New Cheap Build for Older Couple ($700 range)

[essential]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
- General Internet, email, and at most streaming video like youtube, no gaming (outside of small flash based games on websites) and no overclocking.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-I was told $600 to $700, but I'm a bit over.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
-USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
-I'd like it to be an Intel Clarkdale based machine, to avoid the need for an independent video card.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
-Not using any current parts.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
-I've search, still want to post my own.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-All defaults.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
-No gaming.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
-Within the month.

This is being built for an older couple, they don't game at all outside of some small flash based games, there will be no overclocking. There will be some youtube, but everything is general Internet.

Build so far:
case: NZXT Crafted Series Vulcan Black Steel / Plastic Gaming mATX Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146065
$69.99

cpu: Intel Core i5-661 Clarkdale 3.33GHz LGA 1156 87W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I5661
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115217
$209.99
-- With this no need for a video card, and will be using mobo audio.

mobo: ASUS P7H55D-M EVO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131625
$119.99
--I know I could purchase a cheaper motherboard, but I usually buy Asus mobo's, and this is the cheapest mATX with USB 3.0, which i'd like them to have for the future.

ram: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9A G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145251
$80.99
-- I debated going 8GB, I know it's overkill but you can never have enough, but it added too much to the cost, around another $80.

ps: XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207007
$89.99
-- I could also go with the SeaSonic S12II for $60, but I read that the XFX have Seasonic innards anyway, and I'd like a modular PS just because they are only going to have 1 ROM and 1 HD needing power outside of the mobo, so the modular would really cut down clutter, IMO).

cpu fan: COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 compatible GeminII S RR-CCH-PBU1-GP 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103046
$39.99

rom: LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106334
$19.99

hd: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073
$54.99
-- I'm not comfortable giving them an SSD yet. It would add around $80-$100 to the cost, and one of my friends with an SSD has constant issues it seems with one of the new Kingston V series. I want to build something that requires minimal maintenance.

os: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754
$99.99

Total: $785.91

Comments?

Thanks.

 

[twinrider1]

Sounds like it's a little overboard for their needs.

MSI 785G-E53 $70 AR
No USB 3.0, but do they really need it? And you can add a card in a year if they ever buy something that can utilize it.

EDIT: This MSI mobo for mATX size, $50AR or the combo is $100+tax.
MSI 785GM-P45



Athlon II X4 640 $99

If you're near a Microcenter, you can pick up that combo for $110+tax.

I just built that combo and it's been great for everything online and even some old games.

I had never used MSI before, but I'm very happy with it.

 

[Zap]

I want to build something that requires minimal maintenance.

That would be choosing the right Dell. Seriously.

My first thought looking over your list was "WTF?" A fugly gaming case for ann "older couple?" Really? A 650W PSU for single HDD, dual core CPU and integrated graphics in a machine that will idle at 40W and load at 80W? What about a monitor, keyboard, mouse?

If you said you were building a gaming rig minus graphics card (waiting for new AMD 6000 series or something) then I'd say you choose the perfect components. However, everything you described them using it for would be through a web browser. That budget can get a nice Dell Inspiron Zino HD, which the wife will probably like better than any tower system that money can buy.

Right now you can get a Zino HD for $499 which includes:
Athlon II x2 2.2GHz dual core, 4GB DDR3 RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5450 MXM Discrete Graphics Card
500gB 7200RPM HDD, DVDRW
USB keyboard, USB mouse, WiFi
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
1 year system warranty

If you really, really want to be the one building the system, then do it, but choose different parts. I totally understand wanting to build systems, because I built my mom a new system and am building my aunt a new system. However, do NOT build it with the mindset of a gamer or enthusiast. I'm not saying it wouldn't be a great system, but it would be like forcing them to buy a Bentley when all they wanted and needed was a Buick.

Here are some parts suggestions:

Case black or red for $40
The reason for this case is that it is small/attractive for non-gamers, and it is budget. It also has an all-in-one card reader built-in, which would be great if this older couple has a digital camera. The only drawback is the crappy PSU which will need to be replaced. I'm not saying "crappy" from a gamer/enthusiast viewpoint, because it really is crappy.

