New Computer Build

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jack Bruss
  • Start date Start date
J

Jack Bruss

I want to build a new computer for my father in law. He now has a 7 or 8
year old Best Buy something or other. The monitor, speakers, and keyboard
are ok, so we just need to get him a new system and optical mouse. My son
and I have built several systems in the past, but the last was about 2 years
ago, and I haven't kept up with the chip or mb types or terminology.

So, I would appreciate some advice on the components to buy. I would most
likely buy at Newegg, as I have always been treated well there. We are just
looking for a basic system to do email, view photos, simple games, etc. We
don't need any special extra power. He has a dial up connection only, so
we'll need a modem, although I guess we can use the 56k modem he has, unless
newer ones have some advantage.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Jack
 
I want to build a new computer for my father in law. He now has a 7 or 8
year old Best Buy something or other. The monitor, speakers, and keyboard
are ok, so we just need to get him a new system and optical mouse. My son
and I have built several systems in the past, but the last was about 2 years
ago, and I haven't kept up with the chip or mb types or terminology.

So, I would appreciate some advice on the components to buy. I would most
likely buy at Newegg, as I have always been treated well there. We are just
looking for a basic system to do email, view photos, simple games, etc. We
don't need any special extra power. He has a dial up connection only, so
we'll need a modem, although I guess we can use the 56k modem he has, unless
newer ones have some advantage.

Thanks for any thoughts,
Click to expand...


Buy one. It'll be cheaper and you'll get more for your money. A
monitor that old isn't likely worth keeping either. It isn't likely
as bright as it once was. Circuit City has a heck of a deal going on
an acer with an Amd 3800x2 and a gig of ram for $479 after rebate.
You can't build anything near that good for that money. The system is
also very quiet and stays nice and cool.
 
Jack Bruss said:
I want to build a new computer for my father in law. He now has a 7 or 8
year old Best Buy something or other. The monitor, speakers, and keyboard
are ok, so we just need to get him a new system and optical mouse. My son
and I have built several systems in the past, but the last was about 2
years ago, and I haven't kept up with the chip or mb types or terminology.

So, I would appreciate some advice on the components to buy. I would most
likely buy at Newegg, as I have always been treated well there. We are
just looking for a basic system to do email, view photos, simple games,
etc. We don't need any special extra power. He has a dial up connection
only, so we'll need a modem, although I guess we can use the 56k modem he
has, unless newer ones have some advantage.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Jack
Click to expand...
The modem he has should do fine and most MBs have onboard sound that is
actually quite good these days and should work fine with his current
speakers. As far as processors and MBs go, the Intel Core 2 Duos are very
good and inexpensive ($225 or so for the lower end but still very good
performance) and the I965 chipset boards would be fine. DDR2 will be
necessary, a gig would probably suit his needs. 2gigs would be better if he
is ever going to use Windows Vista. On-board video is not bad for what he is
doing, so you can save a few bucks there if you get a board with it.
Gigabyte and Asus are my favorite boards at this time. You can look around
at Newegg and find the board that will suit your needs. Some of the major
changes since you built your last system is the change to S775, for Intel
(the best perfomance/price ratio right now) and the prevalance of SATA HDs.
One large drive should be fine. I usually use Western Digital, but most
makes are fairly good today. Storage is pretty cheap now with 250gb drives
going for a bit over $100 or so. A couple of 120gb drives might be good for
him leaving a drive for backups of his photos etc. As far as the mouse, I
use a Logitech MX Lazer wireless with a recharger/transmitter that is very
reliable and functional. I don't have to keep batteries around anymore. Good
luck with the build. Feel free to email if I can help any.......

Ed
 
Jack said:
I want to build a new computer for my father in law. He now has a 7 or 8
year old Best Buy something or other. The monitor, speakers, and keyboard
are ok, so we just need to get him a new system and optical mouse. My son
and I have built several systems in the past, but the last was about 2 years
ago, and I haven't kept up with the chip or mb types or terminology.

So, I would appreciate some advice on the components to buy. I would most
likely buy at Newegg, as I have always been treated well there. We are just
looking for a basic system to do email, view photos, simple games, etc. We
don't need any special extra power. He has a dial up connection only, so
we'll need a modem, although I guess we can use the 56k modem he has, unless
newer ones have some advantage.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Jack
Click to expand...

