Need a net surfer for a couple in there 60's

Johnneeds · Mar 13, 2012

Hi readers. You guys helped me build a great gamer a couple years ago that I am still using, and still satisfied with. So I came back for some more advice. I want to build something for my Uncle and Aunt. My Aunt uses her laptop for Email, Facebook, and staying connected. My Uncle teaches at a University and uses some power point and things like that. No gaming on this rig. Ideally they would like to use this for 5+ years... So with being said, a little help please?

Approximate Purchase Date: (asap)

Budget Range: I would like to get them something under 700 before rebates.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Email facebook powerpoints...

Parts Not Required: Win 7 I have an extra license, Hard drive (WD500AAKB-00YSA0) should be good right?

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: US

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: Something flat and 20"+ under 150 for sure

Additional Comments: This is for a couple that likes to keep and use things for as long as possible. This is a complete build from the software through the input devices. I hope you can help me build them something that they can keep for 4+ years.

Thanks, John

sosofm · Mar 13, 2012

Johnneeds · Mar 13, 2012

Thanks for responding. That looks to be a good build. I will leave this open a bit longer in case anybody else would like to chime in or have some input.

aRodr1guez · Mar 13, 2012

You can even go with the i3 for what the computer is being used I don't think the i5 is necessary:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

sosofm · Mar 13, 2012

I know but a quad will be good for 5 years+ like @JohnNeeds said, no matter what software and programs will apear in the future.

Raiddinn · Mar 13, 2012

They would probably be just fine with a Llano build instead of a 2400 + 7750.

The Llano 3870k costs like 150 which itself is less than the 2400 and you wouldn't need the 7750 at all. It would cost half as much and they probably wouldn't notice the difference.

You might want to spring for some 1866 RAM if you are going to go that route, so you don't get the whole savings, but you should still get at least $100 of it.

You could potentially scale back to an XFX 450w with the Llano as well since you wouldn't be powering a separate processor and video card.

The DVD Drive I would switch out for the Asus 24x. Newegg has 5 stars over like 3000 sales on this drive last I checked. I have one and I can see why.

Case - I would rather have a HAF 912 for that price.

You should be able to save like $150 off the build and they wouldn't be able to tell a difference with this setup. Also, with 1 less video card it is 1 less thing that can potentially arrive DOA or break on them which is a small advantage.

mobrocket · Mar 13, 2012

their 60s

sounds like a tablet aunt suzy is a good idea.
and uncle should just buy something thru the college

Alabalcho · Mar 13, 2012

These folks don't need fancy GPU, tons of RAM, or terabytes of storage. They need something they can browse the 'net, Skype with their (grand)children, and probably do some Taxcut/Quickbooks.

Go to a store (Best Buy / Costco / Walmart / whatever) and buy them something i3 or Liano-based, ready-build (anything but all-in-one). That's way they will have who to call for problems, and will have all it warrantied through single source.

obsama1 · Mar 13, 2012

$700 for a web PC? Haha. You can build a good one for <$500.
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/best-budget-gaming-pc-february-2012/
Recommend Tier 0.75/1. Future-proof and will do everything he needs to do.
Get the monior
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1c85r4zog3aom

Raiddinn · Mar 14, 2012

Agreed, if you want a rock bottom PC that does pretty much nothing outside of surfing the internet, you can probably get by OK on some cheapy DELL or something.

However, it would be hard to call such a thing future proof by any stretch of the imagination. When you are using processors that are like 6 or 7 generations old, you don't ensure your ability to use programs that will come out 5 years from now.

Whatever comes out 5 years from now will almost certainly be at least usable on 2012 hardware. No guarantees on 2002 hardware.

You have to pick what you want.

Vettedude · Mar 14, 2012

4 GB of RAM and an i3 are all you need and WILL last 5 years. And an HD 7750? Really?

azathoth · Mar 14, 2012

For what the system is going to be used for, you don't really need to spend much at all. I believe that the following parts will do just fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016 (Antec 550w Power Supply)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095 (2x4Gb RAM)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128527 (Standard LGA1155 Motherboard)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116405 Pentium G860 (3Ghz Sandy bridge, Dual Core)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133066 (Thermaltake MicroATX case) <-Simplistic port access

The total cost of this setup is only $300, throw in the monitor that Obsama1 listed ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1c85r4zog3aom )

And you have a $400 PC that will do all they ask of it.

The HD intel graphics are easily powerful enough to handle the 2D workloads of web browsing and powerpoint, as well as flash video such as Youtube. There is absolutely no need for a dedicated video card in this situation.

Raiddinn · Mar 14, 2012

Vettedude :

A 7750 is like $100, its not super expensive.

It is also much more likely to handle programs that will exist in 2017 than integrated graphics on a $50 processor will.

I am not going to say that they - need - one per se, but for a PC that may very well last beyond 5 years its not the worst expense in the world.

What it really boils down to is the resources available to address this stuff. If $700 vs $400 is a big deal and they are willing to take a 20x worse PC to save $300, more power to them.

Mind you I did suggest an A8 instead of the 7750 as a reduction they most likely wouldn't feel, but the same thing applies to my suggestion. Going with A8 vs 2400 + 7750 saves money they may not need to save and opens them up to an "I can't do this thing I want to do" risk that 2400 + 7750 doesn't, at least not as much.

Johnneeds · Mar 14, 2012

Thanks for the debate. Its all the info I need. I am going to take all advice into consideration. I have a great list of parts to choose from now.

Johnneeds · Mar 14, 2012

Best answer selected by JohnNeeds.

azathoth · Mar 14, 2012

Raiddinn :

Programs such as web browsers and Power point presentations, even in a decade will still not require dedicated graphics to perform smoothly. there is no need to fancy shader effects like games, therefor no need for a graphics card. The OS will still be windows 7, even if he does switch to windows 8 again a dedicated graphics card such as the 7750 STILL remains a waste of $100. Sure it's not expensive, but if it's of no use, it is $100 you might as well toss down a well.

Again on Quad vs Dual core, they aren't doing heavy video/photo editing, they aren't gaming or anything. None of the programs that they will be using can even utilize Four cores. This again makes for another $100 that would go to waste.

Raiddinn · Mar 14, 2012

Well, none of us really have a crystal ball, but it would be awesome if granny and grandpa could come in 5 years from now and say how this PC they are getting held up.

Need a net surfer for a couple in there 60's

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