Building a PC for Grandparents

[RAW-Raptor22]

My grandparents in Idaho have an old PII laptop that took a crap on them this morning, and they want me to build them a new computer. They sent me a check for $1300, and I chose these parts (I haven't ordered yet). What'd ya'll think?



ASUS 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe and 14X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model DRW-1814BLT - Retail
Item #: N82E16827135146
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$35.99



COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119115
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$39.99



SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Item #: N82E16821103116
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$7.99



(2x)Western Digital Caviar SE WD2000JS 200GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822144416
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant
$119.98
$109.98
($54.99 each)



Acer AL2223Wd Black-Silver 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824009102
Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
$259.99
$239.99



SAPPHIRE 100203L Radeon HD 2400PRO 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102100
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$59.99


SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB ATX12V 380W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817151032
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$74.99



Logitech UltraX Silver/Black USB Standard Media Keyboard - OEM
Item #: N82E16823126022
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$18.99



G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231098
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

-$40.00 Instant
$129.99
$89.99



MSI P35 Neo-F LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813130095
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$99.99



Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6420 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115016
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$186.00



Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116204
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$119.99
$114.99

Grand Total: $1141.98 (With tax and shipping to 95618)

[NickS]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023

That PSU instead and you're all set. Trust me, it's good. First off, look @ the reviews. Secondly, I've used it in many rigs such as the following, when running it caseless.

-E6300 @ 3.5GHz, 1.48v
-X1900GT @ 650/800
-320GB HDD
-Watercooling
-P5B Deluxe
-X-Fi

I also used one with..

-2.8GHz 1.65v 3800+ X2 AM2 under water
-2x 7600GT "xXx" vmodded

When I was waiting for my new PSU to come.

They're real great units, sleeved, quiet. I've had six personally in and out of the house, used for customer builds, etc. We always have one brand new sitting around in case one of the PC's in the house has a PSU that dies.

[RAW-Raptor22]

Not as good of quality though, and this will be my grandparents last system and will need to live as long as they do...

[Chewbenator]

I'm pretty sure they will be blown away by the improved performance. If they do alot of CD/DVD burning I would go with a LITE-ON, some people here have issues with the Asus. You could probably skimp on the motherboard, but thats a good price anyway.

[RAW-Raptor22]

I actually have the Lite-On 20x SATA DVD Burner, but I prefer the looks of the ASUS better...

[Hutch]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153023

That PSU instead and you're all set. Trust me, it's good. First off, look @ the reviews. Secondly, I've used it in many rigs such as the following, when running it caseless.

-E6300 @ 3.5GHz, 1.48v
-X1900GT @ 650/800
-320GB HDD
-Watercooling
-P5B Deluxe
-X-Fi

I also used one with..

-2.8GHz 1.65v 3800+ X2 AM2 under water
-2x 7600GT "xXx" vmodded

When I was waiting for my new PSU to come.

They're real great units, sleeved, quiet. I've had six personally in and out of the house, used for customer builds, etc. We always have one brand new sitting around in case one of the PC's in the house has a PSU that dies.

Tell me you did not just recommend them that piece of crap. It's made by Compucase, who make nothing but junk PSUs. Never, EVER, EVVVVVVVVVER trust newegg reviews, especially for PSUs. No one ever has any clue what they are talking about. The PSU he's getting is a top quality PSU by seasonic. Seasonic makes their own PSUs and a lot of well known companies use their PSU's and rebadge them (Corsair PSU's are seasonic, as well as PCP&C Silencer's.)

The seasonic is a very good choice, especially if it's needed to last a long time. I don't know about the choice of board though, I really wouldn't trust anything from MSI.

[RAW-Raptor22]

My MSI 694T-Pro has been running overclocked 12-14hrs a day since 2002 with no problems ever. No probs with the graphics card in my sig either, I trust MSI to last a while. If you want crappy mobos, look at ECS or PC Chips(owned by ECS).

[ineedaname]

I don't see why they need a $1300 computer but that's just me.

If it were me I'd just give them back half of it and build a computer for $650.

If that computer doesn't outlive them u can buy another computer for $650 later

[RAW-Raptor22]

Its a $750 PC if you deduct the Windows Vista and the Monitor...

[Movieman]

How old are your grandparents?
60's or 80's?
It matters..
I'd think a simple "tank" for them.
Lian Li PC60 for some class
workstation quality motherboard..
Conroe 6600
2x1 gig ram..
mid range vid
PCP+C 610w(overkill but overkill in PSU's is good IMO)
2 good SATA drives in raid1 and buy a thrid for a backup when one fails
300 gig storage drive for data.
I think you can build that for the money you have to work with.
Good Luck..Make it special for them. You won't have them forever.

[RAW-Raptor22]

How old are your grandparents?
60's or 80's?
It matters..
I'd think a simple "tank" for them.
Lian Li PC60 for some class
workstation quality motherboard..
Conroe 6600
2x1 gig ram..
mid range vid
PCP+C 610w(overkill but overkill in PSU's is good IMO)
2 good SATA drives in raid1 and buy a thrid for a backup when one fails
300 gig storage drive for data.
I think you can build that for the money you have to work with.
Good Luck..Make it special for them. You won't have them forever.

