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New PC for the grandparents

T

TechRookie16

Member
Greetings- my grandparents want a desktop computer. I was looking for some help. What ideas would you recommend? I'm looking for absolute cheapest. All my grandparents need it for is logging on E-mail and browsing the web. I'm looking to build something in the 200-250 range.

Thank you
 
TechRookie16 said:
Greetings- my grandparents want a desktop computer. I was looking for some help. What ideas would you recommend? I'm looking for absolute cheapest. All my grandparents need it for is logging on E-mail and browsing the web. I'm looking to build something in the 200-250 range.

Thank you
Click to expand...

Not possible with an OS license. Unfortunately, building in this price range simply makes no sense.

Best I can come up with new is this Acer for $300 new:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103455

Honestly, $250 just doesn't buy a new computer.
 
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TechRookie16 said:
Well I already have a windows 7 OS with 2 more uses on it. So I don't need that. I'm looking at a lot of barebone kits from 150-250 just not sure best one to go with:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...06365&CatId=31

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1461&CatId=333

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...61450&CatId=31
Click to expand...

Ok, well that was an important detail. Unfortunately, still not gonna happen.

All of those TigerDirect builds are missing critical pieces, like hard drives, DVD burners, or CPU coolers. Just typical TigerDirect crap with huge rebates. To be frank, I've never seen a remotely good bundle deal from TigerDirect - they are out to make a buck off of you. In fact, those deals are so bad that I think I could beat all three at Newegg without a single bundled item or rebate.

Sorry to say but you're dead in the water here...honestly that Acer I linked is a much better value even if you have a free Windows license.
 
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BIOSTAR ECO HD61V http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%20ECO%20HD61V 115.67 shipped

Intel Celeron G530 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409 48.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253 19.99

Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769 49.99

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 15.99

Total 250.63

Personally I would just get more $ together and purchase this for them

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883108954
 
Raincity said:
BIOSTAR ECO HD61V http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%20ECO%20HD61V 115.67 shipped

Intel Celeron G530 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409 48.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253 19.99

Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769 49.99

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 15.99

Total 250.63
Click to expand...

This isn't a even a whole computer (no case), so yeah building is not really a good idea.

OP, the refurb HP from Geeks.com looks like your best bet. Just give it a fresh install of Windows to clean off the crapware.
 
mfenn said:
This isn't a even a whole computer (no case), so yeah building is not really a good idea.

OP, the refurb HP from Geeks.com looks like your best bet. Just give it a fresh install of Windows to clean off the crapware.
Click to expand...

Unless the pics on NE are misleading, It looks like a barebones H61 board with case and power supply.

I am personally grabbing the Lenovo so my parents can retire their 10 year old Gateway P-4.
 
Raincity said:
Unless the pics on NE are misleading, It looks like a barebones H61 board with case and power supply.
Click to expand...

You're right. The forum redirect was acting up, so I didn't click through the link and just assuming it was a mobo from the manufacturer and model number.
 
Raincity said:
BIOSTAR ECO HD61V http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%20ECO%20HD61V 115.67 shipped

Intel Celeron G530 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116409 48.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253 19.99

Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136769 49.99

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 15.99

Total 250.63

Personally I would just get more $ together and purchase this for them

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883108954
Click to expand...

Color me impressed. That's some serious budgeting work. Nice job. I still think a pre-built is a better bet in this price range. That type of low-priced case/psu could lead to problems down the line and there won't be much of a warranty.
 
Termie said:
Color me impressed. That's some serious budgeting work. Nice job. I still think a pre-built is a better bet in this price range. That type of low-priced case/psu could lead to problems down the line and there won't be much of a warranty.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. You are really taking your chances with a cheap power supply. The case and supply with this barebones seems to have decent user reviews at NE.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...087&Tpk=DM-387

Buying a refurb or recent off lease machine is the way to go to save some cash but some people still want to roll their own even on a basic desktop.
 
...

Disregard; I missed that you specified a Desktop computer. Do you need a monitor as well included in this price?
 
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TechRookie16 said:
Last question just to make extra extra extra sure

is this motherboard compatible with this cpu?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188081

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&sku=I69-3220

I went ahead and bumped the budget to 320 and Im pretty satisfied with what I got
Click to expand...

They're probably compatible, although P67 was the first 1155 platform, and that CPU is a much more recent Ivy Bridge. P67 support for Ivy is not guaranteed, plus you won't get support for the onboard graphics (i.e. you'll need to buy a separate video card).
 
I thought it had integrated graphics.... shit, so should I get the intel i3 2100 instead? and what graphics card should I look into getting now? It's going to be for basic youtube/internet browsing etc
 
TechRookie16 said:
I thought it had integrated graphics.... shit, so should I get the intel i3 2100 instead? and what graphics card should I look into getting now? It's going to be for basic youtube/internet browsing etc
Click to expand...

The CPU does have integrated graphics (both the 3220 and 2100 do), but the P67 chipset doesn't support it.

You need to get a motherboard with H61, H67, H77, B75, or Z77 chipset instead, then there's no need for a graphics card.
 
Read what we said.
The i3-3220 is fine, it has built-in HD2500 video capability. It was the MB you had picked out that didn't support the HD2500 video of the CPU.
The ECS MB you linked is fine.
 
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