Multitasking/office build for someone else. He is using obsolete computers, so pretty much anything will be an improvement for him. He will probably use the new computer until it is obsolete again (unless he gets money to upgrade cpu and motherboard), so I want to get as current tech as I can get for a bargain budget.
Purchase date: Probably more within 1-3 months than 6 months, but 6 months is possible, if I should wait for better deals.
Budget range: US $350-450 with 400 or below being goal including tax and shipping and after rebates. (only parts needed: PSU, CPU, Motherboard, Video card, RAM)
System usage:
Multitasking/office. No games.
He uses AutoCAD and rendering (older version which might be for win98, but not sure which one), along with number crunching in excel, some minor photo editing, word, internet.
Parts not needed:
Monitor (using CRT still), mouse, keyboard, speakers, sound card (will use onboard sound), using 2 or 3 IDE hard drives, optical drive (I don’t know if its IDE or not, if it is, I guess I’d buy him a SATA), using office 2010, using windows XP (just for now, trying to keep the computer cheaper),
Using a CM 690 II advance case.
Website for parts: newegg or amazon
Parts preferred:
CPU: AMD for value. I’m looking at a Phenom II x4, but I am not sure if that is the best choice for the budget or if I should go one step down.
Motherboard: AM3 socket only (unless I should go with AM2+ cpu). ASUS or Gigabyte, but not firm on it. Need IDE connectors.
Video card: I prefer Nvidia (I guess it goes better with autocad), but it’s not firm. I’m not sure how current of a card I need since it’s not a gaming build.
RAM: 4GB DDR3 (I know windows xp won’t see it all, but will get win7 later)
Quality Power supply that will last through an upgrade or two on the computer (maybe around 550 or 650 watts, but maybe I don’t need it that powerful).
Not overclocking: this computer will be used a long time
No SLI or Crossfire to begin with (maybe never)
I want him to have something fast compared to what he had. I am not sure if AM2+ and DDR2 is fast enough or if it's too old, given that he will use this computer a long time.
Purchase date: Probably more within 1-3 months than 6 months, but 6 months is possible, if I should wait for better deals.
Budget range: US $350-450 with 400 or below being goal including tax and shipping and after rebates. (only parts needed: PSU, CPU, Motherboard, Video card, RAM)
System usage:
Multitasking/office. No games.
He uses AutoCAD and rendering (older version which might be for win98, but not sure which one), along with number crunching in excel, some minor photo editing, word, internet.
Parts not needed:
Monitor (using CRT still), mouse, keyboard, speakers, sound card (will use onboard sound), using 2 or 3 IDE hard drives, optical drive (I don’t know if its IDE or not, if it is, I guess I’d buy him a SATA), using office 2010, using windows XP (just for now, trying to keep the computer cheaper),
Using a CM 690 II advance case.
Website for parts: newegg or amazon
Parts preferred:
CPU: AMD for value. I’m looking at a Phenom II x4, but I am not sure if that is the best choice for the budget or if I should go one step down.
Motherboard: AM3 socket only (unless I should go with AM2+ cpu). ASUS or Gigabyte, but not firm on it. Need IDE connectors.
Video card: I prefer Nvidia (I guess it goes better with autocad), but it’s not firm. I’m not sure how current of a card I need since it’s not a gaming build.
RAM: 4GB DDR3 (I know windows xp won’t see it all, but will get win7 later)
Quality Power supply that will last through an upgrade or two on the computer (maybe around 550 or 650 watts, but maybe I don’t need it that powerful).
Not overclocking: this computer will be used a long time
No SLI or Crossfire to begin with (maybe never)
I want him to have something fast compared to what he had. I am not sure if AM2+ and DDR2 is fast enough or if it's too old, given that he will use this computer a long time.