computer for my dad

Dr Studly

Dr Studly

banned
ok my dad wants to build a computer...
he is going to use it for checking mail and everything that is in Microsoft Office 2003 Pro... and mebbe a little music...

his budget is $300-$550 give or take $50...
what is the best in that prive range... cheaper is better (and he wants 1GB ram) no games!!!

:)

i have already seen the sticky about this... i just would like a few more ideas :)
 
Does form factor for case/mobo/psu matter?

And for ram, DDR 400 Ok? If so, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440 looks good.

And, how much space for HDD? CD-DVD, burner, or what?

Give a more info and I'll give more info. ;)

EDIT: Off the top of my head, some reliable but cheapish parts that you could use:

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
CD-DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131014
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131558
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811180030
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103428

I have the case, PSU, and drives in my newly built system. I can vouch that they are good, but the case LEDs are a little bright. Unplug them if necessary.
 
Last edited:
Encore4More said:
ok my dad wants to build a computer...
he is going to use it for checking mail and everything that is in Microsoft Office 2003 Pro... and mebbe a little music...

his budget is $300-$550 give or take $50...
what is the best in that prive range... cheaper is better (and he wants 1GB ram) no games!!!

:)

i have already seen the sticky about this... i just would like a few more ideas :)
Click to expand...

Alright. That budget will barely buy Windows XP and Office 2003 Pro. Considering the computer skills required for "everything" in MS Office 2003 Pro, I recommend a system running Free or OpenBSD, Crossover Office, and MS Office. You'll need less RAM that way and a less high-end processor. Everything else is personal preference.
 
Rev, he lives in Wisconsin.

For what he's using the computer for, i would recommend buying a computer at Best Buy or Circuit City. They usually have really good deals on basic desktops, you can get some for around $250-$350 after all the savings.
 
He wouldnt need a video or sound card, since integrated would be more than enough for his uses.

I would recommend a AMD Sempron CPU, microATX mobo w/ATI Xpress video, 512MB DDR400, and a 120GB SATA drive.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138268
This mobo has lots of deals with AMD CPUs so it should be good

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148039 first one that came up, looks good. Seagate

Sound card: Dunno if you need one, but if you want one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102178. I would go for integrated audio, but its your choice.

Since the mobo I gave only has 2 RAM slots, I would use the RAM I suggested earlier so you don't need to replace it if you want to upgrade. If you don't want to upgrade, just get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141413

Mobo has onboard video, but if you really want a GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150041.

I just made this in 5 minutes, so go with whatever you want here. Just my suggestions.
 
Last edited:
I agree with omega for buying it from Best Buy or something of that sort.

i would get a simple Celeron or P4 since he wont be gaming, then a gig of ram, and a simple hard drive with intergrated graphics.
 
bigsaucybob said:
I agree with omega for buying it from Best Buy or something of that sort.

i would get a simple Celeron or P4 since he wont be gaming, then a gig of ram, and a simple hard drive with intergrated graphics.
Click to expand...

But he said his dad wants to build one...
hard drive with integrated graphics? I want one.:)
 
mrbagrat said:
But he said his dad wants to build one...
hard drive with integrated graphics? I want one.:)
Click to expand...

1.yea but for the low price budget the hp or compaq computers will be much better cause they usually use lower priced parts that will be sufficent for his dads needs. but if he wants to build he can

2.im pretty sure most people can get accross wat i was trying to say.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top