decent/budget system!

[esara]

This PC I want to build is for simple tasks (web, emailing, office)..
i will install both Linux and Window2k and winXP.. I want decent
computer with limited budget.. all the prices are in Canadian $.. I
thought the CPU would work at the speed 333 Mhz with the Memory and
333/2 with the rest of the computer so it is fast... any feedback
would be very much appreciated.. thanks


1) Athlon XP 2500+ (Barton) w/ 512K L2 cache, FSB 333 RETAIL BOX $116
2) MSI KM4M-L VIA KM400, MicroATX more info $79
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/detail_spec/product_detail.asp?model=KM4M-L

3) Crucial 256MB PC-2700 DDR333 SDRAM $77
4) Maxtor 40GB $67
5) Samsung (SW-252F) 52x32x52 CD-RW w/ Nero OEM $29.99
6) Sony 52X CD-ROM OEM $24
7) CAS-K228D Mid Tower w/ 400W PSU image $35

 

[ToolPackinMama]

3) Crucial 256MB PC-2700 DDR333 SDRAM $77

IMHO you should start with 512 MB

5) Samsung (SW-252F) 52x32x52 CD-RW w/ Nero OEM $29.99
6) Sony 52X CD-ROM OEM $24

Why the two drives? You can copy cds without the second drive. For the
same money you can have one combo drive that will burn cds and also play
DVDs.

I got a nice NEC DVD writer for about 100 USD. It does everything.

 

[JK]

This PC I want to build is for simple tasks (web, emailing, office)..
i will install both Linux and Window2k and winXP.. I want decent
computer with limited budget.. all the prices are in Canadian $.. I
thought the CPU would work at the speed 333 Mhz with the Memory and
333/2 with the rest of the computer so it is fast... any feedback
would be very much appreciated.. thanks

1) Athlon XP 2500+ (Barton) w/ 512K L2 cache, FSB 333 RETAIL BOX $116
2) MSI KM4M-L VIA KM400, MicroATX more info $79
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/detail_spec/product_detail.asp?model=KM4M-L

I guess you plan to overclock this? Otherwise an XP2700+ or
XP2800+ might be a better deal?

If you want integrated graphics, then consider only nForce2 motherboards,
and two matching ram sticks.

3) Crucial 256MB PC-2700 DDR333 SDRAM $77

Get two matching ram sticks. Two 256 meg sticks would be good.
Windows XP is not so great with only 256 meg.

4) Maxtor 40GB $67

Why such a small hard drive? An 80 gig 7200 rpm hard drive might only be
$10 or $15 more?

5) Samsung (SW-252F) 52x32x52 CD-RW w/ Nero OEM $29.99

6) Sony 52X CD-ROM OEM $24

Why? Skip this, or get a DVD drive instead.

 

[esara]

IMHO you should start with 512 MB


Why the two drives? You can copy cds without the second drive. For the
same money you can have one combo drive that will burn cds and also play
DVDs.

I got a nice NEC DVD writer for about 100 USD. It does everything.

Thanks for the help! what do you mean by the combo?? is it DVD/CDRW??
what is the model number/link of your NEC DVD? thanks once again. take
care

 

[esara]

Thanks JK for your help and reply .. no I do not want to overclock my
pc! I thought that cpu can work at speed 333Mhz.. but I will take your
advice about the cpu.. about the Video Card do you mean I should buy
VC spreataly?? Gforce?? I thought that motherboard has Video card and
it is ok so simple application.. not game for sure..what do you
think?? I agree about the CDrom and about the memory.. thanks once
again..

 

[JK]

Thanks JK for your help and reply .. no I do not want to overclock my
pc! I thought that cpu can work at speed 333Mhz.. but I will take your
advice about the cpu.. about the Video Card do you mean I should buy
VC spreataly??

Not unless you are into gaming. I meant a motherboard that has
the nForce2 chipset with integrated graphics. It is the best integrated
graphics solution for the Athlon XP. A separate video card would be better,
however it would cost more, and add a bit of complexity to the system.
You might be able to get a 32 bit MX440 videocard for only around $20-25?

Gforce?? I thought that motherboard has Video card and
it is ok so simple application..

It is okay, but it way lower performance a bit, and take up some of
your system ram. A separate card would be better, but since your
budget is so tight, you might not want to go for it.

not game for sure..what do you
think?? I agree about the CDrom and about the memory.. thanks once
again..

Also think about an 80 gig hard drive. The price is very close to the
40 gig ones. It is well worth paying $15 more for.

 

[ToolPackinMama]

Not unless you are into gaming. I meant a motherboard that has
the nForce2 chipset with integrated graphics. It is the best integrated
graphics solution for the Athlon XP. A separate video card would be better,
however it would cost more, and add a bit of complexity to the system.
You might be able to get a 32 bit MX440 videocard for only around $20-25?

IMHO, the onboard vid would be better than a cheap add-in vid card.

 

[JK]

Integrated nForce2 graphics would be okay with 2 sticks of ram. Some of
the cheapest old video cards would be worse than nForce2, but a 32 meg MX440 or
similar video card would still probably be just a bit better than the
nForce2 graphics.

 

[esara]

Hi JK thanks for your reply.. why you keep saying nForce2?? do you
think it is the one onboard for that Motherboard?? I do not see they
said so!!
Or do you know any one has nforce2 onboard? thanks