PC for Parents

[Smartazz]

I recently built the rig in my sig, so my Q6600 is now retired. I have all the parts for an extra rig except a case and a video card. Their current PC is an old Pentium 4@3GHz with integrated video so the Q6600 even at stock should be a huge upgrade. Would it be possible to go with a slim case if I use CPU stock cooling and a low profile video card? If so, what case and low profile video card should I get? Goal is to keep price low while getting a reasonable case. As slim as possible while still holding a 5.25" DVD drive and a 3.5" hard drive with a slim video card and stock CPU cooling. Budget is under $100 total. It doesn't necessarily have to be slim, but smaller would be preferred.

 

[fastamdman]

How slim of a case and what is your budget?

 

[Smartazz]

As slim as possible while still holding a 5.25" DVD drive and a 3.5" hard drive with a slim video card and stock CPU cooling. Budget is under $100 total.

 

[fastamdman]

If it's a full size motherboard and not a micro it will make things a bit harder. I will let someone else answer this one because small isn't my specialty. I usually go for midsize to full size towers with all of my builds.

Just out of curiosity why does the pc have to be so small for them? Usually parents wouldn't mind having a normal tower that they simply press the power button and thats that lol

 

[Smartazz]

Now that I think about it, it doesn't have to be slim, it just has to be a small tower. The PC that's there is a small Sony Vaio that's a mini tower and I'd like to replace it with nothing bigger. The Q6600 motherboard is a full ATX board, but the current Pentium 4 motherboard definitely is too.

 

[fastamdman]

Why not just use the same case?

 

[Smartazz]

Why not just use the same case?

The case was an Antec 1200 which I'm using for my new build. Right now my old PC is taken apart and the parts are in their boxes.

 

[fastamdman]

No I mean the case that the pentium 4 is in, why not use that for your parents again? Just take those parts out and use the case

 

[Smartazz]

No I mean the case that the pentium 4 is in, why not use that for your parents again? Just take those parts out and use the case

Would a prebuilt computer's case accept another motherboard? I thought they were proprietary cases.

 

[fastamdman]

A case is just a case, you can always pull out a motherboard from it and put another one it.

 

[sm625]

Gotta keep in mind that at some point that machine is likely to get infected with a sysgaurd type worm or something that drives cpu usage to 100% on one or more cores and it could end up running that way for a long time.

It doesnt even have to be a worm. Sometimes firefox will be closed but not really closed. It will still be running in the background at 100% of one core.

And also keep in mind that it could get covered in dust.

It wouldnt take much to push a Q6600 into the red zone, even at stock speeds. I would underclock and undervolt it if you're giving it to a pogo-playing parent.

 

[fastamdman]

Just put a good anti virus on it...That will stop it from getting infected. Eset nod32 is what I recommend, once its setup thats it, it will protect it from that stuff.

As far as the dust, just clean it out once a week, not a big deal.

There is nothing wrong with re-using an old case.

 

[illram]

This coolermaster case is smaller than some micro ATX mini-towers, it takes ATX, and it is super cheap, but I can't speak to its quality though. Mostly positive reviews on the 'egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119195

For video cards, just get a cheap 5450 if all your parents are doing is emailing, internet, and maybe watching videos. $30 for one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119195

Before taxes & shipping that's $70 for both.

If your parent's old computer has a standard ATX mobo in it, odds are it will fit any other ATX mobo.

Why assume the PC will get a virus or a worm?

 

[Smartazz]

My parents are pretty competent with computers so viruses or worms won't be a problem for them. The Pentium 4 is just a slow processor today, whereas the Q6600 is still pretty fast.

 

[Smartazz]

Another option for video card is my old 8800GTS 640MB. The 650W Corsair power supply will definately be able to run it, but it uses a lot of power at idle and runs very hot. Would it be worth buying a $30 video card like the 5450 to use instead?

 

[fastamdman]

I would just give them the 8800gts

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I would just give them the 8800gts

Me too. Not like they gonna game

 

[fastamdman]

8800's aren't horrible gaming cards either, they run WoW just fine =D

 

[illram]

That would work. Just make sure it fits in whatever case you choose.

 

[Smartazz]

The 8800GTS is pretty small by today's standards, but it uses a lot of electricity when idle. However, the difference in electricity cost is likely low anyway. It's also more than enough for just some light photo work.

 

[GoStumpy]

As far as cases go, I built a Fractal Design Core 1000, much smaller than I expected! I really liked the way it looked when complete:

Size: 16.54" x 6.89" x 13.98"

For the $$$ I can't think of anything better!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

As far as cases go, I built a Fractal Design Core 1000, much smaller than I expected! I really liked the way it looked when complete:

Size: 16.54" x 6.89" x 13.98"

For the $$$ I can't think of anything better!

it comes with a fan too!

its a nice little case, only 40 bucks

 

[GoStumpy]

And for another ~$10, an exhaust fan will make it have great airflow for a non-enthusiast owner...

 

[mfenn]

A case is just a case, you can always pull out a motherboard from it and put another one it.

You'll look really silly trying to plug a proprietary single-block front panel header into a standard mobo.

 

[fastamdman]

Front panel...do people really actually hook those up and use them?