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Old 01-02-2008, 06:03 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Low cost computer

Well my friend's old computer just died, so he asked me to build a new one as cheap as possible.

Can anyone tell me if the following would work fine? He only needs to use it for word processing, webcam, burning and internet browsing. Maybe watching DVD's.

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual Core Processor AM2 2.2GHZ 2X512KB 65W 65NM Retail Box
Mobo: Biostar TF7050-M2 GF7050PC mATX AM2 DDR2 PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 HDMI Video Sound Gbe Motherboard
RAM: Mushkin HP PC2-6400 HP2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-5-4-11 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
DVD: Samsung SH-S203B Black SATA DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL 18X/12X INT DVD Writer OEM W/ Vista SW (I've always gotten LG for myself so I'd like to try a different brand)

That comes out to ~$250 without tax and before price match...

1) How's the motherboard? What does the added HDMI do?
2) Case and PS... dunno what's good but cheap. Antec maybe?
3) I've never built mATX before... do ATX PS work in mATX cases?
4) RAM - it's either that or pay $10 more for Patriot Extreme 4-4-4, but since he isn't going to be gaming I don't think timings matter too much?
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Old 01-02-2008, 06:53 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Default Re: Low cost computer

Dual-core for web surfing? Overkill. A single core would do, but it is only a $31 difference.

LG? Like this one:
NCIX.com - Buy LG GSA-H55N Beige DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 INT IDE 2MB OEM DVD Writer W/ SW - GSA-H55N BEIGE In Canada.

Most mATX cases use ATX PSUs. At least the mini-towers do.

2 gig will be plenty of RAM.

Building a mATX is just like a ATX, just not as much room.
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Old 01-02-2008, 06:59 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Default Re: Low cost computer

I dont really think dual core is overkill. Im on a 3.2GHz celeron and even for websurfing, it is remarkably slow. That DVD Drive is really good ive got one myself.
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Old 01-02-2008, 07:10 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Default Re: Low cost computer

OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-12 Dual Channel memory $21
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Old 01-02-2008, 08:18 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: Low cost computer

Thanks ptech, but I guess I should have mentioned I'm shopping in CDN.

@Vaanish, which dvd drive? The samsung or the lg?

How about that mobo/processor, anyone?
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