PSU 300W 80+ for $40
For some reason it is tough to find, but FSP sells them directly. These are the same PSU used in the Silverstone SG05/SG06 cases and are good quality, and quiet.

RAM, I see is down to around $65 for some DDR3-1333 1.5v stuff. That should be perfect.

Optical drives are commodities so any $20 SATA drive should be fine.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit is pretty standard at $100. Once it is installed, set a power profile so that the system goes into sleep after X number of minutes (maybe 30?). Sleep works well enough that it basically can shut off and turn on in around 2 seconds.

For storage, a two prong approach. Start with a $100 Intel 40GB SSD and couple it with a hard drive for $50 (current coupon code deal). Put it together with a cheap adapter for $7.
I know you said you weren't comfortable with SSDs, but... get over it! Seriously. If you want that fuzzy feeling, then use an Intel drive like the one I choose. When you are actually sitting at the computer using it, it will feel faster than a VelociRaptor 600GB. You can even drop it and it will keep working! Try that with a normal desktop hard drive! Now, why I have added a hard drive is for storage space. What you can do is to move My Documents over to the HDD and magically there is a huge amount of storage (just drag/drop, Win7 will do the rest). Also, Windows 7 has a built-in disk imaging backup utility. Once Windows is installed and all drivers/applications/updates installed and set up, just run Windows Backup and tell it to do a system image of the C: drive, and save to the D: drive. If the system software gets hosed, you can recover quickly with no loss of data (unless a destructive virus). Why I choose a notebook drive is because the case has only one HDD bay, so you can double up on two 2.5" drives in it.

For motherboard, choose a cheaper one. You don't have to give up on "name brands" because even Gigabyte has a $75 H55 chipset mATX board. When you set it up, make sure you enable S3 STR and Wake on USB in power management so that the computer can sleep/wake instantly (uses 1-2W in sleep). Also, enable Smart Fan in HW Monitor so that it runs quiet. Make sure EIST is enabled for CPU power management. Also, a very important step is to enable AHCI for the HDD controller (this is so Windows 7 and the SSD gets along better). The final and most important step is DON'T MESS WITH ANYTHING ELSE.

Top it off with a $100 Pentium Dual Core G9650 CPU.

The total is $597 before shipping.

 

[jchu14]

I agree with what Zap said, except maybe forgo the SSD. The SSD will be fast and quiet, but for the non-technologically inclined (which I assumed the couple is) the added complexity of dealing with a storage drive and a program drive may be more problem than its worth.

You've got to deal with them running out of room when installing programs in the default C drive location as well as putting music/documents inside 'My Documents'. Though if you are convinced that the couple can handle having separate windows drive and data drive, then definitely go for the SSD.

 

[fffblackmage]

Build so far:
...

That is one heckuva overkill rig for web surfing. I hope you weren't serious about using that case. There are just so many cases that don't look... uh, weird?

I like Zap's build. The case looks nice, attractive, and it's small. Hopefully, it's quiet, though I guess such a low power rig shouldn't have a high cooling requirement anyways.

I've seen 60GB Vertex/Agility SSDs for around $100, but I guess Intel has the better reputation for reliability.

 

[essential]

That would be choosing the right Dell. Seriously.

My first thought looking over your list was "WTF?" A fugly gaming case for ann "older couple?" Really? A 650W PSU for single HDD, dual core CPU and integrated graphics in a machine that will idle at 40W and load at 80W? What about a monitor, keyboard, mouse?

If you said you were building a gaming rig minus graphics card (waiting for new AMD 6000 series or something) then I'd say you choose the perfect components. However, everything you described them using it for would be through a web browser. That budget can get a nice Dell Inspiron Zino HD, which the wife will probably like better than any tower system that money can buy.

