Reliable Budget Build

[WalterK]

My father (age 82!) has asked me to build him a new computer. Beyond online gin rummy, he isn't a gamer, ...he just needs something reliable for word processing, checking his email, and the like. He already has an XP CD that he purchased for the computer that this one will replace. That computer will no longer be used, so he wants to use his existing XP license. Seems like I recall that XP can't use Advanced Format technology for the HD, so I need to make sure that whatever drive I buy is compatible.

Intel or AMD doesn't matter, although I'm kind of bored with AMD builds. I'm thinking a dual core CPU, onboard video, 2 GB of RAM.

Stability and reliability is the key here. Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[pam123]

Budget?

[WalterK]

Originally Posted by pam123 Budget?

Maybe up to five hundred dollars, all I need is the box, no peripherals or monitor. I'm thinking I should be able to do it for between three and four hundred.

Thanks.

[glc]

How does $325 sound?

Newegg.com - Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - ASUS P5G41T-M/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Celeron E3400 Wolfdale 2.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E3400

Newegg.com - Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3N7K2/4G

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive - CD / DVD Burners

XP will be able to use about 3.25gb of the ram. DDR3 is so cheap you might as well put 4gb in, the board only has 2 slots. I'm running 4gb in my XP box with no stability issues.

That Celeron is a zippy little processor, I built a box with that CPU and motherboard for one of my grandkids, and he has no complaints. He even games with it (we put a 5670 video card in it).

[WalterK]

Looks good to me, GLC. I was hoping you would chime in with an Intel build. My last experience with a Rosewill case was great, and I've used the PSU you suggested as a replacement in a Dell I use at my office.

Probably no need to do so, considering the needs of the ultimate user, but if you bumped up the processor a bit, what would you suggest?

[glc]

How much more would you want to spend? If you can justify $450 or so we can put you into an i3. Otherwise, there are several 775's available at varying prices.

[WalterK]

Thinking about it, GLC, the Celeron should be fine, especially since we're maxing RAM for XP. I'm not sure if it would even be worth the extra twenty dollars to move to the E5500, all things considered.

Given that the EA 380 and the BP 430 power supplies are presently priced the same, is there any reason to go with the EA 380?

[glc]

Yes, it's more efficient and quieter. The 380D is made by Delta and the Basiq is made by FSP. The amperage on the +12v rails is just about identical.

[WalterK]

Originally Posted by glc Yes, it's more efficient and quieter. The 380D is made by Delta and the Basiq is made by FSP. The amperage on the +12v rails is just about identical.

Good info! Thank you!