New Build For Mother-In-Law

[Holesto]

Hi all! I have a bit of a problem and I know you guys can help. My mother in law wants a new comp built for under $1200. I'm not having much luck due to what she wants with it. She wants the following.

Quad Core processor
500 GB HD
Lots of Ram
Windows XP Home
Photo Printer/Scanner (prints like the 4x6 glossy photos)
Monitor ( at least 19")
Speakers (regular desktop speakers are fine)
Mouse/Keyboard
Webcam(so she can talk to her brother in Iraq)

And of course all the other components such as MOBO, cd drives, etc.

I'm having trouble getting it all for under $1200 bucks. Can any of you do it??

Thanks!

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by Holesto Hi all! I have a bit of a problem and I know you guys can help. My mother in law wants a new comp built for under $1200. I'm not having much luck due to what she wants with it. She wants the following. Quad Core processor 500 GB HD Lots of Ram Windows XP Home Photo Printer/Scanner (prints like the 4x6 glossy photos) Monitor ( at least 19") Speakers (regular desktop speakers are fine) Mouse/Keyboard Webcam(so she can talk to her brother in Iraq) And of course all the other components such as MOBO, cd drives, etc. I'm having trouble getting it all for under $1200 bucks. Can any of you do it?? Thanks!

I can't see you doing all of that for 1200 bucks without cutting some major quality corners.
Is that what she wants or you want?
It's a great idea to build her a system, but your idea leans in the direction of a performance rig.
For a mother-n-law, I'd go to the DELL website and see what they have to offer. You can probably get her everything that she needs for 5-600.00.

[shadowpr]

Let's see what we can do:

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017 $190

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...1288&Tpk=p5kpl $53

Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 $45 ar

HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288 $70

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106265 $30

Case/PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811153089 $65

XP: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511 $90

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236029 $130 ar

Speakers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121016 $12

Keyboard/Mouse: Get fom a local store est. $30

Webcam: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104087 $102

Printer: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16828102259 $100

That should be everything.

Total cost after rebate, and before shipping: $917

[bd1886]

Holesto, That list of Shadow's is well thought out with decent components! One other way to shave of some cost is to look for someone selling that printer that purchased it in a camera bundle and is offing the printer. (Definitely a capable little printer and starting to show up on the secondary market.)
I know that speaks aren't important, but...sure is nice to have some good sound (with an audio jack there too) when working on a project or something. These are just a few bucks more and I bet she will appreciate the sound and conveniences they offer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121002

[piasabird]

Well unless you give on say RAM or a different CPU you cant save on much else unless it is a slightly smaller Hard Drive or some such thing. You can use some old speakers or a used keyboard and mouse.

I used an Intel E7200 and I found it was a very good processor. I also used the Intel G35 Motherboard which is more expensive and found it had excellent video and audio, even though it only works with SATA.

Dell often has Camera Bundles and sometimes they have good deals.