Helping Friend with Computer Parts

[Rand Dusing]

I'm helping my friend build a desktop computer for when he goes off to college. I think it is going to be used for gaming or possibly a media center type pc. I'm pretty sure his parents are buying him a labtop and he is most likely going to build his own desktop.

Here our the parts we have gotten-

Processor- AMD Athlon XP 2800+ 99.99 (with ECS mobo which he will sell)
Motherboard- ASUS "A7N8X-E Deluxe"
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...131-478&DEPA=0
Memory- Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-440&depa=1
Video Card- ATI AIW RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-297&depa=1
Hard Drive- Western Digital Special Edition 120GB http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-118&depa=1
DVD/CD- NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-023&depa=1
Case/Fans- Not decided
Power Supply- Not decided
Mouse/Keyboard- Microsoft Wireless ( not decided specifically)

Mobo- 86
Processor- 100
Memory- 165
Video Card- 280
Hard Drive- 85
CD/DVD- 72

Total $788 But he still needs a case, powersupply, mouse and keyboard. He is using onboard sound and already has Windows XP. He wants to spend no more then 50 bucks on a case. Is this a good comp or am I lacking anything?

[LeftCoast]

Lots of cheap cases here.

Is he going to be on a network? If dial-up, he'll need a modem. Also, the wireless mouse/kb stuff can eat up batteries, and are more expensive. Not to mention the royal PITA if they go out right when a paper's due, and you don't have batteries.

Looking at your price list, you should be able to get the 9800 Pro for less than $280.

[John Prophet]

Quote:

Mobo- 86
Processor- 100
Memory- 165
Video Card- 280
Hard Drive- 85
CD/DVD- 72

wow..something sort of stands out there, lol.....and the one thing that costs the most will be obsolete the fastest

[Rand Dusing]

It's an ATI All In Wonder 9800 Pro, that may explain the huge price I'm not really sure if he wants that because of how much it costs but he is still deciding. What video card should i get if he doesn't go with a AIW? He will be on a network, and I'll remind him of the hassle of dealing with wireless. My wireless Logitech MXDuo is very good and the only problem I've had is sometimes the mouse doesn't want to charge. He doesn't want to pay 70 bucks for a mouse and keyboard though.

[LeftCoast]

For under $200 (and if he wants the AIW interface), the AIW 9600XT might be the anwer...very good reviews.

[MadMan2k]

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...129-122&DEPA=1 - This also knocks out the power supply, smoking deal. The case leaves a bit to be desired in terms of looks, that's why I bought a chieftec without a power supply that cost almost as much :P

Keyboard/Mouse:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...109-122&depa=0 - That comes with both, and they aren't wireless. Pretty good deal, I think.

Video card/tuner:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-345&depa=1 - That card is only $35-ish less than a real 9800 pro, but if he wants AIW, and not too much cutting edge gaming performance, it'll do.

[eminem_rh25]

why not get xp media center? goto http://oem.microsoft.com and register. Once there you can order Media Center. It includes the remote

[Rand Dusing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoast

For under $200 (and if he wants the AIW interface), the AIW 9600XT might be the anwer...very good reviews.

That 9600xt AIW looks quite nice, the 9800 Pro didn't look like it uncluded the radio, and my friend is in to music so I'm sure he would enjoy the FM. How much different is there between a 9600xt and 9800pro and a 9600xt and a 9800.

[Rand Dusing]

Enimen he is probably going to get an ATI AIW, just not sure which chipset, so he doesn't really need the Media Center edition, he is just going to use it as his multimedia/gaming comp.

Madman thanks for the links, I'm going to check them out later. My friend and I our going to Fry's tomorrow and hopefully the combos will be in stock, I want to pick one up myself.