Grandparents Want a PC

[killercow]

My grandparents want me to build them a system to replace their 1995 compaq presario. Their complaint is they can't open the email pictures we send them in under 5 minutes. They also complain of lag and lack of memory. So they want me to build them one with a budget of ~$500. They only will be surfing the web on juno 56k, looking at pictures, and minimal typing. They want an Intel Pentium 4 processor over the AMD because they know nothing anout the AMD's. So I've set some stuff up.

Intel Pentium 4 @ 1.8 GHz (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=343&DEPA=1&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=4186,4425)
Intel D845PESV Mobo (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=13-121-201)
AOpen case with 300 watt PSU (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=11-130-103)
KINGSTON KVR333X64C25/512 512MB 32x64 PC2700 DDR RAM (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=20-144-202)
SONY CD-RW Model CRX225E1 52x24x52 - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-106-813)
SONY DDU1621(DDU1611) 16X DVD ROM Drive (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-131-001)
40 Gb WD HDD (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=22-144-126)

I would like some input on video cards. Remember this is not for a gamer and all they need to do is type, look at family pics, browse the web, and when my pre-school cousins come over, play PuttPutt travels through time :D :D :p :p
They have a monitor, however old it may be it still works.

BTW, they'll go amd when they hear they save around $60:cool:

[pave_spectre]

If gaming is not going to be an issue, ahve you considered a motherboard with integrated video rather than a seperate card? You may be able to save a few bucks that way.

[killercow]

Considered it but what are some good intel mobos with integrated video that will be compatible with what I got above. Also is there one for AMD just incase:p .

[Variable]

Hmm well one of the problems they are having, you said, is opening the pictures you send them via email slowly; This is most likly due to the 56 dial up on juno, Don't ya think? Why the DVD drive instead of a generic cdrom. Grandparents watch DVD's on the 14 inch monitor?
Just about any video card out in the last 3 years, will do what you say they want to do, so no worries there. Just buy whatever you can get with the cash you have left. Unless you just want the practice, I would just go get them a low end Compaq or emachine. Might even get them a bigger monitor and puter for under 500.
my 2 cents anyway

[Budfred]

Also, they are still going to take 5 minutes to download pictures if they are still going to be on dialup. That is a function of the dialup speed and the size of the picture rather than the speed of the system. It may open a little faster once they download, but it won't download faster.

I agree about the onboard video or they have a bunch of ATI video cards with 64Mb RAM at Newegg that are quite cheap. I believe I paid about $25 for one that works well for more demanding tasks than they want and that was about 6 months ago, so the price may be even better now.

For the CDRW and even the DVD, if you want to save them a bit more money look at the major chain sales. CompUSA has a Hi-Val DVD drive for $30 after rebate this week. BestBuy has a MediaStor (never heard of them) CDRW for $10 after rebates. OfficeMax has a Khypermedia (even more obscure) CDRW for $10 after rebates and a Pacific Digital DVD for $20 after rebates. Micro Center has a Hi-Val CDRW for $20 after rebate.

Along the same line: BestBuy has a Maxtor 40gig hard drive for $40 after rebates. And strangely enough, CompUSA has an 80gig Seagate for $60 after rebates.

[pave_spectre]

Boards with onboard video

AMD - Asus A7N266-VM : Nforce Micro ATX Motherboard, LAN/VIDEO/SOUND on board + AGP Slot
P4 - Asus P4S533-VM : SIS651GX - FSB533 - 3xDDR333 - ATA133 - 3PCI - 6xUSB2.0, AGP4X/64MB VGA shared - 6cha./A - MATX

I have no idea what sort of quality the boards themselves are you may want to check out some reviews.

[saphalline]

I would advise against a P4 for their budget. If they are adamant on going with Intel, get them a Celeron! A 2GHz Celeron is only $67 on Newegg.

As for the mobo, get one based on the older i865G chipset. One of the newest chipsets that supports all the latest cool features like HT and dual-channel DDR, not to mention onboard video. The Intel BOXD865GBF (ATX) and the Intel BOXD865GLC (micro-ATX) are both $99 on Newegg, though the ATX one has $4 shipping. :p

I also recommend you get just a single 256MB stick to keep costs down initially, then you can add a second stick later to take advantage of the dual-channel DDR.

Lite-On and other manufacturers also have CD-RW/DVD combo drives that cost less than two drives, so that's a thought also.

If you can convince your grandparents to go with AMD, they'll have a much better PC per dollar. An AthlonXP 1700+ is a mere $47, and a 2000+ T-bred is $60 (and would perform better than a Celeron 2GHz).

Even more impressive is the NForce2 IGP chipset with onboard video. The micro-ATX Shuttle MN31N got decent reviews and is only $87 after shipping. The AthlonXP will also do fine under a single stick of RAM.

[killercow]

Well my computer froze when I was first typing this so now I am re-typing it.:( .

