Opinions wanted on new budget system for mom

[bolido2000]

I am ready to put together a Shuttle SS51G XPC.
These are the specs:
P4 1.6A
256 DDR PC2100
7200K HD
CDRW

I have a few questions:
The PC is for my mom (very basic usage). Should I just use the built in video or I should spend a little more and get something like an ATI 7500? Should I even bother putting a P4? (Is prolly gonna be used ~65 dollars), or should I get a brand new Celeron 2.0GHZ at about the same price? (reliability is very important here)

EDIT: I know she prolly doesn't need something powerful, but I want something that will run fine for 2-3 years.

 

[mechBgon]

My main suggestion is to scoot up to 384MB of RAM or more, especially if it'll be running WinXP. Remember, the onboard video is going to take a bite out of the system memory.

If you want a budget add-in card, you could check out the 32MB Transcend Radeon 7000, $34 shipped.

 

[Corporate Thug]

get the p4
use onboard video
get 512 ram if possible

 

[sniperruff]

why not a SFF with integrated VIA CPU? those are cheap. or any althon board with integrated graphics and an althlon 1700 and 256 of ram is enough. maybe a cdrw/dvd combo would be better if you can afford it...

 

[DaveSimmons]

With the 2.0 celeron speed will be about the same or a little less, but it will come with a fresh new HSF and 3-year warranty (retail boxed).

I agree with the others about spending the extra for 384 MB RAM (or 512).

Onboard intel xtreeeme!!! 2D & "3D" graphics should be fine if you're sure mom will never play any 3D games.

By the way, if you search on "hermes" at newegg, MSI has a mini-desktop barebone with i845gv chipset that's cheaper than a cube and which got a positive review at Tom's (for what little that's worth). Buying it would save you enough to go with 512 MB ram. (ed) no AGP tho I think, so be really sure mom isn't secretly a counter-strike addict 😉

 

[bolido2000]

Thanks for the suggestions 🙂

I think I will go with this one instead.
Plus:

Athlon XP 1800+
512MB
ATI 7500 or GF4 MX440
30 gig HD
CDRW

That should be plenty fast for her 😀