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Cheapest build for my 65 year old aunt to read email

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Cheapest build for my 65 year old aunt to read email

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I just need a tower with no peripherals. I was considering a refurb from a local store (in Canada btw)

Intel P4 3.0Ghz cpu
1 GB Ram DDR
DVD Rom / CD Burner
40 GB Hard Drive
Sound, Lan, USB Ports
Windows XP Pro (new fresh installation)

$269.99 + tx = $305

Then I went on NCIX and made this, Can you tell me if the parts match and maybe suggest less expensive options?

Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 Dual Core Processor LGA775 2.5GHZ 800FSB 2MB Retail Box $82.86
ASUS P5KPL-CM mATX Intel G31 LGA775 1PCI-16 1PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Video Sound GBLAN Motherboard $56.39
Kingston ValueRAM KVR667D2N5/2G PC2-5300 2GB 1X2GB DDR2-667 240PIN DIMM Memory $30.59
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 8.9MS Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty $58.91
Samsung SH-S222A/BEBE 22X Dual Layer DVD Writer Black IDE OEM $33.57
Powercolor Radeon HD 3450 Fanless 600MHZ 512MB 667MHZ DDR2 PCI-E HDMI Low Profile Video Card $33.99

Total: $296.11
Case with power supply (local) $50
Shipping $16.50
Total: $362.61

So for $55 more I get a Dual Core instead of a P4. Thoughts?

Edit: forgot the OS. Dang that's another $115 or so. Can I shave the HD down a bit? Suggestions?

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You don't need the 3450 since your motherboard has integrated graphics. You should also ditch the IDE DVD burner for a SATA model if you go with building your own.

Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE 22X DVD+-RW SATA DVD Writer Black OEM $34.48

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 09-03-2009 at 02:43:34 AM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Why not look at an AMD integrated graphics motherboard and a 45nm X2 cpu with 2x1 GB DDR2-800 for a cheap home-build? No videocard needed.
Either this or your E5200 build will be WAY better than an old P4 full of dust.

Reply to Newf

Here's a suggestion for the motherboard/CPU:

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $69.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $59.49

That's $10 cheaper and a faster CPU.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Cheapest NEW Dell build w/OS runs $489CAN. It's hard to build a decent machine for less than they can, but makes for a worthy goal.

Reply to Newf

If she only wants to read e-mail y dont you just by a second hand 1.6ghz or something? you could pick up a whole tower for around $100

------------------------------ XFX 8300 MoBo
HIS HD4890 Turbo
4gb Corsair Dominator Ram
1TB HDD
Reply to Killer_au

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103688

BIOSTAR TA790GX XE AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI Micro ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138140

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227298

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074

Antec earthwatts EA380 380W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=EA380

Thermaltake VI5000BNS Black SECC Steel MicroATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133066

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187

One note, this build is Micro-ATX.

------------------------------ How To Ask For Build Advice
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Reply to jbakerlent

well u dont want ur granny to be waiting 4 hours to load up windows and then the browser

Reply to dodonga

80+ certified modular PSU and a monster dual core

Reply to batuchka

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't realize my link was for an IDE burner.

I'll look at the AMD combo posted. Whats a micro ATX though?

Reply to DannyITR

mATX = smaller than ATX form factor and comes in 9.6" by 9.6" The integrated GPU though is good to go for HD DVDs/ Blu Ray if those become mainstream down the road ^^

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by batuchka on 09-03-2009 at 04:15:28 AM

Reply to batuchka

batuchka wrote :

mATX = smaller than ATX form factor and comes in 9.6" by 9.6" The integrated GPU though is good to go for HD DVDs/ Blu Ray if those become mainstream down the road ^^

Wow thanks!

Reply to DannyITR

You are welcomed ^^

Reply to batuchka

Check out the Asus Eee Box
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6883220012
If She needs HD playback capability
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6883220013

Mount them to the VESA mount on the back of an LCD and your golden.

Reply to fancarolina

If I get a microATX motherboard does this mean it wont fit into a normal tower? I wonder if I could use her current tower.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by DannyITR on 09-03-2009 at 04:35:53 AM

Reply to DannyITR

Yes normal towers have standoffs to mount both ATX and mATX mobos so more savings if reusing current tower ^^

Message edited by batuchka on 09-03-2009 at 04:37:35 AM

Reply to batuchka

DannyITR wrote :

If I get a microATX motherboard does this mean it wont fit into a normal tower? I wonder if I could use her current tower.

microATX will fit just fine in standard ATX cases. You can put the smaller ones in the big case but you obviously can't go the other way.

