BleepingComputer.com: Proposed New budget Build - Thoughts and comments please!

I was wondering all of your thoughts on this proposed build. Mostly using it for general internet / office use as well as a home media server. I'm wondering if it's worth it to add a video card such as the Radeon 4550 (and if so, any recommendations as to which one / brand?). Also - I am eligible for the $29.00 student Windows 7 discount. I believe it is an "upgrade" only but can I use that on this machine without first installing xp?

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-MA78LM-S2H AMD 760G microATX
$64.99

CPU: AMD Athlon II x4 630 Propus 2.8GHz
$122.99

RAM: Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800 CL5
$89.99

Power supply: Corsair VX450W
$64.99

Case: Antec Two Hundred
$49.95

HD: Western Digital 750GB
$79.99

DVD burner:LG Black OEM DVD burner
$31.99

Wireless card: Linksys WMP54G

Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Total - $652.87

Thanks in advance!

One other question - I also have the option of purchasing through Dell the following machine that fits my needs and is actually cheaper. Any thoughts on the quality / capabilities of this machine vs. building my own with the above specs:

Dell Studio Slim Desktop - $539
PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7500 (3MB L2, 2.93GHz, 1066FSB)
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive edit
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB edit
OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit

I'm pretty sure you can only install the upgrade on a machine that already has a previous windows installation on it. Anyway, for what you use the computer for this would be great and it's cheaper too, but looks like you'll need to add a Windows 7 to it aswell. The case is a little pricey but since it's under budget I put it in anyway, Lian Li make some great cases and I'm sure you would love it:) But if you want the Antec 300/200 will be fine aswell! Your decision.

Also, since you don't game you don't need to change the GPU.


Left click and click view at full size.

Edit: If you need windows 7 get this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...6-754-_-Product

Here are my recommended changes:

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128411
$94.99

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819103649
$119.00

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817371016
$44.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231179
$94.99

Wifi: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...%20wireless%20g
$16.99

There are ways to get the upgrade version of Windows 7 to install on a clean system, but I'm not going to go into that. I prefer RainbowSix's build myself, the motherboard has plenty of features for upgrading later on, and the CPU is more powerful than either proposed build. If you're not into gaming, you don't need a super-powerful GPU. Instead, a simple one like the SAPPHIRE 100295HDMI Radeon HD 4670 512MB. One of the reasons the Dell is less expensive is that their parts are not that good. They source their components from many places, some good, some not-so-good. It's really a roll of the dice purchasing from major OEM's.

Well, it is a better CPU but it's not as if he's gonna notice a performance increase for what he uses it for. I can see the idea behind it so it's got some upgrade ability, but for an extra 100$ or thereabouts for that build I think, it's not worth it. Especially if you go with the Tri Core, if he wants upgrade ability he should just get this instead. Not as good as the unlocked editions, but it should handle anything he throws at it nicely.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819103656

He could get this RAM either as it's cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...1-409-_-Product

And truth be told about the Dells, so many people in my area have bought them and complain about how Hard Drives or RAM has failed, and spending 30 mins with some guy from Indiana on tech support *sigh*.

I do suggest, whatever route the OP goes, if he spends extra for more, don't cop out on the Wireless, especially if you want to use that for some form of server, if you'll stream to other PC's you appreciate high transfer speeds!

And damn DDR2 got expensive so fast =/ 4GB used to be like $60 wasn't it?

Also: I would normally suggested a cheapish PIIx4 build, but I considered you're a college student, so gotta save the pennies haha;)