(12-15-2011, 04:00 AM)thecheeseking Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Guys,
I'm looking to build a budget PC for my Mum, she won't be doing any gaming but it needs to be future proofed as I won't be able to convince her to buy a new computer for a long time (probably 4-5 years at the earliest). Her budget is $1000 (including speakers (but no monitor, keyboard or mouse), Windows and Microsoft office).
Oh it also needs to be able to play Blu-Ray movies. She will mainly use it for watching movies ) both blu-ray and DVD, listening to music, browsing the web, checking emails and writing up documents.
Here's what I'm planning on getting her and I thought I had better check to see if it's good.
CPU:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16725
Case:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=14105
HDD:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16679
Motherboard:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16897
Graphics Card:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=18696
RAM:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16449
Power Supply: (i want something with an 80 plus rating although i think thsi power supply might be too powerful?)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=15319
Blu-Ray Drive:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=18220
Speakers (I'm really unsure on this, I need a good pair of speakers but also not overly expensive)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...ts_id=7745
Windows:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=17003
Office:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=14437
That's a total of $841
Thanks for the help guys 
If I were you, I'd start with the Tier 3 listed hear and move off of that:
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/mains...mber-2011/
I'll give you a configuration that should work well that you can modify to taste.
CPU:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=18947
Motherboard:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16897
RAM:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=13931
GPU:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=15875
HDD:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16679
Blu Ray:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=18220
PSU:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=15135
Case:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...ts_id=6754
Windows 7:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=17003
Office:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=14437
Speakers:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=12599
It comes out to $1,053 as the subtotal. If it's a strict $1,000 cap, this can be adjusted, but for future-proofing I would highly recommend a quad-core CPU, a better GPU, and a better PSU. I'm sure others will weigh in as well on this.
For the CPU, I'd upgrade to the Core i5-2500. The fact that it's a quad-core processor means that it's a lot more future-proof than the Core i3-2100.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16403
Case: The Antec 300 is less expensive and more solid:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...ts_id=6754
Those speakers are pretty much awful. These would be already a great improvement:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=18552
HDD and motherboard are fine choices.
Video card: No need for a dedicated video card if your mother doesn't play video games. The CPU features an integrated video processor (IGP) and the motherboard can output via VGA, DVI or HDMI.
8GB of RAM is a wise choice.
PSU: Your current selection is the lowest priced reliable option. For $14 more, you can get a more efficient (80 PLUS Bronze) and more reliable Seasonic 430W PSU:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=15958
A wise investment (higher efficiency = lower power consumption = lower electricity bill) considering how long you intend to keep the PC.
Blu-Ray drive: Fine choice, but you'll also need software to playback Blu-Ray disks on a PC. PowerDVD 11 Ultra is what I recommend:
http://bit.ly/bsYj5g
Rest of the build looks good to me.
Hey guys,
Thanks for the help, you've given me a lot to think about.
I was wondering what your opinion on these speakers is?
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16511
@dstryrwiz:
You said to upgrade to the G. Skill 1600mhz RAM but doesn't the motherboard only support 1333/1066?
or am i missing something?
Those speakers looks great for the price.
No point in going with faster RAM, you won't feel any difference and all you gain is 1-3% more performance.
(12-15-2011, 08:04 AM)thecheeseking Wrote: [ -> ]Hey guys,
Thanks for the help, you've given me a lot to think about.
I was wondering what your opinion on these speakers is?
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=16511
@dstryrwiz:
You said to upgrade to the G. Skill 1600mhz RAM but doesn't the motherboard only support 1333/1066?
or am i missing something?
Those speakers are pretty good, but they are a higher price, so it's obviously what you consider to be important. As for the RAM upgrade, it's not just the speed, it's the quality of the components. It's up to you.
(12-15-2011, 09:00 AM)thecheeseking Wrote: [ -> ]Alright. Thanks again guys. Here's My final build:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8956/sc...ot320g.png
look good?
Will get power DVD at a later date.
The Seasonic's a great PSU, but I ran the power calculator and I'd be tempted to go for just a bit more overhead, that's why I recommended the Antec, as it has the same efficiency as the Seasonic and it's almost as good, however it has more overhead.
EDIT: Actually, scratch that, I forgot I was also including a GPU in the calculations.
Kingston RAM is #1 when it comes to reliability, so I'd stick with them over G.Skill if quality is your priority.
As for the speakers, the PC will be used to watch movies and listen to music, so good sound quality is important for a good experience.
Speaking of sound quality, you may want to consider getting a dedicated sound card for improved sound quality:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=15774
Onboard sound is okay, but a dedicated sound card sounds way better.
(12-15-2011, 11:01 AM)MathieuB Wrote: [ -> ]Kingston RAM is #1 when it comes to reliability, so I'd stick with them over G.Skill if quality is your priority.
As for the speakers, the PC will be used to watch movies and listen to music, so good sound quality is important for a good experience.
Speaking of sound quality, you may want to consider getting a dedicated sound card for improved sound quality: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main...s_id=15774
Onboard sound is okay, but a dedicated sound card sounds way better.
Definitely second the sound card. I run an external interface for audio, but I could never think of using stock onboard sound for anything that's intending to be good.