Building a super cheap ass PC for the parents..am I good to go?

[Apossum]

Here's the list:
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=9478488&WishListTitle=DAD

That all-in-one motherboard is looking good, but is there any catch? They won't be playing games on it, just internet/disc burning. 2gb of ram because it's cheap and I want it to load very fast.

We have a monitor and XP to install, so does this look all ready to order and set up? I've only built one PC before so I want to make sure I'm not missing any thing.

[Chacrana]

Hold up, you hooker. I think I saw a catch - no processor. Unless it's included with the mobo and I missed it.

[Apossum]

weird, I was under the impression one was included for some odd reason.

I guess I'll throw one of these fuckers in there:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103212

[Chacrana]

okay, well now you've got a comp that'll get the job done just fine.

[Mr Unoriginal]

I would think you could get something comparable pre-built from Best Buy or Circuit City depending on who is have a better sale and pay a little less, not to mention you wouldn't have to build anything.

[Apossum]

I would think you could get something comparable pre-built from Best Buy or Circuit City depending on who is have a better sale and pay a little less, not to mention you wouldn't have to build anything.


yeah, they have E-machines for $399, but I'd rather not deal with it. I'm saving about $20 and tax. I also enjoy building these things, plus I don't have to deal with uninstalling Vista (there's no way my parents will learn it...they still don't know XP.) I know it'll be more stable overall and I won't be stuck with generic integrated parts.

[seththefallen]

Are you committed to SATA or IDE? I say this because I imagine I'd rather have a SATA hard drive, and on the other hand you could get an IDE burner for less then the SATA one you have up. Regarding the ram, I"m pretty sure that board can use DDR2 800, which can be had for like $20 after rebate on newegg for 2 gigs , saving you like $40 right there. And unless you need a motherboard with onboard graphics that can decode HD video, you could go with a cheaper 6 series AMD chipset for like $60. You appear to have picked out components based on their newness as opposed to their value. This mobo is for home theatre pc's.

[Jest]

Yeah, go for ram clocked at 800 MHz, the performance/price ratio difference between 800 and 1066 is stupid still, 800 is the way to go. This stuff here is under $25 after MIR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565).


Also noticed the PSU that comes with that case has only 1 SATA connection, so make sure if you change around your HDD or optical drive only 1 of them is SATA.

[Apossum]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll definitely go for the 800 ram. I chose the mobo since it's all-in-one and newer.

I'm committed to the IDE drive--XP still has issues installing on SATA and I don't feel like messing with installing a floppy disc drive or streamlining a copy of windows.

Jest-- the one SATA connection will go to the dvd drive, the HDD isn't SATA.

[zewone]

Adding SATA drivers to an XP install disc is very easy, if you choose to go that route.

[Apossum]

Really? I saw a tutorial for unpacking the iso, repacking, and it included a bunch of other program downloads. it was like 10 pages long and involved editing XML flies and shit. I think I was reading the wrong one.

In any case, I'll probably stick with the IDE. I don't need to be too fussy--I may use the PC occasionally, but my folks won't notice seek times or anything like that.

[zewone]

I did it last month when I downgraded my cousin's laptop from Vista to XP. Just use nlite (http://www.nliteos.com). You can streamline and add SATA drivers all in a few easy clicks. I was unfamiliar with the program and it took me just a few minutes for the whole process.

[Moxio]

I second nlite.