Hello my fellow techies!

I have a friend (a 65 year old woman) who is in need of a new computer for a good price. She needs something that can handle the basics (web, MS Office, watching DVD's, etc.). I have been researching and researching, but I still need some input.

1. What is the best processor for under $100? I have a Pentium D E2160 that I've overclocked and been very happy with, but I don't want to complicate (or compromise) her system with an OC. I was also considering Athlons, but are there any in that range that are better than the Intel's in that range?

2. What motherboard would you recommend, under $100? I would prefer built in HD audio, along with room for two optical drives, and two HDD's, and at least a 4 slots for DDR2 6700.

3. 2 gig DDR2 RAM under $50?

4. What cases for under $75?

5. PSU under $100? I'm thinking an Antec 400W or so.

6. What do you recommend on a good (fully equipped for reading and writing all CD and DVD formats) DVD drive? Preferably SATA, but PATA could be okay.

7. What are some good speakers for $75 or less?

8. Finally, I need some recommendations on a 19" widescreen LCD monitor.


With all of these, the cheaper the better, as long as I'm still buying solid components.

For such basic needs, why not just find her a nice OEM computer?

Go here and select the Dell Vostro 200 Slim Tower. Add some extra ram to the bundle and the system will be plenty for what it seems like she needs at only $400 (little extra when you add ram) including a 19" monitor and OS. An E2160 at stock is plenty fast for internet, office work, and watching DVDs.

Doesn't sound like she's a big audiophile. Why the $75 speakers? A $30 set of decent 2.1 speakers is probably enough.

If you're set on building her a machine yourself, here's what I would recommend for a nonoverclocker with your budget:

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H - $99.99 + $7 shipping (HD 1080P capable)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ 2.6GHz Retail - $87 + free shipping
G.skill 4GB DDR2 800 - $74.99 + free shipping (upgraded to 4GB since saved money on the case/psu)
Antec NSK4480B - $67.65 + variable shipping (small, unoffensive case with a decent 380W PSU)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB SATA - $64.99 + free shipping (didn't mention HDD, reusing one?)
Samsung DVD±RW - $26.99 + free shipping
Acer AL1916WAbd Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - $179.99 + $14.97 shipping
Vista Home Premium SP1 - $109.99 + free shipping (unsure if you need this or not)
-----------------------------------------------
Total: $711.59 + $21.97 shipping + the case's shipping ($9.78 for me)

It's better than the Vostro 200 I linked to, but at a much higher price. For those basic needs, I doubt you would even be able to tell much of a difference between the two...

Alternative build: 2GB ram is enough for this.
MB $100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128090
CPU $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103243
RAM $26: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145590
HDD $65: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136161
DVDRW $27: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827118002
CASE + PSU $55: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119118
Total $333 + shipping

Mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, OS as above.

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the input. She is still saving up for the PC, but I'll let you know what I go with when she gets the money together.