Budget Web Surfer

October 4, 2004

Introduction

Alright, let's admit it.  Not everyone plays computer games, but that doesn't mean that they don't need a computer.  And, while we're being honest, let's also acknowledge that the typical uses that people put their home computers to (when they aren't playing games) are not all that demanding.  Web surfing, reading email, word processing, listening to music, downloading files, and running accounting software just don't need that much CPU horsepower, and they certainly don't need 3D graphics rendering power.

The modest demands of these sorts of programs means that we can put together a system with quality components, which lend themselves to upgrading later, without spending a lot of money.  The result will be a system that meets the needs of what most people use their computers for, be it at at home, at school, or at the office.

The list of components includes their approximate costs, but it does not include shipping.   Primarily, NewEgg was used to check prices and availability at the time of this write-up (October, 2004); of course, this information is subject to change.  This guide can be used to do your own shopping and system building, or it can be used as a starting point to have Sequoyah Computer build a system for you (the cost would be whatever the price of the parts, shipping, and $100 would be).  

Case

Antec has updated their small mid-towers.  They've gone to a 120mm fan in the back of the case, upgraded to a 350 watt power supply, and added a vent with an air-guide to the side (this is located over the processor and is designed to allow Pentium 4 processors, in particular, to draw in cool air to blow down on the CPU's heatsink).  These cases are not very large.  They measure 16.6 inches tall, 7.8 inches wide, and they are 16.5 inches in length (from front to back).  A full-sized ATX motherboard can be used with these cases, but it is rather a tight fit; therefore, a micro-ATX board seems to be the better choice.

If you are planning on using a full size ATX motherboard, Antec's somewhat larger SLK3700AMB probably is a better choice.  This case is 18.3 inches tall, 8.25 inches wide, and it measures 18.6 inches from front to back.  The couple of extra inches of height and length will make things much easier when installing a full size motherboard.  Like the SLK1650, the SLK3700AMB has a 120mm fan in the back and a 350 watt power supply, but it doesn't have the side vent.  As you can see below, it has a door that closes over and conceals the drive bays.

 

Processor, Motherboard, and Memory

When it comes to choosing a processor for our budget computer, AMD really comes through for us.  $62 will net you an Athlon XP 2200, which is a 1.8 GHz processor.  This is plenty of processing power for all but the most demanding applications.  This processor is a true Athlon processor, using the same Thoroughbred core as many of the fastest Athlon XP  processors.  Only the clock speed is slower; nothing else has been trimmed away to make for a cheaper component.  Although AMD does make a lower cost Duron line of processors, I don't see the need for resorting to these with the prices for the low clock speed Athlons being so inexpensive.  

In addition, AMD recently introduced a new line of budget processors, the Semprons.  Although these come in both socket A and socket 754 versions, its not clear that the socket A Semprons offer any advantages over the Athlon XPs, at this time.  For now, they even tend to be a bit more expensive than the equivalent Athlon XP.  I believe that AMD eventually will stop production of the Athlon XP and the socket A Sempron will take its place.

Although I've selected the XP 2200 in order to keep the price down, Athlons' prices scale upward in a gradual and linear fashion, at least until you reach the XP 3000.  For example, the XP 2400 (2.0 GHz) is only $13 more than the XP 2200, and the XP2600 (1.9 GHz, but with the 512KB Barton core) is a $28 upgrade from the XP 2200.

I've elected to go with the OEM version of this processor, because the heatsink and fan that comes with the retail kit tend to be rather loud, and I prefer to replace them with something else. 

Speeze offers a big chunk of aluminum that incorporates a copper core and makes use of a relatively quiet, 80 mm fan for only $10.  I think that this is a good upgrade from what the retail processor comes with.  Just be careful when mounting a big heatsink like this.  Make sure that the heatsink is properly oriented and flush with the top of the processor's exposed core, before you clamp down with the clip, or you risk damaging the processor itself.  Also, take care pressing the clip into place, since this usually requires using a screwdriver.  You definitely don't want the screwdriver to slip and gouge your motherboard. 

