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Pc build for my mom?

Tags:
  • Desktops
  • Compaq
  • Computers
  • AMD
  • Systems
  • Nvidia
  • Hard Drives
Last response: in Systems
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September 12, 2014 6:14:56 PM

Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!

More about : build mom

September 12, 2014 6:17:15 PM

I would up grade things most likely to fail like the hard drive.
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a b À AMD
September 12, 2014 6:20:46 PM

In what country are you buying this?
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September 12, 2014 6:23:37 PM

kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Upgrade PSU, RAM to 1600mhz DDR3 atleast 4GB (2x2GB if dual channel, or 1x4GB otherwise) to eliminate freezing for the most part, and you should upgrade the hard drive if possible. Honestly with your budget there isn't much else you can or should do.

Priority would be PSU and Harddrive. RAM would just make it feel way quicker, especially from DDR2 to 3, thats not even mentioning double the RAM size.
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September 12, 2014 6:27:50 PM

swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Upgrade PSU, RAM to 1600mhz DDR3 atleast 4GB (2x2GB if dual channel, or 1x4GB otherwise) to eliminate freezing for the most part, and you should upgrade the hard drive if possible. Honestly with your budget there isn't much else you can or should do.


Not possible. Her motherboard is an Asus M2N68-LA, which is DDR2 only. http://h10010.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en...
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September 12, 2014 6:28:48 PM

kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.
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a b À AMD
a b Î Nvidia
September 12, 2014 6:29:12 PM

kitty for a little more money you can build a better pc that last your mom a long long time.
if you have a local micro center the g3258 and msi z97 mb is a 99.00 combo still. with the g3258 it has built in video no need for a video card. evga 600b is 49.00 after rebate. (power supply). there also 8g memory bundle for 74.00.
bulk toshiba 1tb drive is 49.00 the r300 case is 47.00 after rebate.



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September 12, 2014 6:30:18 PM

swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.


LOL, I totally agree with you.
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a b À AMD
September 12, 2014 6:32:17 PM

swiftleeo said:


Upgrade PSU, RAM to 1600mhz DDR3 atleast 4GB (2x2GB if dual channel, or 1x4GB otherwise) to eliminate freezing for the most part, and you should upgrade the hard drive if possible. Honestly with your budget there isn't much else you can or should do.

Priority would be PSU and Harddrive. RAM would just make it feel way quicker, especially from DDR2 to 3, thats not even mentioning double the RAM size.


Can't do. That also means new motherboard and CPU. And OS. Completely blowing the ~$200 budget.
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September 12, 2014 6:32:25 PM

JimF_35 said:
swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.


LOL, I totally agree with you.


She doesn't want a laptop or knows how to use one. She prefers desktops.
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September 12, 2014 6:34:32 PM

kitty14801 said:
JimF_35 said:
swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.


LOL, I totally agree with you.


She doesn't want a laptop or knows how to use one. She prefers desktops.


PSU and HDD upgrades probably the best bet. What motherboard do you have so we have an idea of what is compatible?
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a b À AMD
September 12, 2014 6:39:10 PM

kitty14801 said:
JimF_35 said:
swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.


LOL, I totally agree with you.


She doesn't want a laptop or knows how to use one. She prefers desktops.


$25 = a standalone keyboard and mouse for the laptop.
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a b À AMD
September 12, 2014 6:42:07 PM

Bottom line - going from that old Compaq to something new cannot be done within $200.
A desktop will mean ALL new parts. And an OS.
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September 12, 2014 6:42:16 PM

swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
JimF_35 said:
swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.


LOL, I totally agree with you.


She doesn't want a laptop or knows how to use one. She prefers desktops.


-


For $200 I don't have a lot of options. Plus, she already has a 19 inch flat screen monitor, mouse, and keyboard. And I can always re-use the 2 sticks of DDR3, Kingston that I have laying around. I just need help with a board and a case. Suggestions? :??: 
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September 12, 2014 6:44:44 PM

kitty14801 said:
swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
JimF_35 said:
swiftleeo said:
kitty14801 said:
Hey guys,

My mom has an old Compaq SR 5000 Series desktop computer with an AM2 socket AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU, NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE chip-set, 2GB DDR2, and 80gb SATA hard drive. I plan on reusing the hard drive, along with my Sparkle 300 watt power supply. She is basically computer illiterate and only uses her PC to check Facebook, play music, checking e-mails, reading the news, and browsing the web. My budget range is $200. If anyone has suggestions for parts please let me know, thanks!


Chromebooks are roughly 200-250 to start. They would satisfy her needs. However, I wouldn't give any more data to Google than is needed.. so I'd just upgrade what she has.


LOL, I totally agree with you.


She doesn't want a laptop or knows how to use one. She prefers desktops.


