New Computer for the girlfriend

[pseudonym]

My GF just moved out of her house finally and she needs a computer. I of course gallantly stride to the rescue and suggest I'll build her a good one. I ask her what she wants and to my surprise she says she wants to be able to play the new LOTR RTS!! Not being one to deny their GF of playing video games, I say excellent, but it'll cost you more, but she tells me to go for it. I was going to order it tonight but since she just moved I'm not sure what phone # her credit card company has on file and Newegg wants it :mad: . I figured I'd run this buy you guys just for fun to kill some time cause I know how you like it; and I'm sure Geeky1 will love to yell at me about the case selection ;)

-Powmax Case with 400W PSU (25 bucks, I'm skimping on this to put cash into the rest, but a change to this probably wouldn't hurt)
-NF7-S of course
-Barton 2600 (Retail Heatsink. Think I should get a better one? This is a cash saver and she won't OC)
-1 Gig Corsair ram PC3200 (I'm going to give her my 512 of Mushkin and try this Corsair out on the cheap)
-Gainward GS 6800 128MB (Shes getting my 9800 Pro, I'm paying the diff, less she says she wants it:()
-Hitachi 80GB SATA
-DVD/CDRW Combo
-Logitech Optical Combo
-Logitech Z-640s
-Merkortech Compaq V700 17" (1600x1200 max, .22dp, 39 bucks)

I now open myself to flaming on the case and any suggestions that you guys might have. I know the system is a weee bit overkill in some areas, and not in others, but I want her to have a good thing for awhile till the 64 bit revolution comes full circle and purges everything.

[primesuspect]

Oh, stop fronting like you have a girlfriend.... McBain doesn't count..... :rolleyes: ;D

[pseudonym]

Oh, stop fronting like you have a girlfriend.... McBain doesn't count..... :rolleyes: ;D

*sigh* I can dream can't I?

/me continues dreaming of the day when marrigage between him and McBain will be legal.............and the day when McBain acknowledges his existence on earth.

[muddocktor]

pseudo, I really think you need to upgrade the psu. That powmax 400 probbly won't be good enough for a 6800 or even a 9800 Pro and you are leaving the system open to a flame-fest if the psu goes up in smoke.

Also, you might want to pick up a refurb proc instead of a new one to save some money to put on a better case/psu. The Egg has a retail Sempron 2500 for $63, which runs at 166 X 10.5 and would be easy to run on a 200 fsb later on if needed. Also, I would go with a Seagate SATA drive instead of the Hitachi because Seagate has a 5 year warrantee versus 3 years on the Hitachi.

For a case, buy the cheapest thing you can find that looks like it has decent airflow (or can be modded for decent airflow) and buy a Thermaltake Silent PurePower, 420W (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-006&depa=0) psu for it. I've bought 2 of these and they are decent power supplies for the price and they come with 2 onboard SATA power connectors now.

[pseudonym]

pseudo, I really think you need to upgrade the psu. That powmax 400 probbly won't be good enough for a 6800 or even a 9800 Pro and you are leaving the system open to a flame-fest if the psu goes up in smoke.

Also, you might want to pick up a refurb proc instead of a new one to save some money to put on a better case/psu. The Egg has a retail Sempron 2500 for $63, which runs at 166 X 10.5 and would be easy to run on a 200 fsb later on if needed. Also, I would go with a Seagate SATA drive instead of the Hitachi because Seagate has a 5 year warrantee versus 3 years on the Hitachi.

For a case, buy the cheapest thing you can find that looks like it has decent airflow (or can be modded for decent airflow) and buy a Thermaltake Silent PurePower, 420W (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-006&depa=0) psu for it. I've bought 2 of these and they are decent power supplies for the price and they come with 2 onboard SATA power connectors now.

Hmmm, some good ideas. I'm gonna do some shopping, thanks!!

edit// Yeah, you're right. I forgot that my systems were 400s but they have some high quality power supplys in them. I'll get a good one for her and pay for the extra if she doesn't want to do it.