Budget Build - no gaming

[HalifaxJ]

I'm putting together a computer for a friend of mine. She's a graphic designer and has a Mac G5 workstation at work. However, her home computer is a Pentium - Not a P2 or P4, just Pentium with 512Mb RAM. She does a bit of freelance work at home and has a legal version of Adobe CS3 and not considering any update for at least 3 years.

Computer Use:

Adobe software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver)
Internet browsing
Music and general online video

She also has a budget of 500$ (solid cap) and wants a version of Windows. She has a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

I also have a Dell 8700 that I could salvage for parts...not sure what would still be useful. The case? Fan? PSU?

I'm thinking an AMD build. The local store is putting it together and will warranty all the parts they sell.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

J

[sswilson]

Which store? Mysterbyte?

[HalifaxJ]

Mysterbyte?

No, the local store that build my setup - Greenlyph in Halifax. Had success with them so hoping to go there once more. They were very helpful.

I think they can get almost any part.

J

[sswilson]

Yep, probably my second choice in HFX.... :)

Not to steal business away from Greenlyph, but have a look at these folks.... MysteryByte Computers they also offer excellent after sale service, as well as an in-store 1 year warrantee on many of the items they sell. :)

That said... since she's looking for a legit OS, you might have trouble putting together a sub-$500 system for less than you could pick up a tower from FS / Staples for.

[HalifaxJ]

Perhaps, but the problem with the BOX store computers is that their motherboards are but a shadow of a real board. I might try to OC this system, which will give me the edge over a store PC.

J

[HalifaxJ]

Well I think I just made the 500$ budget more feasible. I'm going to give her my 2X2GB Crucial Rendition RAM sticks and I'm going to get 2 OCZ 2GB RAM sticks.

J

[Realityshift]

Well I think I just made the 500$ budget more feasible. I'm going to give her my 2X2GB Crucial Rendition RAM sticks and I'm going to get 2 OCZ 2GB RAM sticks.

Meaning your putting 6gbs into her machine or you sacrificed 2gbs out of your own?

The fact that windows needs to be included makes this pretty difficult, the only builds I can recommend is either an AMD build with the cheapest motherboard you can find and maybe an x2 5200, or an intel build with a cheap LGA775 motherboard and an E5200.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/new-builds/16196-500-budget-build-2.html

This was a pretty decent budget build, and since this rig is not going to be for gaming you could drop the 4830 video card out and have $100+ to spend on vista. if you search the web you can find some good deals on vista especially if shes a student.

[HalifaxJ]

Thanks,

Well she agreed to purchase VISTA separately, maybe online - used?

No, taking 4GB from my machine, giving it to her, and putting faster 1066 RAM (4GB) in my machine. They have both Corsair and OCZ, although apparantly OCZ went up in price?

If I do go with a cheap mobo, will I still be able to OC or is this where the puck stops?

J

[Realityshift]

With the G31 people have been able to get an E5200 upwards of 4ghz so you should be able to OC just fine.

[HalifaxJ]

This board?

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

I like the E5200. Is there an AMD equivalent for cheaper?

Also, I already have a case and PSU from a Dell I bought 2 years ago, so considering that the budget is 500$ and I already have RAM, Case and PSU, I think it's possible.

J