Reply to fancarolina

Hi guys,

This was the cheapest combo I found on NCIX:

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Dual Core Processor Socket AM3 2.8GHZ
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42090

Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 AMD740G mATX AM2+/AM3 1PCI-EX 2PCI SATA2 RAID VGA Sound GLAN DVI Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30471

I changed the burner to SATA and kept the same DDR2 RAM and my total is $390.23 shipped WITH Vista Home Basic. That's not too bad. I jsut want to make sure the mobo is ok. I chose the one with DVI and VGA inputs.

Message edited by DannyITR on 09-03-2009 at 05:09:45 AM

Reply to DannyITR

Well if starting afresh it would be best one went with a budget AM2+ like 760G or GF8100 rather than AM2 cos even those have far better integrated video, HT 3.0, PCIex16 2.0 in short: more updated features and better performance...

Reply to batuchka

Isn't the one I chose AM2+?

Reply to DannyITR

Nope its an AM2

Reply to batuchka

From NCIX:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] e=Gigabyte

Reply to batuchka

I'm not sure where you're getting your info from batuchka. The motherboard the OP picked IS AM2+/AM3. It's right there in the description. It's the same motherboard I linked for Newegg.ca. By the way, the prices on Newegg.ca are lower for the same hardware.

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt wrote :

------------------------------ How To Ask For Build Advice
Homebuilt PC Buying Guide
Reply to jbakerlent

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prod [...] atid=20217

on sale for $249.99 has OS already installed, simple and affordable plus free shipping. Yah it uses the atom processor but this is only for internet and email right?

Reply to 1tym

shortstuff_mt wrote :

I'm not sure where you're getting your info from batuchka. The motherboard the OP picked IS AM2+/AM3.

Actually 1st mobo TS linked to was a Gigabyte GF6100 and even so for 740G:

Quote :

Note:
* If you install AMD AM3/ AM2+ CPU on AM2 motherboard, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0 (5200MT/s) to HT1.0 (2000 MT/s)

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Product [...] uctID=3153

A true AM2+ in my eyes has HT 3.0 for AM2+/AM3 chips and comes with PCIex16 gen 2.0 That and the IGP on 740G not too hot ^^

More info :

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/for [...] oards.html

Quote :

An AM2+ motherboard will have Hypertransport 3.0 and a split power plane. So, any AM2+ processor put in an AM2 mobo will default to the 1Ghz HT 2.0 speed as well as use a single power plane

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by batuchka on 09-03-2009 at 02:52:45 PM

Reply to batuchka

batuchka wrote :

Actually 1st mobo TS linked to was a Gigabyte GF6100 and even so for 740G:

Quote :

Note:
* If you install AMD AM3/ AM2+ CPU on AM2 motherboard, the system bus speed will downgrade from HT3.0 (5200MT/s) to HT1.0 (2000 MT/s)

Quote :

An AM2+ motherboard will have Hypertransport 3.0 and a split power plane. So, any AM2+ processor put in an AM2 mobo will default to the 1Ghz HT 2.0 speed as well as use a single power plane

True I did edit the post to list the 740G but I thought it was before you saw it

So my board will be a tad slower than a true AM2+? I think I can live with this plus the reduced graphics since she looks at the occasional photo and thats it. She won't be challenging me at Call of Duty 4 anytime soon heh

The other thing was the power supply. Someone mentioned it was important but I was going to see if I could get one that came with a case for under $50. I don't expect it to be more than 350W but for a pc that doesn't even have a graphics card how important is it?

Reply to DannyITR

Well do research the PSU you getting if tight on $$ but there are decent 24/7 non 80+ PSUs floating around hehe

Reply to batuchka

BTW man, thanks a lot for taking the time to respond to me. I'm just a random dude on an internet forum and you've helped me like we know each other. Its greatly appreciated.

Reply to DannyITR

No problem and wish u success in your DIY adventure ^^

Reply to batuchka

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Cheapest build for my 65 year old aunt to read email