A Build for my Parents! - Overclock.net

Fkyx · 06-15-08

Alright. So my mom and dad celebrate their birthdays this coming June 22nd and 23rd, and I just suddenly had the idea to build them a new computer. Putting the computer together really is the most fun part, so I plan on leaving it disassembled until either of those days, and put it together with my dad. I'll make sure to document it adequately with photos! Anyway, here's the list of parts for you all to look over, firstly because it's been a while since I built Jillian (and I've forgotten a lot of the important stuff), and secondly, I'd like your input.

I wanted to get everything in under $800 shipped so that they can keep their current setup for my niece or something. I might be able to get my sister to soften the blow to my wallet, but really, I wouldn't mind since it's for my parents.

I've done my best to find parts that will suit its use. It's really just a web browser, email-er, Windows games-er, so it doesn't need to be too intense, but perhaps in the future my dad may like to get back into gaming... so I've allowed for that sort of thing as well. The important part is it's new and up-to-date. The main stress is on minimal noise, but good performance. There are no plans to overclock (yet).

That said, here goes:
As of 2:58AM PST, 6-15-08
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119115
Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254017
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128081
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103212
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130356
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231144
Optical Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075

Misc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826105122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823107128
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817114182

The total (at this point in time) comes out to a nice $791.19 shipped. I have an unused copy of Vista Home from my build with Jillian, which was replaced with Vista Business (thanks MSDNAA). I'll be throwing one of my YateLoon medium speed fans in the case as well, and maybe some other things that I have lying around.

You input is more than welcome, but I'm on a *STRICT* budget of $800 shipped. I don't want to be as flexible as I was with Jillian.

Thanks!

*EDIT*
Just remembered I have an existing 160GB HDD. Assuming I remove this from the list, what would you recommend changing, if anything? I might need to buy a wireless adapter for the old rig so that it can sit in another room.

Am3oo · 06-15-08

well first thing would be buying an am2 mb compatible cooler, cause that one won't work with am2. BTW, you might aswell keep the stock box cooler, as it will cope good enough even with a mild oc (if it would be the case)
secondly, I would really really really try to get a 9600gso if there is a possibility of gaming on it, cause the difference between this and 8600gt is...let's say,

(and if you keep the stock cooler, you will be able to get this)

Fkyx · 06-15-08

Oh whoops. I was originally going with a C2D build and didn't change the cooler when I changed the mobo/cpu combo. Thanks for pointing that out!

*EDIT*
I'll be going with the stock CPU cooling. There really isn't any need for it, in the end. I must still be in enthusiast mode. :P I've updated the original post. The GPU is still up in the air, though. Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks again!

LawLIam · 06-15-08

Hey, I'd pass on that keyboard. I have that one and the keys start to stick after a while. Get a lite on USB. Those are good buy for a inexpensive KB. Also, there is a way better mouse that you can get for 20 dollars. THIS MOUSE ROCKS!!!!!!!! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826105122

KamuiRSX · 06-15-08

Well let me give you some input.

http://www.slickdeals.net is your friend. Use it, abuse it, find a good deal to save you money.

First, I wouldn't buy the 8600GT. Go ahead and get one of the 8800GT's from Tigerdirect.com while they are still $119 after the MIR.

Second, go to radioshack.com and search for the Thermaltake 600w PSU that's on clearance for like $40 and click the link to search for stores. See if there are any stores in your area that have it in stock. That will help you on shipping.

Third, there's a combo deal going on right now with Newegg for some AMD processors and a case that will help you out there.

Fourth, On monday, Newegg will have the G. Skill 4GB DDR2 1000 5-5-5-15 on sale for $69.99 with free shipping. Or it might be $59.99. I dunno right now and I'm too lazy to search for it but trust me that's what it is and you should get it. I was wrong. I fixed it though. Here's what to look for.

Newegg Shell Shocker 6/16 6am PDT g.skill 2x2gb 1000mhz ram for $70 shipped

Fifth, I stress this as much as possible to everyone I come across but buy your monitors in stores if at all possible. The reason is because every week, stores put monitors on sale and coupled with some coupons you can turn it into an awesome deal.

Sixth, keyboars and mice are on sale in stores all the time with combo sets to save you some money as well. Wal-mart has a bunch on clearance around here but that's a YMMV.

Seventh, nice board

Hope that helps. I know most people prefer to buy their parts all at once from the same source and just be done with it but I'm not that way. It took me 4 months to build my machine.

Fkyx · 06-15-08

Thanks, guys!

I don't really mind buying from different places as long as I don't get screwed on shipping. The main problem is I'm on a time crunch. I want to have all the parts by the 22nd, which basically means I have all of this week to wait for parts... and I won't be able to order until Monday or even Tuesday. ... thinking about that, the only way it would be possible is to have Newegg rush process the order, and hopefully get it out the same day, because it'll most definitely take the entire 3 days to ship all the parts. That said, I'll definitely go for the deal on memory, regardless of the price.

Unfortunately for me, the only place to pick up decent monitors near where my parents live is Staples. I haven't had much luck with them, and honestly, don't intend to buy from them again. I can't afford to do a whole lot of driving when I'm up there, either, as I'll only be in the area for two weeks, and will have family visiting the entire time.

If I had the time, I would definitely look for deals and such... then again, that has gotten me in trouble with Jillian. I kept finding these great deals and would figure "just enough" into my budget to get that part... next thing I know I'm $300 over budget.

Thanks for the ideas, though! I wish I could be more flexible with this build... but I seriously just thought it up today, and won't have the funds to order parts until Monday or Tuesday.

The keyboard and mouse ideas are great! I've used that 5-button mouse before, and it really is fantastic. It died a bit prematurely, though. I'll add that and the Lite-On USB keyboard in place of the current choices. Original post updated with 9600GSO.

More input on GPUs would be appreciated! There seems to be more selection these days.

Am3oo · 06-15-08

well there isn't much to be said.
besides from rebates or whatever "on sale" status, the 9600gso is the abslute best of the cheaper video cards. Better options (but more expensive) would be 9600gt/3870->8800gt->8800gts(512MB)

Fkyx · 06-15-08

Alright. I'll go with the GSO for sure then.

Anyone else have input on the built as a whole?

Somenoob · 06-15-08

I would consider the 780G that way you can slash off the 9600 GSO. How high is the chance of your Dad getting back into gaming? The on-board video of the 780G is decent and you can pick up a decent card later down the road if your dad wants to get into serious gaming.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128090

Fkyx · 06-15-08

That board looks good, actually. My dad's gaming is by no means serious, or will it ever be. He played the original Day of Defeat until the clan he played with became inactive, and that's about it. I mean, I'll probably buy him a WWII game every once in a while when I deem one worthy, but that'll be the extent of his gaming. Right now he feels like he needs to do overtime at work to help me at college, though.

I'll consider it. Moving to that board and dropping the GPU would save me a buck, but at the same time, I probably wouldn't bother to buy him a new GPU in the future. lol We'll see.

Another thing I should mention is this will sort of be a backup computer for me as well. It's a hassle lugging my Stacker around every time I visit (because I need a powerhouse to use all the time). So I'd like to be able to get my fix without having to bring Jillian with me.

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A Build for my Parents!

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