help in building a computer...

I told my son I would help him build a computer, good enough he can take it to college with him next year. He wants to keep his budget around the $500-$600 range. I currantly have a monitor he can use, and just purchased an Antec case on sale at best buy for $39 after MIR. Now, we are looking for deals on motherboards/processors, harddrives,video cards,etc. He will use it for(hopefully) homework assignments, many games, net surfing, etc. Anybody have any ideas on motherboards/processors? We can pick up cd/dvd drives on sale, about everywhere, so that would not be a problem.
thanks,
coadman

 

Places

a good place to search is anandtech ,price watchor maybe newegg.

 

try this site...

I have found the most affordable parts, especially memory in this site. http://www.mysuperpc.com/ it also gives you pointers and tutorials on how to build your own pc.

 

Another good place I've used many times with 0 problems is
http://www.zipzoomfly.com

 

With that kind of budget you're going to want to buy behind the curve. With that in mind, you should consider an Athlon XP cpu that doesn't break your budget (like an Athlon XP 2200+ for $73 at Newegg). Then I'd recommend an Nforce 2 Ultra 400 motherboard (or some flavor of Nforce2 that officially supports a 400Mhz FSB) from a mainboard maker that doesn't charge a premium. Examples could include Shuttle or Biostar but you could also consider makers like Epox, Soltek, MSI, Gigabyte, DFI, Albatron, Aopen as Nforce2 boards should be real cheap now.

Newegg still has a 40MB 7200rpm drive from Maxtor that sells for $46. I use it in every machine in my house (4). Don't tell anyone but it benches at an average read speed of 53MB/sec putting it at the top of most every 7200rpm IDE drive and many SCSI ones as well - but like I said - don't tell anyone!
I used to wonder why I was always the first to spawn on maps when playing multi-player Vietcong - now I know. Haven't had any troubles with any of the drives.

Don't buy anything slower than PC3200 memory as this will support a 400Mhz FSB and, at this time, you may find that slower, older memory is actually MORE expensive due to supply/demand issues. Crucial and Kingston make good memory for those who aren't looking for wicked-cool LED lights and platinum heat spreaders (like mine have ). Buy two 256MB sticks (same exact type) so you can run dual-channel. If you absolutely have to cut corners here, buy one 256MB stick and then add one of the exact same type later when you get lucky at the slots. Actually, it'd be nice to have 1GB or ram but I don't want to push your budget too much.

To get an excellent power supply, if your case doesn't already have one, pick up the Thermaltake Silent PurePower, 420W ATX power supply for $39 at Newegg. A good PSU at an excellent price!

Did I mention that Newegg is a good place to shop with very low prices and the best service and RMA policy on the net?

But I guess I have to ask, doesn't your son need a laptop for college? From what I hear, it's pretty much required. Or am I just listening to my stepdaughter too much who insists that she has to have a Sony Vaio? And it also has to have firewire for her i-Pod. "Sure honey, I'd love to get you that $1800 Vaio while I use a cheap-arse $650 HP for my own needs!" It all seems to make sense in her universe.

Gary