Computer for mom

[Computer-Geek]

I'm building a computer for my mom and would like to know if the parts i picked so far are good.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119089

MotherBoard
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131041

VideoCard
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130075

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819116038

Memory
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820227118

Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148215

Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824001100

Combo Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106040

Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836121119

Keyboard & Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823109132

Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817153028
Subtotal: $823.89

She wants to keep it under 750 - 800.

Does anyone know if i picked the right memory? On newegg there was two choices for DDR2 667

[Spawn-Inc]

ya you got the right memory, whats the computer going to be used for? if its just internet and such you could probably get cheaper ram, and video card.

[Computer-Geek]

yup basically she wants to learn how to use a computer so i will change up the memory to 1 gb and find a cheaper videocard

[.Maleficus.]

Don't change to 1GB of RAM, you just don't need OCZ gaming-grade memory. Keep it at 2GB, and find something a little cheaper. But the video card you don't need to spend that much on. Unless you mom is a gamer. An Nvidia 6XXX series would suffice. You don't have an OS on there. I take it you will use Vista? THAT right there is why you need 2GB of RAM. Otherwise, it's a good setup. Comparable to a $1200 OEM I'd say.

[Computer-Geek]

I will be using Xp Pro on it and i changed up the memory and the video card. I will use the crt i have already.

Memory
2 x this http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820141187

Videocard
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814133155

Total so far is 556.90

[Spawn-Inc]

Don't change to 1GB of RAM, you just don't need OCZ gaming-grade memory. Keep it at 2GB, and find something a little cheaper.

my bad thats what i meant to say. no point in gaming ram without gaming.

But the video card you don't need to spend that much on. Unless you mom is a gamer. An Nvidia 6XXX series would suffice. You don't have an OS on there. I take it you will use Vista? THAT right there is why you need 2GB of RAM. Otherwise, it's a good setup. Comparable to a $1200 OEM I'd say.

ya i was going to add os but forgot. sounds like you got the price down a chunk, hope she likes it.

[Computer-Geek]

In the case description it mentions the front 120 mm fan and the two 80 mm rear fans but whats this duct on the side for If theres no fan there? http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9051/momcase1bn1.jpg

[Bucko]

That duct goes over the CPU, so the CPU fan sucks cool air in from outside the case.

[Computer-Geek]

Oh i should have figured that out :D

Edit:
I'm just thinking about changing from a intel cpu and mobo to amd.
Would this mobo and cpu be better than my intel parts ?

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131143
Cpu
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103741
Memory
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820211062

[Computer-Geek]

Can anyone answer the question in my last post ? :)

[Crazy Buddhist]

The Intel processor has one core that runs at 2.0Ghz, no hyperthreading and 1 x 512kb L2 cache.

The AMD processor has two cores running at 2.2Ghz each, hyperthreading and 2 x 512Kb L2 Cache and offers better multimedia support.

The AMD based system will run twice as fast on most applications and handle multiple tasks much more effectively.

Do you need more information? lol

EDIT: If your mom is going to use this for learning on and internet and stuff and you are running XP Pro I don't think you will see a vast system performance by having 2G of Ram over 1G - she just won't use it. Also it has onboard graphics that are probably fine for her needs:

from CNET review (http://reviews.cnet.com/motherboards/asus-m2v-mx-motherboard/4505-3049_7-32306755.html):

"CNET product brief
for ASUS M2V-MX - motherboard - micro ATX - K8M890

Description: The Asus M2V-MX is a VIA K8M890-based, PC motherboard. Compared to other PC boards on the market, it is inexpensive at around $65. This motherboard supports Athlon 64 XII, seMPron, Athlon 64, and Athlon 64 FX processors that use the Socket A interface.

Pros: Serial ATA hard drives can be used with this board, allowing the highest disk performance available in a non-SCSI system. This board supports up to 4GB of memory. This should be enough to satisfy even the most demanding user.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: For those who want to replace or upgrade their existing motherboard. The VIA K8M890 graphics on this board is adequate for most business users, but may not be suitable for multi-media, games, or graphic design work.

