Build for my Dad

[castleking]

My dad is in dire need of a new machine. He's a stock trader, and as such requires significant amount of desktop space. He uses a three monitor setup. Currently, he has a dual head PCI video card powering two of the displays, and Intel integrated powering one of the displays. All this on a P4 and 512MB RAM, Can you guys give me some advice about what I have for him. I might do a small amount of overclocking for him, but not much. I also need recommendations on a case. Nothing too flashy, but not a beige box either. Something more form over function probably.

ECS PX1 (1.0B) LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $139.99

2x POWERCOLOR X1300256MB Radeon X1300 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $139.98

SILVERSTONE SST-ST365 ATX 360W Power Supply - Retail $37.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $316.00

Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC21G5300LLK - Retail $119.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160811AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $57.99

LITE-ON 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-18A1P-185 - OEM $28.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM $119.99 (Will change to 64 bit upon availability at Newegg, should be the same price based on Ultimate pricing)

What do you guys think? He doesn't need a lot of hdd space, and he isn't going to be gaming.

 

[Viceras]

Sounds ok i would wait till SP1 before getting Vista and Stick Pro on it for now. Not to familiar with your other selections but im sure the locals will put you straight.

Whats the budget for the build?

GL.

Viceras.

 

[castleking]

Whats the budget for the build?

GL.

Viceras.

Just a tad over $1000 probably. I wouldn't want to go over $1,100US.

 

[Fustigator]

ECS PX1 (1.0B) LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $139.99

2x POWERCOLOR X1300256MB Radeon X1300 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $139.98

SILVERSTONE SST-ST365 ATX 360W Power Supply - Retail $37.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $316.00

Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC21G5300LLK - Retail $119.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3160811AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $57.99

LITE-ON 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model LH-18A1P-185 - OEM $28.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM $119.99 (Will change to 64 bit upon availability at Newegg, should be the same price based on Ultimate pricing)

What do you guys think? He doesn't need a lot of hdd space, and he isn't going to be gaming.

I would also avoid Vista for a little while. Although, for what he's going to be using it for, the bells and whistles of Vista might be right up his alley. However, as Vista is SURE to be a memory hog, I would seriously consider 2GB of RAM.
You say that he doesn't need much HDD space, but is what he saves critical? HDDs are cheap. Might want to consider a second one and RAID 1 (Mirroring).

Don't know much about the GPUs, but they are likely sufficient for Office products and Web surfing. Make sure they provide dual DVI outputs so that you can attach the monitor bank to it.

Finally, that Power supply sounds a little enemic. Without checking the specific outputs, I'm seeing 2 GPUs, a modern CPU (good choice, by the way) an optical drive and 1 or 2 HDDs. I would pony up a few more $$ for a 450 Watt alternative.

The extra RAM, HDD, and PSU upgrade should only run anothr $200, but will add stability, expandability and fault tolerance.

 

[Fustigator]

You also asked about cases. Personally, I'm a big fan of Lian-Li. They have a wide range of great, brushed aluminum cases that aren't flashy, but are sleek and stylish. The materials are 1st class.
They're also easy to work in with removable Mobo trays, rolled interior edges, and thumb screws.

Something like this is relatively inexpensive and might be appropriate. This one does not have a removeable mobo tray though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112068

 

[castleking]

You also asked about cases. Personally, I'm a big fan of Lian-Li. They have a wide range of great, brushed aluminum cases that aren't flashy, but are sleek and stylish. The materials are 1st class.
They're also easy to work in with removable Mobo trays, rolled interior edges, and thumb screws.

Something like this is relatively inexpensive and might be appropriate. This one does not have a removeable mobo tray though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112068

Heh, the funny thing is, I was considering that case for my new build as well. Lian Li really has universal appeal.