computer build recomendation?

[Andretti]

Well, my niece is getting ready to go to college and I was asked to put together a system for her that will run graphic programs that she might be using during school. Budget is basically around $1800, but I would say thats including OS (XP Pro).

I wanted to see if anyone had some suggestions. Basically I was gonna put a Intel cpu (2.13 dual core likely), no sli needed (but upper end-ish video), 2 gig ram, dvd burner rw, antec 900 case, viewsonic lcd monitor, 2 320gig drives running raid0, and a 300 watt battery backup.

Any specific suggestions with that basic criteria?

Thanks for any opinions or suggestions
Andretti

[StealthyFish]

Well, my niece is getting ready to go to college and I was asked to put together a system for her that will run graphic programs that she might be using during school. Budget is basically around $1800, but I would say thats including OS (XP Pro).

I wanted to see if anyone had some suggestions. Basically I was gonna put a Intel cpu (2.13 dual core likely), no sli needed (but upper end-ish video), 2 gig ram, dvd burner rw, antec 900 case, viewsonic lcd monitor, 2 320gig drives running raid0, and a 300 watt battery backup.

Any specific suggestions with that basic criteria?

Thanks for any opinions or suggestions
Andretti

I'd say that system in your sig sounds almost exactly like what you should get her, except get a cheap cheap case (like 30 dollars?), 1 hard drive, and maybe only a 320mb 8800GTS?

[L'enFer]

i think:
E6420 (smbd would say to wait and get E6x50 that supports FBS1333) Abit IP35 Pro/Asus P5K-E/Gigabyte P35-DS3 can't give advice about RAM 8800GTS 640/2900XT 512 Pioneer DVR-212D your case, lcd and storage

[Cyco]

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
Abit IP35
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400C4
8800 GTS 640MB (Cheapest On Will Do Fine)
Samsung SpinPoint T
Samsung SH-183LBEBN
Noctua NH-U12F (If Overclocking)
Antec P182
Corsair HX 520W
19" Moniter

[psyconut713]

what is she in school for? does she like to DL mp3s? movies? she going to use the monitor as a tv/dvd palyer?

[Locke]

umm just because the budget is $1800 doesnt mean you have to spend all of it... why won't a $700-900 box due? Put the extra $$ into a monitor.

Anyway one of my suggestions is to run a raid 1 or set up an automatic back-up, so if the disk gets corrupted she won't lose all of her work. Graphic programs dont need alot of video memory compared to 3D games or high end CAD work...
- DVD as standard
- nice 22" - 24" monitor
- large HDD's
- gforce 7950
- good speakers
- 2 gigs of ram
- xp pro os

[Kaze06]

Throw in a TV tuner and you eliminate the cost of needing a TV in your dorm/room/etc.

[OpTioN]

This is what I would reccomend..

eVGA 8600GTS
Intel Q6600
2x2gb Gskill
(4) 250gb drives in raid0
Asus P5N32-E
a lian li case with alot of pink cathodes/uv lights
Bluegears b-enspirer sound card
a 24" LCD, like the samsung 245BW or something( forgot the name)

for a girl, she probably wont need the highest end graphic card, so i strongly reccomend my choices.

[Kaze06]

This is what I would reccomend..

eVGA 8600GTS
Intel Q6600
2x2gb Gskill
(4) 250gb drives in raid0
Asus P5N32-E
a lian li case with alot of pink cathodes/uv lights
Bluegears b-enspirer sound card
a 24" LCD, like the samsung 245BW or something( forgot the name)

for a girl, she probably wont need the highest end graphic card, so i strongly reccomend my choices.

That screams overkill for a college rig. I mean, it SCREAMS it.

Quad core? Scratch that. Save a hundred bucks and go with a cheap 1333 E6xxx.

4 gigs of RAM? No way. 2 is God's plenty.

If you need a terabyte for a college rig, you should seriously reconsider your priorities. 1x320GB max.

I doubt there will be any need for UV lights or cathodes, but to each their own.

I know this is XS, but look at what we're trying to build here. Like a previous poster said. $1800 budget doesn't mean score spot on. Saving money is almost always better. Plus, you'll have room for a nicer monitor, or other things.

[Emerica]

CPU: E6xxx 1333
Video: 8800GTS 320MB
RAM: 2GB dual channel ddr2 kit
Monitor: Samsung 21.6" LCD 5ms
Mobo: Gigabyte P35 DS3R

[OpTioN]

That screams overkill for a college rig. I mean, it SCREAMS it.

Quad core? Scratch that. Save a hundred bucks and go with a cheap 1333 E6xxx.

4 gigs of RAM? No way. 2 is God's plenty.

If you need a terabyte for a college rig, you should seriously reconsider your priorities. 1x320GB max.

I doubt there will be any need for UV lights or cathodes, but to each their own.

I know this is XS, but look at what we're trying to build here. Like a previous poster said. $1800 budget doesn't mean score spot on. Saving money is almost always better. Plus, you'll have room for a nicer monitor, or other things.

No, because she is a girl and girls normaly don't play games 24/7 and dont need the highest end graphic card...


i'd really pick this over then any other build for a girl, the quad core will only be $266 come july 22nd..

and yes 1tb is a lot, but you never know if she will have like 5000 pictures, videos, songs, etc.

[Andretti]

As far as what is she using it for? I really dont know except she plans on majoring in some sort of "graphic arts" type of thing.

At this point, I'm thinking of building her one very similar to what I built for myself and is listed in my sig, except possibly a 320meg video card verses the 640meg I have.

As far as gaiming goes, she doesnt do any that I am aware of, and music wise, she has an external drive she uses that I put all my mp3's on for her as a start (about 25k atm) so she should be pretty good on music at this point.

But thanks for the suggestions. If anyone has anymore, feel free.

Thanks
Andretti