New build! Need help choosing just a few parts...thanks!

[dude_56013]

Looking for guidance with the masters of computers here on CF....

Well I'm up and doing a new build now!

Here's the low down so far:

I've got 2 options..as always it's the AMD/Intel battle

I'm stuck because the builds came out to about the same price..just don't know which is better performance!

Here's what the build would look like going Intel (Initial Price/Shipping):

*Mobo: Elitegroup ECS P965T-A (V1.0) LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard = $58/$6
*CPU: Intel Pentium 4 630 Prescott 3.0GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 EM64T Processor = $83/$0
*RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $61/$5
*DVD/CD: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner With LightScribe Technology = $34/$6
*Case: Rosewill R6425 SL Silver SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply =$27/$10

Total=$~290

Here's what the build would look like going AMD (Initial Price/Shipping):

*Mobo: BIOSTAR TFORCE TF520-A2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard = $ 59/$6
*CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor = $83/$0
*RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $61/$5
*DVD/CD: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner With LightScribe Technology = $34/$6
*Case: Rosewill R6425 SL Silver SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply =$27/$10

Total=$~290

As you can see my RAM, Case and Optical drive stay consistant as that will be my choice for which ever way I go
So all I need to know is which processor/mobo combo will have the best out-of-box performance

Now..wait a second..I know you are wondering 'where is your hdd boy??!!!'....well that was my second toss-up...

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $68/$0
~OR~
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $80/$0

Now, I have the second hard drive on my own personal computer but I have ALOT of programs, music, movies, etc, so I need the 320GB...however this build will be for a friend that has music but doesn't have many programs or movies..so I'm wondering if it's worth it to spend the 12 bucks to get the perpendicular record and the extra 70 gigs...

Thanks a ton!!!

I usually forget to mention some valuable info..so remind me if I do!

Zac H.
Blue Dirt! MN

P.S.
I have not selected a graphics card for sure yet because I know they will do ZERO major gaming, but I want things to run smooth and I'm guessing it will run Vista so I might get one...it need not be fancy..this is what I have in mind..feel free to make suggestions on this as well...

SAPPHIRE 100166L Radeon X1650XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer ATI
GPU Radeon X1650XT
Core clock 600MHz
PixelPipelines 24
Memory
Memory Clock 1400MHz
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3
3D API

=$85/$6

~OR~

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU GeForce 7600GT
Core clock 560MHz
PixelPipelines 12
Memory
Memory Clock 1400MHz
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3

=$75/$6

~OR~

EVGA 256-P2-N554-AX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU GeForce 7600GT
Core clock 580MHz
PixelPipelines 12
Memory
Memory Clock 1500 MHz (effective)
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3

=$80/$6

Maybe I'm going overboard on the graphics card...tell me if you think I am...all I know is they will probably use minor photoshop-ish stuff, watch videos, probably NOT play any games, but the computer will most likely have Vista...

Thanks again

 

[Rudster8161]

get the amd system no doubt, that thing would own that P4

also i would suggest the seagate, its same price\specs but bigger.

as for the video card, i would get something like a 8400GS\8500GT, if your not going to game at all then you dont need a very good video card. i would perfer you get the 8500GT because its made to watch hi-res movies and good at that stuff.

 

[Balic Yoakishi]

This is what i think u should go with

*Mobo: BIOSTAR TFORCE TF520-A2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard = $ 59/$6
*CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor = $83/$0
*RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory = $61/$5
*DVD/CD: SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner With LightScribe Technology = $34/$6
*Case: Rosewill R6425 SL Silver SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply =$27/$10

Total=$~290

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = $68/$0

EVGA 256-P2-N554-AX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU GeForce 7600GT
Core clock 580MHz
PixelPipelines 12
Memory
Memory Clock 1500 MHz (effective)
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR3

=$80/$6

I have no amd computers yet