Non-Gaming Home PC

[ampLitude]

So my mother has decided to finally trash her 4 year old laptop as it just could not handle her real-estate website and multi-tasking needs. I'm looking to get her a new computer for her birthday which works for her for as little as possible.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Anytime within the next month.

BUDGET RANGE: The cheaper the better, but I'm going to go from 250-400 CAD

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Surfing the internet(Toronto-MLS), Microsoft Office, Windows Media Player

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Already have a wireless mouse/keyboard, operating system(win 7 ultimate64bit), speakers, and a 19 inch monitor.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Any as long as it can deliver to Ontario, Canada with minimal fees
.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Ontario, Canada

PARTS PREFERENCES: No brand preferences

OVERCLOCKING: If I need too.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don't think I will need either.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Have a monitor

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like a quiet running PC doesn't need to be clear or full of lights, if it is the cheaper one then go for it.

Thanks in advance! Let me know if I have filled out anything wrong, this is my first post and hopefully not my last!

 

[MadAdmiral]

That's an extremely low budget for building your own. I know it's difficult to get anything build for under $400 US, and you guys get absolutely screwed on the prices of cases and PSUs. I'd check out some prebuilts.

Here's the best I can do:

CPU/Mobo: X3 440 and MSI 785G-E53 $160 before 15 USD rebate ($145 in total)
RAM: Crucial 2x1 GB 1066 mhz CAS Latency 7 $50
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB $57
PSU: Corsair 400W $56 before 20 USD rebate ($36 in total)
Case: GIGABYTE gz-ph1a3 $17
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20

Total: $393 after rebates with shipping, plus the ridiculous taxes you guys pay.

 

[Mr Pizza]

Total: $393 after rebates with shipping, plus the ridiculous taxes you guys pay.

 

[ampLitude]

So there are cheaper options than building our own? Sorry for my ignorance but I had heard that building your own computer was cheaper than buying from retail lol. If there are cheaper options or for the same price but better in a package then I can certainly go for it.

 

[Mr Pizza]

So there are cheaper options than building our own? Sorry for my ignorance but I had heard that building your own computer was cheaper than buying from retail lol. If there are cheaper options or for the same price but better in a package then I can certainly go for it.

well it is cheaper because you are getting a nice parts, a manufacturer gives some cheap @ss motherboard, some cheap @ss CPU and try and make it look all fast but its not. and you pay the same price.. so.. nah building is cheaper

 

[MadAdmiral]

With extremely low budgets (generally 500-600 USD), it's usually cheaper to get a prebuilt. Like Mr Pizza said, you do sacrifice some quality there, but you get support with it. Building it yourself is good if you have very specific needs (gaming, rendering, etc.), a mid to high budget, a desire to swap out parts or just want the experience.