Value: Given its inexpensive price, this board has great features for the money. Also, this board supports USB 2.0, which allows you to seamlessly connect most modern peripherals."


All in all, imo, you could cut to 1G of Ram, no video card and build a great system for your Ma round this at well under her budget.

CrazyB

[Computer-Geek]

Thanks for the info! :D I need help finding a good socket am2 heatsink + fan. Is this (http://www.xoxide.com/thermatake-ruby-orb-hsf.html) a good one? Or should i stick with the stock cooling? Also i picked this (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813999504) fan controller is it good ? I will be using 2 of these (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811999612) 80mm fans and one 120mm. (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835705003) I will be using arctic silver on the cpu so would i need the cleaner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010) solution ?

[Elenril]

If your mum is only going to be using the computer for simple tasks like internet and office and whatnot, I don't think you'll need a fan controller or fancy CPU cooler. Before I upgraded my PC, I was running XP Pro with 1GB RAM and a 1.86GHz processor, as well as onboard graphics, and there was only one 120mm fan at the back of the case. I was doing word processing, graphics and internet at the same time, and it worked perfectly fine, albeit a slight lag when I loaded too many things at once.

I personally wouldn't get all the fancy shmancy accessories, just keep it simple and cheap. If you find that you need more later, you can upgrade, but I highly doubt you'll need to from the stuff she'll be using the computer for.

[Computer-Geek]

I guess i will go with cheaper fans and no fan controller or cpu cooler :D I will still use the artic silver though. Also the most i will do to the case is repaint it and maybe add a window :)

[Crazy Buddhist]

I guess i will go with cheaper fans and no fan controller or cpu cooler :D I will still use the artic silver though. Also the most i will do to the case is repaint it and maybe add a window :)

I think that is sensible. If your mum's enthusiasm grows so can the machine over time. But start simple as Elenril says. Fan controllers and the like seem a bit excessive.

Instead you could spend a little money making sure the fans you get are good quality ones that work well without making too much noise something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185028) and this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185035).

[Computer-Geek]

Thanks for the links !

[.Maleficus.]

Yeah, instead of spending money on the fancy stuff, spend more on the important stuff (mobo and CPU especially). It will be way more helpful in the long run.

[calumc]

if she is just starting out with computers id suggest going with some flavour of linux instead of xp. It will be more stable and for basic things its just as easy as windoze. The main thing that puts people off linux is just that its different from windoze and the dont want to change. So if she is just starting you might as wellget her started with linux and in the long run it would be a lot easier on you as you wouldnt be called everytime windoze crashes!

[Crazy Buddhist]

Here's a spec I've knocked up for you for your moms puter from Newegg for fun and cos I think you can save her lots of bucks and give her a great machine. Most of it is stuff you had already but read the notes at the bottom too:

PSU & Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027) $109.98
APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 ATX 500W Power Supply - Retail COMBO DEAL WITH:
CHENBRO SR20969-BK-H Black SECC Compact Server/Workstation Chassis - Retail
(there is a $10 mail in rebate too but not sure if u get this on the combo)

Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131143) $54.99
ASUS M2V-MX Socket AM2
(the one you had chosen most recently)

CPU (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103741) $74.99
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
(the one you had chosen most recently)

Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144062) $69.99 after mail in rebate
GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230) $53.99
Seagate Barracuda 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s


Optical Drive (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106040) $24.99
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM
(the one you had chosen)

Monitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009091) $179.99
Acer AL1916WAbd Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor

Keyboard and Mouse (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126174) $29.99
Logitech Cordless Desktop

Speakers (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836121119) $39.99
Logitech X-230 32 Watts 2.1 Black Speakers
(the one you had chosen)

Total $638.99

Notes:

The PSU and case deal is a good one and will also save you buying extra fans as there are 2x 120mm ones installed in the case.

Less money into the hard drive: 160Gb is more than enough for someone new to computers for a couple of years or more.

More money into memory and went against my advice earlier to get 1G - the Geil deal is a really good one and she will one day want the extra when she has to upgrade to Vista.

