Help Me Build My Mom's Computer

[Nauticas]

My mom has asked me to build her a computer and I need some advice on a few things since I haven't had to pick out a motherboard and processor in awhile. I've done this before and I'm familiar with all the pieces and parts needed.

I'm looking to build a budget PC around Windows 7, 64-bit. First, lets talk about mb's and processors. Which motherboard and processor combo do you suggest for a budget PC that will be mostly used for email, photos, and web browsing.

I plan to stick in a low end PCI-express graphics card in the PC so we will not be using the onboard GPU. We will be using onboard sound though. I plan to stick about 8MB of RAM in the machine and I'd like to have at least one spare RAM slot for expansion.

[juneau]

You're probably best off going down the AMD route for budget. Intel and budget doesn't exactly exist at the moment lol.

Why won't you use onboard gfx? I've built many a family PC and onboard was designed for this type of build.

[Nauticas]

Why won't you use onboard gfx? I've built many a family PC and onboard was designed for this type of build.

I've got a Geforce card laying around that isn't being used.

[Duke{CLR}]

I've got a Geforce card laying around that isn't being used.

Dont some of the the Intel chips have a nice GPU built in? This would be a great option if you don't plan on gaming. I think an i3 would cover you for just over $100.00. It would also be a cleaner and more efficient build.

[ChrisWW11]

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100 - $124.99

Newegg.com - MSI H61M-E33 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $69.99

Free shipping on both

The MSI motherboard only has two memory slots btw

[WalkinTarget]

Look at the TigerDirect barebones bundles. They frequently sell a bundle for $200 that is a great Mom n Pop PC.

For around $250, you get everything but an OS with it:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1493&CatId=332

I like this one, as it uses a Gigabyte board, and there's always a chance you can unlock the 550 CPU and get a quad core out of it.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...-X2-550-4-core

[Nauticas]

I agree with the i3 processor. So lets lock that in. Go with the 1155 socket type right? The 1156 is the older version correct?

I'm assuming the fan and heatsink that comes with the i3 is sufficient as there will be no overclocking on this machine. Agree?

Any other suggestions for a motherboard for an i3? I'm more than likely going to go with an ASUS, MSI, or Intel motherboard.

So far I'm locked in on:
Windows 7 64-bit
Intel i3 Processor

[Nauticas]

Thanks WT. Those are some nice deals there. I'd be more on the lines of this setup I think though:

GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2-B3 Core i3 Barebones Kit - GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2-B3 Motherboard, Intel Core i3-2100 CPU, Patriot 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 RAM, Seagate 1TB HDD, 24x DVDRW, DiabloTek Mid-Tower Case, 450W PSU at TigerDirect.com

[goldenfooler]

Thats something I could get for my dad. Hes going to need something very soon.

[Dead...Again]

If you are buying for someone who will not be gaming, you can find deals around Christmas for really cheap systems. I got one for my dad last Christmas for like $200 total from Office Depot. It was a Compaq I think, and surprisingly it didn't have alot of bloatware on it. I'd keep an eye out for a while and see what crops up.

[Nauticas]

Any affordable suggestions on RAM that would go with this ASUS board. I'm looking for 8GB of RAM.

Newegg.com - ASUS P8H61-M LE LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

[Duke{CLR}]

There are regular sale on New Egg for 8 Gb kits for under $40.00 so keep an eye on those.

[{CLR} Cobalt]

You should just use the onboard graphics if you're not gaming. No need to buy a card. And you dont need 8gb of ram either. 4 would be plenty.

[Nauticas]

I find Windows 7 is a RAM hog and on top of that Windows 7 uses RAM to help speed up boot up time. I'm not buying a graphics card, I have a Geforce 9600 laying around.