New System for a houswife under $700.00

viper31

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May 25, 2009
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18,510
Hello, my cousin fell in love with my new gaming system, and asked me to build her a new system. My problem is an odd one though, everything I have ever built I wanted the biggest, the baddest, and the best! This is not what she needs (or can afford). I want to build her the best computer for her money, but make goldilock's porridge just right, So I figured I would turn to the pro's at Toms (BTW the ultimate gamig system you guys helped me build a couple of months ago is incredible SSD's rock). A little about my cousin, she is a stay at home mom, who spends a lot of time on facebook and surfing the net. She does a lot of video editing from her digital video camera, Loves her music, burning CD's and likes to play games like the Sims, and Roller coaster tycoon. Heaviest thing she might play is WOW.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:This week.

BUDGET RANGE: $600-800 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: surfing the internet, Home video editing, Games,watching movies.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Only the EGG (I am a loyalist)

PARTS PREFERENCES: 18 to 20 :hello: inch LCD, much prefer nvidia Graphics, Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W.

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: What do you reccomend?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Odd request from my cousin, She does not want neons or lots of "bling" because she does not want her toddler to be attracted to it. It does need to "look nice" and fairly quiet as it sits in the living room. Oh and she wants to keep running windows XP.


Thank You in advance for your advice, I really want her to say WOW this system is awesome I can't believe you built it for under $800.00 (anything over $700.00 I will be donating).
 
Solution
Here is a config...

CPU + Mobo
1. AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz + 2. GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850

RAM + Graphics card -
1. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 + 2. MSI N260GTX-T2D896-OCv3 GeForce GTX 260 896MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256526

ASUS VH222H Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

HDD -
Samsung F3 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

CASE + PSU - Why do you want the 650W ? This 500W is more than enough for any single chip graphics card out there...It can even run GTX...
Here is a config...

CPU + Mobo
1. AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz + 2. GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850

RAM + Graphics card -
1. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 + 2. MSI N260GTX-T2D896-OCv3 GeForce GTX 260 896MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256526

ASUS VH222H Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

HDD -
Samsung F3 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

CASE + PSU - Why do you want the 650W ? This 500W is more than enough for any single chip graphics card out there...It can even run GTX 275 easy(Maybe even the GTX 285)...
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140042

Total - $754 | $724 - Including rebates...

Few places where you can cut short on -

CPU - The X2 550 is also a very good alternative is very powerful too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

Graphics card - That GTX 260 might be an overkill for her requirements...
The GTS 250 would suffice...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256365

So with these changes, it would come under $700
 
Solution

viper31

Distinguished
May 25, 2009
5
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18,510
Hey, gkay, thanks alot she will be pleased. BTW you helped me with my personal system a couple of months ago and it is incredible (best I ever built) you are truly an asset to these forums, Thank You!

Rodney
 

SystemPat

Distinguished
Sep 9, 2009
69
0
18,640
A couple of ideas.
CPU - The Phenom II X3 720 is a good choice. Also look at the new 4-core Athlon 2, the x4 620. A lot of bang for about 100.
If you go with the DDR2 memory version of motherboard, it saves a few dollars. The difference in speed is slight. One option could be the GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H at 80.
Low-key cases - Cooler Master Centurion 5 - there are a couple of versions OR Antec 200. There is a micro-ATX version of the Centurion if you want to build with a mATX motherboard. Both are low on flashy lights and gadgets but are solid and classy in a cool way. Both are in the 50 area.
Hope this helps!
Might also want to consider a case with a front door that snaps shut that would keep 'little fingers' out.
 

viper31

Distinguished
May 25, 2009
5
0
18,510
Sorry it took so long for me to post, I got sick right after I built the compter. She Loves the computer though, many kudos too Gkay! Easy to build, and runs very well with no issues yet! I wish it would have been feasible on a budget pc to use an SSD drive though. After using one in my personal computer I have found that nothing else compares, So to anyone reading this, if you can afford to increase your budget, it is very much worth the extra expense!
 

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