Build one for the Kids

[fixitman]

I have decided to build a pc for the kids. I have been in the electronic field for the last 20 yrs so its not like I'm a newbie but I have never built a PC.
I would like to get an opinion and compatability check on these components.
They will be using the computer for internet, photo manipulation and watching videos, not much gaming.

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

HIS Hightech H465FS512P Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7300 - Retail

Budget for this is $600, the total on the parts I have listed is $544 from newegg.

The gigabyte manual for the MB states to use ddr3 memory on this board, will the ddr2 not work?

Thanks for replies.

[RickyTick]

I have decided to build a pc for the kids. I have been in the electronic field for the last 20 yrs so its not like I'm a newbie but I have never built a PC.
I would like to get an opinion and compatability check on these components.
They will be using the computer for internet, photo manipulation and watching videos, not much gaming.

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

HIS Hightech H465FS512P Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 Wolfdale 2.66GHz LGA 775 Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7300 - Retail

Budget for this is $600, the total on the parts I have listed is $544 from newegg.

The gigabyte manual for the MB states to use ddr3 memory on this board, will the ddr2 not work?

Thanks for replies.

Some excellent choices there.

The motherboard you listed (GA-EP45-UD3P) takes DDR2 memory, and the Corsair you picked (DDR2 800) would work fine. You could also use DDR2 1000 too. The GA-EP45T-UD3P is the one that uses DDR3 ram.

The video card is very mediocre, but if you're not gaming, its fine. You can easily upgrade later on if you find the need.

Where in NC are you?

[fixitman]

Where in NC are you?

I'm in Southeastern NC, near Garland and White Lake.


The video card is very mediocre, but if you're not gaming, its fine. You can easily upgrade later on if you find the need.

Is there a better video card you would recommend for
<$100?
Thanks

[RickyTick]

Cool, I lived in the Raleigh area for about 12 yrs. I've lived in the Charlotte area since 1997.

This video card is $99.99 after $15 rebate, and currently has free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102803

[fixitman]

What do you think of this video card?

EVGA 256-P2-N761-TR GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

29.99 after $40 rebate

[chunkylover53]

I have that card, and if you aren't doing much gaming it will be fine. I am writing this while viewing my super pc through that card on my 55" LCD TV in my family room, and I think it looks great. If it's just for the kids, you can go with that one. If they start playing games that need more giddy up, you can always upgrade later.

But keep in mind it's not really comparable to the card Ricky reco'd. Like a Honda Civic vs. an Accord.

[RickyTick]

I like this one a lot more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130395

Either way, if you stay with the EVGA brand you will have the option to Step-up to a better card within 90 days. You just pay the difference, and shipping.

[fixitman]

Thanks! I decided to go with the EVGA 9500 GT that RickyTick recommended. Now I just hope the build goes smooth.

[fixitman]

The build went smooth as silk. Installed OS WinXP, tried to connect to internet with DSL modem that I use on another computer and got no or limited connection. Updated lan drivers on gigabyte MB, tried various Bios settings etc. Now when I click on network connections in control panel then click on my connection it says connected but I still am unable to bring up any web pages. Anybody got any ideas? Thanks

[The Wise Monkey]

Try opening Internet Explorer, go to Tools->Internet Options, select the Connections tab and click on the Lan Settings button. Check the box that says "Automatically Detect Settings" and see if this makes a difference.

Also, you may want to try lookig at the exact network settings that the other PC has and just copy the DNS server and things like that onto your PC.

[fixitman]

Try opening Internet Explorer, go to Tools->Internet Options, select the Connections tab and click on the Lan Settings button. Check the box that says "Automatically Detect Settings" and see if this makes a difference.

Also, you may want to try lookig at the exact network settings that the other PC has and just copy the DNS server and things like that onto your PC.

Automatically Detect Settings is the way it was set originally and the way that the old computer was set.
I only got it to say connected by plugging in some IP addresses, but still no web pages showing up.
I also did the files and settings transfer from the old computer to the new for IE and outlook express with no luck. I feel like I am overlooking something simple since it says it's connected.

[RickyTick]

Sorry, but its been a long time since I used XP. Isn't there a Network Icon or button somewhere, and you can right click and then click Repair. iirc

[fixitman]

Yes I've tried that too:confused:

[The Wise Monkey]

Can you navigate to the router using your web browser?

[fixitman]

I've gotten to the login, I enter username and password and then it says connection failed or something similar.

[The Wise Monkey]

Hmmm, that's weird. Can you access it from the other computer?

[fixitman]

Can you access it from the other computer
Yes, I have no problem accessing it from the other computer.

[The Wise Monkey]

For your network connection, is it set to automatically obtain an IP address?

[fixitman]

For your network connection, is it set to automatically obtain an IP address?

When I set it to automatically obtain IP address it gives me "limited or no connectivity" or " cannot obtain IP address" When I insert an IP address it says its connected but I can't get online.:confused:

[The Wise Monkey]

Ok, what happens if you insert an IP address and also add in the other details that are present on the other PC i.e. DNS server, subnet mask and default gateway?

[fixitman]

Ok, what happens if you insert an IP address and also add in the other details that are present on the other PC i.e. DNS server, subnet mask and default gateway?

The other computer is set up to obtain IP info automatically. So the info doesn't show up under network connections. I think there is a way to get the info from the command prompt but I can't remember how. Do you know?

[The Wise Monkey]

If you right click the network connection in the bottom right corner (the system bar) and select Status, click on the Support tab and then click on the Details... button, it should show all of the information.

To view the information from the command prompt, just type in "ipconfig /all" (without ""s) and press enter.

[fixitman]

To view the information from the command prompt, just type in "ipconfig /all" (without ""s) and press enter.

I used the ipconfig/all and transfered the info to the new computer and it worked!! I am typing this on the new computer. Thanks wise monkey for all your help. Now I just wonder why auto detect function did not work?

[RickyTick]

Yes sir...That's one smart monkey. :D

[The Wise Monkey]

No problem, glad to help. :)

I'm not sure why it didn't pick up the settings automatically, but it doesn't really matter now that you are able to surf away.

You could try setting it to detect an ip address etc automatically, then go into the command prompt and type ipconfig /renew, as this will refresh your IP details.