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Computer build for the Parents

H

hondaf17

Senior member
Alright guys, I need to build a new desktop computer for my parents. It's been 4.5 years since I've built a machine (see sig) so I'd like some feedback. I'll start by answering the threaded questions:

1. My parents will use the PC for mainly internet, including web-based e-mail, and minor document editing (word, excel). They do zero gaming, zero media use, and zero editing/encoding.

2. I figure I can build a good budget PC for them for around $400-$500

3. USA - mainly from Newegg or my local microcenter.

4. AMD. I generally think they're a better value right now, plus I'm an AMD shareholder. 🙂

5. I'll be recyling a 160 GB Sata HDD for them. Otherwise no. They've got an existing Dell that's literally 10 years old - not comfortable using any of that stuff.

6. Yes, I've read similar threads.

7. Everything will be on stock speeds.

8. They won't be gaming, but they'll be using 1024x768 resolution.

9. Plan to build within the next month, needs to be complete by Mid October.

Other thoughts:
1) They want a MicroATX build, so that it's lighter and takes up less space next to their desk
2) The existing Dell they have is a MicroATX build, but it seems fairly specialized, getting the case, PSU, etc to work with a non-dell rig seems to be more trouble than it's worth.
3) I'll be taking a 160 GB SATA II HDD out of my external backup (and of course getting a bigger one for myself) to be used as their main HDD.

Without further ado, here's what I've picked out.

Case - Microcenter's Branded MicroATX case, without PSU - $25
FSP Group 400W PSU - $40
ASUS AM3/AM2+/AM2 MicroATX Motherboard - $60
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition - Callisto - 3.1Ghz Dual Core - $103
G Skill 4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 DDR2 Ram - $52

Total is only $280.

You'll notice no video card - planning on using onboard from Mobo. You'll notice I selected only seemingly high-quality, name brand stuff - I don't want them calling me from FL (I'm in MN) saying it won't turn on b/c the Mobo took a crap. Also, I figured the fastest dual core would be better for their purposes than a quad core. They don't do much multitasking so I figured pure speed > cores.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Everything seem compatabile??

EDIT: This system will be running XP.

TYIA,
 
hondaf17,

Looks like a fun build. I might consider this case w/power supply (on sale and free shipping at the egg). Also no 3.5 floppy...introduce your parents to USB/CD/DVD...No Floppy. :thumbsup:

Rosewill @ the Egg
 
erm.
for older folks and only office/internet use splurge on the screen, not the other junk.
navigating guis etc is more pleasant for the geezers on a large screen. 22"+ is what you want.
 
speced a low end dell to see
dell inspiron x2 7550
vista home->7 upgrade
2gb or +75for 4gb
320gb
16x dvdrw
hd3200 integrated video
kb/mouse
$349
look in hot deals, 22" generally 150ish bucks.

the dell probably has a nicer case.
its got a faster drive that is new
its got a warrantee
it doesn't waste your time.
its got WINDOWS 7!!!!

you don't win much trying to build low end. recycling a slow old drive to drag down a faster processor isn't the best move. slowest thing on the pc is the hd.
 
i agree, a 22" 1680 monitor should be great for most. for the processor, you could go with a cheaper dual like an e3xxx or e5xxx (branded celeron and pentium, despite sharing core2 architechture).

edit- dell's a good deal, too, if you need the OS. or a monitor, they usually have some good bundle discounts.
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
erm.
for older folks and only office/internet use splurge on the screen, not the other junk.
navigating guis etc is more pleasant for the geezers on a large screen. 22"+ is what you want.
Click to expand...

Remember to increase the DPI so everything looks bigger. The last thing we need is another 1080p monitor running at 800x600.
 
These are, for the most part, good comments, especially OrooOroo and Brutus04. Yes - a 22 to 24 in monitor is the way to go.

I find it amusing that there are so many experts on seniors who have not yet been there or done that. I do take minor umbrage at the term "geezers" coming from youngsters. 🙂

BTW - I'll be 78 next month. I hope y'all make it that far. 🙂

And, a final note - all generalizations are false, including this one.

Go for the Dell.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys, much appreciated.

To be honest, I'm surprised that people are recommending a Dell. I priced one out for $369 (my options above are $280) and it had a slower processor, only 2 GB ram, and was not eligible for upgrade to Windows 7 (that'd be an additional $30).

Plus I hate how Dell bundles all sorts of garbage on your machine. One of the reasons I like building PCs is it's completely clean - only what you want gets on there.

If I don't go the Dell route, what would you advise spending an extra $100-$200 on to increase performance for my parents? Upgrade to quick Quad Core??

