Anything salvagable / suggestions on proposed first build

[JarrettTX]

My wife and I unfortunately both find ourselves "between jobs" right now and keep needing to use our home PC (two-year old Dell P4), at the exact same time for our job searches/research far too frequently. To add an additional PC in order to keep the peace, I have been thinking about either buying a wireless router + PCI card/USB adapter to add onto the Dell XPS T series PC currently collecting dust in the closet (500 screamin' mhz PIII, 13 GB HD, Win98SE, will turn 8 this month), or more likely, after reading about all the other first timers on this board, trying my hand at a DIY build.

If I were to attempt to build it, the PC would primarily be for heavy internet usage, including streaming media. We aren't really into gaming now (used to play Half-Life 2, Quake series, UT series --- now trying to keep our toddler entertained), but wouldn't rule out getting back into it in the future. I am not bright enough to deal with overclocking, but would potentially be interested in adding a TV tuner card/figuring out how to make it into a PVR.

My two questions:
1. For a new build, is anything salvagable from the eight year old (other than the 19" CRT, keyboard, mouse, speakers)? Would you even try to reuse the case/PSU ... or should I just call Dell and tell them to come get it/recycle it?

2. Assuming I am re-using a monitor and other peripherals, I am looking to stay under $1000 --- a couple hundred under this would also make it an easier sell to the boss. Based on components suggested in a "Best Bang for the Buck PC" article I came across, I shopped newegg and came up with the following personalized list:

MB: ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 $193
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz $218
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $150 (after rebate)
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $85
DVD: LITE-ON LightScribe Black 20X DVD±R Burner with 12X DVD-RAM write Black IDE Model LH-20A1H-186 $39
SOUND: Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface $28
VIDEO: SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP $190 (after rebate)
CASE/PSU: Antec Performance One P150 w/ 430-Watt ATX12V v2.2 $100 (after rebate)
Total = $1003

What are your thoughts on this system/components? Too much for what it is going to be used for (or on the mark for something we would definitely use for the next 3-4 years)?

Additionally, if I were to look for ways to get down in price (without reducing performance too much), would you agree with swapping any/all of the following?
--- cheaper/similar MB: ASUS P5B-VM LGA 775 Intel G965 $115 (-$78, although no integrated Wi-Fi like above/would need to buy)
--- slightly slower CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz $181 (-$37)
--- different RAM (synchronous with E6400/E6300?): CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) $125 (-25)
--- smaller HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 200GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $65 (-20)
--- different video card (?)
--- cheaper case/PSU combo?

I am really intrigued by the idea of trying my own build and appreciate your thoughts/suggestions. Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[proof]

Hey dude, I know how it feels to be hurting for money. I will help you. Get an LGA775 motherboard and I will give you an IDE 120GB HDD and a P4 3GHz HT. Pay for shipping and it is yours.

 

[wilcoxon]

If you aren't doing gaming or other cpu-intensive operations (encoding, archiving, etc), you could easily go down to an E4300.

Unless you plan to overclock, you could save money on the RAM by getting DDR2-533 or 667 without taking any performance hit.

The video card is also overkill unless you do gaming or graphics intensive work (photoshop, etc).

 

[emp]

If you are trying to future proof a bit for future gaming if you get back into it then lose the X1950XT and just pay $70 more for a 8800GTS 320mb. How to stay on budget?

Lose the sound card, lose the ASUS mobo and buy a Gigabyte DS3.

EVGA 8800GTS 320mb ( A HELL OF A BETTER CARD THAN X1950XT)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

Gigabyte DS3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042

Also you could go for cheaper case and a better PSU.

comes to about $980 now for stronger build (if you want to save even more you could go for the E6300 without a big performance hit)

 

[Sheepish]

I'd take Proof up on his offer
Socket 775 means its future proof. Free processor now and buy a second hand C2D down the road (or a Quad Core if thats the way things turn out hehe). Combine it with a future proof motherboard based on the 945, 965 or 975 chipset and your good to go.

Depending on the size of your old Dells hard drive it might be worth salvaging. 120GB from Proof plus maybe 8 years ago.. a 40gb? Although you would need to be careful on buying a motherboard with 2x PATA, (one for cd drive, the other for the hdd's).

We aren't really into gaming now

The gfx card id skip altogether for the moment. Buy a DS3 with integrated graphics and when you want to game again you can get a much cheaper 8800GTS! Id also drop a gig of ram until you decide to game

The soundcard, maybe not necessary, onboard sound these days is perfect for the majority of people but for $28 its not gonna break the budget.

For all that you require I think you could cut the budget in half and have a computer that does everything you need but is easily upgradable. Or spend the extra £££ on a sexy case or new LCD?

Oh and 430W PSU, enough to power a 1950XT? I dont think it is.

 

[JarrettTX]

Great suggestions, all -- really appreciate your recommendations (as well as any others) ...

Regarding Proof's incredibly generous offer --- bless you! This would be a great way to get started / make the conversation about "why do you want to build a computer?!?" go much smoother*

How can I get in touch with Mr. Proof ...?

-------------

* My backup plan was countering with "why do you have to have so many shoes?"

 

[proof]

doordand@gmail.com