In keeping with this being an inexpensive and basic computer, a motherboard with integrated graphics will help keep the overall cost of this system down.  Motherboards using the SiS741GX chipset, which includes integrated graphics, are among the most inexpensive.  For example, the Asrock K7S41GX is a micro-ATX motherboard that uses this chipset and sells for around $42.  This motherboard only supports frontside bus speeds up to 333 MHz, so the the two fastest Athlon XP processors, the 3200 and the 3000, cannot be used with this motherboard.  However, since this is for a budget system that will be making use of AMD's less expensive processors, this really doesn't pose a problem.

As can be seen in the picture above, the K7S41GX has integrated sound, ethernet, and USB, and it includes an AGP slot (which means you can upgrade the video, if you wish to do so, later).  I like the Asrock brand, since they are an offshoot of Asus, the world's largest motherboard manufacturer.

If you plan on using a video card from the start, you might do better to get a motherboard without the integrated graphics.  Motherboards using Nvidia's Nforce2 chipset would be the most desirable for these.  Chaintech offers an inexpensive micro-ATX board, the 7NIL1 Summit, which uses the Nforce 2 400 Ultra chipset.  This chipset supports the 400 MHz frontside bus processors and it offers dual channel memory.  It sells for $52; so, it is not much more expensive than the K7S41GX, but you will need to factor in the cost of a video card.

For system memory, a single 512 MB module will be sufficient.  The K7S41GX motherboard only supports single channel memory, anyway, and though the 7NIL1 supports dual channel memory, the extra performance to be gained by this is not enough to justify the extra cost of getting two modules, especially for a budget system that is not geared toward high performance.  These micro-ATX motherboards only have two memory slots; so using one module, now, instead of two, leaves room for more economical upgrade, later.  Mushkin's Basic PC3200 512MB module sells for around $76.

Turning to what Intel has to offer, we find that the Pentium 4s tend to be a little too expensive for a budget system.  The least expensive Pentium 4 is the 2.26GHz version that runs on a 533MHz bus and sells for around $115.  This makes Intel's Celeron line of budget processors are better choice.  The prices for the original Pentium 4 based Celerons range from $53 for the 1.7GHz model up to $109 for the 2.8 GHz model.  These original P4 Celerons are hampered by having only 128 KB of cache, compared to 512 KB of cache on Northwood Pentium 4s, and by being designated to run on a 400 MHz  bus, compared to 800 MHz bus that the latest Pentium 4s run on.  

Recently, Intel has introduced a new version of the Celeron, which is derived from the newer Prescott version of the Pentium 4.  These new Celeron "Ds" have 256Kb of cache, and they run on a 533 MHz frontside bus.  Although these seem like small changes, the Celeron D performs much better than it's 128KB cache predecessor.   While even a Celeron D is not a great choice, if you are putting together a game computer, they are fine for less intensive business applications.  The Celeron Ds range in speed from 2.4GHz to 2.93GHz, and their prices range from $72 to $127.

I think that it is worth the few extra dollars to go with one of these new Celeron Ds; so, I suggest the lowest priced 2.4 GHz model, which sells for $74.  This is a retail kit which includes a pretty good heatsink and fan.

For those who have opted to go the Intel route, one of the main advantages of an Intel system is that the same manufacturer produces both the processor and the supporting motherboard chipset.  While there are chipsets from other manufacturers supporting the Pentium 4, such as from SiS, I think that being able to use an Intel chipset along with an Intel processor is what gives these systems such a good reputation for quality and stability.

Again, I recommend using a motherboard with integrated graphics to help to keep the overall cost down.  Asrock produces an inexpensive micro-ATX board that is based on Intel's i865GV chipset.  The P4i65GV supports the full range of Intel's socket 478 processors; so, there is plenty of room for upgrading the processor later, if desired.  While the i865GV chipset is not intended to support an AGP slot, Asrock has creatively found a way around this, and the P4i65GV includes an AGP slot.  This means that there is an option to upgrade the integrated graphics later, if one wishes to do so.  This motherboard includes two memory slots (supporting dual channel memory), integrated sound, integrated USB ports, and an integrated ethernet port.  Selling for around $52, this board fits in well with the criteria for a budget system.

Since this is a dual memory channel system, which the Pentium 4 processors require much more that the Athlon XP does, we will need to use a matched pair of memory modules with this system.  Corsair Value Select PC3200 256MB modules sell for about $42 apiece; so, a pair will run $84.  (Corsair's model VS256MB400 is rated to operate at CL 2.5 timings, which is a bit faster than the VS256MB400C3 model that is rated for CL 3 timings.  So, you might want to pay attention to the product number.)