TYIA,
 
Why not HP? They have served me well. I really think that you should buy off the shelf so that the door remains open for them for support etc. You will be better off not tethering them to you, believe me.
 
The price difference you're seeing is due to the inclusion of an OS, which ranges from $100-150 depending on several factors. You can't buy a Dell without an OS.

Last I checked internet browsers weren't multi-threaded, so quad vs. dual CPUs will probably have 0 difference. Best performance increase would be an SSD in their case IMO.
 
Originally posted by: Maverick2002
The price difference you're seeing is due to the inclusion of an OS, which ranges from $100-150 depending on several factors. You can't buy a Dell without an OS.

Last I checked internet browsers weren't multi-threaded, so quad vs. dual CPUs will probably have 0 difference. Best performance increase would be an SSD in their case IMO.
Click to expand...

Internet browsers are minimally so, with the exception of google chrome which loads each tab as a separate process.
 
Originally posted by: M0RPH
1024x768 resolution? I'd say they need a new monitor too. You have them using a CRT or what?
Click to expand...

Lol, no. It's just they bought a flat panel 4-5 years ago when they were standard 4:3, not widescreen.

I may upgrade the case (per one suggestion) and also get a new HDD.

I'm just surprised - for their use - does it make sense to spend anything more than $300? It seems a $300 machine will suit their purposes just fine, even though I have permission to spend more.
 
Originally posted by: hondaf17
Thanks for all the responses guys, much appreciated.

To be honest, I'm surprised that people are recommending a Dell. I priced one out for $369 (my options above are $280) and it had a slower processor, only 2 GB ram, and was not eligible for upgrade to Windows 7 (that'd be an additional $30).

Plus I hate how Dell bundles all sorts of garbage on your machine. One of the reasons I like building PCs is it's completely clean - only what you want gets on there.

If I don't go the Dell route, what would you advise spending an extra $100-$200 on to increase performance for my parents? Upgrade to quick Quad Core??

TYIA,
Click to expand...

You can either get a Dell Vostro (business desktop) that does not have any trial/crapware installed, or else if you get one of the consumer desktops (Inspiron, etc.) run CCleaner to uninstall those programs as soon as you get the machine.

I agree with the other posters - Dell is the way to go for your folks.
 
Dell is not bad, and they do offer a warranty, but I still prefer to build, myself. It gives me personal satisfaction.

Above all, though, look into upgrading their screen. 15" is so old, get them a decent widescreen. 22" is a good size, though watch out for the "1080P HD" 22" screens, they may have too high a DPI and the text may be too tiny for them to read on one of those. Look for an older 1680x1050 res screen, those are just about right IMHO.
 
Originally posted by: hondaf17
Thanks for all the responses guys, much appreciated.

To be honest, I'm surprised that people are recommending a Dell. I priced one out for $369 (my options above are $280) and it had a slower processor, only 2 GB ram, and was not eligible for upgrade to Windows 7 (that'd be an additional $30).

Plus I hate how Dell bundles all sorts of garbage on your machine. One of the reasons I like building PCs is it's completely clean - only what you want gets on there.

If I don't go the Dell route, what would you advise spending an extra $100-$200 on to increase performance for my parents? Upgrade to quick Quad Core??

TYIA,
Click to expand...

how did you do that? i priced the dell with options to include windows 7 upgrade and still cost less than that. i actually went part way through the checkout😛 the only thing missing was shipping.

the biggest problem with your concentration on performance is that it doesn't include the os. and the of course the monitor. older folks and computer novices do benefit from a snappier experience. lag and yes they start clicking over and over like impatient gits and stuff sometimes. yes but its not the only thing that matters. windows 7 will last them quite well for the next few years of use. if you are trying to use a left over xp or whatever its just going to get more and more obsolete regardless of the money you "save" at this point. the less intimidating and better visual experience and user friendliness of win7 would be better for them as well.

as for dell cr@pware. big deal. in the check out process you have the option of skipping most of it. and i'm sure you know enough to uninstall the rest for your parents.

getting your parents more comfortable with desktop use requires a friendliness/ease of use. thats windows 7+ a large screen. its more likely to get the moneys worth of actual use and expansion of computer knowledge as they grow more comfortable with use and time than trying to get them to run a mismatch system of low resolution tiny uninviting screen plus an amd "black" processor. a large desktop will eventually get them to use multiple windows perhaps, better multitasking for document editing/web etc. 1024x768 will trap them into very primitive use not justifying any "black" gaming processor. you maybe thinking of what you would want as a geek/gamer, not what the end user might benefit from.

what are you adding?

dell inspiron 546
x2 7550
vista home->win7(30bucks)=
$349

as for screens and dpi, it no longer applies. 3d guis like vista/win7 allow perfect scaling of interface these days. not the botch job of xp "large" font setting. but in any case his budget would probably have him purchase the lower dpi one anyways i'm pretty sure those are the ones on sale all the time in the hot deals forums like fatwallet/slickdeals
 
Yeah, I just tried it and I saw the same build as you for $349.

