Advice for a cheap new build.

[Colb]

I am looking for some recommendations on a new system I want to build for my grandparents. They manage a 140 lot Mobile Home Park along with about 20 rent houses in the area. All of their records are hand written, and they might want to learn how to use a computer if I get one a bring it over to their house.
So, I am mainly looking for a:
cheap processor
motherboard w/onboard video
256MB of memory
cheap case w/ decent PS
lasting DVD and floppy drive

For the most part I want something cheap...but will last.
I have only built AMD systems in the past, so if you could have your recommendations go that route.....I would appreciate it.

[Panama Red]

Take a look at the parts I listed in this thread

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=125543

Add the following for a nice system:

Antec case w/300 watt psu

DVD rom

Floppy

[Antistupid]

A build you might want to consider is this Athlon XP build: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1585316,00.asp
It was done in May, 2004, so you might have to change some of the components.

Another possibility would be an AMD Sempron system:

AMD Sempron 2600+ Socket 754	$83
Gigabyte GA-K8VM800M (w/ onboard video)	$69
Kingston Valuram 256MB DDR	$32.50
Antec Solution SLK1600 w/ 300W PSU same one as Panama Red suggested	$55
LG DVD-ROM	$15
Mitumi Floppy Drive	$8

Is it ok to assume that you already have a HDD in mind?

[Cricket]

In this case, why not just get a nice DELL package?

Cricket

[Colb]

Originally Posted by Cricket In this case, why not just get a nice DELL package? Cricket

There is no fun in buying a Dell. ....I like to build.

Thanks for the helpful info.

[Wolf_10]

Check out some of the Linux OS's. They are cheap and power packed. This way your grandparents won't need to buy MS Office ($300+) and all the other good software for their business. SUSE Linus Pro sells for about $90 and it is loaded with useful software, including a version of Office software. The GUI looks a lot like XP. Also Linux runs leaner using less resources, saving you money on hardware.

I like Memorex for a DVD reader/cd burner. You can get one for around 70. But you can't really go wrong with names like lite-on or plextor. GL, Sounds like a fun one to build.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Colb_Dog There is no fun in buying a Dell. ....I like to build.

Oh, okay. Since I don't really build that many AMD systems I'm going to let the others suggest parts for this build.

Cricket

[shadowbreaker513]

Here is an almost identical build to one I did for my grandparents.

Case/PSU - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...108-299&depa=1

Mobo/CPU - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...138-241&depa=0

Hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...144-126&depa=1

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...220-023&depa=1

DVD - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-118&depa=0

Floppy - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-005&depa=0

[Clover]

Can I ask why the DVD roms and not the CD or CDRW? Can a DVD rom read a CD?

Thanks!
Clover

[DarkHorse]

Yes, a DVD player can read CD's. You may have to get a burner separate if you want CD-RW, though there are burners out there capable of reading DVD (I have one in my PC right now)