Right now you can get a Zino HD for $499 which includes:
Athlon II x2 2.2GHz dual core, 4GB DDR3 RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5450 MXM Discrete Graphics Card
500gB 7200RPM HDD, DVDRW
USB keyboard, USB mouse, WiFi
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
1 year system warranty

If you really, really want to be the one building the system, then do it, but choose different parts. I totally understand wanting to build systems, because I built my mom a new system and am building my aunt a new system. However, do NOT build it with the mindset of a gamer or enthusiast. I'm not saying it wouldn't be a great system, but it would be like forcing them to buy a Bentley when all they wanted and needed was a Buick.

Here are some parts suggestions:

Case black or red for $40
The reason for this case is that it is small/attractive for non-gamers, and it is budget. It also has an all-in-one card reader built-in, which would be great if this older couple has a digital camera. The only drawback is the crappy PSU which will need to be replaced. I'm not saying "crappy" from a gamer/enthusiast viewpoint, because it really is crappy.

PSU 300W 80+ for $40
For some reason it is tough to find, but FSP sells them directly. These are the same PSU used in the Silverstone SG05/SG06 cases and are good quality, and quiet.

RAM, I see is down to around $65 for some DDR3-1333 1.5v stuff. That should be perfect.

Optical drives are commodities so any $20 SATA drive should be fine.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit is pretty standard at $100. Once it is installed, set a power profile so that the system goes into sleep after X number of minutes (maybe 30?). Sleep works well enough that it basically can shut off and turn on in around 2 seconds.

For storage, a two prong approach. Start with a $100 Intel 40GB SSD and couple it with a hard drive for $50 (current coupon code deal). Put it together with a cheap adapter for $7.
I know you said you weren't comfortable with SSDs, but... get over it! Seriously. If you want that fuzzy feeling, then use an Intel drive like the one I choose. When you are actually sitting at the computer using it, it will feel faster than a VelociRaptor 600GB. You can even drop it and it will keep working! Try that with a normal desktop hard drive! Now, why I have added a hard drive is for storage space. What you can do is to move My Documents over to the HDD and magically there is a huge amount of storage (just drag/drop, Win7 will do the rest). Also, Windows 7 has a built-in disk imaging backup utility. Once Windows is installed and all drivers/applications/updates installed and set up, just run Windows Backup and tell it to do a system image of the C: drive, and save to the D: drive. If the system software gets hosed, you can recover quickly with no loss of data (unless a destructive virus). Why I choose a notebook drive is because the case has only one HDD bay, so you can double up on two 2.5" drives in it.

For motherboard, choose a cheaper one. You don't have to give up on "name brands" because even Gigabyte has a $75 H55 chipset mATX board. When you set it up, make sure you enable S3 STR and Wake on USB in power management so that the computer can sleep/wake instantly (uses 1-2W in sleep). Also, enable Smart Fan in HW Monitor so that it runs quiet. Make sure EIST is enabled for CPU power management. Also, a very important step is to enable AHCI for the HDD controller (this is so Windows 7 and the SSD gets along better). The final and most important step is DON'T MESS WITH ANYTHING ELSE.

Top it off with a $100 Pentium Dual Core G9650 CPU.

The total is $597 before shipping.

Thanks for the response Zap.

Let me first say, when I said "older couple" I meant early 40's (hopefully not offending anyone here) not 60's-70's. It was to imply not gamers or overclockers.

My friend is in his early 40's (his wife late 30's) and he is into gadgets. Their last two computers have been cheap (for the time frame) computers, and they both degraded quickly after purchase according to them (one Dell one HP). They wanted a build this time, and did look into Dell's before asking me. They said if I could do something around $700, which is what they were going to spend anyway, they'd prefer it.

case:
I had a cheaper normal/generic looking mid-case first, but my friend requested a more modern looking case, and he thought that case looked cool (I like it as well, I don't feel it's fuggly, heh). He also liked the handle on top because he takes their computer up to their cottage for weeks at a time during the summer and thought it would be easier to carry.

power supply:
I could def go cheaper and less wattage, but as I said, for one HD and one ROM, I wanted a modular to minimize clutter and didn't really find any other modulars I would trust. Besides, the cheaper power supplys are in the $50 range, so it's not wasting too much money, $30. If there was a reliable cheaper modular power supply, i'd be all for it.

