Best Custom Budget System

[Cliffman]

This configuration is strictly for a NON-Gaming system!!! This is the type of system I would build for friends & family. I decided to go w/ the nForce2 chipset since its the fastest for XP CPUs.

Looking for input on better components or comparable components while either maintaining the total cost or lowering it.

Prices are based on Dec 26th prices on Newegg and include S/H.


COMPONENTS
Case: RaidMax Blue Mid-Tower PC 350W PS $45
M/B: ABIT nForce2 NF7-M IGP + MCP $100
CPU: AMD XP 2200+ $67
Heatsink/fan: Vantec AeroFlow VA4-C7040 $29
Memory PC2700 DDR 256MB $32
Hard drive Western Digital WD800JB $75
Optical drive Lite-On LTC-48161H 48x24x48x16 $51
Video card: included on mainboard $0
Operating System Windows XP Home $90
Monitor CTX International VL700 17" CRT $116
Modem Creative Blaster V.92 PCI Model DI5633 $23
Key/Mouse 2000 KB-558/PS2 104keys & PS2 mouse $14
Speakers Juster Air Wave AW-211 2.0 Speakers $15

TOTAL $657

Price for getting the best bang for your buck: Priceless!

Not included:
Floppy: SAMSUNG SFD321B/LEB 1.44MB $9.59
Printer: Canon i560 add $126

Yes the memory is the cheap stuff

So what think?!

[Starfury_2260]

why not just get the retail 2500+ barton and not get a heatsink?

[Darthgary]

I was wondering the same.

The Aeroflow is a good HSF, I own it.

[HeadBand]

i would probley not go with onboard video unless you are really straped for cash even a radeon 7000 would be fine for $30 and its nice to have 2 optical drives only $10 more i would also get quality ram for like $5 more

[Cliffman]

Good idea on getting the retail 2500+.

However, will that stock heat sink/fan be sufficient for a 3200+? I wanted this configuration to be as upgradeable as possible. That is, I'm looking to get the most for my money in the hear & now and in the long run.

[stroyal]

Stock might not reach 3200+.
I have a Vantec Aeroflow, and it is pretty quiet,But the vibration is high enough to feel it through the desk. My wife couldn't stand it on her computer, so had to put the stock one back on.
My 2500+ was 42C fulload @ 3200+speed with the vantec.

[Starfury_2260]

i use thermalright's slk947u for my system. i also bought a 90mm fan to go on it, which is so quiet that i cannot hear it over the case fans. i took my 2600+ barton to 3200+ speed and my temps are about 40C at full load (when it's warm, but right now it only gets to like 35C cause it's cold). I could probably go further. I bought it for like $45 on sidewindercomputers.com but they have it on sale now for $33.

[ArcticFox]

You want a real bargain PC builder?

http://www.abspc.com/

[DallasDon]

IMO, the heatsink wouldn't be the bottleneck, the Ram would. If you want to OC a 2500, need to go with PC 3200. You can always add the heatsink later, if it becomes an issue.

Couple of other thoughts:

Rebate route: Somebody is always overstocked on 80 GIG HDDs and CDR/RW. Like $50 after Mir for HDD, and I have purchased CDRW's for as little as $5 after MIR.

I'm currently using a Shuttle MN31N mobo, Nforce 2, twenty bucks cheaper, and DUAL onboard video. Great budget system!