Build for Girlfriend lol

[aaron_c]

Hey guys, my girlfriend is needing a new computer, and in light of the one I just got in the mail (but can't put together until Christmas unfortunately), she's wanting one too. Mine was a bit expensive, over $700. I want hers to be around $500 total. She plays Second Life with me, which doesn't have very high system requirements really. Here's what I'm thinking.

Nvidia GT250 GPU
4GB RAM

And the rest, you guys piece together to keep it WITHIN my price range . Can someone put a parts list together for me to give her mom, and order early this afternoon, with the GT250 card and 4GB memory (probably DDR2 for the lower price).

 

[MadAdmiral]

Refer to this stickied thread...

DDR2 isn't going to be much lower in price, and will be much more expensive later on if you need to replace/add.

Do you need to get an OS with this? If so, the budget's really $400.

What don't you need? (monitor, keyboard/mouse, etc.) If you need much more than the OS on that budget, its not going to come out very good...

 

[batuchka]

You mean this build? $475 AR

 

[aaron_c]

Sorry I wasn't more clear, was in a rush lol. It's just the PC, with no OS that she needs. I already have the OS because Microsoft accidentally sent me two lol, and she has speakers, monitor, and keyboard. thanks!

 

[aaron_c]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By end of week

BUDGET RANGE: 500 before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (SL), photoshop, media playback

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, OS (windows 7 Pro)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024x768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want the Nvidia GTS250 card and 4GB memory. thanks!

 

[aaron_c]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315082
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211410
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130235
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130468
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Is that all compatible? If so, that's what I'll go with- has same CPU and motherboard as mine, so we'd be able to compare the GTS 250 to the GTX 260 just for kicks.

 

[daggs]

the 250 costs $134.99, a new ati 5770 costs $144.99 and according to the november TH's video cards for ~125$, the ati 4870 is recommanded best.
both of them out perform the 250, doesn't it worth while more to get them?

 

[aaron_c]

the 250 costs $134.99, a new ati 5770 costs $144.99 and according to the november TH's video cards for ~125$, the ati 4870 is recommanded best.
both of them out perform the 250, doesn't it worth while more to get them?

Second Life uses OpenGL, that's the issue. ATI cards, even if they generally outperform Nvidia cards, don't handle SL nearly as well as the Nvidia cards. I think the issue is with ATI's drivers or something, I was told? So that's why everyone I know in SL has told me to go with an Nvidia card for Second Life specifically.

 

[aaron_c]

But is the build I posted all compatible? I'm not 100% confident in myself on that yet when choosing parts lol.

 

[sonic-boom]

ACCIDENTLY sent you two? So lucky...

Mine came from what appeared to be a company who MS contracts to mail out products, if they are dumb enough to put two in orders of only then MS is losing big money on them.

 

[sonic-boom]

Yes its compatible, but you don't want that mobo, its junk. This one is much better http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402&cm_re=amd_790-_-13-131-402-_-Product

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That old WD3200AAJS is not a good choice, either. This one is much faster for just a few bucks more.

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $54.99

 

[sonic-boom]

MMMMMM finally in stock, been a lifetime.

 

[notty22]

Actually a gts 250 is 110.00 on newegg right now , and the cheapest 5770 is 165.00. Thats 50% more cost. The new ATI cards are not for everyone.

 

[aaron_c]

ACCIDENTLY sent you two? So lucky...

Mine came from what appeared to be a company who MS contracts to mail out products, if they are dumb enough to put two in orders of only then MS is losing big money on them.

Mine did too, I forget the name of the company. They also charged me twice, but I was okay with that when I found out she was building a PC as well.