New PC for Mom.

[edtheguy]

It's time to build a general purpose pc as a birthday present for the maternal-unit, so here it goes:



Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: By the end of March

Budget Range: $600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Her life is facebook and online game sites (you know the ones - like big fish games etc. so not a lot of power needed)

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, she is going from a laptop to desktop.

Parts to Upgrade: all

Do you need to buy OS: Yes


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon

Location: City, State/Region, Country - U.S.A. (Maine - nearest microcenter is 2.5 hours, so nope.)

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: none, apu, pentium, whatever....

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Doesn't matter, see primary use.

Additional Comments: She's been trying to save up herself to get one for a while and has a birthday coming up so I would like to have it built by the end of march.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: She's been going through a laptop a year, and whenever she gets a virus or crashes chrome, or whatever else she manages, the best buy geeks hook her up with a BRAND NEW LAPTOP (of course), so I've finally talked her into breaking the cycle, especially since she only uses it SITTING AT HER DESK anyways.

On a side note, I want to set up admin priveliges when I install the os, so she doesn't keep installing all the "free" crapware, like weather channel live, daily news blurbs etc that I have to keep removing for her. Is there anything special I should consider?

 

[jacobsta811]

This is slightly overkill for a mom PC - you could go for a cheaper CPU like an A4 and it wouldn't make a difference to her. But, this is the best I think I can do at $600 for everything. I use an A10 simply because it is pretty similar to an i3-3220 plus better graphics performance for free, essentially. The same parts with a B75 motherboard and an i3-3220 would be just as good except in the 3d graphics department.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D76m
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D76m/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D76m/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($123.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Hitachi 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: V7 KC0A2-4L3P Keyboard Wired Standard Keyboard ($4.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech B100 Wired Optical Mouse ($5.49 @ Mac Mall)
Total: $601.14
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 16:09 EST-0500)

 

[edtheguy]

This is slightly overkill for a mom PC

That's what I was thinking too, I was looking at the APU's vs. Pentium G860, I like the build you've got there, she definitely doesn't need 3d graphics, since she spends most of her time popping 2d bubbles.


I think her current laptop has some sort of i5 with hd graphics, so I would think that this would perform better than that.

The only draw of the pentium, I guess, would be possibly upgrading in the future, but I can't see that really being necessary for her use.

 

[adrianc1]

as you said if your mum just uses pc to check the internet and to play 2d games why not get the a6 or a8 cpu ? you will save couple of bucks and the mobo you chose is good but the cpu as someone said is an overkill and 8gb ram?? my Dad uses 1gb and thats too much for him and he does the same things as your mum probably? so i would rethink and lower down the specs because with those specs thats a low budget gaming pc to be honest and i could run bf3 smoothly on this with this integrated card

 

[cball1311]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($123.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($23.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Acer G236HLBbd 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft Desktop 400 Wired Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $565.65 ($570.66 before rebates)
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 16:35 EST-0500)

4GB RAM will be plenty for facebook and stuff. Larger HDD for $4 more. Much better mouse and keyboard.

 

[cball1311]

This is nice case: http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=113
Can you cball put in that set SSD ?

I was thinking something like this but price is too high.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D7Ep
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D7Ep/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/D7Ep/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Pentium G640 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor ($65.98 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.97 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $573.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 16:51 EST-0500)

I don't think that Mom is going to be worried about a few seconds for faster load times with an SSD. Just a waste of cash. And why the aftermarket cooler. Again, more waste. $109 for a case on this budget is ridiculous. You forgot the monitor and peripherals. Not to sound crass but just think about who the build is for and the purpose.

 

[Azn Cracker]

I think the AMD apu builds are perfect for you mom.

 

[smorizio]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/408966/Pentium_G2020_29GHz_LGA_1155_Boxed_Processor
60.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/400847/1TB_7,200_RPM_SATA_60Gb-s_35_Internal_Hard_Drive_DT01ACA100_-_OEM
60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157303
70.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/382073/Ballistix_Sport_4GB_DDR3-1333_%28PC3-10600%29_CL9_Desktop_Memory_Kit_%28Two_2GB_Memory_Modules%29
26.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/403970/SH-224BB-BEBE_SATA_DVD-RW_Burner
17.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/399981/Builder_Series_CX500_500_Watt_ATX_12V_Power_Supply
45.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/323929/V3_Black_Edition_ATX_Mid_Tower_Computer_Case
20.00
328.00 for the pc.
100.00 for the windows os.
I would spend 40.00 more on the build and drop a nvidia 620 card.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/394066/ZT-60502-10L_NVIDIA_GeForce_GT_620_Synergy_Edition_1024_MB_DDR3_PCIe_Graphics_Card
a lot of online games are written for nvidia or the ati gpu.

 

[cutebeans]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($68.76 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Acer G205HVbd 20.0" Monitor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($16.89 @ Amazon)
Total: $482.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-12 20:47 EST-0500)

The builds are ridiculously expensive.

A G860 would be best.

 

[smorizio]

got make mom one of these two cases...
http://humaninbox.blogspot.com/2005/09/annarchys-my-little-pony-case-mod.html
http://www.snapstream.com/community/articles/tvtoaster/

 

[edtheguy]

got make mom one of these two cases...

Muahahahaha.... I love it!
But.. No.

I don't think that Mom is going to be worried about a few seconds for faster load times with an SSD. Just a waste of cash. And why the aftermarket cooler. Again, more waste. $109 for a case on this budget is ridiculous.

Um, yeah that's pretty spot on. Won't be doing her an SSD, cooler, or hundred buck case.

I do like that Fractal Design box though, I'll file that away for later.

as you said if your mum just uses pc to check the internet and to play 2d games why not get the a6 or a8 cpu ?

Good point, kicking that around in my head too, the A10 fits in budget though so I might just do that anyway.

I like the look and $$ of cball's build, gonna give it some thought and check back in later.

 

[edtheguy]

So I checked with my son, who replaced his mouse and keyboard with "gaming peripherals" and we're gonna use his old ones, so after looking at the suggestions here this is what I'm thinking.

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg) - I have more faith in this than that Toshiba (which is probably fine, but....)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($34.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE198T 19.0" Monitor ($108.98 @ Newegg) - The draw here is it's a $100 monitor with speakers and small screen is fine for her.
Total: $562.88

(all priced through newegg since I'm a lazy shopper and will probably just make one order...)