Office computer

**flame** · 12-31-09, 02:23 PM

So my grandmother has a computer that was built in ~2001, only update was some ram a year or two ago, and a wireless card. She doesnt really use it for anything fancy, quickbooks, internet, word processing, and some kid games for my little cousins. She would like a new computer, all the computers she has ever had were built for her and have been very reliable. Thus she would like to have a new one built. I have never built one before but have upgraded and changed parts in mine. So I would like to attempt this.
I would like to do the whole box for ~$500
I messed around on newegg and figure it could be done fairly easy. Any suggestions?
My grandpa wants me to get him a price and he will probably say go for it.

**flame** · 12-31-09, 02:29 PM

Just my little try at it

mobo
Hd
v card
ram
cpu
case

Probably use win7 home prem

**IRON MAN 2142** · 12-31-09, 03:29 PM

From what you described about the the useage of it, doesn't really sound like she needs a graphics card, could probably do with on board, probably doesnt need the performance RAM either but hey, its you build

**flame** · 12-31-09, 06:14 PM

I always over do things for future upgradeability, but it was $530 total so... and I may duplicate the order for my parents.

**Viktor_Olin** · 12-31-09, 07:40 PM

PSU?

**HeavyG** · 01-01-10, 12:32 AM

Why build a custom PC for Grandma? If she isn't going to game, you could surely get a better deal from Dell or HP, with Windows 7 and Office included, I am sure. Shop around. Grandma doesn't need a home built PC.

**Sleepybean2** · 01-01-10, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Why build a custom PC for Grandma? If she isn't going to game, you could surely get a better deal from Dell or HP, with Windows 7 and Office included, I am sure. Shop around. Grandma doesn't need a home built PC.

But I'm guessing that grandma want's a pc that starts up within 72 hrs...

**GReYVee** · 01-01-10, 01:00 PM

Got bored. Figured I would try to meet the price with an entire computer. This means everything is new. Not the best or worst build, but something to look at in case this gives you any other ideas.

PS: Office computers are typically not built for upgrade capacity. Most common upgrades are just new operating system or more RAM. In the case of this, I went with on-board video, but it does have a single PCI-e x16 for graphics add-on as well, (Youd need a diff PSU). 64-bit OS for the future RAM capacity upgrade. Beyond that any expense you put on socket/chipset/FSB do not seem worth the additional costs. Consider the price differential right now + the costs of those new components down the road and you could simply buy another budget PC for the same expense.

I am not experienced enough in low-budget to know if the 420W PSU that comes with case is enough. But I put together a 300$ computer that had a gfx card in it and 500W has been stable so far.

AcerX193Wbd Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support
Item #:N82E16824009194
Return Policy: Monitor Replacement Only Return Policy -$30.00 Instant
$139.99
$109.99

WesternDigital Caviar Blue 160GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive-Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136075
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $39.49

LogitechSBF-96 Black Wired Optical Mouse
Item #:N82E16826104031
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $9.25

CyberAcoustics CA-2002 2.0 2 Piece Amplified Computer Speaker System
Item #:N82E16836150054
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $9.99

LITE-ONBlack Wired Keyboard
Item #:N82E16823107128
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $6.99

ASUSP5G41-M LE/CSM Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131399
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant
$69.99
$64.99

LITE-ONBlack SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04
Item #:N82E16827106276
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $19.99

MicrosoftWindows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #:N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Return Policy $104.99

G.SKILL2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Memory
Item #:N82E16820231098
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $49.99

IntelPentium E5300 2.6GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819116074
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $69.99

APEVIAX-Gear ATXB5KLW-BL Blue Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Item #:N82E16811144043
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $49.99

GrandTotal: $535.65

**flame** · 01-01-10, 01:34 PM

nice, thanks. good suggestions. run it by them today or tomorrow.

**HeavyG** · 01-01-10, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sleepybean2

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Why build a custom PC for Grandma? If she isn't going to game, you could surely get a better deal from Dell or HP, with Windows 7 and Office included, I am sure. Shop around. Grandma doesn't need a home built PC.

But I'm guessing that grandma want's a pc that starts up within 72 hrs...

Thanks for adding no value to this topic. Windows 7 boots quickly on nearly every system, so I doubt it would be an issue.

My guess is Grandma doesn't need a PC with blue LEDs and side panel windows. I can also bet that a Dell or HP packaged PC will have a bigger hard drive, more memory, and a faster CPU than what has been listed. Also, you can look for a Dell or HP coupon code.