Build for parents...
- Thread starter iceshooter161
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connchri
Daemon Poster
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Well, as their using it for office work, it doesn't need a work horse GPU, or CPU for that matter. What I'd really recomend though is, although you have an "old 17"" TFT monitor, I'd replace it with a new, higher spec one i fthey'll give you the extra dosh.
CPU wise, A Dual Core AMD 64 will be powerful enough, with enough omph! to run any current programs.
So I'd Agree on the cheapest dual core AMD 64 X2 Retail @ $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103046
Harddrive, I'd go with this one at 250GB for $49, not bad and it's SATAII. Yes your folks are gonna want storage space, but even with hi res 2MB Picture files, that's 125,000 pictures. Don't think they'll ever realistically fill a tenth of that in pictures.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144417R
As for optical drive, DVD-RW's have got to the point CDRW's were 5 years ago, they're all the same on paper, and more or less in operation. LG's however have always been the best in group tests for media compatibility.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136059
$18
I'd get a new case, It'd be nice to show case a new System. It's small with being a Micro ATX, but as it's a build specifically for non-system intensive tasks, it's unlikely to be fiddled and modded regularly. Plus you get a decent 300Watt Antec PSU and tri-speed exhast 12CM case fan included and installed. (Those are solidly built btw. I use its big brother, the Solo case. Very good build quality)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129016
$90
For the Motherboard, the cheapest, fully integrated, nVidia chipset ASUS model for the Micro form factor for your case. Asus are a superb MoBo brand, and are definately one of the best brands, if not thee best. Onboard graphics is decent enough for day to day tasks, and the occasional "old" game. nVidia 6100 onboard Graphics, although not a benchmark breaker by any means, will be far more powerful than any other onboard graphics, especially in this price range. Support for a decent amount of RAM and PCI 16x for future graphics upgrades, should the role of the PC change. Also SATAII to drive that WD Hard Drive. With it being a nVidia chipset, you're getting decent ammount of additional features integrated with the chipse, and easy to install and update all in one drivers. Stay away from VIA chipsets if you plan on upgrading from onboard graphics to the PCI16x in the future or want a headache with stabilty and drivers. ATI are still a league beind nVidia in this area and sis dont quite cut the mustard compared to nVidia either.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131183
$57
Memory, 2GB's for future proofing, and in two sticks for dual channel memory.
This stuff is 800MHz effective, and although a cas latency of 5, in real life, this matters not. Also, the 800MHz with CAS5 will outperform any 667MHz less with a CAS of 4 3 or 2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208321
$70
So far, a grand total of $351.
You'll get enough cables with the Mobo and Case, so I wouldn't worry about those. 2 things I would invest in though are -
A muti-card reader. Very handy for all those Picts and family digital camera memory cards you might in the future need to look at. far simpler than pulling out USB cables for every digital device with memory card slots you have. inc Phone etc etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820300608
$13
And I'd get an internal WiFi adapter, you never know what home network router, or if the PC will move elsewhere in the future. Although this one is more expensive than what else is out there, you should note that the stability, range, quality of signal and compatibilities vary widely between WiFi card to WiFi card, and you almost always get what you pay for. I recomend this one, at $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124115
Bringing the grand total to just about $413, just a tad over budget.
Although a few of the things my list may sound somewhat unreasonable, when you think what the machine will be used for, and for how long (potentially 9 years if as long as the last machine your folks had) I think this is a sound and pretty rounded build for the budget you've been giving. Perhaps the only difference people might want is a full ATX mobo and Case. I'd agree depending on if the machine is going to be overhauled every few years or so, but this'll mean the additional cost for a half decent PSU and one that'll be able to handle your future requirements if you will be overhauling it regularly.
Just what the Doc ordered though. There's my 2P. Or 2 Cent in this case. Hope it helps.
CPU wise, A Dual Core AMD 64 will be powerful enough, with enough omph! to run any current programs.
