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[snowbound]

Friend wants a new computer to replace their aging P4

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Home use for web surfing, email, listing to music some video streaming viewing

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$600-$700

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

AMD Intel WD

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Full tower case and lcd monitor

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

yes seems more recommendations for i3/i5 CPUs

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
default speeds

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
no gaming

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
within the next month

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

 

[mfenn]

Needs a monitor and will not do any gaming? Dell Outlet (ok DFSDirect in Canada) seems like the way to go to me. For example, here's a Core 2 Duo with 2GB of RAM for $200. You can pop in 4GB of DDR2 for a reasonable price ($40) and still come out ahead. If you want to fill out your budget, here's a Core i7 with 9GB of RAM for $600. Add the $100 22" monitor and you are good to go.

 

[Zap]

Sounds as if the friend already has an LCD monitor.

I would second the suggestion of just going with a pre-built since it is a basic use budget system.

If you absolutely want to build it yourself, here are some suggestions.

Celeron G530 CPU
socket 1155 mini ITX motherboard
4GB DDR3 RAM
60GB or larger modern SSD
slim optical drive
Antec ISK300 or ISK310 case
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Can do this in around $450 USD. Since there is extra budget, can go with a bigger SSD or add a notebook HDD if the friend has a large media collection. Also can go a bit faster on the CPU just for the heck of it, such as Pentium 620 or 820, or go hog wild overkill and get a Core i3-2100.

 

[piasabird]

Consider getting a Flatscreen TV as a monitor. I stream a lot of video to my TV/Monitor. 40" Monitor. My wife has bad eyesight and she likes using a TV for a monitor. You can also watch TV. With Hulu+ and Netflix there is like 50 years of TV you can watch for a lot less than Cable TV. Now the largest problem is finding a HARD DRIVE that will work. Then there is the i3/i5 Dilemna. I am in favor of getting an i-5 2500k It increases the cost a little bit, but it is worth it.

 

[snowbound]

Consider getting a Flatscreen TV as a monitor. I stream a lot of video to my TV/Monitor. 40" Monitor. My wife has bad eyesight and she likes using a TV for a monitor. You can also watch TV. With Hulu+ and Netflix there is like 50 years of TV you can watch for a lot less than Cable TV. Now the largest problem is finding a HARD DRIVE that will work. Then there is the i3/i5 Dilemna. I am in favor of getting an i-5 2500k It increases the cost a little bit, but it is worth it.

I am in Canada and as such Netflix selection sucks and Hulu is not available. Space limitations for where the computer is located preclude using a TV and the friend has no problem with the current LCD monitor and his vision.