Hi-
This will be my first build aside from a server that I put together.
Approximate Purchase Date: I'm looking to put this together within the next few weeks but could hold off until the end of January if that's helpful for after Holiday sales.
Budget Range: Around $300 (after rebates is fine)
System Usage:
My needs for my wife's mom are very basic: internet, picture management, light MS office, casual gaming (solitaire and Mahjong) and of course watching those cute puppy videos and sending them to everyone she knows. http://img.tomshardware.com/forum/uk/icones/wink.gif
Parts Not Required: Mouse, keyboard
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Tiger Direct and Fry's will be my hunting grounds.
Parts Preferences: I was biased towards Intel (Core 2 Duo or Core i3), but reading through the forums here, I am picking up on the love of AMD Phenom II for quality/price considerations and I am not opposed.
Choosing the MoBo is what I am finding overwhelming, everyone has a bias.
Would like the PSU to be efficient.
No need for crazy cases. As small as possible with good ventilation.
Overclocking: No / Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: No need for a monitor, unless there is great priced monitor anyone would recommend.
Additional Comments: I originally looked into some barerbones Atom based Nettops from Newegg but I'm not convinced that these have the best build quality, especially the PSU, and were a little pricey for what was being offered.
My hope is to build something like a Nettop, but with better components and some future proofing.
Would like to avoid Windows and make an honest effort to try Ubuntu, but I would like to be able to use either.
I look forward to your recommendations on what to consider and how to make this build happen.
This will be my first build aside from a server that I put together.
Approximate Purchase Date: I'm looking to put this together within the next few weeks but could hold off until the end of January if that's helpful for after Holiday sales.
Budget Range: Around $300 (after rebates is fine)
System Usage:
My needs for my wife's mom are very basic: internet, picture management, light MS office, casual gaming (solitaire and Mahjong) and of course watching those cute puppy videos and sending them to everyone she knows. http://img.tomshardware.com/forum/uk/icones/wink.gif
Parts Not Required: Mouse, keyboard
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Tiger Direct and Fry's will be my hunting grounds.
Parts Preferences: I was biased towards Intel (Core 2 Duo or Core i3), but reading through the forums here, I am picking up on the love of AMD Phenom II for quality/price considerations and I am not opposed.
Choosing the MoBo is what I am finding overwhelming, everyone has a bias.
Would like the PSU to be efficient.
No need for crazy cases. As small as possible with good ventilation.
Overclocking: No / Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: No need for a monitor, unless there is great priced monitor anyone would recommend.
Additional Comments: I originally looked into some barerbones Atom based Nettops from Newegg but I'm not convinced that these have the best build quality, especially the PSU, and were a little pricey for what was being offered.
My hope is to build something like a Nettop, but with better components and some future proofing.
Would like to avoid Windows and make an honest effort to try Ubuntu, but I would like to be able to use either.
I look forward to your recommendations on what to consider and how to make this build happen.
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