$500 build

[.Bullitt.]

Hi guys, I've been really busy lately but my sister has asked me if I could build her a computer because I told her I could save her a lot of money and build a better pc than the one she has now so she said budget is around 500 so could someone spec me a build for a computer that is mainly used for internet/email but still have some decent capability? Thanks in advance!

 

[hikaricloud]

Does she need a monitor or an OS?

I have a build in the works, I'll price it out without a monitor and an OS first.

EDIT: Okay, under 500 bucks without an OS or monitor.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - OCZ Vista Upgrade 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

Total comes to $480.74 after shipping, then you get 10 bucks back in an MIR.

Let me know if you need a monitor or an OS and I'll rework it.

 

[.Bullitt.]

Monitor no, OS yes. Thanks for the plan i'll definitely work with some of those parts unless anyone else has any other suggestions.

 

[hikaricloud]

Alright, what you can do is get a lesser processor for now, a dual core would be more than enough for general use, and you can get a mobo that can be easily upgraded to AM3 later.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Newegg.com - OCZ Vista Upgrade 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

Total comes to $501.72 after shipping, then you get 10 bucks back in an MIR still.

The 7750 is a great little processor, and it should be more than enough for a while.

The onboard on the 790GX will handle any light gaming she wants to do if she gets into that sort of thing. I play FO3 on mine at medium/lower resolutions with medium settings and it plays great. And you can always upgrade with a video card later.

Now if you want to save a few bucks, you can get this board instead;

Newegg.com - Foxconn A7GM-S 2.0 AM2+ / AM3 Ready AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

It's also AM3 ready, it just has 1 pci-e slot, and a slightly less onboard graphics chip (790GX has an onboard 3300 while the 780G has a 3200), but it's still a good board, and it's 70 bucks instead of 110. That may suit her better, since it's for general use.

 

[.Bullitt.]

Hey thanks a lot man that will really save me some time much appreciated!

 

[hikaricloud]

Hey, no prob. If you have any other questions or tweaks to the build, just let us know.

 

[.Bullitt.]

I would put this somehwere else but you seem like the guy to ask. I guess now she would like a new monitor so could you recommend a low-priced but quality monitor that is bigger than 19in?

 

[hikaricloud]

This would be your best bet, the cheapest 22" on newegg. But still pretty good quality.

Newegg.com - Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1 - LCD Monitors

 

[.Bullitt.]

Turned out that I had more time than I thought so I tried constructing a tweaked version of the build you gave me but I want to make sure it looks ok:
CPU- Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 Kuma 2.7GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Dual-Core black edition Processor - Processors - Desktops
Mobo- Newegg.com - Foxconn A7GM-S 2.0 AM2+ / AM3 Ready AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
RAM- Newegg.com - Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model CT25664AA1067 - Desktop Memory
HD&OS- Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
PSU- Newegg.com - Rosewill RP500-2 500W ATX12V v2.01 Power Supply - Power Supplies
DVD/CD- Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - CD / DVD Burners
Case- Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Monitor- Newegg.com - Open Box: Acer X203H bd Black 20" 16:9 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Swivel Adjustment 300 cd/m2 10000:1 w/ HDCP Support

 

[hikaricloud]

Wouldn't get that RAM, the stuff I posted is cheaper.

If you're going to get that case, get this combo: Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

I wouldn't get an open box 20", unless you want to take a chance on it.