New Computer For My Parents

D

Dokein

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Joined
Aug 25, 2004
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Just as a little background: this machine will be replacing a compaq presario - AMD K6-2 550mhz, 128mb ram, Windows 98SE computer that they have had since the mid 90s. That being said, I would like the replacement machine to last them just as long. They already have the following adequate peripherals: keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer/scanner, a monitor. So all they need is a base system.

It will be used for: mainly web browsing, wordprocessing, email, storing/burning digital pictures.

I'm looking to spend $300-400, and this is what I have come up with. Hopefully it will last them as long as the previous machine has.
AMD Semperon 2200+ Retail = $62
Foxconn Socket A Motherboard = $37
512MB Crucial DDR 400 = $47
Seagate 40GB 7200RPM Hard Drive = $54
Geforce FX5200 128MB 8x AGP (purely for the DX 9 support) = $32
CD Burner = $23
DVD-Rom = $18
Generic Black case and PSU = $29

Total price shipped = $337.07

I have extra fans, ide cables, and arctic silver, so I don't need to buy those. I also have an retail copy of Windows XP Home Edition (legit) that they can have.
Do I need a better power supply for this machine or will the one that comes with the case be alright?
Please revise and suggest any needed changes :) Any input would be much appreciated.
 
Looks like a good basic system that should last them a while. I am always leary of cases with included power supplies as they usually the weakest link (I have never heard of Mustang). You would probably do well trying to select a case without power supply and browse the FS forum for some used, higher quality units that will last. Here is a higher quality case/power supply.

It is a shame that Outpost.com is all sold out of their $149.00 systems as they had almost everything you listed (no, DVD, no burner, on board video, 128 RAM).
 
Save yourself some time and trouble. Have them order a prebuilt machine and let them deal with tech support. Trust me it will save you time and trouble.
 
For what they are doing, I wouldn't think that tech support would be necessary. The only thing I can think that would be a problem (ruling out hardware difficulties) would be internet, in which case they can call comcast for support. They have never needed to call compaq support before - either there wasn't any issue (can you believe that with such a shitty machine?!), or it was so easy to fix my mom, who is OK with computers, could figure it out. Besides, I would feel more confident in a machine that I built as opposed to some factory assembled Dell POS. :p
 
Shame you don't have another $100 to spend on the mobo and cpu. You could get a Venice 3000, 939 and a mobo with really decent integrated video, and be set for an even longer period of time.

You can get a combo DVD, CD, burner these days for a bit less than $40 shipped, rather than buy them individually and then not have DVD burning capability.

For the same cost as a 40gb hdd I think with a little searching you can find an 80gb for about the same cost, although it may be a WD instead of a Seagate. I understand the WD's now have a standard 3 year warranty.

Agree with you about Dell.
 
Most probably you may want to get a better PSU. What about speakers?
 
vsrdan said:
Most probably you may want to get a better PSU. What about speakers?
Click to expand...

I have speakers. What do you recommend for a psu? 450w?



oboyco said:
Shame you don't have another $100 to spend on the mobo and cpu. You could get a Venice 3000, 939 and a mobo with really decent integrated video, and be set for an even longer period of time.

You can get a combo DVD, CD, burner these days for a bit less than $40 shipped, rather than buy them individually and then not have DVD burning capability.

For the same cost as a 40gb hdd I think with a little searching you can find an 80gb for about the same cost, although it may be a WD instead of a Seagate. I understand the WD's now have a standard 3 year warranty.

Agree with you about Dell.
Click to expand...

I could probably chip in $100 if you think it would help a bunch. As for the dvd burner, I have considered just getting a dvd burner combo drive, but for what they would be doing, I think the ability to copy cd's would be more useful.
 
There is no need for more performance. Whoever suggested the Venice is forgetting what the purpose of this machine is.

That being said, I would upgrade the motherboard. Foxconn is not a good brand. A decent motherboard would be for example the A7N8X-X.
 
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