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Cheap Low Power Solution
posted in Hardware
1
#1
1 Frags +

Hey TF.TV, my mom has decided after 10+ years it is time to dump her old Dell Dimension 2400 and get a new computer.

She uses it purely for:
Email
Printing
Word Processing
Netflix (she wants to anyhow)
Web browsing

I was looking at parts, and want to get something modern so I can replace parts for her with ease for the next at least 5 years, meaning:
DDR3 Ram
Newest Processor socket type (LGA 2011/AM3+/FM2)

I also plan on necro'ing her disk drive and POSSIBLY her 80gb HDD, but I prob want to get her just a 32GB SSD, as she uses very little of the 80 anyhow.

My current build idea
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/21Pvg

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 340 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($41.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Biostar A55MD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.49 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk ReadyCache 32GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($9.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 300W Micro ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $191.43

Hey TF.TV, my mom has decided after 10+ years it is time to dump her old [b]Dell Dimension 2400[/b] and get a new computer.

She uses it purely for:
Email
Printing
Word Processing
Netflix (she wants to anyhow)
Web browsing

I was looking at parts, and want to get something modern so I can replace parts for her with ease for the next at least 5 years, meaning:
DDR3 Ram
Newest Processor socket type (LGA 2011/AM3+/FM2)

I also plan on necro'ing her disk drive and POSSIBLY her 80gb HDD, but I prob want to get her just a 32GB SSD, as she uses very little of the 80 anyhow.

My current build idea
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/21Pvg

[b]CPU:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad340xokhjbox]AMD Athlon II X2 340 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor[/url] ($41.98 @ OutletPC)
[b]Motherboard:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/biostar-motherboard-a55md2]Biostar A55MD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard[/url] ($44.99 @ Newegg)
[b]Memory:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-kvr16n11s84]Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory[/url] ($34.49 @ Newegg)
[b]Storage:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sandisk-internal-hard-drive-sdssdrc032gg26]Sandisk ReadyCache 32GB 2.5" Solid State Disk[/url] ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
[b]Case:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/hec-case-enterprise]HEC Enterprise MicroATX Mid Tower Case[/url] ($9.99 @ Newegg)
[b]Power Supply:[/b] [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/part/coolmax-power-supply-cm300]CoolMax 300W Micro ATX Power Supply[/url] ($19.99 @ Mwave)
[b]Total:[/b] $191.43
2
#2
3 Frags +

Biostar is complete junk, pay a little more for something decent. Also, generic PS will under perform/DOA/Die early. I don't see the reason for a SSD at all for what she is doing with it

Biostar is complete junk, pay a little more for something decent. Also, generic PS will under perform/DOA/Die early. I don't see the reason for a SSD at all for what she is doing with it
3
#3
-5 Frags +

atleast dump a little more than 200$ for your mom

atleast dump a little more than 200$ for your mom
4
#4
0 Frags +

Make sure she has Windows 7/8, XP's support is supposed to expire next year.

Make sure she has Windows 7/8, XP's support is supposed to expire next year.
5
#5
4 Frags +

Yeah, I don't think 32GB of storage is gonna cut it.

Yeah, I don't think 32GB of storage is gonna cut it.
6
#6
1 Frags +

You must get at least an AMD A4-4000 APU, the Athlon FM2 chips DO NOT have integrated graphics capabilities if you're sticking with an FM2 build. Please get 2x2GB DDR3 modules, a PSU that won't catch on fire (Corsair, Seasonic, Antec, Enermax, etc.) and you may find a 32GB SSD rather small, especially if the computer accumulates junk and then runs out of disk space eventually. I do have a Win7 installation on a 36GB original WD Raptor and without anything installed it has about 12GB free space right off the bat.

You must get at least an AMD A4-4000 APU, the Athlon FM2 chips DO NOT have integrated graphics capabilities if you're sticking with an FM2 build. Please get 2x2GB DDR3 modules, a PSU that won't catch on fire (Corsair, Seasonic, Antec, Enermax, etc.) and you may find a 32GB SSD rather small, especially if the computer accumulates junk and then runs out of disk space eventually. I do have a Win7 installation on a 36GB original WD Raptor and without anything installed it has about 12GB free space right off the bat.
7
#7
1 Frags +

you may want to check out laptops on black friday. There's really no reason to spend 200 dollars on a cheap desktop unless you're trying to make a HTPC. Laptop would likely be more convenient to her and she can still set it on her desk and use it like a desktop if she wants. I've seen some early leaks showing laptops for low 200's this black friday that have a lot of battery life.

you may want to check out laptops on black friday. There's really no reason to spend 200 dollars on a cheap desktop unless you're trying to make a HTPC. Laptop would likely be more convenient to her and she can still set it on her desk and use it like a desktop if she wants. I've seen some early leaks showing laptops for low 200's this black friday that have a lot of battery life.
8
#8
0 Frags +

What's the budget? You're probably gonna want to get an OS as mentioned, and with a new OS you're definitely gonna need a bigger SSD as it can grow over time. Double it and you should be fine.

Your build isn't too bad, but I would recommend getting a better quality PSU and maybe motherboard.

What's the budget? You're probably gonna want to get an OS as mentioned, and with a new OS you're definitely gonna need a bigger SSD as it can grow over time. Double it and you should be fine.

Your build isn't too bad, but I would recommend getting a better quality PSU and maybe motherboard.
9
#9
2 Frags +

If you want it to last 5 years, don't buy things that are 5 years outdated today.

If you want it to last 5 years, don't buy things that are 5 years outdated today.
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