Dad's little build :D

[wickedestman]

Alright guys, my dad system is somewhat dying (there is a thread in Windows section!) and he is thinking of a new simple rig. i was looking at a combo deal from a local store:

Motherboard AM2 PCI-E + AMD Athlon 4200+ X2 Dual Core + 1GB DDR2 800= $1045.00 ($165.00usd)

extra... 1GB DDR2 800 $175.00 ($27usd)

160GB SATA2 7200rpm HDD $345 ($54usd)

Case, $300.00 ($50usd)

I really want to try and run windows vista with this setup, but my dad only uses a computer for his work, which is basics like excel, word, outlook. He does no gaming what so ever!

1) Should those specs be able to run vista?

2) Do i need a graphics card? because the board i am getting, it comes with an on-board graphics card, (geforce 6100 i think) and dad isnt gonna need too much graphics.

My friend was telling me that the onboard gfx should be enough for vista and vista was more RAM intensive and 2GB of RAM is adequate for what my dad needs to do. Is this true?

[IM back!]

Motherboard AM2 PCI-E + AMD Athlon 4200+ X2 Dual Core + 1GB DDR2 800= $1045.00 ($165.00usd)
overpriced and intel would be better.

Should those specs be able to run vista?
yes but not very fast, due to the slow cpu/gpu.

Do i need a graphics card? because the board i am getting, it comes with an on-board graphics card, (geforce 6100 i think) and dad isnt gonna need too much graphics.
you dont need a better gpu but if you want to run areo you want a better gpu (nvidia 8400 maybe). I ued to use a 6150le with vista and run areo, I had a huge speedup when i swiched to my 8800gts 512.

[mjc]

Yes, that is a bit high for that setup...here in the States it can be had for just around $100. If you are limited to local selections only, then the price isn't too horrible...

The extra gig of RAM is perfect for it.

If this is going to be an 'office' machine, then stick with XP and don't worry about Vista (that is if you can still get it...).

And since it isn't going to any gaming, I wouldn't worry too much about a graphics card...unless you do go to Vista, then one of the lower priced Nvidia cards or an Ati 38xx or 4xxx series card would be fine (heck, even an ati 26xx card would be ok for an office machine).

[wickedestman]

IM back!, man no offence but, you gotta read what i am saying :D these are local prices... they are 200% higher than american prices :p its sad that we get raped down here. but what can i say. :D but thanks for the input on the 6150 i needed a lil help with that :cool: in this case i cant wait til i go away next couple weeks :(

thanks IM back!

mjc, hey man!
:eek: you say 100usd... for all that or just the mobo deal?

So the best bet is to stay with XP? I was a bit worried because, Vista will be the future and XP will sooner or later, be the past, and my dad still has the notion that computers will last 5 years without any updates!

thanks mjc, when i go away month end, God willing, i will really think about buying a better GPU, like a 38xx ATI, but the 2.2Ghz and 2GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM coupled with a 38xx ATi should more than be able to run vista right?

(thats just in case i decide to switch from XP to Vista or start the system with Vista)

I honestly would rather get vista for my dad because he needs to get acquainted with the new OS and at some point he will need to. Do you agree?

Thanks Mjc ;)




And sorry for the late reply guys, one of my family members passed away :( and we went to the funeral

[mjc]

The mobo/CPU combo...I paid just about $100 for mine. I'm basically running the same setup right now. It isn't a bad machine, but I wouldn't want to try to run Crysis on it...maybe with an 8800 in I would. And since I didn't need an OS (running Linux), optical drives or case, the whole thing set me back a little under $200 adding in a small SATA drive, 2 GB of OCZ RAM and a PSU. With the PSU being the biggest chunk of the other $100.

With the onboard graphics it would be a fine office system under XP, but since Vista does everything in 3d, the onboard wouldn't quite cut it...maybe if you bumped it up to 4 GB of RAM...but that board probably only has 2 slots, so you would have to dump the 1 gig sticks in favor of 2 gig ones.

Overall, for a nongaming/general purpose/office machine...yeah, decent choice.

[wickedestman]

noiccceeeeeeeeee news mjc. and that was really cheap..

Guess what, we bought the following today:

MSI K9AGM3
2GB RAM DDR2-800 (markvision)
320GB WD HDD SATA2
Case with 450W PSU
4600+ X2 @2.39GHz

We paid $2200 in total. thats $375usd. Which isnt sooo bad. it would have costed less if i chose a 160GB HDD (generic) and a ECS mobo, but i decided to pay the lil extra and buy a more reputable brand.

However, i found that when i was playing a song in winamp and installing an application, the music began to lag and i experienced a lag. Is this because i am using purely onboard gfx, sound? and if i use a pci sound card and graphics card i will not get a lag? because i found that lag strange.

I also only have 1.5GB RAM accessible, due to RAM being shared with video memory.

BTW the cores idle at around 40C and with work, maxxed at 50C. With a stock cooler and no case fans(i will add on some sooner or later because it is necessary!) Is that ok?

I intend to add on these extra fans, buy a ATi 3850, new PSU and maybe a soundcard. Because i know for vista i will need it!

Do you all agree?

Thanks so far

[mjc]

The sound issue does seem strange...have you the latest drivers for the onboard sound or the ones that came on the CD? (same for chipset and video)?

Temps are pretty good...especially without case fans.

Yeah, the vid card and sound card will help, especially with Vista.

[wickedestman]

mjc, that was pretty fast reply bro thanks man!

nah, its the one that came with the cd. I think i will go hunting for drivers soon :D

Its currently updating and switching off. Its so good to have you remind me of that little issue of drivers. I somehow seem to forget it.

cool, i was a bit worried if those temps are good. I will keep monitoring them. Right now the system is in my room with aircondition. In dad's office he doesnt use a/c much and here in the tropics our room temps are like 30-34C

[mjc]

Yeah, I know...there isn't much you can do without air conditioning if your ambient temps are in the low range of the CPU temp. Mid 30s is the low end for most modern CPUs.

[George Hallam]

Hey mate a 3850 for that rig and a soundcard is overkill

a cheap

(ATI) 3450/3650 or a (Nvidia) 8400/8500 will work wonders

and a soundcard is ok but for office work its not really needed if you really want one don't go buying a X-fi or Asus all singing all dancing one just try to stay under $20 (USD) ;) :p

[wickedestman]

hey guys, sorry for such a late reply now.

I got the ATi 3650 DDR3 512MB one for dad. I would like to know one thing..

will that work on a generic 480W PSU? it should right? and m not OC'd or anything. and its just 2GB RAM, 4600X2, DVDRW drive. and i need to put in a 80mm fan.

this is the card btw...

ATI 3650 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102725)

[George Hallam]

yep it will be fine ;)

come on 1 minute reply now that service :p

[wickedestman]

boy george!! thanks soo much.. no one can beat that kind of service!

I think tmrw i'll throw im in and test him out :D ill let you guys know

i wana get it outta the way because college is soon.

BTW, i am still waiting for the case and cooler. Once those arrive ill post some pics about my rig

[George Hallam]

ok good man, how is your rig coming along or did you decide on just getting a laptop?

[wickedestman]

lol i got the parts already lol

i am just waiting for a case (antec 900) and the zalman cpu cooler ;)

i bought a P5Q-E, 4gb OCZ HPC ddr2 800 RAM, 500GB HDD, BFG 9800GTX+, SB x-fi gamer sound card, corsair 750W PSU.

my next thread has the same details. once i get those last two pieces ill post pictures of the build up once we start.

thanks so much guys for your help!

wish saph and the others could reply :D

the laptop is running sweeet as well too