Friend has $600 to spend on a new comp, any suggestions?

[xcrunner51]

My friend finally scrapped together the cash to build a new computer. He nots the most computer literate person but he wants fast. He said the absolute max was $600, and he needs nearly a complete computer, excluding monitor, speakers and some other stuff. He does however want an optical mouse.

Heres what i came with(although its overpriced)
CPU: AMD Athlon 1700+ $55
Mobo: Epox 8rda(non +) $88
HSF: Thermaltake Volcano 6 $10
RAM: 2 x Samsung 256mb PC2700 $72
GPU: ATI 9500 Pro $190
HD: Western Digital 40gb 8mb Cache $81
Mouse: Logitech B69 Optical $17
Case: Antec Lanboy $96

Thats without a NIC or decent sound

can anyone price something as good, lower?

[XxCowOfChaosxX]

did u use pricewatch.com?

[PyroSama]

I would go with a WD 80gb hdd for 20 dollars more. (Wait for it to come on sale at newegg.com)

Maybe a cheaper case aswell.

One last thing I would go with a Ti 4200 about 50 dollars cheaper.


Oh and what about floppy cdrom and or cd burner?



PyroSama

[XxCowOfChaosxX]

does the case come w/ a ps?

[chris64]

Is he/you gonna overclock the system. If not you might be able to just use PC2100 ram.

[chris64]

You could save some money if you wait for one of those fry's deals and get a K7S5A motherboard with XP1700+(or better) processors combo for about $89. Unless there are some features on that board you like.

[MDS]

check out this mobo in the FS/FT it is a much better mobo for the $'s.

[jmoore2001]

Definitely check www.pricewatch.com if you haven't already. You need to add in a power supply (Enermax is perhaps the best, at least one of the best...good one for $70 or so). Also go with a GeForce4 insead of ATI and cut some $ off.

[chris64]

You could probably pick a case with power supply from fry's(when they have it for sale) for $30. I got one when I built my parents computer. The power supply said 350w but it was a generic power supply so its probably more like 300w.

[MDS]

Don't forget OS, case fans, thermal paste, floppy,cdburner and/or DVDrom You can't have the fastest system and low cost both I would go for a XP2000+ t-bred at least and one stick of 512 ddr2700