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Building cheapo PC for parents?

O

oboeguy

Diamond Member
I'm thinking of building a cheap PC for the parents. The more integrated stuff in the mobo, the better (i.e. cheaper). They'd use it for Internet stuff mostly, and word processing. Nothing fancy.

Their old PowerMac 66 (yes, really) is finally dead, or almost so (HDD barely spins up), so it needs to be replaced (they have other computers but this one, meant for the Pops is now toast).

What's the deal with Nforce? That integrates everything including video, right? That sounds promising. I figured one of those plus a Duron plus an HDD and some small things (like keyboard and mouse) should do the job (I have a spare CD-ROM drive handy, they have speakers, etc). Any decent, cheap, small cases I should know about? Should I even bother with a floppy drive?
 
I just put together a really cheap system for a friend.

I used an Asus A7N266-VM (integrated sound, video, LAN)
Athlon XP2000+ (not that much more expensive than a Duron)
2x128MB PC2100 DDR RAM
Maxtor Diamondmax 8 Plus 40GB
Lite-On 52x CD-R (they probably only need a CD-ROM)

I used the InWin L545 mATX case. It's a nice little case with a solid powersupply. Gets a little tight to work in though and the case puts the CD-ROM vertically rather than horizontally so it makes it a little more difficult to put in a CD.
 
Yes. Get an all integrated Nforce2. This motherboard would be just fine.

Id get a 1700+ just because they arent very expensive. Yep, then get your choice of HD. You could get the Antec SLK3700 or 2600 (difference being the 3700 uses 120MM fans for cooling..nice and quiet). Cheapest 2600 Cheapest 3700. accupc has a 9.32 resellerrating so they are good. I wouldn't bother with a floppy unless they use it much.

Prices include shipping.
MN31N - 87
1700+ - 42
2600 - 59
Then price of ram, hard drive and a heatsink.
 
XP 1700-2200+ Processor (same price range as duron, dont buy one or Ill kill a cat)

Shuttle M1XXX (XXX=can't remember the rest, anyways it has Geforce 4MX on board, Nforce2, onboard sound, lan, usb 2.0, and is cheap...and it works pretty good actually)

80GB drive *80 cost like $15 more than a 40

CDROM

InWin cases are solid and cheap...P/s's work surprisingly well as mentioned above

512MB PC-2700 (you can use 256MB if you need to....but I like 512 for anyone these days)

that should do the trick eh
 
buy this:

AMD 1800+ $58
Asus A7N266-VM $64 (Onboard GF2)
Buffalo 2x256MB PC2700 $92 (Very likely CL2 capacity)
WD 40G SE $66
FOXCONN BLACK SUPER CASE w/300W PSU $52
Black Floppy $13
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo $49

thats $394 shipped from newegg. build that and they'll love you more as a son. oh, and the 1800+ you should overclock it if you get a T-bred B core. 12x166 = 2GHz should be a lock at default voltage, that way its even more future proofed.
 
or you can also spring for a sonata which will add about 50 bucks to the total. it's well worth it though since i'm sure old people will appreciate the quiet.
 
I'd do something like so:

-- NewEgg.com --
In-Win Micro ATX Case w/ 250W Power Supply, Model V558G.250FU2AD - Retail: $35
Seagate 40GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive OEM Barracuda 7200.7 ST340014A: $61
Viking 256MB 32X64 PC2700 DDR, Unbuffered, CL2.5, Model VGDDR32X64PC2700 - OEM: $40
Asus A7N266-VM AA NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Mobo mATX- Retail: $63.99
AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred /266 FSB: $42

Total From NE: $241.99+shipping

-- SVC.com --
SVC GC68 Socket A Cooler 80MM fan: $4.99

Total From SVC: $4.99+shipping
 
Originally posted by: splice
I'd do something like so:

-- NewEgg.com --
In-Win Micro ATX Case w/ 250W Power Supply, Model V558G.250FU2AD - Retail: $35
Seagate 40GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive OEM Barracuda 7200.7 ST340014A: $61
Viking 256MB 32X64 PC2700 DDR, Unbuffered, CL2.5, Model VGDDR32X64PC2700 - OEM: $40
Asus A7N266-VM AA NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Mobo mATX- Retail: $63.99
AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred /266 FSB: $42

Total From NE: $241.99+shipping

-- SVC.com --
SVC GC68 Socket A Cooler 80MM fan: $4.99

Total From SVC: $4.99+shipping
Click to expand...

Get 2 sticks of identical RAM and run it in dual channel. It'll be considerably faster because the integrated graphics use the system memory too.
 
If you have a frys by you jump in on their K7S5apro 1800+-2200+ combo for 59-79.99

that has everything onboard save for video and any old card will do fine.

As for ram just go 256 - not 512. I just built a rig based on the 2200+/ECS combo and my dad insisted on 512 yet using win2k i haven't seen his ram usage go above 170 (mostly its in the 130s...)

