Simple and Basic PC - Advise

[sykochicken]

Hello,

I need to build a new pc for my dad. It's just going to be used for really basic stuff, i.e no heavy/demanding softwares such as games, photo or video editing programs.

All the pc needs to be able to do is handle microsoft office apps like word, a little bit of video and music play and internet surfing.
Oh and the OS is WinXP SP2 (32-bit)

I'm looking for cheap stuff, not looking to spend alot of money on something really basic.
I already have some really old (about 10yrs old) components of my dad's previous pc laying around: case, floppy drive, DDR RAM (1 512MB stick and 1 256MB stick) and 2 IDE hard-drives. I believe its time to change them already.

I would like to get some recommendations on motherboards first as that will mostly help me decide on the other components of the pc.
A motherboard with onboard audio is mainly what I'm looking for and preferrably with onboard VGA.

 

[slomo4sho]

Foxconn A7GM-S

Has built in graphics and sound with HDMI out capabilities. Its the best on-board GPU chipset for the budget build. I would pair it with a AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz

 

[IH8U]

Since you have the OS, that helps. Here ya go


PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016
$55 Antec 550W (replace the PSU with this one, as it should last a long time, and is modular)
MB:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138117
$70 Biostar TForce TF720 A2+ (onboard geforce 8100, and 2.1 sound)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255
$57 AM2 X2 4850e (retail)
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227189
$22 OCZ DDR2 800 2x 1GB
(I'd still recommend a PCI sound card, especially if he really listens to music)

Sound Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829111002
$50 Diamond (the drivers on the disk are flaky, however you can download better ones from their site)

Total: $204 + S&H (not counting MIR, or special/combo deals)(also not including sound card)

 

[grieve]

The pre-built is perfect for family members as you dont have to support them, Dell does. Plus you get 1yr warrenty and all new gear, granted not good gear, but new.

Dell $279 with an OS installed, all new gear, all crap, 1 year warrenty.
http://www.dell.com/


IH8U your machine is missing an HDD, unless sykochicken wants to use his 10yr old IDE drives.

 

[sykochicken]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Sadly non of the recommended motherboards were available in the shops.

I found the ASUS M2N MX SE Plus what's your thoughts on it?
My concern (that I can think of) is the size, its a Micro ATX form factor will that effect its usage as a regular desktop motherboard? And can it fit in a regular ATX case ?