Video and Audio

There isn't a whole lot to talk about, here, since we will be using the video and audio capabilities that are integrated into the motherboards.  These onboard capabilities should be sufficient for the basic computer tasks that these systems are intended to perform.  However, both systems offer the option to have these capabilities expanded, should the computer user's needs change.  Both systems have an available AGP slot, so a dedicated video card can easily be added, and both have open PCI slots, which can accommodate a dedicated sound card.

Although integrated video probably will be adequate for use with most business and internet applications, one reason to consider an upgrade to a dedicated video card is if you are planning on using a LCD monitor.  Although LCD monitors can be hooked up to a regular VGA connection, they will have significantly better display quality if they make use of a digital video connection (DVI).  Hooking a LCD monitor up to the video card by way of a DVI connection bypasses the process whereby the  video card converts its video signal into an analog signal, which is needed by CRT monitors.  Using a DVI connection means that the LCD monitor doesn't have to convert this VGA analog signal back into a digital signal, which is what a LCD uses.

With this is mind, I would look for an inexpensive video card with both VGA and DVI connectors.  Since we are not concerned with 3D rendering, even older cards will be quite suitable, as long as the manufacturer is still providing relatively up to date drivers.

For example, PowerColor still offers a Radeon 7000 with 32 MB of video memory (shown below), and this card sells for around $32.  The Radeon 9200 is the most recent iteration ATI's basic video card, and Trancend offers a 9200 with DVI and 64MB of video memory for around $47.

Storage Drives

In the interest of controlling costs, I'm recommending a relatively "small", 80 GB drive (that is, small compared to the 250 GB monsters that are now available).  Although drives even smaller than 80 GB are available, the cost savings aren't proportional to the capacity that they give up.  I continue to reward Seagate for their 5 year warranty by making them my hard drive of choice.  The fact that these are quiet, reliable drives with no significant performance issues makes this choice all the easier.  In the interest of keeping the price low, I recommending a model with 2MB of cache and an EIDE connection.  These drives cost about $60 in an OEM or bare drive package.  

For an optical drive, I think the "combo drives", which incorporate a CD-ROM and DVD-ROM reader into a CD burner, offer the most flexibility and functionality without undue cost.  Samsung, for example, offers a 52X,32X,52X,16X model for $38 in a OEM kit.  

Although it is popular in some circles to declare the floppy obsolete, this drive still is convenient for a number of purposes, especially those where a bootable disk is required.  Since they are inexpensive (about $10), it makes sense to just go ahead and include one.

Operating System

Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition should meet the needs of most users.  The only reason to consider upgrading to Windows XP Professional would be if this computer is to be integrated into a large network.  For example, the Home edition doesn't support hooking up with some non-Microsoft networks, such as Novell's, which is why some college campuses require students to use Windows XP Pro, if they want to hook into the college's network. 

 

Peripherals

Although not included in the list of components that go into making the basic "box", which is listed at the beginning of this guide, if you are putting together a system from scratch, you'll need these important components.

For visual output, you'll need a monitor.  In keeping with this being a budget system, I'm only going to talk about CRT monitors, because the cost of good LCD monitor are still too high.  A good, basic CRT would be a 17 inch model, such as Samsung's 793DF, which sells for around $139.  The next step up would be to a 17 inch CRT that uses an aperture grill tube, such as NEC's 771SB.  It uses Mitsubishi's Diamontron tube and sells for around $165.  You might also consider moving up to a 19 inch screen.  Samsung's 997DF costs $219, and this would be money well spent, even in the context of a budget system.  HP has an aperture grill 19 inch monitor that I've seen selling for $239.  This HP 930 seems like a very good bargain for a Diamondtron based monitor. 

For the web-surfing and business applications that this system primarily will be aimed at, there is no need for sophisticated audio.  A couple of inexpensive desktop speakers, such as Altec's 220s, which sell for about $10, will suffice.  If you like listening to MP3s while you work and want a bit more musical range from you speakers, some inexpensive speakers with a subwoofer, such as the Logitech X-230, which sells for around $39, would be a reasonable step up.

When it comes to input, you can find some inexpensive OEM keyboard and mouse bundles from Logitech or Microsoft that sell for $20 to $30.  I would recommend looking for one that includes a decent optical mouse.

 

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