Cheap surfing build?

[Jay]

Hi all new guy here. Just wanted to say this is a great site and its been very helpfull in researching my first PC build. But while I am still deciding on my build its come up that my parents need a new pc for surfing. This cheaper build should be easy and get my feet wet in this PC building stuff. Im just kinda overwelmed with all the choices out there.

I need to build them somthing that they only use for surfing and watching videos and the only big requirments are needs to be quiet have a 250+GB hard drive, play dvds, HD out videos signal would be nice but nat manditory, and XP. Case size dosent matter as it will be in there living room as they use there LCD tv as a monitor.

I havent bought anything for there build except the IOgear long range keyboard. :cool:

Any sugestions on were to start? Thanks.

[RickyTick]

Here's a great economy build. Cases are very much a personal choice, so you may want to change that and the power supply. Otherwise, this is a terrific set up.

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?submit=ChangeItem

[Jay]

The link goes to an empty cart. Or do I need to be logged in to see it?

[RickyTick]

Sorry Jay, let me try again.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129031

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036

[Jay]

Thanks thats a nice rig for the money! One more question. Since I am going to be running XP on this cpu and one I am gonna build in a few weeks can I just get 1 Xp home OS and put it on both machines and still be legal? Or will I need to buy 2 of them? I thought I read somwere that there as a version out there with multiple licenses for single house hold with obviously more than one machine. Thanks for all the help.:cool:

[shyster]

I believe the answer to your question is if you buy vista home or home premium retail you can purchase extra licenses for a reduced price. Microsofts site should have more information about it.

I know you can also purchase a three pack OEM from newegg for a slightly reduced price than buying three individually.

[Jay]

Ahh I see now. Thanks guys yall are a big help.:)

[gb01]

RickyTick, Looking at the motherboard and case you recommended, it appears that the power supply that comes with the case does not provide the wattage necessary for this motherboard. The motherboard manual says use a powersupply of 400W or greater. The case comes with a 380 watt supply.

So here's my question, assuming this psu is actually OK for this motherboard, how do you make that determination?

[RickyTick]

I wasn't aware the Gigabyte motherboard required 400 watts. I looked on Gigabyte's website and couldn't find any listing of the minimum wattage psu for that board.

I listed this particular build because it is a known working pc configuration. Here's a link to it in detail.
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/13660/2

It's my understanding that most power supplies are slightly under-rated, while most pc components are over-rated in their requirements.

Here's an example. Look at a Dell XPS420 and you'll see it only has a 375 watt psu, but it comes equiped with a Quad core processor, 8800GT video card, and 2 gigs of ram, and more. Dell is not known for using the highest quality power supplies, yet it can manage to run all these components with no problem. Futhermore, the Earthwatts 380 that comes in this combo is a very good quality psu that operates above 80% efficiency, and delivers 17A of power on both of its 12v rails.

Another great tool is the PSU Calculator from Newegg. It recommended a 312 Watt PSU. Here's the link if you want to try.

http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

One of the Techie guys can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this setup will run great.

[gb01]

Ricjtick,

Thanks for the links, I'll give them a try.

Here the link to the mb manual on Gigabyte. This is for version 1 of the board, which I'm mostly assuming is the one shipping from newegg.

http://america.giga-byte.com/FileList/Manual/motherboard_manual_ga-p35-(d)s3l_e.pdf

On page 22, the manual states you need a 400watt or higher psu. They hint it does not really need that much by saying it is for expansion. However, when I asked Gigabyte to list the amperage needs on each rail for a different mb and they told me they cannot provide that info as it is proprietary. This sounds bogus to me. Seems like a reasonable request to know the amps needed.

Anyway I've been reluctant to purchase the parts for a build because I won't be a happy camper if it does not work because of limitations of the psu.

[RickyTick]

In that case, just pick a different case and a bigger/better psu.

[Jay]

Ill let yall know how this goes. I got all the componets and just put it together today. I need to pickup an RGB cable before I can set it up. hopfully tomorrow. Thanks ricktick with the componet sugestions. I really like the motherboard with the optical audio out. This is gonna be a nice basic build for less than $550 shipped! :)

[Jay]

Now I just need to find a cold quiet DVI out video card. Any sugestions?

[RickyTick]

I think your best option will be the Nvidia 8600GT. Very reasonably priced, and a very good performer. I've seen them for less than $100.

[Jay]

Got it all together and fired up. Went with a nvidia gforce video card. Has full hd dvi and more importantly was cheap. :) The parents shouldent wear that cpu out for atleast 5 years. Thanks for the input guys.

[chunkylover53]

Jay, do me a favor and post the specs on the final build. I'm curious to see what the final package looked like, including any cables you bought after the fact. Might have to do the same for the in-laws. Thanks!

[Jay]

Sure thing its perty much a carbon copy of rick's list on page 1

Below was purchased from Newegg

Antec NSK4480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply

MB gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L P35=ICH9
CPU Intel PDC E2160 1.8G 775 1M R
MEM 1Gx2 Corsair VS2GBKIT667D2 R
HD 320G WD 7K 16M SATA2 WD3200AAKS
DVD BURN SAMSUNG SH-S203B
OS XP pro

Below was bought from Amazon

IOgear longrange keyboard mouse < This sucker will work outside 30+ feet away.

Below was bought locally
VID CARD 3DFUZION Nvidia GeForce 7300 GS

Also stole the linksys wirless card from there old CPU

Cables I needed to hook up to there Vizio LCD 47"

I already had a 12ft RGB cable but i wanted full HD output so got a 12 ft DVI and then an adapter fpr DVI to HDMI.

The only cable i need still is audio from the CPU and this can be optical out to suround sound or headjack male to male. ro digitale. There are many options I just need to find the best one to use havent had time to search.

If you want you can overclock the CPU with but its really not needed. Also this combo is silent and I mean silent.