mouse? it also sounds like you could use a newer OS? you could buy vista home premium with a free windows 7 upgrade coupon. if you dont need one, just say. do you plan on gaming on it, or just general uses like the ones youve mentioned already?

 

[b1gapl]

Welcome to Tech Forums, krispy!!

In my opinion, you don't really need a desktop to be doing internet surfing, email, and general media. There are tons of laptops under $500 that can do just that, plus it's portable.

But here's a list of components that I did make up for you:


Case - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
w/ Scythe Slipstream 120mm Case Fan (for the front of the case)
Processor - Intel Pentium E5300 2.6GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2H LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory - G. Skill 2x1GB DDR2-800
Power supply - Corsair 400CX 400W
Hard drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB
Optical drive - HP 24X DVD Burner
OS - Vista Home Premium w/ Windows 7 Upgrade coupon
Wireless - ENCORE ENLWI-N IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI 2.3 Wireless Adapter Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-bits WEP Encryption WPA, WPA2 WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK

Comes out to $524.86, shipping not calculated.

If you do decide for a laptop, here's a suggestion:

TOSHIBA Satellite L305-S5962 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T4200(2.00GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 2GB Memory DDR2 800 250GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA 4500M - Retail

 

[aaronkupen]

That's a good build, but I think that case is kind of overkill for him (not necessarily price wise, but I've used that case personally and I don't think its well suited for a build like this).

 

[overlord20]

I think it is a good choice of case. Very stylish if nothing else. Looks good for a good price AND has some function.

 

[b1gapl]

How about this then?
COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

[aaronkupen]

Personally that would be more along the lines of something I would recommend, but it's ultimately up to him. Don't try to convince me .

 

[krispy1993]

Thanks for all the advice so fast. I might consider buying a laptop too, but i hear that building a computer would make a faster operating machine.

 

[b1gapl]

Not necessarily. Of course the OS will operate a little faster because it's not bloated with junk software that retail desktop and laptops are filled with. With a laptop you just have to know how to clean it out. But building your own computer is always good, because it's a nice learning experience.

 

[Trotter]

Here's a smaller case that would work well, since it is a mATX board:
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Speaking on the board, this one has better graphics for a buck cheaper:
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-73PVM-S2H LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7100 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards