The ECS KM400-M2 motherboard is a socket A motherboard for the Athlon XP
line of processors.  You won't be able to use a socket 754 processor with
it.

ECS also makes a KM800-M2, perhaps this is the one you had in mind.

This system will rely upon integrated graphics for video, which will seem a
bit slow (even in a 2D environment) compared to a dedicated video card,
since it makes use system memory.  You can always add an inexpensive video
card, later.

Looking at NewEgg, it appears that the parts should cost around $400 for
this system (I've priced this with the KM800-M2, 512MB SDRAM, and an Antec
SLK1650 case, which is what my choice would be for a case with this system).
This doesn't include shipping, however; so, the $500 price seems reasonable
for an assembled system with a 1 year warranty that includes labor.

If you can, make sure they use a single 512MB memory stick when they bump
your memory to 512MB.  You only have two slots and 2x256mb would fill both,
leaving no room for any potential increase in the future.

Speaking of expandability, Asrock makes several interesting socket 754
motherboards, based on different chipsets, that come with a socket 754
onboard, but they will also accept Asrock's socket 939 upgrade card, which
leaves the door open to switching over to these processors in the future.
(The upgrade card is not included; so, it will be an additional cost.)

John Sproule

----- Original Message -----
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 9:53 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Advice on custom built computer plan


>I am considering buying a new computer and this is what it
> would be.  (See below.)  Comments would be helpful:
>
> New Custom-Built PC
> Includes:
> Standard Case w/350w PSU
> ECS KM400-M2 Skt754 Motherboard
> AMD Sempron 64 2600+ CPU
> Kingston 256MB PC3200 RAM  (I am having them increase this
> to 512)
> Western Digital 80GB 8meg SATA Hard Drive
> Lite-On CD-RW
> Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
> Sound and Ethernet Onboard
> 1-year Labor for Hardware and Labor
>
> It will cost $504 as shown above.  I am only including the
> cost, so some sense of value can be taken into
> consideration.  (This is all I can afford.) I will probably
> have them boost the RAM to 512 MB for an additional $25.
>
> I don't play games or download music or movies.  I just want
> this for email, research, surfing, photo editing, online
> shopping and selling things on Ebay.  So, I don't put TOO
> much demand on a computer.
> Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

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