Mother's Day Computer Build $200-$500

[EchoTwoOne]

I was thinking about what to get for my mom and it hit me! Upgrade her PC! Keep in mind I'm still pretty new to PC internal stuff.

I don't know exactly what MB she's using now so I worked backwards and saw that it has a E3300 (775), 1 GB DDR2 RAM (2 240pin Slots)[4GBMAX], ?PCI/AGP? slot, PCI-e x1 slot, and a PCI-e x16 (?v1 or v2?)

I looked into upgrades for her motherboard, but that same amount of money that would max out the capabilities of her MB could buy a new/better PC; a PC could be upgraded further later.

She uses it for her internet based business which requires lots of windows open, making detailed pictures/graphics, and she runs her computer 24/7.

I have a 4670 that needs a new home so I hope the GPU is covered and she likes W-XP but also wants W-7. I was thinking of an AMD build for the Virtualization, she is using Intel now, but that can be worked around I'm sure.

I'm aiming for a $200-$500 budget, but for my mom, I can spend more.

Or maybe I should just upgrade her PC and wait till next time to get her a new PC. Help!

 

[aicom]

Core i3 2120 ($125) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
OR
Core i5 3570K ($250) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

ASRock Pro3 Z77 ($110) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157297
GSkill 1333 MHz 8GB kit ($38) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

Those prices are not counting shipping.

 

[smorizio]

take a look at the sales this week on hp web page there a lot with free ram. hp also has it no finance charges if paid off in six months.

 

[Guest]

ASRock H61ICAFE $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157246
Intel Core i5-3450S Ivy Bridge 2.8GHz $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116507
Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148419

$291.97 and it will blow her wig off

lets get mom a power supply too, eh?
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

and if you really want to treat her:
Acer V223WEJbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009241

 

[amuffin]

The Intel HD 3000 graphics will run perfectly.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/333749-31-muffin-dollar-gaming-build
Just remove the 6870.