ram:
Same with the power supply, i'm just comfortable with Corsair XMS, i've always used it, and again, it's only $10-$15 more than 4GB of generic RAM, so I didn't really see a need to go less, or not as a big waste.

ssd:
It's not that i'm not comfortable with them, I'd buy one for myself, but unlike the PS and the RAM, they are $100 or so more than my option (significant), and might not be as stable. I don't have an SSD yet, but my friend with a Kingston V series says he crashes all the time and has no idea why. I'd be open to an SSD for them, but I wasn't sold on it when I was pricing parts, because any problems are on me to fix every time something happens, heh. Maybe i'll do this thought.

mobo:
On newegg, I wanted mATX with USB 3.0, the Asus I choose was only $20 more than the cheapest option, so again I didn't see it as splurging.

I will reasses, I guess the main switch will have to be a CPU to make a significant change in price. I wanted a Core i3 or i5, and the Core i5 I chose was only $50 more than the cheapest i3, so I thought it was worth it. If I go Phenom II x2 I can easily shave over $100 off everything, but then have to get independent video (although some boards do have basic video like AMD 4250 I think, i'll have to do some readings.)

Thanks for the comments.

 

[crucibelle]

I will reasses, I guess the main switch will have to be a CPU to make a significant change in price. I wanted a Core i3 or i5, and the Core i5 I chose was only $50 more than the cheapest i3, so I thought it was worth it. If I go Phenom II x2 I can easily shave over $100 off everything, but then have to get independent video (although some boards do have basic video like AMD 4250 I think, i'll have to do some readings.)

Thanks for the comments.

Good idea to do some reading. The integrated video on AMD motherboards is better or at least on par with the video integrated into the Intel CPU.

ps -- I love that case you picked out. I've actually been considering buying one for myself. I guess everyone's taste is different.. lol. 🙂

 

[mfenn]

...the $50 range, so it's not wasting too much money, $30...

...it's only $10-$15 more...

...only $20 more...

...only $50 more...

There's your problem.

Listen to Zap, he is wise with many years. 😉

 

[DaveSimmons]

Did you ask whether they'd prefer a laptop?

Either way, a prebuilt dual-core desktop or laptop with a warranty and on-site service seems like a better choice to me.

I build my own systems, but only for my own use and only for specialized uses like gaming.

 

[muskie32]

I you really want to use those parts here is a combo that has most of them...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.514068
Here are some more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.513418
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.513240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.514059

 

[Zap]

I agree with what Zap said, except maybe forgo the SSD. The SSD will be fast and quiet, but for the non-technologically inclined (which I assumed the couple is) the added complexity of dealing with a storage drive and a program drive may be more problem than its worth.

Just about everything defaults to using My Documents, and with Windows 7 it is as easy as drag-drop the folder to another drive, and Windows will make the adjustments and start using the other drive. The less people know about computers, the more they will use My Documents (well, that and Desktop :twisted: ). Basically they don't even need to know about the second drive.

I like Zap's build. The case looks nice, attractive, and it's small. Hopefully, it's quiet, though I guess such a low power rig shouldn't have a high cooling requirement anyways.

I built my mom's rig in that case and even using the stock Intel heatsink/fan and the fan that came with the case, the system was really quiet. The only noisy part was the power supply fan, which is half the reason I swapped it. This is coming from a reformed quiet freak! Seriously, when I was in grad school I needed it quiet and so my main rig was in an Antec Solo case with suspended hard drives, passive Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 on my 8800 GT and passive Scythe Ninja on my CPU. My rig was completely inaudible with it under my desk while I sat at the desk. Not just quiet, but silent from an arms reach away. It wasn't actually silent of course, but I had to just about press my ear to it to hear anything. And my server at the time used an Antec Phantom 350W PSU (completely fanless) and a single 80mm NMB fan running at around 500-600RPM along with suspended HDDs.

