Build for parents + what OS/bit?

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GJSNeptune

[H]F Junkie
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Mom's financing a new rig in time for dad's birthday, but it's really for the both of them. My mom's a pretty typical mom when it comes to computers. Dad's much more technology-inclined, but it's supposed to be a surprise for him. Normally I'd consult with him regarding the OS; the usual "stick with XP?" or "venture to Vista?"

Since I can't pick his brain about it, I thought I'd default to XP Home since they're used to it. I haven't used Vista that much, so it'd be a learning process for all three of us if I got it for them. Plus there's the issue of cost. I'm trying to keep this build to $600 or less. Newegg has XP Home OEM for $89.99. Vista Home Premium 32-bit is about $110 I think. Pretty significant difference.

The parts:

Cooler Master Centurion 541
Corsair 520HX
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane OEM
Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro
GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX
2x1GB Corsair XMS2 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200.10
Windows XP Home OEM
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D 120mm Fan
FilterRight 120mm Black Aluminum Fan Filter
Click to expand...

Current total with XP Home OEM: $558.23
Current total with Vista Home Premium 32-bit: $578.23


I'm kind of leaning towards Vista. My mom saw it on my girlfriend's laptop when she was in a folder full of pictures, and mom commented on how cool it looked or something. On the other hand, I don't think my parents would fully appreciate or utilize Aero. And then I have to choose 32- or 64-bit.

What have you guys gotten your parents lately, and how did they fare?

EDIT: My two concerns about going with Vista are its compatibility with programs my parents like and running Aero with onboard video.
 
Well I would go for Vista it's not /that/ much different than XP. Also 32bit. :)
 
Vista; but I'm going to recommend x64. Here's why:

Security
Security
Security

Just make sure the printer and other peripherals have x64 drivers.
 
Be sure to compare what you are getting in a custom built machine against deals from Dell, HP, etc. I don't recommend DIY computers for friends and relatives any more. Their needs are usually better served with a box from one of the major vendors.

You will get opinions going the other way too, but I'm speaking from my experience.
 
Spartacus said:
Be sure to compare what you are getting in a custom built machine against deals from Dell, HP, etc. I don't recommend DIY computers for friends and relatives any more. Their needs are usually better served with a box from one of the major vendors.
Click to expand...

It's an easy comparison. Quality versus shortcut. I know what's going into this system, and I know it can be easily upgraded.


I've edited my original post with some concerns. Basically software compatibility and running Aero with onboard video. My mom can't remain calm when something doesn't work, and I don't want her screaming for my dad to come help. And she needs speed. She has little patience, plus she's a nurse so she doesn't have much time at home.

Mom - Solitaire, pictures, heavy emailing between siblings and friends, lots of downloading pictures and such, and Internet. She still uses the AOL software, and I may try to get her to stop.

Dad - Solitaire, Internet, picture editing (sometimes into a slideshow with music).
 
Well you could always disable Aero if the Video card isn't up to the job, also I think Vista should be more reliable than XP once Service Pack 1 has been released.
 
AOL still makes their own software thing? wow... havent seen it since the late 90's, lol. Anyhow, I recently got Vista on my HTPC, and my parents love it. Though, on my mom's "new" system (E6400), I kept her on XP since Vista wasn't out yet. I recently upgraded her E6400 to a Q6600 (thanks Mark!) since she does a ton of photo and video editing, and is now asking about Vista, since she liked what she saw on my HTPC. She wants to add HTPC functionality to her system, since she, too, has a 37" Westy. I think she'll be buying Vista soon, which shouldn't be a problem since most of the software and all of her peripherals all have support for Vista. If your parents use any old software or have any old peripherals, I'd stick with XP unless they update their software/drivers (if an update is available).
 
I'm trying to find out how well Aero can run on the 690G chipset, but I'm not finding much. Anyone know? Any recommendations for a really cheap but better-than-onboard-graphics card?

I don't know about going 64-bit. I see them having problems with compatibility as it is. I'm pretty sure needing 64-bit drivers would only compound it.


Also: Newegg now has the Centurion 541 with free shipping and a $15 MIR. They also have the Seagate 7200.10 320GB for $79.99 with free shipping and coupon "HardocpHD05."
 
Vista 32bit.


PS: I thought you don't do MIR's? :D
 
Aero runs fine on my AsusM2A-VM, 690 chipset, radeon 1200 onboard graghics.

I recommend Vista Home premium x64, as long as you have the proper drivers. It flat out flies with 4gb or more memory. You can also boost the on board video memory to 1gb through the asus BIOS, which also helps.

Vista 32bit is also a good option, may as well keep up with the times with all your new hardware. Hard to say which software is compatible, but I have had no problems with my "old" software, Office XP in particular.
 
