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Help me build my girlfriend a PC!

post #1 of 19
2/26/09 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
I am building my girlfriend a PC since she is in great need of one.

I plan on using Vista Premium 32, particularily for the internal Media Center DVD library.

So far I picked out the following:

Case (This is the case she picked out.. I know it's more room than needed...)

Ram

CPU

Hard Drive

Optical Drive

I am not sure of Power Supply or Motherboard... I considered the following:

Power Supply

Motherboard

It will be hooked up to a small LCD monitor via VGA or DVI.

Comments? Suggestions?
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post #2 of 19
2/26/09 at 2:23pm
Intel CPU and AMD motherboard?
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post #3 of 19
2/26/09 at 2:28pm
Suggestion: Get her a Dell. YOU will be much happier..and chances are, so will she.
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post #4 of 19
2/26/09 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GooberedUp View Post

Intel CPU and AMD motherboard?

I linked the wrong one.. corrected.
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post #5 of 19
2/26/09 at 2:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kapone View Post

Suggestion: Get her a Dell. YOU will be much happier..and chances are, so will she.

I appreciate the suggestion, although I'm pretty sold on building one. I've built a few in the past.
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post #6 of 19
2/26/09 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gunbunnysoulja View Post

I appreciate the suggestion, although I'm pretty sold on building one. I've built a few in the past.


Heck, either way you are probably going to have to provide the tech support so you might as well build your own, probably will be more reliable than a Dell anyway...

You didn't tell us what she would be doing with it other than some gaming, but it looks fine. The Seagate 1.5TB HDD has had some major reliability issues though, so I'd steer clear of that. I also don't think you need the Nvidia 9300 motherboard given that you're using an add-on graphics card anyway. You can probably save a little money on the motherboard that way.
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post #7 of 19
2/26/09 at 9:03pm
I've got three of the 1.5TB drives and have had no problems. As long as it's not used in a Raid config, I'd be pretty confident it will be fine.
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post #8 of 19
2/27/09 at 10:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GooberedUp View Post

I've got three of the 1.5TB drives and have had no problems. As long as it's not used in a Raid config, I'd be pretty confident it will be fine.

Good to know as I was really leaning towards this drive. A friend of mine has one and I was impressed with it.
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post #9 of 19
2/27/09 at 10:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Huntsman View Post

Heck, either way you are probably going to have to provide the tech support so you might as well build your own, probably will be more reliable than a Dell anyway...

You didn't tell us what she would be doing with it other than some gaming, but it looks fine. The Seagate 1.5TB HDD has had some major reliability issues though, so I'd steer clear of that. I also don't think you need the Nvidia 9300 motherboard given that you're using an add-on graphics card anyway. You can probably save a little money on the motherboard that way.

It will mostly be used for light gaming, music listening, DVD watching, and surfing the net. Nothing intensive and not really geared as a HTPC.

I don't think I'm gonna do a GFX card as it's just being hooked up to a small LCD monitor and can probably deal with low/med settings.

I also changed the mobo to a Gigabyte board with GF9400.
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post #10 of 19
2/28/09 at 5:34am
To the OP
on cpu i would recommend to go for core 2 duo mid range
dual core is good and all but when u wanna play games or bluray in the future movies
dualcore chokes
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post #11 of 19
2/28/09 at 6:22am
Are you sure you really want to risk the relationship? Unless she is pretty PC savvy, you'll be providing a fair amount of tech support! Good luck.
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post #12 of 19
2/28/09 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vamovie View Post

To the OP
on cpu i would recommend to go for core 2 duo mid range
dual core is good and all but when u wanna play games or bluray in the future movies
dualcore chokes

Isn't the E5200 based off the same architecture as the core 2 duo's?

I use a E2220 O/C'd to 3.3 and it's been awesome.

If she wants BD in the future I'd prob get her a GFX card for HA. Gaming will be light.
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post #13 of 19
2/28/09 at 10:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by terryj47 View Post

Are you sure you really want to risk the relationship? Unless she is pretty PC savvy, you'll be providing a fair amount of tech support! Good luck.

I wouldn't imagine running into many issues once it's all configured and such.

