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New Build $700 + or - $100 with OS + Monitor. Basic Needs.

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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/Prod [...] 6822136075

Optical Drive $22 (lg DVD drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136149

Keyboard and Mouse - $23 (Microsoft)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109156

Memory - $30 2gb g-skill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098

CPU + MOBO Combo E5200 + GIGA = $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.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/olspag [...] 9000050002 )

Thanks in advance…

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AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103300

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 1836%20%20 (CPU/Case combo) $99.94

GIGABYTE GA-MA780G-UD3H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] yte%20780g $89.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231246 $59.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139008 $49.99 - $10 MIR

WESTERN DIGITAL WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drive
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] t=celebros $51.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488 $99.99

Office Home and Student 2007 (3-User)
http://www.computersworth.com/item [...] 20(3-User) $94.99

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000:1 ACM - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009151 $119.99

AVG Free Antivirus
http://free.avg.com/ $0

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black 105 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ergonomics Keyboard and Mouse - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109156 $21.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152 $24.99

Total - $713.85 - $10 MIR

Edit: Forgot the DVD drive.

You can save $95 if you have the option of using Open Office instead of Microsoft Office:

http://www.openoffice.org/

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 04-14-2009 at 12:25:57 AM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Phenom II x3 720 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649

Biostar 790GX motherboard w/ integrated graphics http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138140

4GB Corsair RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184

Corsair 550W PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139004
'
LG DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136149

Cooler Master Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119189

WD 320GB HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074

22 inch monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254038

Mouse + Keyboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254038

64 Bit Vista http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Comes to $700 after rebates. Use Open Office for an ofice suite and AVG for free anti-virus. If you NEED Microsoft Office, you can get it from Amazon for about $100.

EDIT: Ninja'd by shorstuff. My build has a faster processor, faster graphics, but slower RAM (which will make little difference in real life compared to a faster processor like the one in my build). However mine doesn't include Office. Personally, I see no reason not to use OpenOffice, it's just as good and it's free. You can put that money towards better components.

Message edited by yoyojam55 on 04-14-2009 at 12:46:05 AM

Reply to yoyojam55

The mid-range CPU/MOBO is listed here has a onboard video card that will only Xfire with the hybrid crossfire card listed here. (out of the cards listed) If you don't mind shutting down the onboard if you choose that build and go for the better GPU, than you will need to disable the card in the bios.
Use openoffice.org to get your microsoft office utilities.

Optical Drive:
Optical Drive- $22 (lg DVD drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136149

Case:
Cooler Master Centurion 5- $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068

Cpu:
Under $700 with Max everything: AMD Phenom 9600 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core - $170 w/ MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182229

$760 with Max everything(Onboard will only Xfire with Hybrid Xfire card listed or can shut off card):
AMD Phenom 9950 2.6GHz 125W Seocket AM2+ Quad-Core - $239 w/ MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182223

$821 With Max everything: AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz AM2+ 125W Quad-Core - $300 w/ MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182239

Motherboard:
Under $700 with Max everything: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P - $170 w/ CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182229

$760 with Max everything(Onboard will only Xfire with Hybrid Xfire card listed or can shut off card):
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H - $239 w/ CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182223

$821 With Max everything: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P - $300 w/ CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182239

RAM:
Slower: $19 (Wintec DDR2 800 2x1GB CAS-5)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820161172
Faster: $27 (G.Skill DDR2 800 2x1GB CAS-4)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231087

Hard Drive:
HDD - $42 (WD 160gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136075
Bigger- $50 (WD 320GB 7200RPM SATA)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136098
Smaller- $34 (WD 80GB 7200RPM SATA)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136195

Video Card:
Nvidia: Sparkle GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCIe- $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814187036
ATI:
VisionTek Radeon HD 3650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCIe- $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129117

Hybrid Xfire:
Asus Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2- $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121230

PSU:
BFG TECH 550W- $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817702010

OS:
Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116485

Keyboard + Mouse:
Microsoft keyboard/mouse- $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109156

Monitor:
Hanns-G 19' LCD Monitor CR 700:1 $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254005

Anti-virus:
Norton Internet Security 2009 OEM $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832108390

Total:

Phenom 9600 $651-691
Phenom 9950 $704-744
Phenom II X4 940 $781-821

Edit- The hybrid crossfire card has a $10 mail in rebate and most of the items have free shipping.
If you need/want a 64-bit Vista home premium, it does not effect price and can be found here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Message edited by affinitydesigns on 04-14-2009 at 01:37:32 AM

Reply to affinitydesigns

Very nice builds...

YoYo - Skimming out on the software is not an option. It's all about comfort level with exisiting software. I will most likely sitck with XP and Office student edition because it is familiar for them. I think I may even splurge the $25 for Norty Anti-V.

Shortstuff - Spot on with the budget well done. Although, I kind of worry about the CPU and may need to upgrade the monitor to something bigger. Nice find with the onboard GPU on the MOBO. That is what I was looking for to shave some $$. For future's sake do you think it would be better to go for an inexpensive quad core?

Affinity - Thank you for the extra options as well! Although I couldn't see the $100 needed for Microsoft office.

Has anyone heard any news on the windows 7 upgrade from Vista? Is it worth the wait?

Reply to mountie

Norton is arguably worse than avg or mcafee so thats $25 badly spent.

also Vista 64 performs better than xp64 with 4gb of ram and it looks nicer.

And finally the phenom am2+ quads aren't top of the list for anyone's processor cos they have poor performance. get a phenom II am3 quad or tri core cpu.

Reply to Helloworld_98

I also like Shortstuff's list. You could shave off a few $$ by getting DDR2-800.
There are more differences between Office 2007 and prior versions than between Open Office Org and Office. Someone more comfortable with Office 2003 and prior versions may find it easier to use Open Office. Something to consider...

Reply to jtt283

I am still on the fence with using open office. I use office 2007 and it was a BIG change from 2003... And honestly, after using it for a few months I still prefer the old version... I'll have to check it out on my build to see if I can't coax him into it...

Anywho! Here is what I am thinking now for this build (turned out pretty well):

DVD Drive: LG $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152

Case: Antec 300 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

HDD: WD 320 $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136098

Monitor: 22" Asus $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009145

MOBO: ASRock A780GMH/128M AM2+/AM3 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157154

PSU: 400w Corsair $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139008

Keyboard + Mouse $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109156

Memory $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

Micro$oft Office 2007 $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116135

CPU: PII x3 720 $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649

OS: Vista 32bit home
Combo w/ CPU $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.182212

Total $765

Will this suit my requirements as stated above? Will it work as a build? Is my mobo too weak?

Reply to mountie

A few changes:

Get this hard drive, it's much faster http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074

Get this RAM, it's cheaper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184

Get vista 64 bit, 32 bit makes no sense with 4GB RAM.

If you want to save more money get this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] lite%20332 The one you have is great, but this one is $20 cheaper, allowing you to make the upgrades I stated above.

Reply to yoyojam55

I can agree with the $5 dollars for the 16MB HDD.

I do want to use any rebates so the RAM is actaully more expensive. I'm not willing to wait around 4 months for a $12 difference...

The cases are within $5 after shipping charges are added on... Antec 300 has free shipping.

Vista 32 bit is $35 cheaper and he won't notice the difference... May even wait till windows 7.

Shouldn't I be able to get office 2003 and Windows XP fairly cheap somewhere??? I can't believe they are still charging hundreds of dollars for this garbage.

Message edited by mountie on 04-21-2009 at 08:37:09 PM

Reply to mountie

Besides a 32 bit OS not supporting all my RAM will this build be compatible? Am i missing anything on the build?

Reply to mountie

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