$400 budget pc

[Rips]

Approximate Purchase Date: this week

Budget Range: 400 After Rebates; After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Surfing the internet, email

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: N/A

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or ncix.com

Location: Coconut Creek, Florida, US

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024 (may upgrade later but only need for surfing the internet)

Additional Comments: Needs to have a wireless b/g connection. Already have a keyboard and mouse.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Upgrading for my dads birthday because his computer is over 10 years old. He only uses the computer to check email and surf the internet but has been complaining about the speed.

 

[zared619]

This will do any simple tasks, and its a dual core for multi-tasking.

 

[SinisterSalad]

I built my old man an AMD A-series system for about that price. Prices have dropped on them a bit as well.

 

[zared619]

A-series is a good route as well. Since he isn't doing any gaming at all, I put the celeron because it tends to be more efficient than the a-series. Both are good options though.

 

[SinisterSalad]

Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147098
-I've used this in several builds, haven't had any issues, and it looks nice and sleek.
DVD-RW - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
-Any cheap one should do.
OS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
-Look around, you may be able to find it cheaper
SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236
-Again, used in several builds, including my own.
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148559
CPU/MB Combo deal - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1051831
-I like the board for the different video connections, and USB 3.0

It's over the $400 budget by a bit, but the system would fly to him.
You could probably get the budget under by going with a cheaper CPU/MB combo and/or swapping out to a 250GB or 500GB HDD, if the $400 is absolute top budget. Also, if you have a Paypal account, sign up for an ebates account on ebates.com (my refer-a-friend link - http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=zMDz0uteOYqAIT5kJAQ8qg%3D%3D ) It gives me a percentage cash back for going through them. You'd probably get back like another $7 or so.


The Celeron route would be fine as Zared said. I just know that you have to go higher priced on the motherboards to get out of the H61 chipsets to get USB 3.0 He may not need it now, but would come in handy to make it last another 10 yrs.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-3650 2.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ CompUSA)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-A55M-DS2 Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($20.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex Plus R2 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.86 @ Amazon)
Total: $362.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-24 15:50 EDT-0400)

leaves plenty for a wi-fi card. I will assume about $20-25 for a G-class PCI card. the 120 GB SSD should be enough for his needs and the speed will amaze him.

 

[Kamen_BG]

Hi i made you a build.
It's going to be really really quick.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.68 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($30.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS224-06 DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.86 @ Amazon)
Total: $405.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-24 16:15 EDT-0400)

It's a bit overbudget but it's worth every peny.

 

[Rips]

One of these should work, thanks for your help everyone.

 

[yyk71200]

Hmm... If usage is surfing the internet and money is so tight, maybe you should try Linux?

 

[zared619]

One of these should work, thanks for your help everyone.

Glad that we could help!

 

[Rips]

Best answer selected by rips.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

thanks, and good luck