snydley wrote:
> Hi Guys,
> I guess I should have elaborated more on this computer I'm gonna put
> together. It's not for me. I'm having a good friend install laminated wood
> floors in my house,(600 sq. ft. worth). He's thowing in the labor free if I
> build him a computer. I'm figuring on spending $500. to $600. total. There's
> a 3.2Ghz Pentium D system on sale at Tiger Direct for $299. that looks like
> a good deal. I'd just have to add a DVD writer, an LCD monitor, and keyboard
> and mouse and have a system for him. Someone mentioned building an AMD
> Athelon system, but I know nothing about the reliability of AMD or how they
> compare to Intel, so I haven't considered them.
> I'm reluctant to go with AMD just because I've never used one before.
> I've got to order it in a couple of days, so what do you think? AMD or
> Intel? P4 or PD? Are there any other good deals out there somewhere?
> Thanks,
> Snyder
>
>

Well, the one for $299 has an Intel motherboard with Intel chipset.
And a Pentium D 940 would be OK (not knowing what the system is for,
it should be OK). The Ultra brand memory should be tested by you,
before you ship (Ultra is just about branding, so the memory is made
by someone else.)

The barebones is missing a rear exhaust fan (80mm). It also needs a
CPU heatsink/fan, and with the D 940, you'll want to buy something good
for that. The downflow air from your cooler choice, should help cool
the passively cooled Northbridge on the Intel board.

And looking around, I cannot find something that is both good and
cheap for CPU cooling. Generally speaking, you want a good sized
heatsink for the Pentium D, yet your choice has to fit within that
computer case. The case may not be big enough for some of the choices.
Some heatsinks are big enough, that they can touch the PSU casing.
And things like the original "Big Typhoon" with H clip instead of
push pins, might be too tall for that case. I cannot tell from the
pictures, whether that case is big enough or not.

There is no info on the PSU.

I guess it all depends on how long you'll be on the hook to maintain
this system, as to whether this is a good idea.

Paul