Building this computer for my aunt, what do you think?

Mission: Build a decent computer on a very small budget for my aunt. Most important features should be quality:price ratio (value), reasonably adequate sound, stability, and aesthetical appeal.

Results:
Motherboard - BIOSTAR M7VIG PRO (57)
FD - Panasonic (6)
RAM - Kingston 256 pc2100 ram (38)
Inputs - Microsoft keyboard/intellimouse pack (23)
CPU Cooling - Thermaltake Volcano 9 (21)
Chassis Cooling - Antec clear fan x2 (10)
CPU - AMD Athlon 1800 xp (56)
HD - Seagate Barracuda 30 gig 7200 rpm (55)
Monitor - KDS 15" LCD (255, unfortunately she was insistant upon an lcd monitor )
Speakers - Logitech z-640 (65, is there any better value than these? really?)
Chassis & PSU - Emerex: http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....124-049-18.JPG
Power Strip $7
Optical Drive - Liteon DVD-Rom (33)

Total cost + s/h: $721

What do you think guys? Did i do good?

I'd just use a 2.1 speaker system and save some money. If you could afford it I'd build her a Shuttle XPC system.

I've built a couple "least cost" systems using this case, has pretty good airflow, and much better than the case you're considering: http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....124-015-11.jpg

ENERMAX CS-003-A102USB (WHITE/BLUE) ATX 10-BAY MID-TOWER CASE with ENERMAX (EG301P-VB) 300W P-4 POWER SUPPLY - RETAIL.

You won't need the Volcano, the retail HSF will do just fine and the 1700+ seems to be a very reliable CPU. I've never used a BIOSTAR mobo; have you considered the lower cost Asus, Epox, or Abit mobos?

I agree with the cooling. Just leave the retail on there, run everything at stock and that comp won't have to sound like the windtunnel I call a computer. I also agree that a name-bran motherboard is key, I wouldn't want to take my chances with a smaller brand, just not worth the hassle if something goes wrong. Oh, and did you look at samsung lcd's? I hear there excellent. Looks good on the whole though.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Harbinger
I agree with the cooling. Just leave the retail on there, run everything at stock and that comp won't have to sound like the windtunnel I call a computer. I also agree that a name-bran motherboard is key, I wouldn't want to take my chances with a smaller brand, just not worth the hassle if something goes wrong. Oh, and did you look at samsung lcd's? I hear there excellent. Looks good on the whole though.

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Umm. Biostar is not a no-name motherboard. They are OEM manufacturers and I think (not completely sure) that some MSI boards are actually rebranded Biostars cause they look too alike. Sort of like how Epox boards are rebranded FIC boards. :p

And Biostar quality is top notch. If your budget allows it, go for a Biostar M7NCG nForce2 IGP board. You can build a real cheap system with that while getting very good video and audio. The M7VIGPro is also a decent choice and I am planning to build a system based on it for a friend who is on a really tight budget. :D

Your speakers are too expensive. Get a 2-4 speaker set by Altec Lansing. :p The money you save on the speakers you can put towards buying a nForce2 motherboard. Also get a retail XP2000+ for $66 (from Newegg) instead of the Volcano HSF and XP1800+ for $77.