advice for this low budget build

[z1ggy]

Mom needs new computer...I told her I wouldn't go over like $400 bucks. All she uses the computer for is email, photos..web browsing..the typical non gamer type stuff. Here is what I have so far:

Cool Master Centurion: 44.99

Gigabtye GA-MA790x: 109.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750: 59.99

WD Caviar SE 160 GB: 49.99

G skill 2GB DDR2 pc2 6400: 29.99

Corsair 400w PSU: 56.29

8800gt( from my current build, I am buying a 4890): free

Total Price: 351.24

She still needs a monitor, but I wasnt quite sure what a cheaper, but still good monitor is..Also she has no speakers either, so I need some as well.

 

[yh125d]

Get her a Dell. It will have a warranty and its own windows license

 

[M0RPH]

Sell your 8800gt and get her a Dell.

Dell Vostro 220s Slim Tower Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz Desktop (2GB/160GB) w/ 19in LCD + Vista $359
(check Techbargains.com)

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: yh125d
Get her a Dell. It will have a warranty and its own windows license

You can do this option if you like. Seems like alot of this advice has been going out recently. You can also get a netbook too. Not sure if the smaller screen size is something that will work for her, but most netbooks have enough of what your looking for.

There is one thing that you could change and that is the mobo. For what your Mom needs, you don't even need to spend that much on the mobo.
Here is one of the better deals out there!
It's $180 shipped - $32 MIR's = ~$150!! Just add your favorite case/PSU/DVD and your set!!
Add this:
$100 shipped!!
Antec 300 w/380w Earthwatts PSU
$32 shipped!!
HP DVD Burner

Total ~$312 - $32 MIR's = $280!! Add your favorite OS and you should be good to go!!! Or you can find some deals at Dell, if you want that.

 

[z1ggy]

What is the advantage of buying one from Dell over making one by hand from newegg? Is the warranty the only real advantage..and the fact the OS already comes on the computer?

 

[Lunyone]

The warranties are basically the same. You just don't have to worry too much about returning things if they are bad. Newegg customer service is one of the best you can get. I'm not sure how well Dell's return service is. The Dell system is already assembled and configured, which includes the OS being installed. They also have BLOATWARE on their systems, that you either deal with or you remove one way or another. This reason alone is why I wouldn't buy a prebuilt system, but that is just me. For someone who doesn't want to assemble and install the OS the Dell/HP/Gateway system is something to consider.

 

[yh125d]

Dells would be cheaper, add a windows license instead of using a spare one, come with a full system warranty (whereas piecemeal systems from newegg have varying warranties), are less trouble for you, and DON'T underestimate this small factor when building for people (especially a mother). It just works.


For example. For that same $350 system you configged without an OS you could get an inspiron from dell with an e5200, home premium, 320gb hard drive, and a media card reader. Just add a monitor and maybe 2 more GB of ram and you're good to go.

 

[M0RPH]

You said she needs a monitor. She's gonna need an OS too. A quick look at Dell's site shows this deal:

Dell Vostro 220s Slim Tower Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (3GB/250GB) w/ 19in LCD + Vista $379

Are you gonna build something comparable for that money with a monitor and OS?

That's just enough computer for someone like your mom. It will be smaller, lighter, and quieter than the one you want to build. You really think she needs a tower case with 5x 5.25 bays? Why would you even want to use your 8800gt in a build for your mom, a non-gamer. It's just an unneeded source of heat and noise, and a waste of power.

If anything goes wrong Dell is a phone call away. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[z1ggy]

Yeah that is prob. what I will end up doing..going through Dell that is. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Loobusk]

Man, its for your MOM - get atleassst an I7, 12GB ram, GTX295 4xSLI, 30" Panel...