What kind of budget ?

I take it you're getting a new case and power supply ? Current
motherboards use a 2x2 ATX12V power cable, which the old computer
might not have.

Paul
 
look here: http://www.anandtech.com/guides/

budget, mid-range, and high-end buyer's guides. note they lean toward
gamer video, so if not a gamer then choose a video card from the lower end
guide to go w/ a higher-end system. Vista will be better w/ a better
video card tho, so don't go too cheap.

these "system" buyer's guides are actually component buyer's guides.
good recomendations, a good site. There are others, google for 'em.
but Anand is clear and concise, hard to beat...

--------

Finally, if you need new software too, buying an already built complete
system _WILL_ be cheaper, but you won't get as good a set of components,
nor the experience or pleasure of building it yourself. Treat it as a
hobby, not a $$ saver. Many new systems sold from here on out (late oct
06) will inculde a "upgrade coupon" for some version of Vista. Note Vista
Home Basic is not really worth having tho, don't value that particular
coupon too much [Home Premium and up are a much better value].
 
Jack said:
We're looking for a low cost system - I'm thinking around $300 - $400.
Click to expand...

As much as I love to build my own systems I second the Acer deal at
Best Buy. It would fit your needs and you won't be able to build one for
that price. Not with a new case, PSU, MB, CPU, and memory.

Bob
 
Jack Bruss said:
I want to build a new computer for my father in law. He now has a 7 or 8
year old Best Buy something or other. The monitor, speakers, and keyboard
Click to expand...

Since your father-in-law needs a low performance system, there's no point in
building one. Plus, you haven't kept up with technology. Just buy one. For
$300, I'd buy a Dell on Ebay.
 
Obsessed troll


Path: newssvr13.news.prodigy.com!newsdbm04.news.prodigy.com!newsdst01.news.prodigy.net!prodigy.com!newscon04.news.prodigy.net!prodigy.net!newshub.sdsu.edu!hwmnpeer01.lga!news.highwinds-media.com!hw-filter.lga!newsfe06.lga.POSTED!53ab2750!not-for-mail
From: "JAD" <JOHN DOE PORN_ ADDY_ HARVESTER.com>
Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
References: <woj7h.18664$fh.3281 tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com> <ejklpg$kvd$1 aioe.server.aioe.org> <S%m7h.18676$fh.17515 tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com> <455E2CB8.CFCF077E yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: New Computer Build
Lines: 4
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1409
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1409
Message-ID: <l_q7h.3475$ia.2169 newsfe06.lga>
X-Trace: lalincmlnekeejjfkannfilpcpbbolnmopikeepjgapkphnblnijfcjfbjnkiolefejkmoalhononndanmnhbagndmbhmolpkenjmjidaleobfiappfjnhlnjddimfhhenfnojecgjgcfcij
NNTP-Posting-Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 15:47:45 MST
Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 14:47:42 -0800
Xref: prodigy.net alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt:225803 alt.comp.hardware:323605 alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt:479087


stfu
 
John Doe said:
Obsessed troll
Click to expand...

Yawn..........yet again. your damn boring dude. like a parrot that knows 2
words. so I take it this has been your juvenile behaviour all the while you
in the home machines kill file.....sad ass man...sad freakin sack
 
JAD said:
Yawn..........yet again. your damn boring dude. like a parrot that knows 2
words. so I take it this has been your juvenile behaviour all the while you
in the home machines kill file.....sad ass man...sad freakin sack
Click to expand...

Your mother made me do it. You know, your mother,
the whore nobody paid.
 
John Doe said:
Well, if your mother weren't a one-person freak show.......
Click to expand...


I tolerate you because I pity you....you obviously had a bad relationship
with your mom. I'm sorry for that. Life sucks sometimes and some parents
just don't live up to your expectaions. Maybe if your mom didn't marry a
'Dee dee dee'...you would have had a better life.
 
*** rude top-posting corrected ***
Fred said:
Unlikely he actually gives a flying red **** what you ignore.
Click to expand...

That's entirely up to him. However he may now have some idea that
he is contravening normal usenet usage.
 
Back
Top