Old folks upgrade advice

[CoachB]

Currently, we have a full tower system AM2 dual core box with PATA HDDs, graphics card, CD & DVD burner etc. I built this several years ago with thoughts of gaming but never really got into it. Mostly we use this system to surf the web, keep in touch with kids and grandkids in far away places, and use Office apps....nothing fancy at all. We are still running XP cause the wife is comfortable getting around in it and I catch heck when something changes :>o

I'm thinking of an update/upgrade. I will use existing parts as much as I can but I know there is quicker, cooler, better stuff out there.

So....for a cheap, simple little home/office machine will this work?
Intel G1610 Ivy Bridge
H67 or Z68 motherboard (suggestions?)
Modest sized SSD for boot and OS
4GB appropriate Ram
SATA HHD for files and storage (got one on hand)
PSU

No overclocking, no graphic intensive programs, nothing stressful, just a nice, neat cool, qiuet something for Mom and I to be productive on.

You folks have helped guide me thru a bunch of issues and adventures over the years so I couldn't think of a better bunch to run this by.

Thanks!

 

[Torn Mind]

H67 or Z68 boards will most likely require a BIOS update before it can work with an Ivy Bridge chip. Z68 is also unnecessary anyway since you won't be overclocking. For basic builds, the B75 motherboards have the bare minimum needed for a functional PC.

It would help to know what kind of max budget you have.

The following is just a prototype. You can reuse your current burner.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($47.28 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($62.55 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Value 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $322.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-22 11:51 EST-0500)

 

[CoachB]

Thanks Torn Mind!
I think my only real concern is that I get a motherboard that reliable. I've used Asrock before with no problems but there are so many choices and variations out there for socket 1155 that it makes my head spin.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply. As for budget.....less is best. I'm a frugal man these days!

 

[Sleepingforest]

My only criticism is that you could get an H77 board from Microcenter for $60AR from Microcenter--that's marginally better in the long term if he wants to add more RAM or another SSD (more SATA3).

 

[Torn Mind]

My only criticism is that you could get an H77 board from Microcenter for $60AR from Microcenter--that's marginally better in the long term if he wants to add more RAM or another SSD (more SATA3).

:thumbsup: $65 after shipping, but that's only $3 more than the Asrock.

@CoachB
Is your current burner a SATA one?

Case is totally up to you. Do you prefer micro ATX or regular ATX cases?
Here's a list: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/case/#sort=a6

Also, since you will be running XP, you can grab a $26.99 pair of 2GB RAM.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($47.28 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: Biostar H77MU3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($25.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Adorama)
Case: DIYPC DIY-6811BK (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $294.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-22 14:14 EST-0500)

 

[BoomerD]

Not that there's anything wrong with building your own...but for your list of applications, why not buy a Dell from the outlet store?

 

[CoachB]

BoomerD,
Good question! I'm one of those guys that changes his own oil, fixes the toilet, repairs the dishwasher, etc. Basically a tinkerer. Over the years I seen so much crappy attention to detail in OEM stuff that caused me troubles, I just figure I might as well screw it up myself.
I've also found if I know what is in the box, I can better understand what to look for when it no worky. In this case, I'm just behind on the new CPU and motherboard tech and so I came to the "experts". :>)

Torn,
Unfortunately, both the CD & DVD burners are PATA. I might have a problem...hmmmm

 

[Sleepingforest]

Fortunately, a burner is only around $18.