I actually enjoy tinkering with stuff so that's a non-issue. She's in the CIS field anyways, but she's never built a computer before and I'd rather build her something then pay a manufacturer to put stuff together with proprietary and inferior parts.

My biggest concern was part selection as that's where I'm lacking. I pieced together stuff from Renethx's awesome guide, but didn't know if there was better current options considering price to performance ratio, as well as since this isn't really geared as a HTPC.
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post #14 of 19
2/28/09 at 10:38am
im still reading up on hard drives but i have heard great things on the caviar black and green drives. Maybe get a 1tb instead of the 1.5tb.
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post #15 of 19
2/28/09 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vamovie View Post

To the OP
on cpu i would recommend to go for core 2 duo mid range
dual core is good and all but when u wanna play games or bluray in the future movies
dualcore chokes

The 5200 IS a core 2 duo. It is a Wolfdale with a smaller cache. A great bargain chip.
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post #16 of 19
2/28/09 at 12:44pm
I would get 2x2GB of RAM since you are using Vista. With only 2x1GB, the RAM would be the first thing that needs an upgrade.

I'd also run Vista 64 instead of 32. While 32 may have slightly more compatibility at this point, 64 bit is the future. Microsoft has even acknowledged that they expect Windows 7 to sell more 64 bit licenses than 32 bit.

For the optical drive, I recommend the LiteOn iHAS422 over the LG.
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post #17 of 19
2/28/09 at 5:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kapone View Post

Suggestion: Get her a Dell. YOU will be much happier..and chances are, so will she.

Better yet, a refurb Dell.

Http://outlet.dell.com
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post #18 of 19
3/1/09 at 5:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gunbunnysoulja View Post

I wouldn't imagine running into many issues once it's all configured and such.

I actually enjoy tinkering with stuff so that's a non-issue. She's in the CIS field anyways, but she's never built a computer before and I'd rather build her something then pay a manufacturer to put stuff together with proprietary and inferior parts.

My biggest concern was part selection as that's where I'm lacking. I pieced together stuff from Renethx's awesome guide, but didn't know if there was better current options considering price to performance ratio, as well as since this isn't really geared as a HTPC.

Best of luck to you. If she is a CIS prof, she won't have any trouble operating and maintaining it.

The one thing I can say is you don't really need to throw $$$ at but rather buy the right stuff. And have a little luck too.

What we have (x 3 systems) is:

Antec 300/Coolermaster 680 (?) cases
MSI K9A2 CF and K9 A3 GM MoBos.
AMD 64X2 running from 2.2 to 2.5 GHz.
2 GB 667 MHz RAM
EVGA and MSI 9400 GT video cards
2 x 1600 Hauppauge tuners (per system) for OTA HD recording.
Vista Home Premium
Media Center Remote controls
300 GB OS drives. A "gaggle" of 1 TB drives for recorded TV.
LG and Philips DVD burners. No Blu Ray (we use a Panasonic stand alone BD player)
GB LAN
Sony older XBR HD-ready CRT-based TV.
LG 42" 1080p LCD TV
Samsung 24" monitor

Two of these systems are dedicated Vista MC systems. Basically vertical tower set top boxes. Occasional USB KB and Mouse connected for maintenance. TVs used as monitors. 99% operated by MC remote control. KB and mouse connected weekly for defragfing and software updates.

Third system is a "Productivity" system which is also used as a back up recorder for the most "important" programs. As well as back up drives for the dedicated MC computers. The overall system approaches 100% reliability even though there is a minor hiccup now and then.

And hey it's a hobby too. Take care.
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post #19 of 19
3/1/09 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jruser View Post

I would get 2x2GB of RAM since you are using Vista. With only 2x1GB, the RAM would be the first thing that needs an upgrade.

I'd also run Vista 64 instead of 32. While 32 may have slightly more compatibility at this point, 64 bit is the future. Microsoft has even acknowledged that they expect Windows 7 to sell more 64 bit licenses than 32 bit.

For the optical drive, I recommend the LiteOn iHAS422 over the LG.

It will have 4GB ram. I plan on using Vista 32.

Any reason as to lean towards the LiteOn vs the LG?
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