Computer build for my neighbor

[darkuncle]

Hi all,

My neighbor is looking to get a desktop for simple internet surfing, word processing (she's a teacher), photo and music storage (would like at least 1 TB). She does have 2 young kids, 6 and 8 years old so there will most likely be some light gaming involved. I'm thinking anything that would be able to handle WoW should be able to handle anything they would play right now.

So a good all round general purpose computer that can handle light gaming for $500 or less would be ideal. She was looking in Best Buy at HP's, Dell's and whatnot and asking me which one to get but I really hate having all the bloatware crud they put on these machines and the fact that they don't give you your OS disk. Therefore I offered to build her a machine that would suit her needs.

Fire away guys!

Thanks!!

Chris

 

[chesteracorgi]

Do you want the OS included in the $500.00?

 

[darkuncle]

Ummm...I would say try to stay at a $600 ceiling with OS. $500 with OS might be cutting it I would think.

 

[sadams04]

Processor: AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz - $80

Motherboard: ASUS M5A97 AM3+ - $100

Graphics Card: XFX HD 6850 - $130 after MIR

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 1.5v CL9 - $33

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB - $60

Case: Antec TWO HUNDRED - $30 after MIR

Power Supply: CORSAIR Builder Series 430w - $35 after MIR

Optical: SAMSUNG DVD Burner 22X - $20

$488

 

[chesteracorgi]

How about this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719552

$474 w/ Win 7 included

 

[chesteracorgi]

Add this monitor @ $120:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254058&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-24-254-058-_-Homepage

 

[darkuncle]

That pre-built looks pretty good to me Chester. How is that built in graphics? Can a GPU be added if one so chose? Also, do you know if you actually get the physical disk for the OS?

Thanks!!

 

[cin19]

this one is for lower budget for the basic usage.

Combo $197 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719525

Win7 $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

GPU HD5570 $50 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874

HD5570 VS A8-3850 GPU http://www.anandtech.com/show/4448/amd-llano-desktop-performance-preview/3

DVD $20 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

Total $370 after MIR.

 

[JKatwyopc]

That pre-built looks pretty good to me Chester. How is that built in graphics? Can a GPU be added if one so chose? Also, do you know if you actually get the physical disk for the OS?

Thanks!!

I was about to post my own version of a proposed system when I saw chester's. Kudo's for a great find there.

To answer your questions , the built in graphics are good enough to run WOW on low to fair settings at 1680X1050.

If you added a discrete graphics card later you wouldn't need to spend a great deal of money because the APU graphics has the ability to dual render with another graphics card.

See http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-a8-3850-llano,2975.html.

Since that system comes as a kit you should get the physical windows install disk.

 

[chesteracorgi]

I believe that a discrete GPU can be added later, but you have to disable the on board graphics. BTW those graphics are pretty good for an APU, better than most. I believe it is an equivalent to the AMD 5770 gpu.

 

[chesteracorgi]

Sory it is the equivalent of an AMD 6550.

 

[ervinelim]

yeah have to admit chester's build is good! Also, the 6550 isnt that shitty i have a 4550 and it plays WoW on high.