So I'd Agree on the cheapest dual core AMD 64 X2 Retail @ $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103046
Harddrive, I'd go with this one at 250GB for $49, not bad and it's SATAII. Yes your folks are gonna want storage space, but even with hi res 2MB Picture files, that's 125,000 pictures. Don't think they'll ever realistically fill a tenth of that in pictures.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144417R
As for optical drive, DVD-RW's have got to the point CDRW's were 5 years ago, they're all the same on paper, and more or less in operation. LG's however have always been the best in group tests for media compatibility.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136059
$18
I'd get a new case, It'd be nice to show case a new System. It's small with being a Micro ATX, but as it's a build specifically for non-system intensive tasks, it's unlikely to be fiddled and modded regularly. Plus you get a decent 300Watt Antec PSU and tri-speed exhast 12CM case fan included and installed. (Those are solidly built btw. I use its big brother, the Solo case. Very good build quality)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129016
$90
For the Motherboard, the cheapest, fully integrated, nVidia chipset ASUS model for the Micro form factor for your case. Asus are a superb MoBo brand, and are definately one of the best brands, if not thee best. Onboard graphics is decent enough for day to day tasks, and the occasional "old" game. nVidia 6100 onboard Graphics, although not a benchmark breaker by any means, will be far more powerful than any other onboard graphics, especially in this price range. Support for a decent amount of RAM and PCI 16x for future graphics upgrades, should the role of the PC change. Also SATAII to drive that WD Hard Drive. With it being a nVidia chipset, you're getting decent ammount of additional features integrated with the chipse, and easy to install and update all in one drivers. Stay away from VIA chipsets if you plan on upgrading from onboard graphics to the PCI16x in the future or want a headache with stabilty and drivers. ATI are still a league beind nVidia in this area and sis dont quite cut the mustard compared to nVidia either.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131183
$57
Memory, 2GB's for future proofing, and in two sticks for dual channel memory.
This stuff is 800MHz effective, and although a cas latency of 5, in real life, this matters not. Also, the 800MHz with CAS5 will outperform any 667MHz less with a CAS of 4 3 or 2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820208321
$70
So far, a grand total of $351.
You'll get enough cables with the Mobo and Case, so I wouldn't worry about those. 2 things I would invest in though are -
A muti-card reader. Very handy for all those Picts and family digital camera memory cards you might in the future need to look at. far simpler than pulling out USB cables for every digital device with memory card slots you have. inc Phone etc etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820300608
$13
And I'd get an internal WiFi adapter, you never know what home network router, or if the PC will move elsewhere in the future. Although this one is more expensive than what else is out there, you should note that the stability, range, quality of signal and compatibilities vary widely between WiFi card to WiFi card, and you almost always get what you pay for. I recomend this one, at $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124115
Bringing the grand total to just about $413, just a tad over budget.
Although a few of the things my list may sound somewhat unreasonable, when you think what the machine will be used for, and for how long (potentially 9 years if as long as the last machine your folks had) I think this is a sound and pretty rounded build for the budget you've been giving. Perhaps the only difference people might want is a full ATX mobo and Case. I'd agree depending on if the machine is going to be overhauled every few years or so, but this'll mean the additional cost for a half decent PSU and one that'll be able to handle your future requirements if you will be overhauling it regularly.
Just what the Doc ordered though. There's my 2P. Or 2 Cent in this case. Hope it helps.
iceshooter161
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Thank you so much for all of your help so far! I have another question though. The motherboard that Drain You suggested supports up to DDR2 800 memory. I noticed that the memory that juiceranch9 suggested is DDR2 667. I know they it is still compatible but would it be worth it to get DDR2 800 as apposed to DDR2 667? Also i'm thinking about downgrading the the harddrive. I know spending an extra 20 bucks to get a 320GB harddrive is well worth it, but to my parents that 20 bucks could make a difference. Plus they have been living off of a 12 GB harddrive for the past 9 years so i'm thinking that 160GB would be the absolute max they would need. What you think?
iceshooter161
In Runtime
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- 156
Connchri, i really like all of your suggestions and showed my parents all of the options so far. Only thing is they keep on saying "I don't know if we want to spend $400 on a computer right now". They say that and then go out and buy a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff for around our house (been doing this for the past couple years every time I bring up the subject about a new computer). If it was my money I would not pass up on such a cheap build but its not my money so its not my call. Even at $350 my parents are hesitant but I'm sure I could convince them if i tried my hardest. Thats why I'm trying to keep the price down as much as possible. Only 2 places I can see cutting the price more would be the hard drive and the dvd drive. Chances are my parents will never use a dvd burner so that could be a good place to cut off 20 bucks. You can't imagine how hard it is to get them to sit down and actually have me explain things to them!! Stubborn parents...
connchri
Daemon Poster
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- Scotland, UK
Well, cutting anymore corners would make the machine pretty pointless and limiting in some areas.
If the option of a complete rebuild at $350 is out of the question, then a more rewarding $120 refit of the old PC would be a better option. I dont really have the time now to look through the specs of the old one and run up a list (it's almost 1am here in Scotland, and I've a busy day the moro) but I will get back to it tommorow for you. Perhaps this way, you might be able to source some old, but suitable hardware on ebay.
If the option of a complete rebuild at $350 is out of the question, then a more rewarding $120 refit of the old PC would be a better option. I dont really have the time now to look through the specs of the old one and run up a list (it's almost 1am here in Scotland, and I've a busy day the moro) but I will get back to it tommorow for you. Perhaps this way, you might be able to source some old, but suitable hardware on ebay.
Juice1
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Sorry for goin' a little OD with the corrections but...
Juice1
Fully Optimized
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splelling n' grammer R 2 diffarent thangs. Ya.
