Second Computer for Parents

Mar 8, 2001
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Looking to build a PC for the parents. Was thinking of A shuttle system, but seems a bit pricey. I already have a CD/RW drive, 6 gig 5400 rpm harddrive and a stick of 64 mb of PC 100 RAM. I would love to hear suggestions on the cheapest acceptable setup you guys can think of. Try to keep it less then $300 total (not including monitor; I'm going to give up my 15 inch LCD so I have an excuse to get an 18 inch LCD!: Missed out on the Dell deal). Oh, I also have a keyboard, mouse and speakers. Remember, I'm looking to make a box that can suft of a 56k modem and light word processing. Ideas welcome. Thanks.

THis is something I'm considering. Its not bad, but can I do better?:

$29: Antec Mini Tower case Model KS382+PP255XH OEM with 250W power supply
$4: COOLER MASTER DP5-6I11A CPU HEAT SINK AND FAN
$76: Asus A7N266-VM AA (AMD Assured Version) NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Motherboard Micro ATX- Retail
$50: AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred /266 FSB Processor CPU 1700+/ 1.47GHz -OEM
$36: CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2100 DDR RAM
$21: SHIPPING
TOTAL: $216.98 (prices from Newegg)
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
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That looks pretty good... I assume the motherboard has the built-in video?

Is is just for Email, basic office, and Internet stuff?

amish
 

Arhra

Member
Nov 29, 2002
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Make sure that's a single stick of RAM for upgrade potential. Get a new HDD, they will notice the 5400 RPM as opposed to 7200 RPM speed, be nice to your parents.
 

HalfCrazy

Senior member
Oct 3, 2001
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You could drop the mobo to a ECS K7S5A and save $20 bucks. If all they are going to use it for is to surf and send e-mails. I never used one of those mobo's so I can't say how stable they are.
 

newbiepcuser

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2001
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Originally posted by: Budmantom
How about this computer $369-10%-$50=$282.

I usually support name brand computers for end user like Dell or Gateway. Hp/Compaq are pretty bad machines and so bloated with junk software. I think the setup you have is fine.
 

Budmantom

Lifer
Aug 17, 2002
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Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Originally posted by: Budmantom
How about this computer $369-10%-$50=$282.

I usually support name brand computers for end user like Dell or Gateway. Hp/Compaq are pretty bad machines and so bloated with junk software. I think the setup you have is fine.

I am sure if he knows how to build a rig he can remove the "bloat". Besides what about tech support, if you build it you will be the support.

just my .02
 

newbiepcuser

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2001
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Originally posted by: Budmantom
Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Originally posted by: Budmantom
How about this computer $369-10%-$50=$282.

I usually support name brand computers for end user like Dell or Gateway. Hp/Compaq are pretty bad machines and so bloated with junk software. I think the setup you have is fine.

I am sure if he knows how to build a rig he can remove the "bloat". Besides what about tech support, if you build it you will be the support.

just my .02

I use to work as a techie retail chain. Compaq computers sometimes puts the actual BIOS onto onto hard drive. HP/Compaq components are very properity relating to the mainboard i.e power connector so if anything breaks after the warranty, its not even worth fixing. Tech support? You ever used Compaq/HP tech support? Even for a retail chain it was hard to get thru to order parts. The tech support isn't free after 30 days. If you talk to anybody who has worked in the field long enough, they are unlikely to recommend Compaq/HP desktops.
Their servers are pretty good though.

If you want to go with name brand computer, get a Dell. Just my .03 ;)
 

Budmantom

Lifer
Aug 17, 2002
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I wouldn't own a comapq as my main rig but for email and surfin any rig will do. Well maybe not an emachine. For $280 it can't be beat.

P.S. I am not buying one of these (I do have a rep to uphold). ;)
 
Mar 8, 2001
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Thanks all. I really appreciate your help. I will look into the motherboard suggested earlier and yes, the mobo I suggested has integrated video and sound. Actually, I know that what I'm putting together is overkill for their purposes (I like the "be nice to your parents" comment though...made me laugh :), but I've found even if I ramp down all the specs, the prices do not go down that much. I'm pretty sure computer part manufacturers do this so that there is incentive to buy new or semi new items.

And I totally agree with the compaq/hp debate. My in-laws got a compaq and they are not happy with it. I'm actually using a compaq now, its my laptop, and its been ok, but no support (I lost use of my CD Burner after I upgraded to Windows XP) but oh well.

Any other integrated solutions out there (mobo w/ sound AND video)? that I'm overlooking? Thanks.
 

newbiepcuser

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2001
4,474
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Originally posted by: Procrastinator
Thanks all. I really appreciate your help. I will look into the motherboard suggested earlier and yes, the mobo I suggested has integrated video and sound. Actually, I know that what I'm putting together is overkill for their purposes (I like the "be nice to your parents" comment though...made me laugh :), but I've found even if I ramp down all the specs, the prices do not go down that much. I'm pretty sure computer part manufacturers do this so that there is incentive to buy new or semi new items.

And I totally agree with the compaq/hp debate. My in-laws got a compaq and they are not happy with it. I'm actually using a compaq now, its my laptop, and its been ok, but no support (I lost use of my CD Burner after I upgraded to Windows XP) but oh well.

Any other integrated solutions out there (mobo w/ sound AND video)? that I'm overlooking? Thanks.

You could always do an intergrated Intel mainboard with Celery 1.7 system just for placebo effect. Your dad will be saying "yeah my good son got me one one of those Intel sytems, I think I'll go get him BMW M5 now". ;)

Mainboard around 80.00 video/lan/sound
Celery 1.7 $55 retail, so comes with the heatsink/fan 3 year warranty.

BTW, my friend has Compaq laptop and she can't stand it. Its constantly freezing up. Reformatted the sucker at least 4 times already.