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Wife has made it very clear that she wants a new desktop. This has got my long dormant builder junky senses tingling. I've been out of the hardware game for a long time, so I thought I would turn to my favorite group of hardware junkies to help plan my next project. The end result is for her, but it is practically a gift to me that I get to build a PC again.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Web browsing, photoshop (well, GIMP anyway), video watching, massive music and media collection sorting/itunes/etc. Wife has some carpal tunnel syndrome issues so doesn't spend a TON of time on the computer at home. Need it to be fast and reliable to minimize her frustration. Need massive, reliable, accessible hard drive space. Her media collection (all of it legitimate) is absurd.
Needs to be minimal to 0 chance of stuttering or chugging when messing with videos, audio, playing stuff from the net, etc.
As much as I try to get her interested in gaming, it isn't a primary interest for her both because of the carpal tunnel syndrome issues and a general lack of interest in such things.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$400 (including tax/shipping), we can stretch higher if we have to, but would prefer to keep costs down. Getting under budget would also be greatly appreciated by our bank accounts, if the cost to performance isn't high. Just not sure where the sweet spot is right now for a machine that will meet her needs for years to come.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US, Northern California, north of Sacramento by a couple hours.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
"Everything"... I kid, I kid. But really, everything you stuff in the box, box included. Case, CPU, RAM, GPU, Mobo, PSU, HDD(s), DVD/CD reader/burner (blu ray reader not necessary unless can be found cheap) ,extra fans if needed (probably not for this build, quiet final build is a bonus), CPU heatsink if you think it necessary, or could just slap the stock one on that comes with the cpu.
Oh, also, will need a good wifi adapter. Can be one that hooks in by usb (as long as it isn't intrusive) or can be one built into the case.The way our den is arranged there is no clean way to get a ethernet cord to our router unobtrusively and she hates extra cords, hence the need for wifi built in.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Have spares of all the peripherals (monitor, mouse, keyboard).
Won't be reusing any hardware from in the case or the case itself. The current machine is painfully ancient, an HP a706n from 2003. I refurbbed for her as best i could about five years ago (more ram, best gpu I could find that would fit in it, etc) but it's end of life has come as her patience has run out.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Not on this. Since it is the wife's computer, stability is a high priority.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Current monitor is a 20" Acer AL2016W. 1680x1050 res. Could get her a better monitor, but it isn't something she cares about particularly.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Between now and X-Mas, whenever costs are good. Technically an X-Mas present, but the wife and I are pretty flexible on when the gifts happen.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
No special needs from the Mobo on this one.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, have several legitimate Windows 7 licenses (both 32 bit and 64 bit) ready to be deployed.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Web browsing, photoshop (well, GIMP anyway), video watching, massive music and media collection sorting/itunes/etc. Wife has some carpal tunnel syndrome issues so doesn't spend a TON of time on the computer at home. Need it to be fast and reliable to minimize her frustration. Need massive, reliable, accessible hard drive space. Her media collection (all of it legitimate) is absurd.
Needs to be minimal to 0 chance of stuttering or chugging when messing with videos, audio, playing stuff from the net, etc.
As much as I try to get her interested in gaming, it isn't a primary interest for her both because of the carpal tunnel syndrome issues and a general lack of interest in such things.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$400 (including tax/shipping), we can stretch higher if we have to, but would prefer to keep costs down. Getting under budget would also be greatly appreciated by our bank accounts, if the cost to performance isn't high. Just not sure where the sweet spot is right now for a machine that will meet her needs for years to come.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US, Northern California, north of Sacramento by a couple hours.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
"Everything"... I kid, I kid. But really, everything you stuff in the box, box included. Case, CPU, RAM, GPU, Mobo, PSU, HDD(s), DVD/CD reader/burner (blu ray reader not necessary unless can be found cheap) ,extra fans if needed (probably not for this build, quiet final build is a bonus), CPU heatsink if you think it necessary, or could just slap the stock one on that comes with the cpu.
Oh, also, will need a good wifi adapter. Can be one that hooks in by usb (as long as it isn't intrusive) or can be one built into the case.The way our den is arranged there is no clean way to get a ethernet cord to our router unobtrusively and she hates extra cords, hence the need for wifi built in.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Have spares of all the peripherals (monitor, mouse, keyboard).
Won't be reusing any hardware from in the case or the case itself. The current machine is painfully ancient, an HP a706n from 2003. I refurbbed for her as best i could about five years ago (more ram, best gpu I could find that would fit in it, etc) but it's end of life has come as her patience has run out.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Not on this. Since it is the wife's computer, stability is a high priority.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Current monitor is a 20" Acer AL2016W. 1680x1050 res. Could get her a better monitor, but it isn't something she cares about particularly.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Between now and X-Mas, whenever costs are good. Technically an X-Mas present, but the wife and I are pretty flexible on when the gifts happen.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
No special needs from the Mobo on this one.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, have several legitimate Windows 7 licenses (both 32 bit and 64 bit) ready to be deployed.
