PC for my mom

[zero koopa]

Ok so here is my thing, I want to build a new PC for my mom and my dad wants to buy one refurbished. This is a basic machine but i would like to as much power and speed for around 500.



1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

This is a general office PC. All she needs is to email and do small teaching programs like Easy Grade Pro.
Im looking for something in a core2 duo at least 2.4.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

500
Im tyring to compete with my dad for a better bargain. Id like costs to be low and reliability high.

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

USA, probably newegg.com, frys.com, tigerdirect.com

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, etc, etc, you get the picture.

Proccesor: INTEL
Windows vista prob just home edition.
no opinion of others


5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

None

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

If read some but they werent the exact same. I just built my PC about 6 months ago and everyone here was so helpful that I decded to ask for your help again.

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

default, picture an old grandmothers burgundy Cadillac. Safe, reliable etc.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

within 1-2 months.


I looked at micro motherboards will those go in a normal mid tower case?

 

[ther00kie16]

if you want low cost and reliability just go with a Dell
It's not really a core 2 but you can overclock the e2200 pretty far if you actually need that speed for general office use.
Plus, I doubt you can build a complete system with OS and 19" LCD for much less than $500.

If you really want to build, I suppose you could go for (unspecified are from newegg)
$150 22" LCD (black friday)
$86 after rebate Asus p5q + 2gb ddr2
$80 e7200 (currently at your local Fry's if u live near one)
$50 after rebate video card (9600gso/8800gs/
$75 640gb hd
$100 Vista
$70 antec nsk 4480 (frys)
$20 mouse+keyboard

That's over $600 but you can cut it down to ~$550, especially if you go with integrated video and/or AMD. So I say it's not worth it when you can just get a Dell and be done with it. I'm sure your mother will appreciate not having to work through the problems of a custom-built computer. And if you are power-hungry for no reason, get a HD4670 gpu and xigmatek s1283 ($21 after rebate now) and overclock the hell out of the e2200 in the Dell. After that, you still shouldn't break $500.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You might also consider a $500 Hot Deal laptop -- it arrives assembled, no cables and such, and it can be put away to reclaim desk space.

I see dual-core intel and AMD deals in the $500 range every wekk in the Sunday paper and now and then in the Hot Deals forum. Though for a momputer a $400 single-core would probably be fine too.

Does she use dial-up or cable/DSL? If it's dial-up you may need to buy a modem since many PCs no longer include one.

 

[ther00kie16]

single-core? e2200 is dual core, just not exactly core 2 architecture
And it'd be better to pay a little more for the $550 core 2 laptop deals, or $600-$650 will sometimes get you a fully loaded core 2 laptop. So either way, $500 sector isn't a very diy-friendly range. <$400 yes, if you have time to look for the best deals and not compromise on parts. >$600 yes if you want a powerful gaming/work machine.

 

[mageslayer]

dell outlet for sure

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Fry's
e7200-$80
NewEgg
OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB DDR2-800-$12 AR
OCZ 600W PSU- $30 AR AC:EMCBBAGAH
RAIDMAX xB ATX-528B Case- $12 AR
Foxconn G31AX-K LGA 775 Intel G31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail- $45 AR
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB- $60
ASUS VW193D Black-Silver 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor- $110 AR
____________________________________________________________
Total= $339

If you look harder you'll probably find even better deals.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

For your OS:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM - $100
Linux - FREE

 

[lxskllr]

How about something like this? It falls a little short of your power requirement, but it makes up for in style and power efficiency. Something like this is perfect for someone that doesn't need to run demanding apps.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
How about something like this? It falls a little short of your power requirement, but it makes up for in style and power efficiency. Something like this is perfect for someone that doesn't need to run demanding apps.

Why would you get that? It is more expensive, doesn't come with a monitor, isn't powerful, has less RAM, and uses non-standard parts.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem

Why would you get that? It is more expensive, doesn't come with a monitor, isn't powerful, has less RAM, and uses non-standard parts.

Because it has a great form factor, and it's about twice as powerful as she needs. It also uses a fraction of the energy of a typical desktop. Everybody doesn't need a bleeding edge system. A P3 is more than enough computer for the majority of the population.

 

[0roo0roo]

dell
self build if not careful is trouble shooting nightmare
or cheap looking..loud....
at the low end you really don't save much on self build.

spend more on the screen

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: zero koopa
PC for my mom
I just need it to email / ms office

This is a basic machine but i would like to as much power and speed for around 500.
Im looking for something in a core2 duo at least 2.4.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

500

Windows vista prob just home edition.
no opinion of others

1. There's no way you need a dual core running "at least 2.4" for surfing and office apps.
2. You can still get XP Pro... Next point.
3. Grab your mum a Dual Core Atom PC with XP Pro for $315.
You can add it a DVD burner, 1GB more RAM and 2400Pro PCI video.

 

[jeffw2767602]

Dude, you're getting a Dell!

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: zero koopa
PC for my mom
I just need it to email / ms office

This is a basic machine but i would like to as much power and speed for around 500.
Im looking for something in a core2 duo at least 2.4.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

500

Windows vista prob just home edition.
no opinion of others

1. There's no way you need a dual core running "at least 2.4" for surfing and office apps.
2. You can still get XP Pro... Next point.
3. Grab your mum a Dual Core Atom PC with XP Pro for $315.
You can add it a DVD burner, 1GB more RAM and 2400Pro PCI video.

vistas still better. no need to go that low. atom is not fully baked tech, for the minimal power savings its performance isn't up to snuff.
we are talking his mom, not a geek, so atom and xp is not really a good idea. older people would appreciate the better gui of vista for one. also studies show older women navigate better on a wide screen so get one of those of decent size.

a decent lower end core2 is fine. dell. decent build quality and they have to make sure that parts aren't doa, not u.

 

[lenjack]

If you build a computer for ANYBODY, a friend, a relative, your mom, count on being 24/7 tech support forever!

 

[DSF]

There's really no reason to build this one. Not only will you get better value on the parts with a pre-built PC, you won't be free lifetime tech support.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: mageslayer
dell outlet for sure

Seconded. The Dell Outlet has some outstanding deals, though they usually change daily.

I see Inspiron 518s up for 349ish right now, but I've seen them drop into the low 200s before.

 

[zero koopa]

thanks for the advice...i think I was excited to do another build but one thing my mom will not want is a loud PC so thanks for all your input. Im checking out dell outlet.