I'm only getting 2GB of RAM due to budget. I think I'm gonna go with Vista 32-bit. Something modern, a bit different, but less work than worrying about 64-bit drivers. They don't need a super computer.

I'm also getting the Corsair VX450 instead of the HX520 to save some cash. They don't need that much power anyway.
 
okey here is my suggestions.

vista = slower, WAY MUCH, but use 32 bit, exclude issues.
2nd, with amd, go for 800 mhz CL5, it works just fine, a 4800+ would help ALOT ;)

to do a cheap upgrade system proposal for my friends just to list something that can play COD4 wow and all that on max settings =) and keeps itself at 500 usd could expect even cheaper cause i just translated our expensive price in norway to usd.

Msi k9a2 (amd790X chipset) crossfire support
Corsair 2gb pc6400 800 mhz CL5
4800+
hd3850. lite-R

i have experienced with lotsa stuff, no intel machine can even come close to performance per usd.

cheaper memory due to amd platform, mobo, is quite cheap to be such compliant to new standards, and have CF support.
the cpu is the bottleneck, but it works well, powers the most, if they got some more cash a 5600+ 2mb is enough for any game out there, including crysis @medium with maybe some high settings 1-3 settings.

check out the price, and see how much performance ya really get for the money, clearly, you aint after gaming performance, i see the mobo you shown, is good, 2gb for parents, are enough.
the IGP should require a more powerfull cpu, a 4800+ remember IGP steals mem and cpu!!! keep that in mind.

antec sonata 3 is a shiny clean case with 500 watts psu, with 80+ % effeciency, reccon it, bought it to 2 friends and my gf, satisfied, ezy to work with =)
 
I swear, every time I check my Newegg shopping cart, another rebate has popped up.

Cooler Master Centurion 541 ($15 MIR)
_Corsair VX450 450W PSU ($10 MIR)
__Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI mATX
___AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane RETAIL
____4GB (4x1GB) Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 (TWIN2X2048-6400) ($24 MIR each)
_____Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10
______Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
_______Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D 120mm fan
________FilterRight 120mm Black Alum. fan filter
Click to expand...

Total with shipping: $622.27
Total after rebates: $549.27


I've read good things about the stock HSF, so I'm going to go with it. If I feel the temps are high, I'll order the Freezer 64 Pro once the MIRs hopefully come back.
 
GJSNeptune said:
I've read good things about the stock HSF, so I'm going to go with it. If I feel the temps are high, I'll order the Freezer 64 Pro once the MIRs hopefully come back.
Click to expand...

Yup, its great! I'm running my opteron 1.8Ghz @ 2.6Ghz with the 4-heatpipe stock cooler. :D
 
If you are buying 4gb, I would definitely go with x64. I believe that to be Vista certified, hardware manufacturers must provide 32 and 64bit drivers.

Drivers shouldn't be a problem with x64. If there are driver problems, such as an ancient printer or such, you will have problems with Vista 32 anyway. I am impressed with the overall performance increase on x64 vs 32. I had no problems whatsoever with the upgrade, and there was no cost involved other than paying MS to ship the media to me.
 
Well my girlfriend and I are cooking my parents dinner tonight, so I'll go into their office and look around at their peripherals.

I'm not sure about the 4GB of RAM, and I'm still teetering between 32-bit and 64-bit. How much does Microsoft charge for the 64-bit upgrade?
 
You can buy OEM or Retail Home Premium upgrade 64bit, from the getgo, or go with 32.

If you buy retail HP upgrade 32 your cost will be around $10 to $16 for them to ship the HP 64. OEM is not eligible for the 64 upgrade.

On another note, I recently bought a 2x2gb Gskill kit for around $85 for a total of 4gb, shipped from newegg. Ram is dirt cheap right now and would would recommend going with 2 2gb sticks. I now have 6gb including the 2 1gb sticks I already had.
 
I'd rather get two of the Corsair 2x1GB kits. They have a $24 MIR, so if they go through and I get the rebate, that's 4GB for about $50.
 
Nevermind. The rebate is only good for one kit. Well, the rebate has two different kits listed, so that's how you could get $48 back.

So I think I'm gonna go with 2GB of memory and Vista Home Prem. 32-bit.
 
i pushed my 5600+ 90 NM from 2.8 to 3.4 ghz on stock 4 heatpipe cooler, 3ghz on stock shitty am2 cooler, but they are quite! :D


okey, the 4 heatpipe unopened used that on a 5600 for my gf, no noise what so ever, when i fire up something like stress test or games, 15minutes is what it takes b4 it start making some noise :p

for the stock am2 cooler, its not enough really for being 5 stars for me in a stock cooler. it works on the 65 nm cpus ;)
 
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