Building a Computer for my Dad

[thegloaming]

Hey guys,

Two years ago I came to HF when I needed help building my first custom PC. The assistance I received was so exceptional, I decided I would return whenever I needed additional help. Well, the time has come, my friends, and I'm sure you won't let me down this time either.

My dad needs a PC for a modest price in order to run a single program: RealFlight G3. Here are the minimum/recommended specifications for the program:

Minimum

• Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98
• Intel® Pentium® 1.0 GHz or equivalent
• DirectX 9 (or above) feature-compatible video and sound card
3D accelerated video card with 32MB (or more) RAM (e.g., Nvidia GeForce 5200, ATI Radeon 9600)
• 256 MB RAM
• 1.3 GB hard drive space
• USB Port​

Optimum

• Windows XP
• Intel Pentium 3.0 GHz or equivalent
• 3D accelerated video card with 128MB (or more) RAM (e.g., Nvidia GeForce 6800, ATI • Radeon 9800)
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.3 GB hard drive space
• USB Port​

Now, just because he claims he'll only need it for a single program, I don't want the machine to be so bare bones that it'll lose all utility if he ever needs to run anything else. Also, because, I don't want him to have a miserable time trying to get the game running under the minimum specs, we should frame our options based on the recommended specs.

It might go without saying, but he'll also need a license of Windows. Taking that out of consideration, he doesn't really want to spend more than $300. $200 would be more ideal, but I'm almost certain that is just too low for what he needs.

My plan is to listen your guys' input on components to buy over at NewEgg and then compare the final price with a pre-fab arrangement and then weigh the costs and benefits of each option. Basic economics at work, people!

As I've stated before, I can't do this without the help of the community. So please, if you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to respond. And, while price is important, I want to get a realistic number here, so suggest products you feel will fill the recommended requirements.

Thank you for your time and support.

- thegloaming

 

[Major_A]

Get a prebuilt computer, Windows XP Home OEM is $80 alone. Then you need to consider, CPU, motherboard, RAM, video card, hard drive, dvd/cd rom, case, and power supply. That comes in way over your budget.

 

[Crosshairs]

Go shop on Dell.com..they have some pretty good prebuilts for a price no one can build it for....

 

[digital_exhaust]

^^^Agreed^^^

Look at a Dell or something along those lines...

 

[thegloaming]

Well, it seems as if there's a consensus here. I'll look at pre-built options then.

 

[upriverpaddler]

And the optimum specs listed with be pretty darn good enuff to cover anything else he may want to do.

 

[LesterOfPuppets]

The only way to meet the optimum specs would be to get a used machine. The cheapest dell $279 after rebate only has a 2.5 GHz Celery in it. It only has onboard grafx.

Go for the Dimension E521 for $329 bare minimum. It's video performance is a couple of notches below the equivalent of a 6800, but it'll probably do. He can always get a better card later if so desired.