Building a comp as a christmas present, tell me if this is good?

TrumandrummerTrumandrummer Taylor Michigan Icrontian
edited December 2008 in Hardware
Ok, So im helping my dad with a Christmas present, and the title says it. He was gonna buy one, but we decided it MIGHT be better to build it.

Have a fairly low budget here, I managed to get about $500 total, we want to keep it low, preferably under $600, hopefully lower.

I did my best with making sure all the components would go together, BUT I need help with a motherboard. We want one that is ATX and can support up to 16gb of ram, and and intel CPU, but at a decent price.

Our idea here isn't to go all out, but build it to where if needed the computer could be built up pretty high.

Heres what I have so far:

Case = RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEBP with 500W power supply $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098

Motherboard = ????any ideas????


CPU = Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz $159
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Graphics = EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB $59 (incl mail-in rebt)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130395

Memory = OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB
(obviously, this would depend on the motherboard, so this is just for the idea on price) $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

HardDrive = Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB $41
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075
(160gb not much, I know. But im planning on getting a 1tb drive and hooking it to our network, so space isn't that big of a deal.)

Total so far = $426

any ideas?

EDIT: this is gonna me less of a gaming, more of a music computer.... but with the occasional game lol (we rarely play pc games, but sometimes we do. Like left 4 dead)
but I have not picked out a sound card yet.
Also monitor, keyboard, mouse we already got....
and speakers, we got more than enough.

Comments

  • bullzisniprbullzisnipr Topeka, KS
    edited November 2008
    I recommend this ASUS motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131347

    and I wouldn't trust that raidmax PSU, get this instead.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

    If you are going to purchase a separate PSU, I'd recommend finding a case that does not include one to keep the price down.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Before asking for components advice, please let us know how the computer will be used. At this point, we have no idea which performance parameters should be stressed? Hard drive speed or volume, CPU clock speed, video card specifications ....maybe onboard graphics will do nicely?
  • TrumandrummerTrumandrummer Taylor Michigan Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    man that is a really good deal on that psu, and the motherboard. thanks bullzisnipr :D

    Sorry leonardo,
    I edited my post saying what its gonna be used for,
    some gaming, not extreme.... but more than likely the graphics card will be updated in the near future. But the computer is gonna be mainly for just everyday use, and music. Like recording and stuff, nothing major though, plus he has an external sound card made for the recording, and a lot of equipment. Plus as for hard-drive space, he only has a 60gb right now, and hasn't been able to fill that even after 3 years. so 100-200gb will do great.

    Its just the computer he has, has only 512mb of ram, and a terrible cpu, and video. I mean you have to set this thing to windows classic theme just to get it running decent and that is on windows xp home.
  • bullzisniprbullzisnipr Topeka, KS
    edited November 2008
    Trumandrummer wrote:
    man that is a really good deal on that psu, and the motherboard. thanks bullzisnipr :D

    No problem. ;)
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    For video cards, would you consider used? It is not hard to find 8800GTs on the pre-owned market now for under $100. A couple others here were remarking that the 9600GSO, which is a decent performer for moderate gaming, can be had for about $60. I would imagine the 9600GSO roughly compares to an ATI 3850. I don't know what they're going for lately.

    Since you are not building with the latest, fastest, I-want-bragging-rights components, don't be afraid to look for used parts. Just ensure you only trade with persons whom you completely trust or who have excellent, documented trading records (Heatware). I can afford about whatever I want for computer gear. I still don't buy the 'latest,' usually waiting at least six months to a year after release, and more than 50% of what I purchase is from trading forums or Craigslist.

    Oh, have you factored in an operating system for the computer?
  • TrumandrummerTrumandrummer Taylor Michigan Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    I would not mind a used video card at all. I think that would be great actually. Im just gonna have to talk to my dad on that one.

    I have thought about an operating system a little. Ive never had to buy one really, because every computer that I have purchased came with one pre installed. I know he does not really like vista at all, So ill probably be going for xp. obviously im gonna need 64bit with 4gb of ram though.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Why don't you install Vista 64 bit. If you are building a new machine and have to purchase an operating system, you might as well get Vista. Disclosure: I have no Vista machines. XP is not going to be supported forever. Also, Vista should run very nicely with 4GB of RAM. Don't go on my word alone though, as I haven't much experience with Vista.
  • TrumandrummerTrumandrummer Taylor Michigan Icrontian
    edited December 2008
    I might end up just getting vista. Its not the performance that he don't like, its the fact the he is so used to xp, a lot has been changed and moved and I guess hes not much for change.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited December 2008
    Well, make him happy and get XP. If it were for you or me, I'd say go Vista. Apparently there are very few hardware problems now with the SP1 release. also, I mentioned above, 4GB and Vista runs very smoothly (according to what I've read). But for your Dad, unless he's expressed interest in learning the next generation OS, he'd be happier with the familiar. He can always upgrade later when XP is eventually left by the wayside.
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited December 2008
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010


    thats teh PSU to get right there!

    as far as mobo the asus board is fine

    Vid car 8800gt or 9800 GT
  • SonorousSonorous F@H Fanatic US Icrontian
    edited December 2008
    Vista only takes about 4 or 5 days to get used to. It's the more advanced options that take some time to figure out (mainly manual IP settings) I say go with Vista and use that 4 gigs right.
  • TrumandrummerTrumandrummer Taylor Michigan Icrontian
    edited December 2008
    That is a nice PSU gnome, very nice, and 600w, probably gonna have to go for that.

    Yea ive decided to go for vista, because for as much money as xp still costs, why pay all of that for an old operating system, right.
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