$200 - Super Cheap Build for my parents

[bigslickak]

So my parents 7 year old+ PC is about on its last legs...there appear to be mobo issues, and they are just in need of a little updating. It will be used mostly for web surfing, uploading pictures and videos from cameras, schoolwork type stuff for my sister, and occasional *VERY* light gaming (obviously not the latest games either).

They do not have a terrible amount of money to spend, but I know that their needs are not extensive either, so I think we are OK. I said I will contribute $100-$150 towards the purchase of the parts (and build it too), and they have $100 to spend, so $200 or so total.

They do not have an OS, so I was thinking they could get the Windows 7 Student pricing since some of my siblings are students. Any other options?

Here is what I ordered:

Mobo (onboard gpu)
BIOSTAR N68S3+ AM3 NVIDIA MCP68S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138293

CPU
AMD Sempron 140, Socket AM3, 2.7 GHz, 1 MB Cache, 45 Watts, SDX140HBGQBOX
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I25RWO

Mid Tower Case + PSU (400W)
Rosewill R363-M-BK Black Ultra High Gloss Finished MicroATX Computer Case with 400W ATX 2.2 12V Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147099

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200 320 GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive ST3320418AS-Bare Drive
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00272NHP4

Memory
Kingston ValueRAM 2 GB 1333MHz PC3-1066 DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory KVR1333D3N9/2G
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019MI1CW

DVD Burner
Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SIMPXM


HDD $39.48
CPU, Memory, DVD $82.68
Mobo $43.29
Case $48.70

Total shipped = $214.15

How did I do? What should I have done differently? I think this leaves a good amount of room if they need to upgrade something later too. Thanks

 

[Dyers Eve]

Nice. You could get a cheaper case/psu combo but it isn't going to look pretty like a Rosewill

I think you're going to be uhappy when you find out that you have to spend so much on an OS. This new egg deal is probably the best you will find and that is Win7 OEM for $90 and free shipping. Not sure if it is a april 1st sale only or what. You may be able to find win xp somewhere for 70-80 but that's not worth it imo.

New egg deal: http://promotions.newegg.com/neemail/Apr-0-2011/Aprilfool0401/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL040111&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL040111-_-EMC-040111-Index-_-E0D-_-windows7#Per

 

[Subidoo]

If you have a monitor already if you go to http://www.dell.com/us/p/popular-desktop-deals and look at the Inspiron 570 for only $299.00 that includes the OS. It's cheap and should work great for just internet and everyday use.

 

[aznshinobi]

Verry nice. I have a 288$ build (300$) in my siggy. But then again, yours looks pretty sweet.

 

[AstroTC]

Your board is kinda iffy get this instead http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138290
everything else looks solid

 

[Joe9234]

A better HDD

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB - $40

 

[bigslickak]

Your board is kinda iffy get this instead http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138290
everything else looks solid

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I did almost order that one. At the time, a couple days ago, I was able to get the N68S3+ for $43 shipped. It was about $14 cheaper than the better one. The better was probably well worth it, DVI port instead of VGA only, and also a better onboard GPU, but on a $200 build $14 is a good chunk. If my parents complain and it has to do with not having DVI, or they complain about the graphics performance, I can deal with that later

Thanks for the HDD suggestion too, I will probably do that.

 

[Joe9234]

Mobo + CPU for $8 more + taxes, take a look at Microcenter:

Microcenter Promo

Requires access to a brick and mortar Microcenter, and you will have to pay taxes. I did this and everything came out nicely.