-


For $200 I don't have a lot of options. I can always re-use the 2 sticks of DDR3, Kingston that I have laying around. I just need help with a board and a case. Suggestions? :??: 


Board, case, CPU, OS, HDD....
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Best solution

a b À AMD
a b Î Nvidia
September 12, 2014 6:44:51 PM

This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.
Share
September 12, 2014 6:49:09 PM

USAFRet said:
Bottom line - going from that old Compaq to something new cannot be done within $200.
A desktop will mean ALL new parts. And an OS.


Pretty much hit the nail on the head. It is POSSIBLE, but it's not really going to make a difference in performance unless the RAM is upgraded to DDR3 and a new processor is thrown in (both of which require a new board).
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September 12, 2014 6:49:51 PM

filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400


Remember, she needs a new OS too. IMHO I would just get her a chomebox and if she needs more out of it slap Ubuntu on it with a easy DE like XFCE. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT1WJZQ#productDetails

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September 12, 2014 6:51:47 PM

jaytechgaming said:
filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400


Remember, she needs a new OS too. IMHO I would just get her a chomebox and if she needs more out of it slap Ubuntu on it with a easy DE like XFCE. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT1WJZQ#productDetails



XFCE is simple, but Gnome would be closer to home if she has used Windows. As far as going from Windows to Linux, Mint is probably the best distro for it.
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a b À AMD
September 12, 2014 6:53:10 PM

filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.


That parts list requires reusing the original 80GB (IDE?) drive and OS. Not gonna happen.
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a b À AMD
a b Î Nvidia
September 12, 2014 6:55:36 PM

USAFRet said:
filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.


That parts list requires reusing the original 80GB (IDE?) drive and OS. Not gonna happen.


"...and 80gb SATA hard drive.". + linux :D 
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September 12, 2014 6:57:34 PM

filippi said:
USAFRet said:
filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.


That parts list requires reusing the original 80GB (IDE?) drive and OS. Not gonna happen.


"...and 80gb SATA hard drive.". + linux :D 


Keep in mind even Mint has a learning curve. Not everyone can just jump from Windows to Linux. Especially older folks who have become used to Windows.
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September 12, 2014 6:57:41 PM

filippi said:
USAFRet said:
filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.


That parts list requires reusing the original 80GB (IDE?) drive and OS. Not gonna happen.


"...and 80gb SATA hard drive.". + linux :D 


LMAO. Would you give Linux to your mother. You are just plain old mean.

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September 12, 2014 6:58:29 PM

JimF_35 said:
filippi said:
USAFRet said:
filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.


That parts list requires reusing the original 80GB (IDE?) drive and OS. Not gonna happen.


"...and 80gb SATA hard drive.". + linux :D 


LMAO. Would you give Linux to your mother. You are just plain old mean.



Mint is not mean. They would be mean to try and force Gentoo or Arch though. Arch is my preferred distro
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a b À AMD
a b Î Nvidia
September 12, 2014 7:00:00 PM

JimF_35 said:
filippi said:
USAFRet said:
filippi said:
This is a good option:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($57.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-E33 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.64 @ Amazon)
Total: $192.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-12 21:44 EDT-0400

PS. keep old hd and Optical Drive for now.


That parts list requires reusing the original 80GB (IDE?) drive and OS. Not gonna happen.


"...and 80gb SATA hard drive.". + linux :D 


LMAO. Would you give Linux to your mother. You are just plain old mean.



My mother knows linux way better than me :D 
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September 12, 2014 7:01:47 PM

Back on topic; Using a laptop isn't very different from a desktop. Would it really be that difficult for her to use one? It's really just an all-in-one desktop with an integrated monitor. Plus it has the bonus of being portable.
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a b À AMD
September 12, 2014 7:08:01 PM

Alternate title - Can you build a new PC, incl OS, for $200?
Not really.

(You can't upgrade that Compaq. Replace one thing, you need to replace all)
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September 12, 2014 7:09:42 PM

USAFRet said:
Alternate title - Can you build a new PC, incl OS, for $200?
Not really.

(You can't upgrade that Compaq. Replace one thing, you need to replace all)


Also, wouldn't it be cheaper to buy pre-made desktops in the 400 and under price range?
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September 12, 2014 11:37:51 PM

like others have said, you can't really upgrade anything without changing the whole build. Just save another 200 and make your mom a decent pc that will last her for a long time. When you try to fit really old and new parts like this you might just end up losing money in the long run because of stuff being incompatible, bugs showing up, etc.
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September 13, 2014 9:24:55 AM

I know this is solved already, but I made my build before I noticed so I'm just going to post it. For just $270 dollars, $240 after rebates, you can make your mom a new pc that will last. I think it's worth it to do it that way instead of messing around with combining old and new parts. I know she's just surfing the web and everything, but if you use the old hdd or some other old part, it's going to bottleneck the rest of the system. What's the point of upgrading then? I'm sure you can come up with at least an extra $70 - $100 dollars.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.38 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $238.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-13 12:18 EDT-0400
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