New rig around $1000, what would you change?

[Supchaka]

My X wife wants me to build a machine for her, this is what I came up with. It will be used for some gaming for the kids as well.

Enermax CS-3051L-S3A (Silver) Aluminum Mid ATX Tower Case w/ Enermax Logo on side Window and Sound Sensitive Neon Light - Retail.
Specifications:
Case Type: Mid-Tower
Color: Silver
Material: Front Panel Plastic, Acrylic, Aluminum; Entire case: Japanesse SGCC Steel 0.7mm
Drive Bays: 5.25'' x4,3.5''(External) x2, 3.5''(Internal) x4
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: USB2.0 x2,Mic/Speaker x1
Power Supply: 350W
Cooling System: None
Motherboard Compatibility: Standard ATX
Dimensions: 19''x7.9''x16.8'' more info-> N82E16811124042 $55.00 $55.00


ABIT nForce2 SPP Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "NF7" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket A AMD K7 Duron/Athlon/Athlon XP Processors
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 SPP + MCP
FSB: 400/333/266/200MHz
RAM: Support Dual Channel 3x DIMM DDR333/266/200(3GB Max) and 2x DIMM DDR400(2GB Max)
IDE: 2x Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,2xCOM,1xLPT,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),SPDIF Out,1xLAN,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 6-Channel AC97 CODEC
Onboard LAN: 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813127144 $79.99 $79.99


SAPPHIRE RADEON 9600 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: RADEON 9600/325MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/400MHz
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video Out)+DVI Connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: Cables,Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Retail Box (See pics for details) more info-> N82E16814102289 $115.00 $115.00


AMD Athlon XP 2400+ "Thoroughbred" 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail
Specification
Model: AMD Athlon XP 2400+
Core: Thoroughbred
Operating Frequency: 2GHz
FSB: 266MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/256K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included) more info-> N82E16819103336 $80.00 $80.00


2X Crucial 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM
Specification
Manufacturer: Crucial
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 32M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820146533 $52.00 $104.00


SONY MPF920 Black 1.44MB 3.5INCH Floppy Disk Drive, OEM
Specifications:
Capacity: 1.44MB
Average Access Time: 94 ms
Interface: 34 Pin Standard Floppy Connector
Form: 3.5 inch
Media Type: All Standard 1.44MB & 720KB 3.5 Floppy Diskettes
Features: High Quality and Reliability,Customized colors available
Remark: OEM more info-> N82E16821103116 $8.00 $8.00


Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD800BB, OEM Drive only
Specifications:
Capacity: 80GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 2MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Features: Quiet Drive technology
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
Remark: OEM Drive only more info-> N82E16822144102 $66.00 $66.00


Logitech Cordless MX Duo USB/PS2 104keys --RETAIL
Specifications:
Interface: USB/PS2
Number Of Keys: 104 keys+12 function keys+2 wheel
Wireless Technology: RF
Palm Rest: Detachable
Design Style: Standard
Mouse included: wireless optical
Features: Eliminate the clutter with cordless freedom, Get comfortable with the keyboard's ultra-flat Zero Degree Tilt design, Make scrolling easier with the unique iNav wheel, Ground-breaking new MX optical engine captures more data every second, Cruise Control system combines two buttons with scroll wheel, Rapid charge base station more info-> N82E16823126124 $76.00 $76.00


SCEPTRE X7g-KomodoIV 17" LCD Monitor –RETAIL
Specifications:
Panel Type: TFT Active Matrix LCD
Native Resolution: SXGA 1280 x 1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.264 x 0.264mm
Brightness: 250 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 400 : 1
Response Time: 15 ms (R), 10ms (F)
View Angle: 150° / 140° (Horizontal / Vertical)
Input Connectors: VGA D-Sub 15 Pin
Synchronization Range: Horizontal: 15-80kHz, Vertical: 50-90Hz
Dimensions & Weight: 18.0" x 17.8" x 8.3"(WxHxD) / 15.86lbs
Manufactory Warranty / Phone No.: 1-Year / 800-788-2878
Dead Pixels Policy: Replacement or Refund for 8 or more DEAD PIXELS ONLY! more info-> N82E16824112148 $349.00 $349.00


MSI black 48x24x48x16 Combo Drive, Model X48 black, OEM Bulk Pack
Specifications:
Write Speed: 48X CD-R,24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 16X DVD-ROM,48X CD-ROM
Interface: ATAPI/E-IDE
Buffer: 2 MB
OS Support: Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Features: Anti-Bumping System Technology
Remark: OEM pack (see pictures for details) more info-> N82E16827100031 $48.99 $48.99


Creative SBS450 4.1 Speakers Retail
Specifications:
Configuration: 4.1
Power Output: 41 Watts RMS(4x Satellite Speakers: 6 Watts/channel;1x Subwoofer:17 Watts)
Frequency Response: 40Hz-20kHz
Signal to noise ratio: >=75dB
Remote: Wired Remote Control
Features: wired remote control that can be placed anywhere on your desktop for convenient and easy colume/power control more info-> N82E16836116132 $39.00 $39.00




Subtotal » $1,020.98

 

[johan851]

Looks like a good setup, except for one thing...make sure you get the NF7-S instead of the NF7. It has built in Ethernet, built in SATA, and the sound quality is MUCH better.