Yeah, when I say "really quiet" I mean it. ()🙂

I had a cheaper normal/generic looking mid-case first, but my friend requested a more modern looking case, and he thought that case looked cool

Fair enough. If the buyer likes how it looks then that's his decision.

If there was a reliable cheaper modular power supply, i'd be all for it.

Get over needing a modular PSU. Seriously. The more powerful a PSU is, the more cables it has. If you get a PSU that is more appropriate in wattage for the system, it will naturally have fewer cables. Once the PSU is in there, just use cable ties on the excess cables and voila! Instant cable management. Besides, even with modular cabling you will have extra connectors on each strand that ends up being unused. Does the guy you're building it for even know what modular cabling was before you told him?

Now, PSU deals change all the time so get what is available when you make the purchase. Just looking at what is available as I type...

Antec EarthWatts 380W $45 $10 before rebate (made by Delta)
Seasonic 300W $40 that is 80Plus Bronze!

Past deals have included the Antec Neo Eco 400W for $20 after rebate! (made by Seasonic)

i'm just comfortable with Corsair XMS, i've always used it, and again, it's only $10-$15 more than 4GB of generic RAM

So you wouldn't use this generic RAM for $14 less, oh but wait, it is Corsair, just not "XMS." Got the same warranty standing behind it, just doesn't have as fancy heatspreaders.

I don't have an SSD yet, but my friend with a Kingston V series says he crashes all the time and has no idea why.

No idea why... so let's blame it on the SSD! If it indeed is the fault of the SSD, maybe the part is broken? If hard drives can die, why can't SSDs?

Alright, check out this thread.

I've never seen a computer this fast. Everything opens instantly...
...
This is the single best purchase I have ever made for my computer.

You think this guy is paid to say that?

With a normal hard drive you boot into Windows and... the HDD keeps rattling away... TKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTK... and everything is sluggish until it finishes... whatever it is doing.

With an SSD once you have your Windows desktop, click on something... and it just pops up right away! Amazing!

Think about what the guy in the other thread said... "the single best purchase I have ever made for my computer." Why would he say such a thing? Why does Anand himself say such things? Why do I put small $100 SSDs into $500 builds? Have we all bumped our heads?

On newegg, I wanted mATX with USB 3.0, the Asus I choose was only $20 more than the cheapest option, so again I didn't see it as splurging.

Fair enough on paying more for USB 3.0.

I guess the main switch will have to be a CPU to make a significant change in price. I wanted a Core i3 or i5, and the Core i5 I chose was only $50 more than the cheapest i3, so I thought it was worth it.

What are the real differences among these chips besides clock speed?

Pentium Dual Core G-series
3MB cache, no turbo, no HyperThreading

Core i3
4MB cache, no turbo, HyperThreading

Core i5
4MB cache, turbo, HyperThreading

HyperThreading is two extra fake cores. Not real quad core. Turbo is just a few more MHz. Extra cache is real stuff though. There's also a bit of MHz difference in the integrated graphics, but you still can't game well with it like you can with a simple $60 video card upgrade.

What does that all do for "everything is general Internet?" Seriously, how will spending the extra $100 improve their internet experience? This is not a trick question.

If you had asked, "is this a solid build?" I would have said, "yes."*** However, you asked, "Comments?" and also mentioned that you are a bit over stated budget. If you are hell bent on using the parts you already choose, just ask for our blessings and you shall receive them! However, we're spending time making serious suggestions for you with solid reasoning behind those choices.

*** I'm currently using Corsair Dominator memory (you and your wimpy XMS3, LOLOLOLOL) on an Asus motherboard being cooled by a heatsink monstrosity with numerous heatpipes and powered by several hundred more watts than the system actually needs... I know exactly how solid your choices are. However, I would NOT build such a system for a non-gamer just as I would not build such a system for an enterprise server, nor would I build such a system for a car-puter. These examples are extreme, but I'm using them to illustrate my point, which is when choosing for different needs, your thinking has to change to best fulfill those needs.

