Budget Core 2 Duo - Good Components?

[mcaren]

My mom needs a general internet/word processing computer, so I'm going to give her my old one and build myself a new one -- but on a tight budget. I'd like this to last a few years and be upgradeable (my young children will play games on it -- maybe I can get a video card/OS/other upgrades later). Mostly will be used for some games, surfing, & a little photo editing.

Your forum has provided me with lower-cost build suggestions using non-dual-core processors & components; I wondered if this build might not be better (and still relatively cheap).

Will this list of components work together, and provide benefits over single-core technology? (I guess what I'm asking is whether or not it's wiser to buy better-but-older-tech parts or lesser/cheaper/new tech parts?) If that makes sense... List does not include monitor...

Thanks very much. mcaren

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: CAC-T05-UW
Item #: N82E16811119068
$49.99

BIOSTAR 945P-A7A (8.0) LGA 775 Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: 945P-A7A(8.0)
Item #: N82E16813138034
$78.99

Winsis KY-500ATX ATX12V 400W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: KY-500ATX
Item #: N82E16817234003
$29.99 -$5.00 Instant $24.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6300 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6300
Item #: N82E16819115005
$190.00

WINTEC AMPO 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2667-1G1K-R - Retail
Model #: 3AMD2667-1G1K-R
Item #: N82E16820161676
$104.99 -$7.00 Instant $97.99

NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM
Model #: FD1231H-302
Item #: N82E16821152005
$6.25

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JSRTL 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail
Model #: WD1600JSRTL
Item #: N82E16822136036
$59.99

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/LightScribe and 5X DVD-RAM Write Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHM-165H6S - Retail
Model #: SHM-165H6S
Item #: N82E16827106015
$34.99

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: N09-01991
Item #: N82E16832116056
$89.99

Subtotal: $633.18
:?:

 

[skyguy]

Looks pretty good on the cheap. But one thing you should really spend a bit of extra money on is the PSU. Seriously. Spend another $30 or so and get a better PSU, you won't regret it.

 

[CainX]

I dont think that board has onboard video, did you have an old video card for it?

 

[prezb11]

Hes right, there is no onboard video. Your gonna need to buy a graphics card or consider a different motherboard.

If your gonna consider buying a graphics card, your gonna have to pay at least another 90+$ for one and the lower end cards are not that reliable (id know, i have a geforce 6200 OC pci card. I cant play videos without turning off Hardware acceleration and i constantly experience artifacts.

So consider a a different Mobo or be prepared to buy a graphics card, which considering your kids will play some games on it,might be a good investment.

 

[qwazzy]

The mobo...Look at another one

 

[mcaren]

Wow -- I didn't catch the lack of video at all -- thanks!
I think this is the power supply I'd originally selected (but went cheaper) -- better?
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail $53.99

thanks again. mcaren :?:

 

[chiefgabbai]

The FSP PSU is what is being highly recommended here for budget and mid-range systems. I am going with that one for my build.

 

[zoridon]

If you going to get a motherboard with onboard video just make sure it has a PCIE x16 slot for future video card expanshion otherwise this system will become obsolete in a very short time. If it were me I'd forget the onboard video altogether and get a 965P motherboard with a nvidia 7600gs or radeon x1600 pro for around $75. It will handle most modern games at medium level at 1024x768 and give you some longevity before u get an itch to sink more money into it. Silent models of these cards exist for a future home theatre pc so the card will have value for a long time in a hand me down system later.