Custom build - Input needed

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:29 am

I'm building a custom PC for a client, and for once this build is not a "gaming" build, so I need some help. Since I've only built gaming builds in the past, I need a little help to decide if the components I've selected are suitable for the money. The client only uses the PC to serf the net, send email, word processing...just the basics. The case needs to be a smaller form factor, have front USB's that are NOT at the bottom, have 2 horizontal optical bays, and NOT be black on top because of dust. I decided micro atx was the best choice. PC needs to be fast at what it does, so I chose an Intel dual core. Budget is $400-$500.

The board has integrated video, but I thought it would render faster with a dedicated card...necessary???

Here is what I have so far:

HEC Micro ATX mini tower case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811121041 - $31.99

GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128388 - $59.99

E5200 Wolfdale dual core CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116072 - $69.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139008 - $49.99 after MIR

Western Digital Caviar 500GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136320 - $69.99

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231122 - $46.99

ASUS GeForce 9600 GSO EN9600GSO 384M - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121319 (free COD5) - $34.99 after MIR

(2x) Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827118030 - ($31.99 each) $63.98

Lately due to a shortage, dvd burners are hard to find. I normally buy the Samsung burners for ~$27.99.

Total after rebates + shipping is $459.00

Let me know if I am off-base with any of my selections, or I could save money.

Thanks !

GI-JOE · Post by **GI-JOE** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:45 am

I would say get an AMD 780g motherboard and use the integrated graphics on that. As for processor, get an Athlon 250.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDeal ... mbo.211680

XstollieX · Post by **XstollieX** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:11 am

I would have to agree with GI-Joe. Getting a board with integrated gfx will save a few bucks for the customer.

Sporg · Post by **Sporg** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:43 am

I built something similar for the old man a while back. I agree with the others, integrated graphics are just fine for what your client needs.

GI-JOE · Post by **GI-JOE** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:09 pm

Sporg wrote:I built something similar for the old man a while back. I agree with the others, integrated graphics are just fine for what your client needs.

Not to mention that AMD integrated graphics are far superior to intels.

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:00 pm

Thanks for the info, but the client insists on Intel and the board I chose does have an integrated graphics chip. Intel GMA X4500

That AMD combo you linked is $153.99. The Intel combo I chose with the dedicated video card is $154.99 and includes a free game.

I just wasn't sure if adding a dedicated GPU would allow the PC to render graphics (like web pages with lots of pics) quicker, or if it was a waste.

Since the system will have 4gb ram, how much should be dedicated to video in order for the pc to remain very fast?

Thanks and keep the input coming. What about the rest of the build?

KnightRid · Post by **KnightRid** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:49 pm

ibleet wrote:Thanks for the info, but the client insists on Intel and the board I chose does have an integrated graphics chip. Intel GMA X4500

That AMD combo you linked is $153.99. The Intel combo I chose with the dedicated video card is $154.99 and includes a free game.

I just wasn't sure if adding a dedicated GPU would allow the PC to render graphics (like web pages with lots of pics) quicker, or if it was a waste.

Since the system will have 4gb ram, how much should be dedicated to video in order for the pc to remain very fast?

Thanks and keep the input coming. What about the rest of the build?

Intel graphics will be fine for the internet and even some games. I would not allocate more than it does automatically for the video. I have run folding systems with the built in graphics on an Intel board and have had no problems - not GPU folding mind you ;)

Why dual dvd burners? kind of a waste in a non-gaming system..??

I would dump the video and the 1 burner and bump the cpu up a bit if you can - better use of the money IMHO -although my opinion usually seems to suck

lol

Mike

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:04 pm

I was against dual opticals also, but the client insisted, claiming that she would not have to swap discs. I try to never argue with the customer.

As per your suggestion, I may drop the video card and bump the CPU up to an E7400...but overall that would increase the bottom line.

Thanks for the valuable input, I appreciate it.

