Sal's RuneScape Forum > My Mom Wants Me To Build A Computer For Her.

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LP Forever

Jul 20 2009, 09:13 PM

Ok prior to my idea of building my own top of the line computer my mom decided that she wants me to build her a computer too. so her budget is $800 and she will basically only be using it for iTunes QuickBooks Pro. and Microsoft Office. she won't need that big of a hard drive. If you guys could come up with a build for her that would be greatly appreciate it.

Bob-sama

Jul 20 2009, 09:21 PM

QUOTE (LP Forever @ Jul 20 2009, 10:13 PM)

Need keyboard? Mouse? Speakers? Monitor? Anything else?

LP Forever

Jul 20 2009, 10:13 PM

just need the computer it self. the keyboard speakers and monitor are already owned.

Caboose

Jul 21 2009, 06:14 AM

Cattius

Jul 21 2009, 12:01 PM

QUOTE (Caboose @ Jul 21 2009, 12:14 PM)

$800 is a large budget for just word editing and music playing.

I agree, it is. You could easily get the price down to $500 and still have a fast, capable system, or $300-400 if you don't mind slower performance.

Would you be willing to consider a cheaper build?

LP Forever

Jul 21 2009, 04:08 PM

i mean that's the most my mom's willing to pay. but the lower the price the better. but i don't want to sacrifice performance.

Caboose

Jul 21 2009, 04:12 PM

If i'm honest she doesn't really need performance. Not that much anyway, and she will hardly ever be maxing it out. You could forgo the graphics card altogether, get a dual core Athlon II with a motherboard that has a 780/790 chipset and 2GB memory. That's probably better than what i'm running now, and i use this for gaming.

LP Forever

Jul 21 2009, 04:13 PM

QUOTE (Caboose @ Jul 21 2009, 04:12 PM)

well whatever you think will work.

Caboose

Jul 21 2009, 04:20 PM

Well take that one as the low end of the scale, and the one i posted before as the high end. See if you like one of them, or if you want it would be easy to find a happy medium.

LP Forever

Jul 21 2009, 04:29 PM

do i need a graphics card no matter what?

Caboose

Jul 21 2009, 05:18 PM

No, not at all. I recommended a board with a 780G/790G/GF/GX etc, whatever because those chipsets use integrated graphics processors, equivalent to HD 3200 or better. Although i have heard stories that the 770 chipset performs pretty much the same, so if that's much cheaper then go for it.

LP Forever

Jul 21 2009, 06:18 PM

and this build you've given me... it won't slow down using any of the programs such as iTunes, Quick Books Pro and MSO Word?

Emo_Nemo

Jul 21 2009, 06:56 PM

QUOTE (LP Forever @ Jul 21 2009, 07:18 PM)

and this build you've given me... it won't slow down using any of the programs such as iTunes, Quick Books Pro and MSO Word?

iTunes slows down everything..

But yeah performance wise it should be good.

LP Forever

Jul 21 2009, 07:08 PM

QUOTE (Emo_Nemo @ Jul 21 2009, 06:56 PM)

QUOTE (LP Forever @ Jul 21 2009, 07:18 PM)

and this build you've given me... it won't slow down using any of the programs such as iTunes, Quick Books Pro and MSO Word?

iTunes slows down everything..

But yeah performance wise it should be good.

ok i thought with enough RAM and a good enough processor it wouldnt slow down the system.

Emo_Nemo

Jul 21 2009, 07:14 PM

QUOTE (LP Forever @ Jul 21 2009, 08:08 PM)

QUOTE (Emo_Nemo @ Jul 21 2009, 06:56 PM)

QUOTE (LP Forever @ Jul 21 2009, 07:18 PM)

and this build you've given me... it won't slow down using any of the programs such as iTunes, Quick Books Pro and MSO Word?

iTunes slows down everything..

But yeah performance wise it should be good.

ok i thought with enough RAM and a good enough processor it wouldnt slow down the system.

I was being overdramatic its bloated in general but don't take it seriously it will be fine.

Bob-sama

Jul 21 2009, 07:47 PM

iTunes is slow no matter what. Apple can't write for shizzle for Windows. Even with a 3GHz Core 2 Duo and 6GB DDR2 800, iTunes is just as slow as it's ever been. On a Mac, it's fine. On Windows... well... it's Apple making an example of their own products in those commercials. When they talk about fast and smooth and smart, they forget that it's their own damn fault that they write crappy applications.

Anyways; there's absolutely no reason for a quad-core processor. Simply put, it's additional power draw and it's not going to be utilized it seems. A fast dual-core (perhaps an Athlon II X2 250) is a better choice. No need for a gaming graphics card (make no mistake; HD4600's are gaming cards) either; stick to a Radeon HD 4350 or HD 4550. For power supply, look for the Seasonic SS-350ET Bronze power supplies. They are more efficient than your typical Earthwatts or low-end Corsair units. Newer Seasonic platform as well. Apart from that, how much storage space does she really want or need? A Caviar Black 1TB is a good drive (I have one myself), but a Seagate 7200.12 500GB may be the better choice for your mum. I'd toss into the mix an after-market cooler (perhaps a Scythe Shuriken Rev.B) and basically call it a day. Take the additional savings and, well, save it.

Chris

Jul 22 2009, 04:05 AM

Caboose

Jul 22 2009, 05:56 AM

I was putting together a build that would be best for her, and i found this motherboard. I know this has been leaked before, but still... look at the red circle. Notice anything?

Spoiler: Click to Toggle the Spoiler.

[Close]

Anyway, on with the build. Just a picture this time, i assume you can find the components yourself

You could save a fair bit by putting it in an AM2+ board and using DDR2 memory, but this way it's a lot more future-proof. Like, an upgrade will most likely be a drop in CPU and maybe a graphics card, and you're done, as opposed to a completely new motherboard etc.

EDIT) Also, that Athlon X4/X3 thing is on quite a few motherboards now. Does this mean that they have received a sample to test on their boards? Meaning... release date: Soon. Athlons are were the real gamings done. You sitting there with your L3 Cache... ha!

Bob-sama

Jul 22 2009, 09:25 AM

Athlon II X3/X4 will be likely be released in the coming months that's all. I'd still set out the guidline for a lower-power dual-core, 4GB RAM, and either decent IGP or discrete (like HD4350/HD4550). The reason for this is I think it best if your mum has the power to play full poorly-encoded 1080p videos. I'd also suggest you either use Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows 7 Home Premium as an OS, even if the latter is still at RC stage. It's going to RTM in ~2 weeks and won't be long after then that you can buy it.

For had drive; I'd say stick to Seagate 7200.12's (500GB) or Western Digital Blue's (640GB).

Caboose

Jul 22 2009, 09:45 AM

Yeah, i thought that the 780G chipset would be enough to cope with that, due to it's integrated graphics chip.

Slightly off topic, but how much do you think not having an L3 Cache (since this is really the only difference) will hinder the Athlon IIs performance? I'm sure more people would get the 250 if it wasn't that you can unlock the 550.

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