Suggestions for low-end system

[RyanbATC]

I've been putting together a low-end system for my in-law's...I think I'm going with Dell.. Yeah yeah gimme crap about it lol, normally I'd build one, but I don't think I can do it as cheap (with OS, etc) as Dell can...

They are going to use it for some internet browsing, some simple word processing and storing/viewing digital photos from their digi cam. No gaming, no powerhousing going on LOL

I wanted some opinions on a few things...namely the OS and how much RAM/CPU, and if the intergrated gpu would be enough...

I am fully aware of the C2D's, yes they are great, but when the people you are building it for work very very hard and have very little money you can't just slap in a C2D cpu...

So, here's what I'm thinking

Dell E521

Vista Basic Edition (anyone know of any reason NOT to go with basic?)
AMD 3500+
1GB DDR2 667 mhz ram (I went for the 1GB instead of the 512, ok with vista basic???)

GF 6150 integrated graphics... big question here...will this work OK with vista basic? (no aero glass etc), will it power a 17in LCD monitor ok? (analogue) Or will I have to go on newegg and get something faster? 7600? etc? Theres an option to upgrade to X1300 (radeon for 50 bucks or 100 bucks for the 256mb ram version)

160GB sata hdd
16x dvd/rw burner
56k modem (they live in country, no high-speed)
NO floppy (should I get one off newegg...like 8 bucks I think??)

17in LCD Dell (or should I buy off newegg, any suggestions? Dell wants 200 bucks to get one of their basic 17in LCDs)

As far as anti virus and anti spyware I was thinking of FREEWARE AVG/Adaware combo....I know not the best out there (would have gone with PC Cillin/Spysweeper for software maybe not sure yet)

Total comes to about 700 USD....they've got free shipping for the time being as well...

Main options are getting that OR
-getting a lcd off newegg, looking at a few they appear to range from 150-180 with shipping for a 17in
-getting only 512ram off dell and adding a 512 stick off newegg....dell wants 60 bucks for another 512 stick
-getting a better video card from dell (like I said, only offer radeon x1300 or x1300pro)

Any suggestions? I also checked HP and could not match the options for the same price (ie HP similar equipped was more $$$ than dell)

Thanks much appreciated!

[noell]

If the intended use is exactly as you say, I say go with it. I had exactly the same scenario a year or so ago in sugggesting a system for my sister. I just could not build one cheaper than going with Dell. So she went with the Dell with integrated graphics and its been absolutely perfect given her type of computer usage (surf the net, view digital camera pix, email and a bit of WP).



....Noell

[RyanbATC]

yeah ok thanks I prolly will go with it.... What do you tihnk about the LCD? Newegg or Dell? I think I could save 10-30 bucks by going with Newegg....then again it won't "match" perfectly lol

[jcmissionary]

Gotta agree with Noell here. For non-gaming computers, Dell can give you a good deal. I was going to build one for my mother-in-law, but after seeing what Dell offers for basic systems, I recommended that she go with them. It's amazing that some computers can be sold for so cheap.....

[noell]

For the sake of a few bucks I'd get it all from Dell. The advantage is that if something goes wrong its "one stop shopping" to get it fixed which is a lot less hassle for "normal" computer folks.

....Noell

[baddadnv]

Hi Ryan,

My Opinions ............


"Vista Basic Edition" > Is just fine, and will take less resources than the upgrade editions, and will eliminate all the (what I consider) useless programs.

"1GB DDR2 667 mhz ram" > Multi tasking may be borderline with 1 Gig and Vista but that's true with all 'Low End Systems.

"GF 6150 integrated graphics" > Doesn't get any better than that for on board graphics - Even light gaming is possible with the 6150.

Randy

[RyanbATC]

Thanks Randy

How are things going by the way? I haven't head from Paul in a lifetime sheesh hope he's ok...

Heard from Chuck not too long ago

[baddadnv]

Yes Ryan, everything OK at this end.

Still waiting (and being bored) for the latest hardware refinements to sort themselves out. Sure would like to build (upgrade) the gaming rig, but not going to make ANY moves just yet. Newer, faster, better, hardware nearly on a monthly basis right now. CPU's, Video Cards, Ram, all the same situation.

I suspect Paul and Chuck are in the same 'wait and see mode right now, thus the lack of posts on the Forum, from everyone.

Randy

[noell]

Well I just gave up on the wait and see game.
Just got an E6600, ASUS P5N32-SLI mobo, 2GB Mushkin XP series RAM, an EVGA 8800 GTS KO ACS3 w/640MB, another 74GB Raptor and a hi-res Samsung 215TW monitor. The mobo is quad-core/1333FSB compliant so I'll eventually upgrade the CPU and also upgrade to an NVIDIA "90" series video card whenever they get released.

I just hooked up the new 215TW monitor and I have to say it is pretty impressive. So far anyway as I haven't tried FS9/FSX on it yet.

Over the next few days my trusty and much loved socket 939 system with the OC'd 4000+ and the 7900GTX that has been a stellar FS9 system will be demoted to the lowly status of "secondary" system as the C2D system becomes my "main" system.




....Noell

AMD Athlon 4000+ (San Diego) @ 2750MHz
CoolerMaster 'Aquagate 120' Liquid Cooling
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
2GB Corsair TwinX2048-3500LLPro @ DDR500 (2.5-3-3-6&1T)
EVGA 8800 GTS KO ACS3 w/ 640MB @580MHz&1.7GHz (Driver: NVIDIA 97.94)
74GB WD Raptor
120GB WD Caviar
SB Audigy Gamer
OCZ GameXStream 700W
Antec P180B case

[RyanbATC]

well let us know what happens...

lol your "lowly" secondary system owns my main system hahah!