building a cheap computer
 

ok, well i visted my grandmother recently and the whole time i was their she complained about her computer when she was on it. So i decied to put a little cash together and buy her one. My price limit is 500-600 and i would like to get her a monitor also but its not a need. Oh her old computer is gateway from 2002-2003 1.8 cpu 128mb of ram 80gb hard drive, inagrated graphics card. Thanks for any help!

checkout "Barebone kits" is the best way go about it, this way you can save money by adding in old item from her old system, floppy, HD, DVD/Cd drive/modem/ monitor, key broad,mouse

most Barebone kits come with MOB, CPU, Limited Ram 1024mb you can get more if need to, CPU Fan, Tower case, for 450.00-500.00 for a good system, be warn they be up to days stander and may need a PCI express graphic card for it, but the MOB would have a graphic chip to them anyways.

big listing of barebone kits> tirgerdirect.com
link: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...c.asp?CatId=31

newegg.com i did not see a listing for barebone kits, when i click-on a link there got 404 for some reason. it was my first pick to look. maybe Scott can find it there some.

i would stay away from: "eMachines and Refurbished" they are good but then again it maybe limited for part replacement and It serive. there are some relly bad brands should stay away from they more of a headackes to get drivers and other things.

Gateway, Dells i would stay away from totally. HP is fair but i build my own first (barebone kit) its sweet running. i updated the bois for it from Intel and chipset.

to me a barebone kits rock totally.

my Pick link: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1360&CatId=333

keep in mind you need to buy windows Xp or Vista for it, not included.
==============================
keep in mind it only has:
1-PCIe slot
2-PCI slots
2-Ram Card Slots

if you think she be needing more PCI Slots look around more.

CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136119

Case w/450W PS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147031

160GB HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136075

17" LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824254018

Keyboard (I have this, it's AWESOME!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823107120

Microsoft Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826105026

1GB Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146580

MSI Motherboard w/ Intel Graphics (Good enough for vids, movies, basic stuff)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130060

Dual Core Core2Duo 2.0GHz (Very fast CPU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115014

Vista Home Basic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116196


$619.90 for a very nice PC, including everything. Take out the monitor and you can add another gig of ram and faster core 2 duo, or take off $149.99 and your total is only $469.91, under budget and will definitely last a few years.

Since Core2Duo's are very cheap, yet some of the most powerful CPU's currently out (RIP AMD :(), you should not consider anything less.

I assume your grandma doesn't play games, so a dedicated card is not needed. The motherboard is certified for Vista, reviews online say it can handle the Aero interface just fine, which will probably be of little concern anyways. Even low end integrated graphics chips will handle movies and videos just fine.

pssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhttttttt i'll sell you my tower for $550 lol

500 watt psu
amd 64 bit 3400+
gig of ram
ati 9800xt (that was the **** when i built this lol)
x-fi platinum soundcard (only good and newer thing on this tower)
cd/dvd rom and burner
120 gig Western Digital

hell i'll even formate it and put windows xt pro and all the windows applications on it too

i think scott you just saved me agian! The computer god!