Mom's Computer

It's income tax time, and me and my dad are looking to surprise my mom with a new computer. You see, just a few weeks ago, her best friend and next door neighbor moved all the way to Tennessee (we live in Georgia) because her husband is in the Air Force. They can of course talk on the phone, but she claims it just isn't the same, so we're going to buy two webcams and send one to Tennessee. I'm going to build a very basic computer build that will allow her to do very basic things, i.e. web-chat and browse the web. This will be my second experience building a computer from the ground up so I think I know what I'm doing, but I'm still a novice compared to you guys. Here's what I've got so far - remember, the cheaper the better, but I don't want it to be too weak. The motherboard has Nvidia 8200 integrated graphics, so that's plenty. I've got a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate already.

For what you are looking to get out of this build, I am sure all the components you have chosen will work out fine. If it were my money, I think I would make a couple minor changes.

I have never used a motherboard from Elite Group and it is possible they are great, but if it were my money, I would feel more comfortable going with a different motherboard. Keeping in mind you want onboard video, I would look at something like the ASUS M4A78-EM (69.99 after rebate). I have built a couple of office machines with that motherboard without issue. Another option would be the ASUS M4A78L-M. It is a new product, but features DX10 support and I am sure you wouldn't have an issue. In my experience, any motherboard ASUS makes is rock solid.

I know you were looking at a bundle deal with the case, and I don't know how much savings that actually got you. I was comparing cases in the Antec 300 price range a couple of months ago and was impressed with the NZXT Beta. For a small inexpensive mid-tower it is packed with features, and is solidly constructed. It is comparable in size and featuresto the the Antec 300, but you might be able to find it $10-20 dollars less. I actually looked at a 300 and a BETA side by side (I was buying 5 of them, so I wanted to make the right decision) and hands down I would go with the BETA. Using one of the motherboards I suggested, along with the case I suggested should cost about the same as the package you were looking at before.

Yeah you're right about the PSU, I don't know what I was thinking. And looking at the motherboard most of the reviews were awful rofl.

PSU changed to this, motherboard to this.

Never really thought of a budget, but I guess my limit would be $600-650 USD.

Just saw your post Unknown. The motherboard was a great suggestion, I've decided to replace my motherboard with the ASUS M4A78-EM model. About the case, the NZXT Beta sure does look nice but I have experience with the Antec 300, I used it on my first build. I know everything will fit, if you catch my drift.

Keep the suggestions coming!

This motherboard is the same as the one you changed to, but comes with a rebate (rebates are a pain, but money is money). It also supports AM2\AM2+ and AM3 socket types (The CPU I just suggested is AM3). The model you have is only AM2\AM2+ compatible.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131384

In an AM2+ board yes.

I'm not sure if there are AM3 boards that support DDR2 though.

Take a look at this case; 39.99 after $20 mail in rebate.

NZXT Beta

It used to ship with a 430W PSU included (as recent as last week, but I can't tell if it still is.) I am telling you, I prefer that case to the Antec 300, even if their prices were reversed (I love Antec cases, but I have to go with the NZXT here). If it does ship with the PSU, even better. It is not a great PSU, but at that price, throw it out if it doesn't deliver.

If it does

quote Vendetta

Are AM3 processors compatible with DDR2?

Yes. Some AMD AM3 motherboards now support DDR3, but that hasn't always been the case. (When the i7's were originally released, a lot of people credited their performance advantage to DDR3 vs DDR2; in reality DDR3 gives a relatively minor increase in performance) I don't know all that much about the CPU architecture, but I am pretty sure they do not have a built in memory controller like the i7's. I think the memory controller is actually located on the motherboard (Am I referring to FSB? Can someone answer this? Also correct me if I am wrong, but besides different pin configurations, isn't memory backwards compatable?).

quote Unknown08

Yes. Some AMD AM3 motherboards now support DDR3

I haven't seen a single AM3 board that doesn't support DDR3.

The boards that say AM2/AM2+/AM3 are AM2+ boards.

The AM3 CPUs are backwards compatible in sockets, as long as the board will support it.

The AM2+ chips will not work in an AM3 board.