They are both 74 Years old. My Grandpa doesn't use the PC much, but my grandma is into sending tons of E-Mail attachments with pictures and video, rather sad but broadband is $60 a month in their area so they ae stuck on phone company dial-up. And movieman: I really appreciate the respect that you gave them, and see eye-to-eye with me. I originally posted this on another forum, and they responded kind of jerkily, like "buy a Sempy for 'em," its like what the hell man. Since I live in CA, and my grandparents live in Idaho I dont get to see them much so this is just one way I can feel kinda still connected to them. I really appreciate your input, and I'm glad I have made a great new friend on the forum.

Cheers,

~C. DeKnikker

[Lome]

FSP psu bling just gets you less on the inside where it matters
Pioneer burner best japanese burner
Lose x64 windows replace with x32 subjective choice
Lose floppy drive replace with pendrive dont need flopy for vista install
lose hsf use intel box

[RAW-Raptor22]

FSP psu bling just gets you less on the inside where it matters
Pioneer burner best japanese burner
Lose x64 windows replace with x32 subjective choice
Lose floppy drive replace with pendrive dont need flopy for vista install
lose hsf use intel box

I will be setting the PC up so the windows isn't a problem. They are used to antiquated hardware, hence the FDD. But I will seriously consider ditching the Freezer7 for the Intel stock, even if it is mildly OCed.

[jimmyz]

when you are building a computer for someone who is not a techie, always try to make sure they get a really nice keyboard , mouse and monitor. those are the items they will be interacting with everyday. too many people overlook the basics. also newegg has lian li cases for as little as $30 more than the coolermaster. i highly recommend them.

reliability and appearance are very important for people who don't live for computers.

good to see you care so much about your grandparents, like movieman said, they won't be here forever.

almost forgot, drop the 64bit and get 32bit. they will probably never increase the 2gb of ram so 64 would have no advantage. and the drivers still have issues.

[cupholder2.0]

About the motherboard...

Don't listen to any anti MSI bull . I have had my MSI 975X for almost a year now and it runs my E6400@3.2 Ghz easily 24/7 stable and can go up to 3.6 stable on air. I moved to MSI from Intel and expected a severe decrease in quality, but MSI is just as stable as my Intel D955XBK even though the MSI 975x is much cheaper than the other higher end boards.


I don't expect the MSI P35 Neo to OC very well, but I doubt your GrandParents care about OCing. The board should be very stable and will give them an excellent upgrade from their old system.

BTW, don't cheap out on the power supply. You may sometimes get away with cheap power supplies, but the risk just isn't worth it.

[Bail_w]

If you want to save some bucks for your grandparents and get more parts, maybe you should take a lot of the used items there were selling from other forums such as [H] or anandtech, but i must warn you to be careful about sending money first without verifying their heatware evals. Also, since you live in california, tax will kill most of the deals so why dont you wait till july 22nd and see what up with the price drops.

[[XC] riptide]

Raptor. So she sends emails. Does she do anthing else with it? Make sure you can get aesthically pleasing keyboards. A nice non glare screen, with guard if you have to. Make sure the finish is in nice tones. They'll appreciate it. A wireless mouse keyboard jobby to save them trying to sort out cable snares etc. Make sure they have nothing to have to plug/unplug. Just on and off.

[largon]

I hear Seasonic 380W is noisy...
...but I guess noise is not a problem here...
:P

[ValkyrieLenneth]

I think that we don't need Vista 64bit and Floppy Disk Is there any special reason for those two ?

[bgiltburg]

I hear Seasonic 380W is noisy...
...but I guess noise is not a problem here...
:P

No, it isn't (noisy, that is). It's the recommended power suply (under 400W) at Silent PC Review http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html.

[geto]

They don't need extreme, just buy a box store PC such as a dell for a third of what they sent you and be done with it.

[dandragonrage]

I hope you've realized that you chose a terrible forum to ask. People are recommending E6600s and Raptors and the like. Fail.

What you've chosen is already overkill, and considerably so.

[jimmyz]

I hope you've realized that you chose a terrible forum to ask. People are recommending E6600s and Raptors and the like. Fail.

What you've chosen is already overkill, and considerably so.

his name is raptor... nobody suggested using one in his build. and a 6600 is a good value considering the budget.

[Timbosan]

They don't need extreme, just buy a box store PC such as a dell for a third of what they sent you and be done with it.

Why would he disrespect his grandparents with a pre-made pc? They could've bought one themselves, but instead asked him to build them one. What he has suggested, and a budget of $1300 is no where near extreme.

I hope you've realized that you chose a terrible forum to ask. People are recommending E6600s and Raptors and the like. Fail.

What you've chosen is already overkill, and considerably so.

On the contrary its a great forum to ask. He can get feedback from people who know the differece between marketing and real quality/value, and what hardware is reliable long-term. When its family or friends, there's no such thing as overkill! you should see what my friends have hehe

I would recommend an LG optical drive. After years of use they're the only ones that have survived, and my new one is brilliant. G/L with the build

[mrcape]

Config looks great to me, I think they'll be psyched.

I agree with some of the comments -

- Use the box cooler and ditch the arctic freezer
- No floppy, USB takes it's place (get them a key)
- Use nice Logitech mouse/kb
- The Viewsonic is a good deal
- I'd use XP32 SP2 but if you like Vista maybe it'll be fine
- Seasonic are great, hi end psu.