Building for my MOM, help with a simple PC for Photoshop & Browsing

[jcraig2008]

Just want to build my mom a cheap PC for Photoshop, photo storage & internet browsing since she always complains that my dad hogs their main PC and won't let her on it. Oh yeah it needs a CD/DVD burner as well. Don't need a monitor. The cheaper the better; looking for about $300 max if possible. I've built gaming PCs for myself before so I can put it together once I have all the parts, but I really have no idea how to do this one without overkill. Thanks for your ideas!


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (ASAP) BUDGET RANGE: $200-$400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop, Photo Storage, DVD/CD burner, Internet Browsing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, possibly not GPU as I have a x1950 Pro laying around (PCI-e), if you think that's sufficient

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: Prefer Intel but not stubborn on it

OVERCLOCKING: No CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200

 

[build]

If there's no gaming involved, then onboard video will do the job.

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz + GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H combo $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254104

A-DATA G series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211281

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ400SXS 400W $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341020

Rosewill R218-P-BK Black 0.5mm SECC Steel $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner $30.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Grand Total = $318.94

 

[gkay09]

^ +1...
The above build is very good...If you want to save more money, then get 2GB instead of 4GB...
Rest are good...But I would suggest this Case + PSU... A far better quality case with a high quality PSU...
Antec NSK 4480 II Black & Silver 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case EarthWatts 380W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129059

 

[englandr753]

So far you have great suggestions and I agree.

If you can spare a few more bucks, go with this case. It's super nice and will make your system feel more expensive than it is:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_300-_-11-129-042-_-Product

and this power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-008-_-Product

I think we are assuming you have an operating system. Do you? That could be another 90 to 150 bucks. If you go 4gigs of ram you will need a 64 bit operating system which will cost on the higher end. 4gigs are better and would be utilized but you could probably go 32bit and 2 gigs and be fine.

My 2¢

 

[jcraig2008]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I already have a 64 bit OS so I will go with the 4 gigs, and I'll probably use the Antec 300 case since I've used it before and liked it a lot.

 

[englandr753]

Sounds like your good to go.