*Edit - also, getting the Western Digital 800JB instead of the 800BB would be a good idea. Hard drive performance with the JB's 8mb cache is better than the BB's 2mb cache. Also, the JB has a 3-year warranty while the BB only has a 1-year.

 

[unreal]

well i would change the had drive, you could get bigger drives for less money and faster speed..

 

[CamH]

Looks like a good setup, except for one thing...make sure you get the NF7-S instead of the NF7. It has built in Ethernet, built in SATA, and the sound quality is MUCH better.

*Edit - also, getting the Western Digital 800JB instead of the 800BB would be a good idea. Hard drive performance with the JB's 8mb cache is better than the BB's 2mb cache. Also, the JB has a 3-year warranty while the BB only has a 1-year.

The normal NF7 has built in ethernet, and the audio is fine for the average user.

 

[Supchaka]

well i would change the had drive, you could get bigger drives for less money and faster speed..

To what hard drive?

 

[tom10167]

I'd pick up at least 120gigs, I'd also get a SATA hdd, especially with the NF7-S

 

[Maxvla]

i would change your ram to this: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-7&ps=ho3

2x512mb for only 132 instead of 2x256 for 104.

simply the best 28 dollars you could spend on this system. nothing else could match the system speed gains for the money.

credit: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=258087

 

[attack]

I'd do the ram upgrade for 28, and for the video card i would get a ti4200. the reason is, the 9600np blows. simply puyt it's a 4 stage pipeline card that couldn't handle dx9 if it's life depended on it. A ti4200 can be found for around 90, which would makeup the price dif on the RAM.

For the HDD, i definetly would not goto SATA...it's overrated, more expensive, and works the same as 8mb PATA. the only good SATA is the raptor. Also 80gb is plenty, i can't even fill 40, i doubt they'll fill 80.

there are also cheaper nf2 boards, and since i believ eyou won't be OCing you will not need the NF7.

 

[ferria]

personally i would go witht a 333FSB processor like XP2500,the board supports it,its faster and you can get it for 85$

 

[synoptism]

personally i would go witht a 333FSB processor like XP2500,the board supports it,its faster and you can get it for 85$

Agreed. Get a Barton type processor, it has extra cache. (512kb instead of 256kb). Also faster FSB.

 

[prynce_qt]

get a barton

 

[PingSpike]

I'd snag a barton, switch to a ti4200 (maybe, don't know much about ATI cards) and get a drive with an 8mb cache. I agree on SATA- expensive and not that much better.

 

[Jpantoga]

everything is good except the ram, go ahead with the 1 gig (2x 512) and also get the jb hd. This is repetative but it's still a good decision.

 

[ryuen]

i didnt read the other replies but heres what i suggest

nf7-s simply because it has excellent sound. infact if you buy it tonight on newegg.com its only 90 dollars!

2500 barton - they are more popular adn they overclock well even though i doubt ull overclock. but they are IMO good for the money

9500 - better for the money. in fact if you go the the classifieds you can get a used that will softmod to a 9700 for ~160

instead of the crucial ram. id rather go with 1x512mb Buffalo OEM ram. its winbond ch-5 chips. i think they also have 256 sticks. but if you were thinking for Dual DDR, it really doesnt do much. its more of an marketing thing for the manufacturers.

for the Harddrives you can usually pickup very good deals in the cyber deals forum. u can usually get 80gbs for around 40 dollars after rebate, that is if you want to do rebates

mxduo mouse and keyboard - its very excellent great choice. right now in the cyber deals section SSS posted a deal for like 50 shipped new.

lcd monitors are similar to HDs, you can usually find a good deal on the cyber deals forum or rebates in stores.

the msi drive, i think newegg has the same thing but samsung or lite on brand and its cheaper.

for the speakers i really recommend logitechs. any model that fits your needs. i think they are reliable (they use to have fuse blow outs w/ the z560s but now its fixed to my knowledge). for 40 bux i think you can get a 5.1 set from logitech and it should be decent and prob better than what yo have listed.

good luck!

 

[DayUSeX]

be wary though the nf7-s is known for having cracklign sound problems from the southbridge heating up to much, so if she is an audio junkie this could be an issue, or you could just cool the bloody thing (it runs bloody hot). the 9500 softmod is a gret choice!! other than that it looks pretty good to me.

 

[warlock110]

may I suggest a DVD burner in replace to that CDRW, DVD burners are running at 80 for a 4X, and sometimes for 8X, but generaly 4X for 80. I think that's a good investment for later use. And i'm not so sure about the wireless combo, if the users are sticking close to the monitor there's really no need for wireless and having the hassels to change batteries. I have a optical mouse and memorex keyboard with hot keys and everything, brand new from the store, i got them for only 9 bucks kekke. if u really shop around and being a little flexible u can find alot of good deals, good luck.