Not another rate my system thread.

[TekieB]

Ok, I'm building a system for my step dad and brother, one rips/encodes movies and the other plays unreal 2004. My step brother is just getting into pc gaming over console, so framerates and aa and all that good stuff doesn't matter, as long as it plays.

Anyways, my budget is ~$415, here's what I have so far, any other ideas would be welcome, but I think this is the best set up:

Biostar nf2 IGP MATX board $61 I think this board will be good, I will be using the onboard for gaming, with 64mb goin to it (last I recall there was an issue with using 128mb)

2400 thorton $67 Good chip, not going to be overclocked.

Corsair value ram $79 512mb, It's ram, I'm going with ddr400 because it's only $2 than ddr266, so I figure "why not"

WD 80gb drive $65, I know I said movies, but it's always one at a time, so the space shoudn't be an issue.

NEC dual layer dvd drive $87 This is a requirement of the build, and I like nec, so we all win

Artic cooling cooler $15 I've read good reviews, and I like quiet

Lil cheap MATX case $27 They want tiny, I like the looks, and it will proably end up moded, I don't like the PSU though.

Edit: TOTAL $401.98 + shipping

Any other thoughts or sugestions, the only things in stone are that it must be able to play ut2k4 and have a dual layer dvd burner.

Thanks
-Tekieb

 

[acetic]

Should be able to play UT2k4, at lower settings of course though. Don't expect 1024x768, Highest settings @ 60FPS.

Other than that looks good...

 

[Captain Colonoscopy]

Spend another $50 and get this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-145-009&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Don't worry about the PSU, you can't cram enough stuff in this box to drain it.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-022&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Because its a requirement

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-122&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Best $65 HDD out there

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-209-005&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Mmmmm . . . dual channel goodness . . . . .

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-153-010&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Because ATI has the best integrated graphics right now, much better for gaming than nf2 igp.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-178&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Because you can, with the DDR-400 memory, OC the crap out of this CPU and have a much faster system for about $50 more than your build. The stock intel HSF should be adequate for oc'ing to a certain degree. I believe Kyle had some luck oc'ing this chip when it came out, I seem to remember an article about it.

To fill it out go scavenge some fans from a dead computer somewhere. Good luck, budget computers are my favorite builds.

 

[bountyhunter]

*EDIT* whoops, i missed something

anyway, that 2.4A gets another vote from me. I'm planning on getting one and ocing the crap out of it when I have enough cash.