 

[corkyg]

Dave Simmons makes some good points. I no longer build for anyone else but moi. That's because I am part of an "older couple." 🙂

Reality is, when you build for someone, you become lifetime tech support and that includes house calls. 🙂

 

[essential]

If you had asked, "is this a solid build?" I would have said, "yes."*** However, you asked, "Comments?" and also mentioned that you are a bit over stated budget. If you are hell bent on using the parts you already choose, just ask for our blessings and you shall receive them! However, we're spending time making serious suggestions for you with solid reasoning behind those choices.

No, I posted with an open mind, I didn't already decide what I was doing. I'm currently looking at a build with a Phenom II x2 ($99) base, and I think I'm just going to cut USB 3.0 out and can always add a card later if needed. Also I will forget about modular ps and hope there is room to hide everything, but am sticking with the same case. I'm hoping to have a very clean/organized look when it's complete (one ROM, one HD, integrated graphics and sound).

I'm still undecided with SSD. I understand the benefits, I've read a lot about them, and my friend who bought the SSD, he had no problems prior, and none at the beginning, then he said he just started locking up and crashing a lot. AHCI is enabled, and the drive has TRIM built in, so outside of that I don't know what the issue could be unless it was just a lemon. He was my only first hand experience. I'll look at the budget when I'm done, and if I can get one in, I will.

I did start out wanting a Core i3/5 because of the integrated graphics to minimize, but I have been convinced to look at other options.

I really appreciate the time you, and every one else, took to comment, and the build will be different and cheaper (in terms of cost).

Dave Simmons makes some good points. I no longer build for anyone else but moi. That's because I am part of an "older couple." 🙂

Reality is, when you build for someone, you become lifetime tech support and that includes house calls. 🙂

I'm already lifetime tech for them, at least this way I know the parts. I usually can fix most things with remote viewing, I don't like house calls, heh.

 

[FishAk]

Most likely, your friends trouble is due to the SSD. The Kingston V series drives are a poor excuse for an SSD. Depending on when he got it, it either has a Jmicron, or a Toshiba controller; nether of which are any good.

Unless they are coming from a Pentium or something, $125 or so spent on a Sandforce based SSD will be a bigger improvement than can be felt, from any other component.

 

[airdata]

I would go w\ an AMD build for this type of setup. For an older couple who will just be doing average stuff, any cpu over $100 would probably be overkill. AMD has a few sub $100 quads available now.

Go w\ an athlon II X2 or Phenom II X2 + 4gb and you shouldn't need to top $400-500 total budget.

I built my parents a system for cheap, still waiting on a usb card I ordered and then it will be complete. I got a few of the components from here and other places online including a new silverstone micro atx tower that is very clean and solid, athlon II 255 ($40 @ frys ) Biostar mobo ($37 anandtech forums new/like new in box sealed ) 4gb ddr2-6400 ($50 anandtech forums) Had an extra copy of xp pro laying around and 500gb drive.

Their existing system is an hp from bestbuy. probably 7-8 years old, athlon 3000+, 1gb,80gb.

 

[piasabird]

I dont see what good USB3 is. Maybe it will be more common in a short while and prices will go down. I think it only comes into play when you want to use an external drive.

http://www.directron.com/gah55musb3.html
Gigabyte MATX with 2 USB 3.0 rear panel - $109.99

*$10 Mail-in Rebate* GIGABYTE GA-H55M-USB3 Intel H55 Socket 1156 MicroATX Motherboard, Supports Intel Core i7 / i5 / i3 CPUs, Dual Channel DDR3, USB3.0 Support, 1394a, Dual BIOS

Sometimes www.directron.com has some items at a pretty good price, that you cant find elsewhere.

 

[essential]

I dont see what good USB3 is. Maybe it will be more common in a short while and prices will go down. I think it only comes into play when you want to use an external drive.

Yea, his wife takes a lot of pictures, and puts them all on her external. I wanted USB 3.0 for a future external, thinking her offloading would be faster. Suppose it's not required though, they didn't ask for anything specifically, the only interaction I had with my friend at all was on the case and price range, outside of that they would have no idea about any of this stuff.