The Samsung monitor you had picked only had D-sub analogue input. The Acer one above has both D-Sub and DV-I. Might not seem important now but when you want to add a video card later it is going give more flexibility.

$13 extra to get a wireless keyboard and mouse is a bargain and well spent money.

Don't know where you'd got to with your pricing at this point. Hope something above is truly helpful ... it's kept me busy for an hour ;)

Matthew

[Computer-Geek]

nice Job on the list CrazyB sory for the late reply lol.I like the case and cpu combo deal but my mom picked that case not me. I think i will go with the memory you picked out. I will ask my mom if she wants a wireless keyboard and mouse or not but i dont think she would like having to switch out batteries every couple of weeks. I will think about adding the lcd monitor :)

[Crazy Buddhist]

nice Job on the list CrazyB sory for the late reply lol.I like the case and cpu combo deal but my mom picked that case not me. I think i will go with the memory you picked out. I will ask my mom if she wants a wireless keyboard and mouse or not but i dont think she would like having to switch out batteries every couple of weeks. I will think about adding the lcd monitor :)

The wireless is worth it imo. Consider putting some of the $ you save into rechargeables and a charger for them - much more environmentally friendly and not having cables is wonderful for desktop users (if not for gamers always) and you dont spend $$$$ on batteries.

That case is mean .. I mean ... it's sexy ,,, it's hot .. It's also a bit smaller than the other I think which is nice. Please show it to your mom !!! it has a front panel with a huge fan behind ... and will mod up nicely .. plus dont have to spend money on fans separately. And the deal is really good. though the review say they can be noisy if not wired right you just need to wire all fans onto mobo headers and then they will work nicely in conjunction and only jump in speed when there is a load and temp rise.

Im glad you appreciate my effort to be of assistance :) I don't know why I am so excited about you building this for your mom I somehow got quite attached to this baby :D

ps you could even buy a nice xfx 6200 vid card or something for it with the $$ savings that would make the most of her experience and meet her demands at well low $$$

[Computer-Geek]

I do have a rechargeable charger so i will think about it :D I will show her the case later and i may add a videocard back to the list.

[Xpirate]

If your mom is going to use this for learning on and internet and stuff and you are running XP Pro I don't think you will see a vast system performance by having 2G of Ram over 1G - she just won't use it.

All in all, imo, you could cut to 1G of Ram, no video card and build a great system for your Ma round this at well under her budget.

This is very true. My main system had 1 GB of ram in it for a long time. I could barely tell a difference when I added the second gig of ram. I guess I have the 2 GB bragging rights now.

[Spawn-Inc]

This is very true. My main system had 1 GB of ram in it for a long time. I could barely tell a difference when I added the second gig of ram. I guess I have the 2 GB bragging rights now.

ya when i went from 512 to 1gb i could slightly notice a difference. i'm getting 2gb's for my new/first pc but i will have more things running so hopefully it will be faster (old is ddr400, new is ddr2)

[Dilphat]

or if you can, might as well go with something obsolete. Like go with an AMD 64 3000, or a sempron. since it's obsolete you might be able to find one. and they are like super cheap if you can find one. it's not like your mom is gonna be gaming...or will she? some stores might still have some in they're back stock. i know that fry's electronics in san diego i think still has 1 amd 64, but no boards. so if you have the time check the local stores near you.

[Crazy Buddhist]

or if you can, might as well go with something obsolete. Like go with an AMD 64 3000, or a sempron.

That strategy would be very cheap but basing it round the X2 4200+ Computer geek is contemplating now will mean mom can mutitask much more seamlessly. Even Noobs can multitask effectively after two or three things are shown them.

[Crazy Buddhist]

This is very true. My main system had 1 GB of ram in it for a long time. I could barely tell a difference when I added the second gig of ram. I guess I have the 2 GB bragging rights now.

I have changed my view on this knowing that running Vista will be normal within a couple of years. For a new build like this I'd put 2G in if I see a good deal on it.

[Computer-Geek]

I might install vista later on so the 2 gigs is going to be a wise choice