What I meant when I said it took 5 minutes to open the pictures we send them (which I might have exaggerated a bit) I meant that once they're downloaded it takes an outrageous time for them to actually fully open.

Also about celerons, they have read articles in tech magazines and news paper articles and have heard that the celeron will "do bad things and not work for them" so I say go with an Athalon XP. So we are goin AMD people.

Acer CDRW/DVD combo drive (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-106-309)
Shuttle Motherboard for AMD processors Micro ATX, Model MN31N - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=13-150-041)
AMD athalon XP 1800+ (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=19-103-353)

Still with 40 gb WD HDD
they say they want 512MB ddr ram
Ill keep the same case with the 300 watt PSU
They said if I can get it to then under $500 to start shopping for a flat panel LCD.

Budfred, nice HDD deals ill look those up.

[gwallen4]

Look in the paper. You should be able to find a nice used P3 for about $200-250. Redo the operating system if necessary and Voila!

1000 MHz, 128-256 MB Ram, 20-40 GB HD, Win 98 or XP. They could probably do everything they want with a lot less system, but this will do it plenty fast and you'll have enough money for a nice LCD monitor which, after all, is all they'll see.

[Budfred]

I've heard some negative mumbles about Shuttle boards, you may want to check out some reviews before you put your money down.

I did see a 15" off brand LCD monitor about a week ago. I think maybe a Kogi at CompUSA. The sale is over, but if it was at that price once, it is likely to be again.

[saphalline]

Look in the paper. You should be able to find a nice used P3 for about $200-250. Redo the operating system if necessary and Voila!I would advise against a used system unless you want to be on-call tech support for your grandparents! :p Also, used systems usually come 'as is' with no warranty, meaning if anything goes wrong, it comes out of your (or your grandparents') pocketbook.

Not that you can't find good deals on used parts & systems, but I personally wouldn't want to dump one on anyone who doesn't know about computers. Besides, the system you can build for them will be far more powerful than any used PIII system you'll find!

As for the Celeron, this processor gets a bad rap. It isn't inherently flawed - it won't "do bad things" just because it's a Celeron. It's just not the most powerful CPU available today. Still, I agree with going AMD - far cheaper.

Yes, Shuttle mobo's aren't known for their reliability and tech support. How about the Soltek SL-75MRN-L (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1) for $96? Yes it's a bit more money, but you should never skimp on the mobo for any reason.

I wonder if your grandparents' current system is simply bloated? It probably has a lot crud on the Windows which is slowing the whole thing down. Probably has a paltry amount of RAM set aside for onboard video, too! ;) Take it off their hands for them and use it for yourself! Re-do it, put Linux on it, use it as a print server or something...

[JUAN DOS]

I regularly build PCs for folks, but cannot compete with deals like this for simple needs:
Dell DimensionTM 2400 $349 ($379 with modem) free shipping
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?CS=04&kc=6W300&oc=dim24min
2.2G Celeron
80G HDD
128mb DDR333 (skimpy, just add a stick)
17in (16.0 v.i.s.,.25dp)M782 Monitor [add $140] or
17 in (16.0 in v.i.s., .27dp)E773c Monitor [add $120]
With monitor keyboard & mouse for $500 plus or minus

[killercow]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=24-161-005
Any dislikes about the monitor?
Never heard of the company but for under $250 for a 15in LCD with integrated speakers is hard to compete with.

[mohamed adeni]

I do agree with Juan, just to see pic and to go on the web you can save your time by builind a pc for them, instead buy DELL, cheaper than $500. Only thing is you need to keep checking their web site for good deals.:cool:

[killercow]

Ok, I hear your oppinions, but them being my grandparents they want to support their grandson. I asked them about the Dell's but that's what they said. They're great grandparents:D . Any objections or suggestions on the monitor though.

[Budfred]

killercow,

Please clarify... I get the impression that you want to build this computer and your grandparents want you to build it rather than just buying a pre-built partly because they know you want to build it. Is this true???

Edit: Ooooppppssss, you responded while I wasn't looking and already answered my question... That said, I really support you for wanting to do the build and your grandparents ARE great for asking you to...

As for the monitor, the specs look fine to me, but I have never heard of the brand. I did see one on sale a week or so ago for a little less, but that is one of the best prices I have seen...

[killercow]

Budfred,

No how'd you get that?

They came to me asking if I could build them a PC to replace their old one. I said sure. They say get the specs and prices show them to us, shop for deals, and build.
Edit: oh ok.
THANKS!

[JUAN DOS]

Killercow,
I too was under the impression that the build is as much for your desires as theirs.
If the $500 budget is still a factor ($250 monitor??) then how in the heck are you going to do it?
A major rethink of either the PC or the dollars is in order.
The components you listed in the first post add up to $482.
IMO, the desired PC appears to cost out near $1000.
Granny's list will have Killercow at the top if you tell them that you can build the described PC for $500

[killercow]

JUAN, I found them a set up for $340. Thanks, they're just going to let me build them one.