1000$ family computer

oregon · Apr 7, 2008

My parents want an office computer to use for typing, internet, music, and as the base for a printer network. It doesn't need a nice video card, probably just integrated graphics. I was thinking of getting a fast processor though, maybe an e8400 or q6600. Would these be noticeably quicker than say an e2200, or stay "fast" longer? Our old computer seemed fast, but is terrible now. I don't know why, since we still do the same stuff.

We also have two nice printers, and want wireless. Apart from print sharing, what is best? I know HP has a wireless printing upgrade, and then there are print servers, but reviews on newegg say they are all really complicated and error prone. Anyone find one that works well?

Ramodkk · Apr 7, 2008

Can you shop from Newegg.com (only USA)? Do you need monitor, keyboard, mouse or speakers? Do you need an operative system?

vonfeldt7 · Apr 7, 2008

Well the reason that an old computer seems slow is because it gets bogged down by virus' spyware, etc.

Try reformatting it (and backup needed documents).

$1000 is overkill if all you're going to do is surf the web, use email, and make cds. (Then again, this is coming from someone who spend $1800 on a gaming/video encoding machine, and it seems all I ever do is surf the web).

Gareth · Apr 7, 2008

I am selling a Core 2 Quad PC on eBay for $659.99 if you are interested

a Core 2 Quad would be much faster than a E2200, however, as said above, your PC may be bogged down with Spyware and Viruses?

I found the best places to build PCs is Newegg, mwave and ClubIT.

Ramodkk · Apr 7, 2008

oregon · Apr 7, 2008

I will shop at either newegg or dell, and we need everything except keyboard and mouse.

What processor and mobo would you suggest? I was thinking of getting integrated graphics.

oregon · Apr 7, 2008

That looks like a pretty solid build but its the family computer, so I was thinking a little more lowend. I guess I did say $1000, but that was more like the absolute max with monitor, router/print server, etc.

Nice suggestions, I think I will definitely get the speakers, card reader, dvd drive. I don't think we need such a good graphics card even if it is a great price like that. I was thinking along the lines of 8400/8500 if not integrated.

Cleric7x9 · Apr 7, 2008

ramodkk has put together a very powerful system above, i second his recommendation

Ramodkk · Apr 7, 2008

Cleric7x9 said:
ramodkk has put together a very powerful system above, i second his recommendation

Thanks!

*UPDATE*

If you really don't think you need a video card, here's how it would look and I also added the monitor which I forgot on my last post

cohen · Apr 7, 2008

ramodkk said:
Thanks!

*UPDATE*

If you really don't think you need a video card, here's how it would look and I also added the monitor which I forgot on my last post

DVD Burner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182017

Speakers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Card Reader:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223073

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131186

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Windows Vista 32-Bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202

TOTAL w/Shipping: $1,016.87

Looks good - very nice setup and should be very good for you and your parents.

ETSA · Apr 7, 2008

I would not buy a rosewill PSU, very poor quality. A 22 inch monitor is overkill I think, despite the killer price. They also make a similar ASUS mobo that has wireless.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196

Also, if you want 4GB of memory go with a 64 bit OS, which I wouldn't recommend anyways. Otherwise go with a little faster and 2GB more than enough for what you described.

Ramodkk · Apr 7, 2008

ETSA said:
I would not buy a rosewill PSU, very poor quality. A 22 inch monitor is overkill I think, despite the killer price. They also make a similar ASUS mobo that has wireless.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196

Also, if you want 4GB of memory go with a 64 bit OS, which I wouldn't recommend anyways. Otherwise go with a little faster and 2GB more than enough for what you described.

1) Rosewill PSU's are NOT poor quality PSU's
2) I agree, Maybe he could save the ~$50 and get a 19" instead
3) That motherboard does not have onboard video
4) You can still use ~3.5GB of RAM on 32-Bit
5) Speed on the RAM is not going to compensate for the extra 2GB

ETSA · Apr 7, 2008

Ramodkk · Apr 7, 2008

I agree with most of it

But I don't think they need such $130 case. The Centurion 5 will do for $50, even the Elite 330 for $40

And a family computer will get more out of the Q6600 than the Wolfdales IMO but again, that price is tempting.

And that monitor is a good choice, I have it and it rocks!

maroon1 · Apr 7, 2008

Here are the motherboards with Integrated graphics that I recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128085

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078

oregon · Apr 7, 2008

Thanks for the mobo recommendations maroon1, those look like they are perfect.

I still want to know though, do you guys think its worth it to get a high end CPU for office work? Will it be noticeably different than an e4xxx or e2xxx?

Ramodkk · Apr 8, 2008

For office work you should be ok with the E2xxx series. I don't think it would be worth the $ for a Q6600 for example unless you have a multitasking-office!

oscaryu1 · Apr 8, 2008

The more multitasking, the better the processor. However, if you can overclock, that'll do fine also.

oregon · Apr 9, 2008

We don't multitask much. I'd say the max would be firefox, cd burning, powerpoint, and perhaps a movie. In these conditions I think an e2xxx or e4xxx would perform equally with an e8400 (especially if they were overclocked). Agree?

And what about startup time? Our old comp took about five minutes to start up... will the processor choice make much difference with regards to startup?

And finally, is integrated video fine for all the things I mentioned?

thanks guys for the thoughts

Ramodkk · Apr 9, 2008

Well, yes mainly for office work, an E2xxx overclocked a bit may be very close to the E8400 in stock. Load up times will be a breeze with that CPU/RAM.

1000$ family computer

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