Must order computer parts today, help please!

I am building a computer for my brother who is going to college in about a week. He is going into engineering so he might be using Autocad, I don't know for sure. But he'll play some games so I want a good graphics card.

Budget is in the 800's, and what I've put together is over that. I'd really like suggestions on what you guys would recommending changing with this system. I am staying with Intel though, that is not negotiable.

I already have a Monitor and OS, the only things I think I still need are keyboard and mouse.

Here it is...

Zipzoomfly

Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 512MB DDR400 PC3200 CL3 DIMM 3-3-3 Memory Retail *** Free 2nd Day ***

$80x2=$160

Abit IC7-G i875P P4 800FSB Skt478 DDR ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail (Prescott Ready) *** Free 2nd Day ***

$149


Newegg

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK

$71.99
Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD800JB, OEM Drive Only

$62x2=$124

One Day Sale, Ends 8/10/2004 4:00 PM PST
RAIDMAX Black 10-bay Case with 420W Power Supply, Model "ATX-868WBP" -RETAIL

$39.99

Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - OEM

$167

ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -RETAIL

$223


Please advise, I'd really like to start ordering today. Thanks!

 

Does he really need a dual layer DVD drive right now? The medium is REALLY expensive... so its more cost effective to use more than one single layer DVD for backup purposes at the moment

 

Hadn't really thought about that. Can't you still burn cd's and regulard DVD's with it though?

Yup, just checked. I figure it's only $30-$40 less for a cd burner so I might as well get him this so no upgrade will be necessary for awhile.

 

The only thing I would change would be the case and power supply. The Power supplies that come with cheap cases are usually crap. If they break, they can also damage other components in your system. It's not worth the money saved. Get a case without a power supply, and then get a reliable PSU. Some reliable brands are: Antec, PC Power and Cooling, and Thermaltake. The PSU I have is a 480W Thermaltake and newegg has it for $56.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-153-007&DEPA=0

 

I'd like to keep the case/psu combo as close to $50 as possible.

If I go with Antec how big of a PSU do I realistically need?
Would this do ok?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-117&depa=0

 

that case/psu combo would be good...not sure about the wattage though. 300 is kinda low. i would look at at least 350w.

 

Yeah I meant to link to a 350 watt one. That will work
Is this vid card essentially the same as the one I listed? The descriptions are a little different so I wanted to be sure.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-127&depa=0

 

seems the same (the only thing i noticed was the different clock speeds). i think either of those cards would be fine.

 

Outpost.com

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4153203

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3558634

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3700356

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3645845

If you order these you should be able to get a better graphics card.

 

For Power Supply calculation, you can use this page to find out how much Watts would be recommended.

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

 

NIce, that calculator will be a good tool!

Someone else suggested to me getting Socket 775 MOBO and processor so upgrades will be easier in the future. Does anyone have any experience with Socket 775 yet?

The ones suggested are here...
Pentium 4 2.8GHz socket 775 1MB L2 cache
ECS Socket775

I'd like to be upgradable so if these are going to be fine I'll probably go with these.

 

GAH! Don't get ECS, you'll regret it..... Hi spec low cost = bad combination! If youre going for socket775, then I'd get a decent board from a good manufacturer, Abit, Asus, MSI, Soyo, Gigabyte, DFI.... to name a few more enthusiast.

I'd say it would be more cost effective to stick with somthing better value at the moment, and not go for the cutting edge tech.

 

How about this guy?
Intel "BOXD915PCYL" 915P Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL

Are these newer boards only compatible with ddr2 or can I run ddr as well?

 

Or this from abit
ABIT "AS8" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel LGA775 CPU -RETAIL

It looks like most of these boards only support the 240 pin...