Only has 2 GB of RAM though and slower processor.

I agree that Windows7 will be the good way to go, but I can't get it until October 22nd and I need to send the PC with my parents on their way to Florida the 2nd week of October (bad timing, I know). I will plan on upgrading them to Windows7 next summer when they're home again.

I also agree on the monitor - good points - I'll try to sell them on letting me include a 22'' widescreen - that's what I have and I agree they'd like it.

Oh, and I didn't just choose it because it's "black" 😉 I picked the fastest dual core I could find because I reasoned with their minimal use of multitasking, etc that fast dual cores would make more sense than quad.

I'm thinking now if I don't go Dell that I'll spend more money on the case - like the Antec Mini P180.

Any other thoughts!? I appreciate all the feedback thus far.

TYIA.
 
Originally posted by: hondaf17
Yeah, I just tried it and I saw the same build as you for $349.

Only has 2 GB of RAM though and slower processor.

I agree that Windows7 will be the good way to go, but I can't get it until October 22nd and I need to send the PC with my parents on their way to Florida the 2nd week of October (bad timing, I know). I will plan on upgrading them to Windows7 next summer when they're home again.

I also agree on the monitor - good points - I'll try to sell them on letting me include a 22'' widescreen - that's what I have and I agree they'd like it.

Oh, and I didn't just choose it because it's "black" 😉 I picked the fastest dual core I could find because I reasoned with their minimal use of multitasking, etc that fast dual cores would make more sense than quad.

I'm thinking now if I don't go Dell that I'll spend more money on the case - like the Antec Mini P180.

Any other thoughts!? I appreciate all the feedback thus far.

TYIA.
Click to expand...

lol the problem is that that small monitor/resolution would only encourage single tasking. its cramped and intimidating, no freedom at that level. so quad would be ridiculous yes, even dual core is more than powerful enough for most, esp on such a cramped desktop/low end use. i think you underestimate the power of modern cpus, even lower end dual cores are excellent for for desktop general purpose usage. theres no need to add the fastest dual core possible. it shouldn't be a priority at all. ever since cpus started going dual core the general windows experience has been rather snappy, even old pentium d's got by rather well, you have to really multitask quite a bit before even a lower clocked dual core will choke. the 2gb can be remedied, either by paying a little more for the 3gb option on dell, or adding a bit more later. buying win7 for your self build however...not going to be cost effective.

the p180 is excellent, but once you go down that road its no longer about saving money at all. and if it comes at the cost of say the os or monitor, its a poor prioritization of whats important for the user experience. you add the fancy quiet case after everything else is taken care of, not at its expense. if your parents are well off them i guess you can go the home built route for a premium build. but i didn't get that vibe when you considered saddling them with 1024x768😉

and forget the atom, thats just too underpowered.
 
Maybe I wasn't specific enough in my general outline.

My parents are fine. They can afford really whatever I tell them. I just don't want to rip them off and unnecessarily spend say $800 when a $400 computer will do everything they need it to. Thus, I'm looking for the custom build that makes the most sense that will give them a quick experience without unnecessarily spending money on items like a vid card and quad core.

So, any comments on the specific items I picked out, above? I agree about the monitors - their home will easily fit a 22'' widescreen and I'll try to sell them on that route.

TYIA,
 
well giving them a good computing experience that will perhaps encourage more computer usage thus make the money better spent. 1024x768 that encourages single tasking and rare use of the computer would make the dual core high clocked phenom with 4gb a "rip off" purchase😉

if they really can afford it just fine then yes buy them a better experience. dual core phenom,4gb, win7, p18x. even 800 dollars is nothing when it comes to computing if you look at how much computers used to cost. and it will last them for years.
 
I think you're initial build is the way to go. If Windows 7 were out I'd recommend the Dell route because that's the best way to get a cheap computer with OS.

I don't think upgrading the case to a Mini P180 would be money well spent. You should use that money for a new hard drive and monitor.
 
I would save 50-70 bucks and get this cpu/mobo/ram combo instead.

Text

No reason to spend 100+ bucks on the cpu... any low end dual core would be fine. That ESC board has great reviews, e5200 plenty fast. No brainer IMO.
 
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