Hey Gurus! My stepdad got our old computer infected with virus, and we cannot find the XP recovery disc. It is not worth updating so i want to put together a new system. It is a 6 year old machine anyway... I looked at the following parts but I know that you guys have some input so I wanted to ask before i place the order. Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352009 Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128555 CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422 SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233223 Optical Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 I know i need a PSU but i see that i can reuse the old one. It is a 300W Liteon (I know this is a horrible brand, but it's free to reuse, and in working condition). Also i need an OS. I see that i can get Win 7 Home 64-bit for $99, but since i am a student i heard that there are some discounts for us? Is that anything you can verify? All he really does is surf the web, so the only space needed on the SSD is the OS and a few minor programs. Besides i can always reuse the HDD from our old system if needed. So what do you guys/girls think? Did i forget anything?
If you want to save money you could go AMD, save like $100. If he's just doing web stuff he doesn't need the extra horsepower from the Intel. Something like this maybe...one of the combo deals on newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1068139
^ He actually has a great point there. Nothing wrong with the i3, but your dad could have good performance and solid graphics all in one chip with an AMD Llano processor. I think something like this would serve him well, and its 10% off with promo code. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106001. I really think the Llano is one of the best things going for the mainstream, general public computer user right now. Someone like my mom could really make use of such a system, where its simplified - cpu and gpu on one chip and bam, you're all set. Way better than on-board sh!t video. Just something to consider.
Never thought about this, but I see your point. The most demanding he will do is watch a youtube video...
What you all are saying makes sense. I looked on Newegg and found this APU and motherboard combinations. I won't be doing anything on this computer since i have my own (specs on left). What do you guys think about the following combination? APU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106014 Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130641
I'd go with this personally.... CPU/Mobo: Any of the APU combos listed in this thread Case/RAM/SSD/Optical: from OP PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026 I know you'd rather use your current PSU, but you'd be better off with a quality unit as opposed to a 6 year old Liteon 300watt unit. This is the most important part of your system and should never be skimped on.
The only difference i see there is the addition of the PSU. I thought about getting that exact PSU actually, since at some point the ole Liteon will die. I would expect this build to last him at least 5 years, so maybe i'm better off with getting a Corsair PSU in the first place?
Built 3 of these this year for family members, good cheap build for around $300. Great for internet and videos. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116409 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130656 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811322004 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226288 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236116
The 3 APU/mobo sets listed would work just fine for web browsing, watching videos, etc. The case, ram, ssd and optical drive are the best value options. No reason to change those at all. I'm partial to Crucial SSDs myself, but their price is higher than the Corsair SSD you linked though the Crucial drives are 64GB and only $4-5 more. If you're expecting the computer to last any length of time, your best option is to spend the extra $45 to get a quality power supply.
I'm just stopping by to say don't stinge out on the power supply as Sykozis suggests, better to spend a bit now than deal with the trouble that will inevitably come later.
I read good stuff about the Corsair Force series of SSD's so i'll give them a try. As for the PSU i guess you are right. I will order that one as well.
If you spend a few minutes researching SSDs....you'll find most are reviewed well. It's mostly about cost/GB anymore as it's rare to find a drive that's just pure garbage.
