Build Help: Office Computer

P

pc1x1

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 1, 2008
Messages
1,165
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Web Browsing, Quicken, Quick Books, AOL, Microsoft Office, and Anti Virus, and Firewall, Music.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Cheapest possible, but still capable for any and all office applications. No gaming, so intergrated is fine, however I would like it Aero Capable, and can run Vista Ultimate on Max Settings (LOL).

3) Where do you live?
USA

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Entire Computer, minus Case and DVD Drive. No Floopy, or Smart Media needed, Barebones.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Case, DVD Drive, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
24 1920x1200

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Right now

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Does it turn on? USB ports are nice :).

Comes that time of the year, where one would like to upgrade their parental units machine. Heavy Freecell and GNU Backgammon gaming, so it must be pretty beefy. Just need a cheap, no frills, computer. Cheaper the better, Don't mind using old tech, as long as its good.

Main goal, is to make it boot fast, and do office activities fast. As cheap as possible.

Thanks! I am working on a build as we speak in the Egg, and will mix and match with feedback :).

ps. Just Tower, no keyboard, monitor, speakers, etc, everything else is on hand.
 
Look at a few bargain sites, like slickdeals.net or gotapex.com, for some sales on prebuilt towers. You could also check out the Dell Outlet store for some great deals on refurbished systems.

That said, how's that build list coming?
 
Pretty good albeit, I am terrible at being cost effective, damn you rebated Power and Cooling PSU's, so yea, X_X
 
Here's a tip: Don't use after-rebate prices. Total everything up as if you were paying for them at this very moment.
 
Do you need an OS? If so, pre-built is probably your cheapest option. A case and DVD drive can be found for as cheap as $50 total, so thats the most you'd save by building it yourself.

For example... on gotapex.com:
Dell Small Business - Dell Vostro 220 Mini Tower with 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of Memory, 250GB Hard Drive and 19" LCD Monitor for $399!

Personally, I'd remove the monitor and pick up this system for just $319! The upgrades are also pricey here so I'd upgrade the memory from Crucial and pick up this system for the kids or the guest room. DELL VOSTRO 220 MINI TOWER COMPUTER DEAL
Click to expand...

Since you already have a 24", drop the monitor and get the system for $319. Price that out...

- Intel Core2Duo E7300
- mATX Intel G33 mobo w/ Integrated 5.1ch audio + 10/100/1000 NIC
- 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800
- 250GB 7200RPM SATA HDD
- DVDRW SATA
- Vista Home basic
- Cheap 300W PSU + mATX case, black
 
hey Enginurd, thanks for the feedback on the previous computer, it was great.

No need for an OS, I am on Tech Net.

Dell deals are nice, but I prefer building whenever possible, just since its in my own home, I can mess with it without remorse hehe.
 
LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$109.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$34.99

ASUS M3A78 AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
$79.99

ASUS EAH3650 SILENT MAGIC/HTDP/512M Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$54.99

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

-$140.00 Instant
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$109.99

AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

-$20.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo

$154.98

Subtotal: $544.93
Shipping: $36.16

Grand Total: $581.09

Minus

$60 after Rebate.

Not the cheapest thus far, but seems like a good quality machine, I don't want to penny pinch but if anyone has suggestions on making it a bit cheaper, I am open :).


ps. I have a spare Zalman 9200 Cooler, that I will use, as I believe Black Editions don't have Coolers.
 
You can drop down to a BFG LS 550W instead, for $67 from buy.com. You can also switch to a 780G mobo (ASUS M3A78-EM) and drop the vidcard. Those two changes will save you nearly $100.
 
LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$109.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$34.99

ASUS M3A78-EM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$78.9

BFG LS 550 Watt PSU
$67
$46.50 AR

AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

-$20.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo

$154.98

Subtotal: $445.86
Shipping: $36.16

Grand Total: $482.02


Anyone have any more ideas, It's tempting to drop down to a fast Dual Core, though I wonder how future proofed the computer would be, I'd like to get them a new computer in 4 years or so. Overall Parental Computer is pretty nice, They have a 24, Lachesis Keyboard, Logitech Mouse, 5.1 Speakers, etc, So don't want to cheap out to much hehehe, and figured might as well get them a nice Lian Li case, so I don't have to buy them another case for a long time. AOL and Office are the two most intensive applications used on the computer, so theoretically I could get away with a low spec system, As its currently a P4 Based computer running, but its showing its age. And AOL is a huge system bloatware, resource hog, but its wanted so X_X. Anyhow feel free to add Suggestions, etc. $300 would be nice as I could use Christmas money ;).

Ps. They KPC build is a nice budget build, but I swore to myself, I WILL NEVER put a CELERON based computer together, I apologize for my Bias. Except the Celeron A, I really don't like that chip, heh!
 