Besides ram prices have risen as of late for the school rush so I'd wait a little bit before plunking down the cash

Get 2 sticks of identical RAM and run it in dual channel. It'll be considerably faster because the integrated graphics use the system memory too
Click to expand...

I disagree. His parents by the looks of it don't game much considering they used that old powermac for so long. If anything I doubt that solitaire is going to stress memory bandwith. If playing 3d games yeah it'll speed but, HOWEVER for the tasks his parents will use it for I find it completely ridiculous to think that they will come anywhere near stressing the computer
 
Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Originally posted by: splice
I'd do something like so:

-- NewEgg.com --
In-Win Micro ATX Case w/ 250W Power Supply, Model V558G.250FU2AD - Retail: $35
Seagate 40GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive OEM Barracuda 7200.7 ST340014A: $61
Viking 256MB 32X64 PC2700 DDR, Unbuffered, CL2.5, Model VGDDR32X64PC2700 - OEM: $40
Asus A7N266-VM AA NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Mobo mATX- Retail: $63.99
AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred /266 FSB: $42

Total From NE: $241.99+shipping

-- SVC.com --
SVC GC68 Socket A Cooler 80MM fan: $4.99

Total From SVC: $4.99+shipping
Click to expand...



Get 2 sticks of identical RAM and run it in dual channel. It'll be considerably faster because the integrated graphics use the system memory too.
Click to expand...


Pray tell how the 220 chipset logic supports dual channel mode?


"As many of you realize, the A7N266-VM is based on nVidia's nForce chipset, specifically, the nForce 220 variant. Astute readers will realize that the nForce 220 is the "budget" model of the nForce family, as it only has a single 64-bit DDR memory channel for up to 2.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The nForce 420 variant adds a second memory channel for a maximum of 4.2 GB/s of bandwidth. While the AMD Athlon XP processor at 266 MHz FSB doesn't have the ability to truly use any memory bandwidth above 2.1 GB/s, due to the architecture of the processor, the nForce 220's limiting maximum of 2.1 Gb/s does hurt performance in one other major area, integrated video."
 
Thanks for all the advice! I would have replied sooner, but the blackout nailed us pretty hard. Just got our cable modem service back, woohoo! It'll take a while to absorb it all, but I think this is going to work out. The sad thing is that my parents will end-up with a machine that is better than mine in many respects (while I have a nice sound card and video card, the rest is pretty old), funny. no?
 
building a pc isn't going to really save you any money for a parent pc. your better off getting a premade on sale/rebates. couple hundred gets you everything and a warrantee/software.




building is for hardcore o/c /custom mod/ and gamers pc. or for htose of us that have a large parts bin to hand down. from scratch, thats more expensive.
 
Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}

Pray tell how the 220 chipset logic supports dual channel mode?


"As many of you realize, the A7N266-VM is based on nVidia's nForce chipset, specifically, the nForce 220 variant. Astute readers will realize that the nForce 220 is the "budget" model of the nForce family, as it only has a single 64-bit DDR memory channel for up to 2.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The nForce 420 variant adds a second memory channel for a maximum of 4.2 GB/s of bandwidth. While the AMD Athlon XP processor at 266 MHz FSB doesn't have the ability to truly use any memory bandwidth above 2.1 GB/s, due to the architecture of the processor, the nForce 220's limiting maximum of 2.1 Gb/s does hurt performance in one other major area, integrated video."
Click to expand...

You're right. My mistake, I forgot.
 
Originally posted by: AMDHardcoreFan
XP 1700-2200+ Processor (same price range as duron, dont buy one or Ill kill a cat)

Shuttle M1XXX (XXX=can't remember the rest, anyways it has Geforce 4MX on board, Nforce2, onboard sound, lan, usb 2.0, and is cheap...and it works pretty good actually)

80GB drive *80 cost like $15 more than a 40

CDROM

InWin cases are solid and cheap...P/s's work surprisingly well as mentioned above

512MB PC-2700 (you can use 256MB if you need to....but I like 512 for anyone these days)

that should do the trick eh
Click to expand...



SHUTTLE MN31N - excellent board.

 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
building a pc isn't going to really save you any money for a parent pc. your better off getting a premade on sale/rebates. couple hundred gets you everything and a warrantee/software.




building is for hardcore o/c /custom mod/ and gamers pc. or for htose of us that have a large parts bin to hand down. from scratch, thats more expensive.
Click to expand...



Nonsense...make the PC for your parents...they love it when their kids make stuff for them. Plus it's just damn fun.
 
true if its out of cardboard and glue.

or if they are rich and don't really care about small sums.

or if he's doing it to learn/fun. but its not a true way to save money most of the time.
 
you could always order the new stuff and push your old stuff onto your parents. then everyone wins =)

thats pretty much how i keep my stuff up to date. last computer i build i swapped my 8k3a+ for an a7n8x deluxe and my 1800+ for a 2100+. the one before that i swapped my 1700+ w/ 60mm swiftech for 1800+ w/ 80mm alpha. of course i can only get away with this crap when im building for family/friends, if its for a paying "client" i give em all new stuff.
 
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