AMD Quad Core PC for a friend - any input?

[CoolHandL]

So im pricing out a budget build for a friend and wanted some feed back.
he mainly uses it for Email, surfing, the occasional movie and some light gaming (roller coaster tycoon and the types) Ive kept it Below $500, let me know if there are any changes you'd make? (the case stays the same) I dont think he need a discrete video card, but if i were to add one what would you suggest?

thanks as always!!!!!!!!

He has a 180GB drive we'll use as the OS with Win 7 64Bit

Hard Drive: Western Digital WD10EARS Caviar Green 1TB SATA 64MB Cache
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Power Supply: Antec Basiq BP550 Plus 550W 24PIN ATX 12V Modular Power
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Case: Silverstone Precision PS04B ATX Black Mid Tower Case 4X5.25
1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS
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Keyboard and Mouse Combo: Gigabyte GK-KM7580 Wireless Multimedia
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RAM: Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL
5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory
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Motherboard: ASUS M4A785-M mATX AM3/AM2+ 785G DDR2 PCI-E16 PCI-E
2XPCI SATA RAID Video Sound GBLAN Motherboard
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CPU/Processor: AMD Athlon II X4 640 Quad Core Processor AM3 3.0GHZ 2MB
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DVD Burner: Samsung SH-S223L/BEBS 22X SATA Black DVD Writer Lightscribe OEM
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Total BEFORE Price Match $449.92
YOUR TOTAL $428.38 + mutha effing taxes

[boggtrotter59]

The machine might be a little snappier with 4 Gb of ram instead of 2 GB if you are going to be running win 7. I also think that using an older hardrive for the OS is probably not a good idea... not sure what the specs on the 180 Gb drive are but it's probably old and slow as molasses. I'd load the OS on the new drive (whichever one you finally decide on). As for discreet video if you decide to go that route; the HD5550 is a decent budget card and can be had for $55. at NCIX.

PriceCanada.com

Other than that it seems like a good choice of parts for a budget build.

[CoolHandL]

Thanks for the input, yeah the 4GB was another 50$ and for what hes doing and coming from (compaq presario)it wont make any real world difference, i initially had 4GB, but needed to shave costs. the old HD is a Sata segate 7200RPM Barracuda 180GB, it will be fine for an OS drive. thanks for the advice on the budget gpu, i seem to only know higher end parts, this is my first budget build with a ceiling.

[boggtrotter59]

The WD greens are actually 5400 rpm drives so your Seagate should actually be faster... just make sure you run diagnostics and check it for bad sectors before loading the OS... nothing worse that setting up your OS and all your programs on a faulty or dying drive. I also only know higher end videocards...lol... but I checked Tom's Hardware and they recommend that card as the best in it's pricerange.

Enjoy the build

[_dangtx_]

get a duallie, and why not a giga board? duallie wise 240/250 whatever is in stock.

the basiq is not up to snout with other antecs, but not bad.

[Bond007]

Get this PSU. Corsair 400cx $50 (then $20 MIR...making it $30), and free shipping.

You won't beat that deal on a quality PSU. Grab it before the price or shipping changes.

[CoolHandL]

I've used the antec in other builds its great at being silent and modular and slightly future proof as far as this build goes (it will support a discrete video card when he needs it) I've chosen it for the price, and its sleeved modular cables, Dangtx any other PSU you can suggest with similar price /feature set ?

Ive used the Giga 785 board in another build and used this asus board, to me they are exactly the same, except asus is 15$ cheaper even with giga's MIR, i think they are both great budget boards, why do you suggest the Giga?

Dangtx Hmm i never really put any thought into a dual core, any reason behind the dual suggestion ? i mean a quad for 100$ seems like a good deal? no?

Thanks for your input guys, im pulling the trigger today, my friend is with out a PC and needs it asap.

[_dangtx_]

well, if he doesn't need it necessarily, saves a bit on the budget. good price nonetheless, both will oc good.

[Bond007]

Given the uses for the computer you could get by on a dual core no problem, but if there are a few extra dollars in the budget I think the quad is worth the few bucks extra in the long run. The ram is pretty much the same deal. 2gb will be enough, but 4 is encouraged (that said you could always grab another 2x1gb down the road if required). Also just posted a psu above (thought I would mention it here incase you didnt see it above your last post).

[CoolHandL]

Bond007 I saw it, unfortunately its not available at NCIX for pick up, i'll be popping into the retail store today, the antec with MIR is 40$, and a little beefy'er, plus modular, and 80+ certified. for $40 i think its a good deal.
yeah for 35$ more he can have a athlon II quad over a dual so we can stretch the budget for that. i would like 4GB of ram, but 2 will do, to start off. He knows in his heart he'll upgrade to a VGA and more ram soon.

thanks again for all your input!!!!