As nice as the Lian Li case is, you shouldn't spend a lot of money on a system that's going to be mostly involved with AOL and Microsoft Office. If those two tasks are the most intensive things that your parents will be using this system for, you could get a decent dual core (like the Intel E5200 or the AMD X2 5000+) and run with that. Since you're avoiding the prebuilt route, do you have an unused copy of Windows handy?

I suggest that you go with the following system instead:

$131 - Asus M3A78-EM & X2 5050e combo (free shipping on processor)
$36 - OCZ Fata1ity Edition 2x2GB DDR2 800 kit (free shipping)
$50 - Western Digital WD3200AAJS 320GB HDD (free shipping)
$75 - Antec NSK4480 case with Earthwatts EA380 380W PSU (free shipping)
=====
$292 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)

It's not pretty, and it isn't beefy, but it's more than enough for your parents' needs... all for around $300 (once taxes and shipping are accounted for). And no, you're not "cheaping out" with this setup.
 
Yes I have an Extra Retail Windows XP Pro, and a extra retail Windows Vista Ultimate.
 
pc1x1 said:
Ps. They KPC build is a nice budget build, but I swore to myself, I WILL NEVER put a CELERON based computer together, I apologize for my Bias. Except the Celeron A, I really don't like that chip, heh!
Click to expand...

KPC can use Pentium Dual Core E5200 which is sinful fast.
 
A Pentium 4 based system, the one your parents have should run just fine with any version of Vista and 2 or 4GB of RAM. RAM is way more important to basic Vista operations than the difference between a P4 and a Core 2. Pretty much any AGP video card that costs 50 bucks or more should run Aero just fine. If you want a new case - buy that. But I'd say your spending your inheritance on something unwarranted. :D

If all they are doing is office and AOL, just up the ram, potentially buy a faster vid card for aero and call it a day. I agree with Tiraides. You don't need to buy a quad core "superfly" system to run AOL and Vista. So just go cheap. A Pentium four is still a great processor for Office work and surfing.
 
Archaea said:
... A Pentium four is still a great processor for Office work and surfing.
Click to expand...

Depending on the office work being done and the P4, I may have to disagree. I use a P4B 2.8Ghz at my work, and its slow as a dog when I'm trying to multi-task (several PDF's open, several word docs/excel sheets, and a shitload of FF tabs). I wish it had HT, since my 2.4Ghz P4C w/ HT can do such a job just fine, but alas, I'm stuck with the B.

With that said, if they're still using a P4, I'm pretty sure a dual core would last them another 4yrs.

BTW, I built a system for a homie with that CPU/Mobo combo (M3A78-EM & X2 5050e) and it handles Vista Aero and everything else (HD video decoding, multi-tasking, etc) perfectly fine.
 
Its shamefully slow, but who's complaining my server is 700 mhz, hehe. But they are running on 1.8 ghz p4 willamette, no HT, its almost the original :). So you can imagine its horribly slow. Add AOL bloatware and it crawls.
 
LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$109.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$34.99

ASUS M3A78-EM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$78.9

OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2x2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail (The Official Memory of the Championship Gaming Series) - Retail

$35.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADV60000DOBOX
Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

$84.98

Subtotal: $344.85

Shipping: $36.16

Grand Total: $381.01

Prices are a little off, but not much from final.

What do you think, we may have a winner? :)
 
May I ask why you are going with the Lian Li case? It's nice and all, but you're spending more money on the case than you are on any other component... and that doesn't seem right to me.

Since shipping on the WD800AAJS ranges between $8-$10, you might as well spend the extra money on the WD3200AAJS. Because it has free shipping, you're actually spending less per GB with the WD3200AAJS than you would be by going with the WD800AAJS.
 
Case-
Processor:AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz($49.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

Motherboard:ASUS M3N78-VM AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 mATX($79.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131318

Memory-Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 ($16.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526

Graphics card: Integrated GF8200

PSU-Antec earthwatts EA430 430W($39.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

Case-Gigabyte GZ-X2SPD Mid-Tower($37.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233034&Tpk=G

Hard drive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM($54.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152052

Total: $329.44
 
tiraides said:
May I ask why you are going with the Lian Li case? It's nice and all, but you're spending more money on the case than you are on any other component... and that doesn't seem right to me.

Since shipping on the WD800AAJS ranges between $8-$10, you might as well spend the extra money on the WD3200AAJS. Because it has free shipping, you're actually spending less per GB with the WD3200AAJS than you would be by going with the WD800AAJS.
Click to expand...

While I totally agree with you, and goes agaisn't everything, my mom thought the case was pretty, lol. Although I said that was for one of my computers :D
 
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