Hello-I have zero experience with building computers, but I'd like to build a solid computer for my parents. I'm familiar with the various components I need, but I don't really know where to start with which brands. etc. to buy.

The only thing that my Dad told me he wanted the computer to do is use Musicmatch Jukebox, but I'm sure they also want smooth internet, email, and word processing- the simple stuff. In short, they want a smooth computer-not the slow experience of the dell dimension 8250 that they currently use.

So does anyone have any advice or sites they could direct me to so I could find out where to start?

I like to look at the reviews on newegg. The star rating does not always mean much, but reading the reviews can give you a quick idea if you want to buy an item or not. For an inexpensive home email, music, and internet system, I would go with an AMD X2 system with integrated nvidia or AMD graphics. The new Pentiums would also be good, like the E2200. They are about the same price as AMD, but you can save a lot on the motherboard with the AMD. You can get a nice integrated graphics AM2 board for around $60. The Intel boards with similar features and a current chipset will be more than $100.

I got a Gigabyte AM2 Motherboard recently, and I am very satisfied. I have also used MSI a lot in the past. They are very reliable and stable as well. However, MSI does not seem to allow for overclocking on their MATX boards anymore.

^^^

What he said, then get 2x1GB of DDR2-800 ram, its on newegg for under $50 these days.

Throw in a hard drive and dvd drive, add a case and a GOOD 400-500 watt PSU and you'll be set.

I would suggest getting the Antec Earthwatts 450W psu.

1) whats the Budget? and does it include monitor/speakers/mouse/keyboard

2) exactly what all is the machine going to be used for?

If all they do is internet,email etc. then all they need is a basic system. With Dell, their lower end systems are not very expensive. And seeing you have "zero" computer building experience, that is probably the best way to go. Check out the forums at slickdeals.net Lots of good deals on Dell listed there. Hell, there is a deal on the main page for a Intel quad core, 22" monitor, 250gb hd, 1g ram and more for <$600. Very good deal. More than enough for your parents.

I'd start with the Antec Sonata case with Earthwatts 500W PSU, now on sale for a low $80AR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129024

I don't like the gloss black finish, but it is otherwise a great mid-range case, quiet, and one of the few with eSATA on the front.

To that I would add:

E4500 CPU - a good dual core option at a reasonable price - $125

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115031

Gigabyte P35 DS3R mobo - $127 - you could save about $27 by going with the DS3L board but it only has 4 SATA connectors while the DS3R has 8

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128050

OCZ Gold 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $89
You could save about $40 if budget constrained by getting only 2x1GB memory- which would provide acceptable performance for their uses - but with prices cheap today I would try go for more memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227199

EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - $120AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130290

This card should handle the uses you described very well, but a video card upgrade is the place to spend more if budget allows and you want more power. Consider the THG list of cards:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/1 [...] hics_card/

And if you want to review the performance of the different cards in real applications, the VGA charts:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html

To these key components, add Seagate 320 GB HD - $85, DVD Burner - $35, and Vista Home Premium OEM $110.

Total cost: $661 before OS and $771 with OS
You can shave $67 off this if needed as noted above.
If that is still too expensive, then you should consider going with a mobo with integrated graphics, saving the $120 for the video card.
Naturally you will also need monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers, which are not normally included in system specs listed on the forum.

This will give you a nice system - and if you chose to upgrade the video card it could be a very powerful system.

No Doubt that Dell is a deal! 585$ on slickdeals.net just bring it home and slap another GIG of ram in there. Perfect for parents.

Intel Core 2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic - English
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
22 inch Samsung 2220WM Widescreen Analog/Digital Black LCD Monitor
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
48X CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support

I agree that a new Dell (or HP, emachine, etc.) may be a cheaper and easier approach, especially if you have no experience building systems.

If you feel comfortable building a system, it will cost a little more to build one yourself (and do it right), but you can customize it to fit you and you can upgrade / fix things easier in the future. Dell machines are great (we use them at work), but when a part breaks, you usually have to get the part from Dell at a premium. Things like memory and hard drives are no problem, but if the motherboard fries or a part on the motherboard, then you may be out of luck. The Dell cases are awesome, but very proprietary. I have one at home that even has a proprietary plug for the case fan, and the motherboard holdowns do not all use screws. Instead, they have these metal fins that lock the motherboard in place. The power supplies are also frequently inadequate if you ever want a high end (or even medium) gaming card. If all of that does not matter to you, then by all means get the Dell.

If you get a dell though, make sure to get one of the Optiplex machines (or any of the business machines). They have US or Canadian support. The others have the support from places like India.

If you build your own, make sure to get a good quality power supply like one of the others said. The PS provided with most cases are usually inadequate, low quality and noisy. It is one of the most important parts in the system. You may also consider buying quieter fans for the case. For a low end system, you really only need one besides what is in the PS.

you are better off with XP then with vista home Basic move up to Premium and get a real video card.

If you interested in system building as a hobby/interest then do the necessary research and take your time. If you're just looking for a cheap way to get a computer a first time build is probably not the best idea. Chances are you'll end up having to spending extra $$ on something you didn't originally plan on or something else unexpected. If your really interested in building, then just ignore all the recommendations on what to buy. Go find some real good resources on how to build a system. Figure out the 'how' before the 'what'.

Yes, definitely get Vista Premium Like Joe_the_Dragon says. I think that integrated video is fine for an internet / office system, as long as you have one that is Vista Premium ready. Be careful though, some of the Dell machines with the "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100" are not upgradeable. I would NEVER want a system that did not at least have the option to upgrade - Especially with Vista. Make sure that it has a PCI Express X16 port (not just an X1).

If the budget allows though, it would be better to get a DirectX 10 video card.

Your self-built computer will last longer than the Dell. A few upgrades along the way will keep your computer lasting longer than the Dell.

I agree this is a very nice deal.
Unless your Parents are hard-core games, I don't see a home build as making much sense.

Unless they need a powerful GPU and need to OC to the hilt, get this system.
If you plan to build, I hope you have a much bigger budget.

That Dell is a sweet deal. Just add another GB of RAM and it will be perfect.

For mom and dad, get the qaulity Dell that is already built, they will be happy.

The dell route does sound alot easier- I was under the impression that building your own computer would be more cost-effective.

My only qualm about Dell is the fact that the slow computer we have now is a Dell- I guess it's just old

Has the Dell been checked for virus, spyware,ect? I have no idea what the specs of the Dell are so I don't know if it's old and slow (like me) or maybe just in need of some maintaince.

I believe Dell 8250 is not that old - I have 8400 still in use.
I second what chuckm said. Also did you defrag the HD lately? What are the specs? Did you consider a simple CPU and/or graphics upgrade?