[CravinR1]

OK my female friend asked me to build her a computer. Her requirements were : Downloading music/videos/pictures, fast to load programs, be able to multitask easily. Watch movies in HD. Her budget was $500 (but I had to go to $550 MAX because she wants me to overclock it)

I don't need OS, will be putting Windows XP Pro SP2 on it

Here is where I'm at now:

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...px?ID=11311552

Rosewill R223-P-BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $29.99 (Free Shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147109

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128372

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102770

XCLIO STABLEPOWER 460W 460W ATX V2.2 Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189013

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail $50.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $36.61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233003

XIGMATEK ACK-I7753 Retention Bracket For 4 heatpipes model only - Retail $6.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233020

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151187

Total: $515.02

Alternative Choice
I've setup an alternative build based on your guys suggestions. Remember she wants to watch hd and doesn't want the computer to be slow. So do you think Intel GMA HD 4500 can do this? I also added her a 19" widescreen LCD monitor and the computer comes in at $440 before shipping (over a $100 saving and has a monitor) See what you think of the following:

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...px?ID=14399568

Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147111

GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128388

XCLIO STABLEPOWER 460W 460W ATX V2.2 Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189013

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail $66.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $99.99 (free shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254005

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151187

Total: $439.90

 

[Angmaar]

That looks like a nice build. You should be able to get that E2180 up to 3.33ghz.

 

[Darkknight512]

The HD4850 would be overkill and would just add extra heat, noise and power consumtion, thats assuming she is not a gamer.

An HD4670 would have plenty of power for Blueray, maxes out all games at 1280x1024...

Even an HD4350 would be fine, plus it runs passive!

Even the 4350 can run Crysis on low (1024x768) at above 30 FPS

 

[candy_van]

If she's not gonna game, you could shave off a few bucks on a cheaper video card. A $50-60 (or cheaper) HDCP card would do the trick.

EDIT: beat me 2 it Darkknight LOL, yea even a 3650/4650 would be adequate

 

[JKBenchmarks]

I can multi-task fine on my setup.

The video card is a bit much for just HD movies. Look for something that is cheaper and doesn't need PCI-e power.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161252

This, perhaps?

 

[godsgift2dagame]

Listen, look up combo deals for those parts...you can cut down about $50 for exact same parts...

 

[wolf2009]

go to gym, eat protein rich food and gym as much as you can. that'll give you a nice build for a female friend.

j/k

that looks more than enough for her requirements, esp the video card. She'll say that's more than I can handle. Then don't come to me saying "that's what she said", coz I'm telling you right now.

lol, look at the people lining up to reply to this thread.

*TIP of THE DAY* - Mention "Female" in your Thread title and everybody jumps in

 

[candy_van]

LOL waaait I get it...he wants to play games on it too....you sly dog you

 

[ZealotKi11er]

Drop the CPU and get E5200 Much better and is only 2$ more.
Edit: Also change the cooler to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233029

 

[jebus101]

i agree with a 4670, probably because i own one!

but, its a great budget card and doesnt need additional power cables aswell.

edit: make that, i own 2

 

[aksthem1]

The E5200 would be much better for $2 more. An HD4670 would a better solution without losing too much in terms of performance.

And Newegg's current shell shocker is a bit cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147127

Edit: The Xigmatek Dark Knight is slightly cheaper and comes with retention bracket. And of course is the same thing as the HDT-S1283, but nickel plated.

 

[LiquidForce]

That case is microATX... the motherboard wont fit

And I would look around the for sale section and try to find some good prices on used parts.

As others have said the 4850 is a little bit of overkill for movies. And the UD3R may be a bit much too.

 

[intelfan]

Get the E5200, a less powerful video card for watching HD video and a different power supply.
The Corsair VX550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

Corsair CX400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

 

[CravinR1]

Reps +

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkknight512 The HD4850 would be overkill and would just add extra heat, noise and power consumtion, thats assuming she is not a gamer. An HD4670 would have plenty of power for Blueray, maxes out all games at 1280x1024...

I agree but the 4850 is only $30 more, which is 33% but alot faster

 

[Jnesses]

go amd please

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.213493

 

[godsgift2dagame]

Antec 300 + Earthwatts 430W

Kuma 7750 + ECS Mobo + 4GB Corsair DDR2 + WD 320GB HD

Dark Knight CPU cooler

Radeon 4670 1GB DDR3

TOTAL = $390 + S/H - $45MIR

EDIT: Use the remainder of cash to add more HD space (WD 1 TB?)

 

[godsgift2dagame]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnesses go amd please http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.213493

You got the same combo...NICE!

 

[Muhahahaha]

Female "friend"?

 

[Darkknight512]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CravinR1 Reps + I agree but the 4850 is only $30 more, which is 33% but alot faster

I would agree but a 4670 is quiet and uses less power, this is a media pc not a gaming one, if it were me I would put a 4350 in there and have a passive card.

Even most intel integrated solutions could do what you listed there, but a 4350 or 4670 just ensures everything runs buttery smooth, lets her play some casual games, Vista Aero would run with out a hitch, has HDMI with Audio, built in decoders so she could multitask while watching a movie.

As for an OS Windows Xp, Windows Vista Home Premium should do, I belive if you get Vista now u get a free upgrade to 7, when it comes out.

 

[NoGuru]

What about OS?