Budget PC Help $600 ish

[DarkKiller]

My aunt asked me to help put her together a basic computer today. Not sure how much all I can fit into this computer. Only thing she really mentioned she would like to have is an SSD maybe something around the 30-60. Which will probably be the only HD in the computer because she isn't in need of any large storage and doesn't use tons of space. She is a very impatient person when It comes to computers so she wants loads to be snappy. If need be I can add another HD later for her.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Web surfing, really light gaming, and card games, other basic random programs etc. Nothing super demanding/serious.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included? Around $600ish.

3) Where do you live? Central Cali. About an hour from Fry's, hour and a half from Micro.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? Everything, including monitor, mouse, keyboard, tower. Starting all from scratch.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Nothing to re-use.

6) Will you be overclocking? Most likely not.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have? Looking to get a 20-23inch don't need anything super special, she has slight vision problems so she just wants to be able to see it.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Ordering this week.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? Nothing major probably Latest USB 3.0/SATA 6gb/s.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? Plan on buying win 7 64

 

[Dangman]

So OS is part of the budget as well?

 

[DarkKiller]

I would like it to try and be. If it can't be worked in I will probably just do that on the side.

 

[tonytnnt]

Are you willing to drive the 90 minutes each way to Microcenter? How much is that worth to you?

 

[Dangman]

Prelim build:
$60 - AMD Athlon II X2 250 CPU
$55 - Biostar A880G+ AMD 880G mATX Motherboard
$36 - Patriot PSD34G13332 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$125 - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SSD
$20 - Sony AD-7261S-0B SATA DVD Burner
$42 - Antec Earthwatts Green EA380D 380W PSU
$40 - Cooler Master Elite 310 RC-310-BWN-GP ATX Case
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit OEM
$120 - Samsung B2030 20-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor
----
Total: $598 shipped

I went with Amazon.com as much as possible to avoid CA tax.

 

[tonytnnt]

Now that I have a bit more time...

First, I would probably spend $3 more to get the newer, faster Crucial M4.
$128 - Crucial 64 GB M4 SSD

Second, if the drive to Microcenter isn't too far for you, consider getting the AMD Phenom II X4 840 combo with either the Biostar A780L3G AM3 760G mATX or the MSI 880GM-E35 Socket AM3 880G mATX for about $100 and $110 respectively after rebate and before taxes. Don't forget to factor in your time and the drive into those costs, but it'll be a quad core processor in the same price range as the CPU + motherboard Danny suggested. Alternatively, if you'd like a three or four core processor, it's just $15 and $40 more than the dual core Danny suggested.

A dual core chip should be able to handle most of the described tasks just fine, but if she's playing some poorly programmed flash games, or surfs the web with a lot of tabs open at once, it's possible that her CPU will become a bottleneck.

 

[DarkKiller]

Thanks for the help you two, appreciate it. I'll go with Dannys build and the $128 SSD. I think I will try to go with the quad core, which one was it that you had in mind for $40 more?

I just realized I can get the student edition of win 7 pro x64 for 30 bucks, so that will shave a decent amount off there to put into other areas. I am not sure how willing I am to head down to Microcenter as it might not be too cost effective.

 

[tonytnnt]

$100 ($40 more) - AMD Phenom II X4 640 (3.0GHz)
$105 ($45 more) - AMD Phenom II X4 840 (3.2GHz)

Despite what the Amazon page says, the Phenom II X4 840 is a Propus core and not a Deneb. The only difference between these two chips is that one is 3.0GHz and one is 3.2GHz. Beyond that price I would start thinking of getting an Intel processor, but you'd be looking at $80+ over your original budget because of Intel's more expensive motherboards.

 

[DarkKiller]

Alright, I am going over to her place later to talk to her about all the stuff, just as an option to present to her what would be the intel setup?

 

[Dangman]

just as an option to present to her what would be the intel setup?

It's gonna cost $120 more. That fine?

 

[DarkKiller]

That is more than fine, and thanks for all the help you guys have been giving me. I know I have been asking a lot of you all ha.

 

[Dangman]

Oops, not $120 more like I though:
$122 - Intel Core i3-2100
$70 - Biostar H61MH H61 mATX Motherboard
$36 - Patriot PSD34G13332 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$128 - Crucial M4 64GB SSD
$20 - Sony AD-7261S-0B SATA DVD Burner
$42 - Antec Earthwatts Green EA380D 380W PSU
$40 - Cooler Master Elite 310 RC-310-BWN-GP ATX Case
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit OEM
$120 - Samsung B2030 20-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor
----
Total: $678 shipped

 

[tonytnnt]

$70 - Biostar H61MH H61 mATX Motherboard

To OP: How important is SATA 6Gb/s and USB 3.0? The above motherboard does not have it.

If you want those features, it'll be another $20.

$90 - MSI H67MA-E35

 

[DarkKiller]

Looks like the verdict is that Intel setup, getting ready to order and going over a few last things. Should I assume that I should also order a 2.5 adapter for the SSD or do they come with one?

Also, would it be possible to go with a case something like the Coolermaster elite 341 mATX. or should i just stick with the one recommended because of cooling/airflow reasons?

 

[Dangman]

Looks like the verdict is that Intel setup, getting ready to order and going over a few last things. Should I assume that I should also order a 2.5 adapter for the SSD or do they come with one?

You will have to order a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter

Also, would it be possible to go with a case something like the Coolermaster elite 341 mATX. or should i just stick with the one recommended because of cooling/airflow reasons?

The Elite 341 is a good case to go with if you're willing to spend the extra cash. Add another fan to it and you'll be set.

 

[wwischerath]

Looks like the verdict is that Intel setup, getting ready to order and going over a few last things. Should I assume that I should also order a 2.5 adapter for the SSD or do they come with one?

Depends on the SSD. Some come with an adapter