Help me build a basic, but "Fast" computer for my friend.

[BiGyLiLuPdAmIdL]

Ok my freind has just asked me to build him a computer. his budget is between $300-$400. He will NOT be gaming. All he needs basically is a cpu, mobo, ram, HDD, case, and a videocard if the mobo doesnt have an integrated one. He can use his old DVD drives, but he says he wants to get a new hard drive.

He mainly uses his pc for itunes, wathcing videos, and dvd's, internet browsing, and other basic stuff, but he does run windows media center edition on his pc now, and he wathces TV on it, so he needs somehting that will handle that. He says he wants it "fast" lol.

I was thinking something like an Athlon 64, or a Pentium D, 1 gig ram, a 250GB 16mb cache hdd, i already have the case picked out with a 400watt psu, and a cheap videocard if needed. My main question is this. He lieks to do a LOT of multi tasking, everytime I'm at his house he has like 8 windows opened up lol. So should i go with a Pentium D, or an Athlon 64?

I'd appreciate it if you guys can post links to parts you think that'd be good for him. I'm pretty sure 400 should cover it since he isn't gaming.

 

[Nukem]

Athlon 64 3700+ (s939) - 93.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103622
Foxconn 6100K8MA-RS - 58.00 (onboard nvid1a 6100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186085
mushkin 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM - 70.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146169
WD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s - 78.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 - 75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119080

374.00 without shipping... he can add another 512MB stick when he has the money... you might even be able to pick up a cheap 1GB kit else where...

or he can go for something like this...

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=TS-4000D-A38-R&cat=SYS

 

[bmitchell73]

Awsome job nukem, thats the kinda pc I would want for video's and web browsin.
If he dosent want a 250gb HD, I would strongly suggest:
Western Digital Caviar Sata 3gb/s 80GB HD $43.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
and
PNY Optima 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400
instead of the mushkin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820236110

That would come to a total of about $380. The 1 gig of RAM is really nice when you're watchin movies alot.

 

[fastrandstrongr]

outpost.com has some decent prices on ram, if i remember correctly.

 

[freedonutss]

1. Pentium 805 D, Dual core Processor = 90
2. ECS P4M890T-M2 Motherboard = 60, with onboard Video
3. Kingston 512mb pc2700 ram (im selling a stick btw)
4. Most likely a SATA HDD, Can get a good 80gig one for about 50 bucks.
5. Probably a xion. Good cases for prices. range from $40-100. Some come with PSU.
6. Samsung DVDRW/CDRW Writer, 5/5 ratings = $30
All from newegg.

 

[Biggie578]

to get some extra preformance without buying better parts, get rid of itunes

seriously, tweak it alot. http://www.tweakguides.com/

I have seen a huge increase in preformance with just basic tweaks (services/UI stuff). I made my 1.8 duron very useful for multitasking. I think a sempron 64 would be more than enough. 512mb RAM is fine, 2x256. A nice simple mobo. Socket 754 is cheaper than 939, 184 pin DIMM. a PATA hdd would probably be cheaper. Sorry that that is so jumbled and no links. Something between the 2 sets suggested would be best.

 

[freakuency]

also, if your into tinkering, get a hold of nlite (assumption kicking in...) it'll let you decide the components of xp that you want to install, and you can effectivley cut out all of the baggage of xp so that its as light as a feather!

my p3 700 runs a modded (LEGAL!) copy of xp, and it takes 400mb of hdd space, and uses 60mb ram, and boots up in 30 secs...

http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html

 

[Biggie578]

or just windows2k if u dont mind the slow boots. It dosent have that "genuine advantage" so that might be best if he dosent have a legit copy of xp. And 2x512 would be considerably better if you have xtra monies.