I know most forums listed here are about top of the line components and features. But I've come across an interesting request from an older family member to build a 5-10 year PC that will be better than something bought in a store? Gets down to the old roots of PC building better to buy or build? I am having a lot of trouble staying within budget and still having a lasting processor...
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Would it be better to wait until June 1st to get a free Windows 7 upgrade from Vista?
SYSTEM USAGE: BASIC needs. Web browsing, Microsoft office use, solitaire, pictures, movies etc…
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Needs EVERYTHING (for basic needs) (can skip out on floppy drive)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.newegg.com or frys.com or tigerdirect.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: no parts preference, high emphasis on reliability on basic needs parts.
OVERCLOCKING: No over-clocking no x-fire
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Needs monitor! Emphasis on reliability. Keep within budget.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is a very basic needs computer that also included in the 700 budget is an operating system (32 bit XP) Microsoft office and a decent antivirus.
This is a build for an older relative who would like a new computer. I am finding it difficult to keep within budget with an OS, Microsoft office, and a monitor included in the build.
What I have found so far:
OS + Office + Anti-virus = ~$350?
HDD - $42 (WD 160gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075
Optical Drive $22 (lg DVD drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149
Keyboard and Mouse - $23 (Microsoft)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156
Memory - $30 2gb g-skill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
CPU + MOBO Combo E5200 + GIGA = $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181196
GPU - would it better to have it on-board the MOBO? 4830 ~ $80
PSU - ??? No idea how many watts to get for just basic stuff
Monitor - ??? May be the most important part for older eyes
Case - ???? Not tooo cheap, usb accessibility would be nice. How many fans should it have?
Am I missing anything?
Ideally I’m just looking for a workstation that’s going to be around for a while (5-10 years). I don’t think that’s too unrealistic just for basic needs? Can go +or- $100 if needed, but nothing unnecessary needed on this rig. Will I be better off looking for a retail machine at Dell or HP with OS already loaded on it? (GOD FORBID BestBuy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999109000050002&type=product&id=pcmprd109000050002 )
Thanks in advance…
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Would it be better to wait until June 1st to get a free Windows 7 upgrade from Vista?
SYSTEM USAGE: BASIC needs. Web browsing, Microsoft office use, solitaire, pictures, movies etc…
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Needs EVERYTHING (for basic needs) (can skip out on floppy drive)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.newegg.com or frys.com or tigerdirect.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: no parts preference, high emphasis on reliability on basic needs parts.
OVERCLOCKING: No over-clocking no x-fire
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Needs monitor! Emphasis on reliability. Keep within budget.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is a very basic needs computer that also included in the 700 budget is an operating system (32 bit XP) Microsoft office and a decent antivirus.
This is a build for an older relative who would like a new computer. I am finding it difficult to keep within budget with an OS, Microsoft office, and a monitor included in the build.
What I have found so far:
OS + Office + Anti-virus = ~$350?
HDD - $42 (WD 160gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136075
Optical Drive $22 (lg DVD drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149
Keyboard and Mouse - $23 (Microsoft)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156
Memory - $30 2gb g-skill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
CPU + MOBO Combo E5200 + GIGA = $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181196
GPU - would it better to have it on-board the MOBO? 4830 ~ $80
PSU - ??? No idea how many watts to get for just basic stuff
Monitor - ??? May be the most important part for older eyes
Case - ???? Not tooo cheap, usb accessibility would be nice. How many fans should it have?
Am I missing anything?
Ideally I’m just looking for a workstation that’s going to be around for a while (5-10 years). I don’t think that’s too unrealistic just for basic needs? Can go +or- $100 if needed, but nothing unnecessary needed on this rig. Will I be better off looking for a retail machine at Dell or HP with OS already loaded on it? (GOD FORBID BestBuy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999109000050002&type=product&id=pcmprd109000050002 )
Thanks in advance…