Basic Custom PC build?

[mjolnir1134]

Hiya TechIMO, got a new thing I'm thinking about doing:

My dad isn't much of a computer guy like me, and he's looking for a basic computer to browse the web, play music, and email here and there, nothing too fancy. We are looking around, and all we find is prebuilt branded systems (I think he'll find frustration from the preinstalled programs and we don't want Vista on it) and maybe a couple deals on craigslist (but I don't trust the cleanliness and condition of the computers). I thought to myself that I could be creative and build a brand new basic custom PC from scratch.

Here's what I have in mind:
CPU- Intel Celeron D 336, 2.8Ghz, LGA 775 $43.99
Mobo- ECS 671T-M, LGA 775 $44.99 + $6.33(s&h)
Case- Rosewill Black Case $19.99 + $9.99(s&h)
RAM- Kingston ValueRAM 512MB, DDR2 667 $18.99 + $4.99(s&h)
CD Drive- Sony Black IDE DVD-ROM $17.99 +$5.84(s&h)
Hard Drive- Wester Digital Caviar 40GB $39.99 +$5.29(s&h)

Already provided:
-Operating System (Windows XP Pro SP2 32-bit)
-Some fans
-A monitor (we can find one EASY in craigslist for free lol)
-Input devices
-Speakers
-PCI Video Card (Radeon 9250 256MB DirectX8.1) (Won't use if the onboard video is fine enough)
-PSU (350w FSP Fortron)

All of this comes to $220.55 (grand total).

The only things I worry about is the reliability of the brands, and I don't know if they have a reputation for being crappy or not. I also question the "flimsiness" of cheap cases I see floating around frequently in the customer reviews. I'm sure the whole computer won't be treated like a football though, but how "flimsy" are the cheap cases really? o_o;

Anyone have suggestions for parts? Recommendations? Input? Lulz? I never attempted to build a basic budget custom build before.

[Steve R Jones]

ECS Mobo's are the bottom of the barrel...Might look at Foxconn for a good inexpensive one..

Dell can ship with XP and they have a new option to not install the bloatware.

[nickslick74]

Both of Steve's suggestions are good, though it will be hard for Dell to beat the price you came up with.

[him61]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103031

Same price, much faster. Check out the combo deal also.

And also, perhaps this board as well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130542

[carl33p]

1GB Memory 30$

BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2
and
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2.4GHz
Combo'ed for 94$


SATA DVD-Rom Same Price

Maybe 15$ more than your setup, but will absolutely kill it in performance.
Even this AMD 3200+ and ECS Mobo Combo Price: $86.98 will beat your Celeron D and it cost less.

[him61]

1GB Memory 30$

BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2
and
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2.4GHz
Combo'ed for 94$


SATA DVD-Rom Same Price

I second that.