Major_A · Post by **Major_A** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:48 pm

Buy a Phenom II (dual, triple, quad) and call it a day. I personally do not know of anyone that uses their PC like I do (aka actually taxing the entire system). No point spending money on something that they will never utilize. It sounds like the most intensive thing they will be doing is ripping CDs and DVDs. Most people with a PC surf the net, check email and watch videos on Youtube.

pwcmed · Post by **pwcmed** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:31 pm

You know I had a client,my aunt, who instead on a Intel CPU once. She's no longer my client and barley an aunt to me. I really hate it when someone asks me to build them a computer as a favor and they questions my recommendation. I really only help family or reallllllllyyyyyy close friends now. I know your situation is a little different but just my two cents. I would also pick a AMD CPU .

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:28 pm

Ok so why is everyone recommending AMD for this build?

It has been my understanding and my personal experience that Intel is faster and superior in every way to their AMD counterparts.

I realize that everyone has their personal opinion, but I need to do what is best for my client, and I need to respect their wishes, so without question, this build will be Intel.

Having said that, I do appreciate all the input and suggestions.

Major_A · Post by **Major_A** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:37 pm

She probably wants an Intel because AMD doesn't advertise their products like Intel so Jane Average Buyer has never heard of the brand. And since she has never heard of AMD it clearly can't be as good as Intel. I'm just thinking with my marketing degree here. Like I said she will probably never open up Adobe Premiere Pro to make her own video so she would never see the benefit of a faster CPU. I don't know what CPU she has now but anything new is going to be faster.

KnightRid · Post by **KnightRid** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:07 am

ibleet wrote:Ok so why is everyone recommending AMD for this build?

It has been my understanding and my personal experience that Intel is faster and superior in every way to their AMD counterparts.

I realize that everyone has their personal opinion, but I need to do what is best for my client, and I need to respect their wishes, so without question, this build will be Intel.

Having said that, I do appreciate all the input and suggestions.

You are 100% correct in doing what you client wishes! If they want dual video cards in an internet computer, you explain why they dont need them, but if they insist, and are footing the bill, you give them dual video cards.

Mike

AMD - REALLY? now with the core2duo, core2quad, and the i7 - REALLY? hmmmm

GI-JOE · Post by **GI-JOE** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:10 am

Well, if she insists on intel (which I don't recommend for a desktop user, since my personal experience, everything seems smoother on an AMD for office work(maybe because of integrated memory controller?

)) then I would indeed go with the dedicated video card. All I can say is that the E5200 is a dog when it is tied to a 800mhz bus.

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:23 pm

GI-JOE wrote:All I can say is that the E5200 is a dog when it is tied to a 800mhz bus.

I've never heard that before, but since you have an E5200 I'll take your word for it.

I've bumped the cpu to an E7400 and completely dropped the video card. I also downgraded the hard drive to 320Gb so the bottom line is nearly identical as the original build.

Aside from any more AMD pimpage does anyone else have suggestions before I order the parts?

Thanks again, I appreciate all the valuable input!

As a footnote, I find it very interesting that the majority of you pimping AMD have Intel rigs.

Major_A · Post by **Major_A** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:16 pm

Probably because we know a good value when we see it. I have never had a brand preference, only the fastest part that I could afford. So for a long time I was relegated to AMD.

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:58 pm

Well I'm easily within my budget with an Intel build, so there was never any reason to consider anything less. In fact, I was within my budget when I posted this thread two days ago.

My goal was to make sure that I wasn't missing anything or that I didn't add anything extra that wasn't necessary. Thanks to the great suggestions from all of you, I dropped the video card, upgraded the cpu and still managed to keep the customer happy.

And yes, my customer knows the difference between AMD and Intel. They asked for my opinion and I strongly recommended Intel even though AMD is cheaper. Had I been at the point where I couldn't possibly meet my budget with Intel, then and only then would I have considered AMD.

I wished this hadn't turned into an AMD vs. Intel debate, but at least I feel as though I was able to accomplish my goal. Thanks again!

ibleet · Post by **ibleet** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 3:22 pm

PC built, tested and delivered to the customer.

Thanks for all the valuable input!

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