I'm building a PC for my parents to replace their 10 year old Windows XP computer and I'm trying to decide if I can use their old Hdd. I'm using the nov/dec 350$ build as a base, so I’m looking at the 500gb Seagate barracuda. It has double the cache than the one my parents are using, and I'm wondering how much that affects performance.
10 years old? I'd wager today's 5400 RPM notebook drives are faster. And that's the time when SATA was first around, so I'd double check the drive to make sure it is SATA, and not PATA/IDE. IF it is PATA/IDE, then you will need an IDE to SATA adapter, and I've had issues finding a reliable one under $20. That, or an IDE PCI expansion card.
What are your parents doing on their computer? I'd opt for an inexpensive SSD, like the ADATA SP600, if they don't need the space.
Or if they do need the space, you could get the SSD as a boot drive, and use the old drive as storage.
Here its a: WD2500JS-75NCB3 - 250GB 7.2K RPM SATA Hard Disk Drive H
So yes it is SATA
They probobly won't be doing much more than interent browsing, some work and solitare but I want it to be .secure and fast.
They might me able to get away with an SSD, i'm on a 300$ budget to build this thing though, not including the windows disc.
something like that? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QQKm
$331.88
something like that but im probably going with something like this http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113280, hoping to find one with a weaker gpu internally to lower price
Linux will solve your problems. I've been working a speedy computer for basic everyday tasks, which Linux can handle very well. I'd download Linux Mint 13 and fire it up and see if your parents like it. You can install Gnome Games, which includes solitare, it's already pre-installed with Firefox and a flash plugin, and LibreOffice, which is compatible with MS Office (just save as .doc), and newest versions of MS Office (2007 w/ compatibility pack and up) are compatible with LibreOffice as well.
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jerm1027/saved/1rCG
Feel free to modify, since your budget would allow. I'd get a 4GB dual-channel kit of RAM, and probably go for a better motherboard, like the MSI B75MA-E33, or the ASRock H77M. This way, you won't have to upgrade the BIOS, which H61 boards require in order to run Ivy Bridge CPUs.
The APU isn't a bad route, but unless they're going to make use of that GPU, the low-end Intel offerings would be better. More power efficient, and web browsing doesn't need a quad-core unless they are going have 20 tabs of YouTube open. The A4 3400 is the best budget friendly option, though it's dying off. The A4-5300 is another good option, though slightly pricier. Also, if you're going to use Linux, you will need to install proprietary drivers to get optimal performance and enable the power saving features. With the Intel route, you won't need to configure any drivers.
Non-tech parents and Linux don't get along...
Why you don't try this?
CPU A8-5500 FM2 Quad core @3.2ghz (3,7ghz turbo) $104 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113288
RAM Corsair Vengeance 4gb @1600mhz $34 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145346
MOBO ASRock FM2A75M-DGS FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX $55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157331
HDD WD Caviar Blue 500gb (16mb cache, 7200rpm) $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
DVD Lite on DVD burner $18 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
CASE NZXT Source 210 $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075
PSU Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 plus bronce http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033
It's a final of $360 bucks (doesn't include OS), but very future proof, It will last many years, that CPU will be able to take whatever they throw at it, and with the GPU inside of it, they can watch movies, and let any kid relative that comes over play games. It also features Sata III, USB 3.0, Support for graphics cards, and lots of ram that you can add.
Btw, this also is windows 8 ready if you were asking.
You can get the a10-5800k for 100 dollars at microcenter
In many ways, Linux is easier to use, especially these days since the Desktop Environment has evolved so much. As long as there is an interest, learning will be relatively easy, which is the requirement for learning any new concept, tech or otherwise. Often times, saving $100+ on the system is interest enough, but if it isn't, add on $150 for MS Office, and whatever else for viruses removal and prevention, as well as maintenance and drivers. Linux has none of those issues - Most hardware doesn't need additional drivers to function, most software is free and open source, Linux is immune to Windows malware, and outside of installing updates (which can be automated), there isn't any maintenance required to keep Linux secure and responsive.
I just transferred a bunch of elderly people at a non-profit organization from Windows XP to Linux Mint, and they have had little issue adapting. Some even prefer it over Windows 7. If I can get 60 and 70 year olds who barely know how to check their email (which is about as non-tech as you can get) to use Linux without issue, then I don't think Linux is the issue.
Woah, that's cheap!
Im on a pretty strict bidget here, 300$ is most likely my maximum, my parents are paying for it, i'm just building it. The chances of this thing being used for gaming is slim at best as besides some relitives that live in other provinces, im the youngest at 17 and I have my laptop and consoles for gaming.
There is no way my parents can use linux, my Dad needs Windows for work. Either way I won't even use linux due to all the loopholes you have to jump through to get things running all without a GUI cause Linux likes its terminal way too much
Jerm, could you give me a link to a IDE to SATA adapter? I cant find something like that. Got a couple laying around. (please not newegg, I live in Austria/Europe, Amazon etc., though I just need an example, so it can be newegg to. THANKS!)
if you want the ssd and hard drive you can get a hybrid drive... you get the best of both worlds
You sir, have a lot of misconceptions about Linux. I can get Mint or Ubuntu up and running without touching a terminal. However, needing Windows for work is a fair point, so this Linux discussion is moot.
Regardless, I'd still go the Celeron/Pentium route, probably a B75 motherboard, 4GB of RAM, and a SSD. It doesn't sound like you're parents are ever going to utilize a quad-core CPU, and Ivy Bridge CPU's are faster per core. AMD doesn't make a whole lot of sense here, especially if your parents aren't going to utilize the iGPU of their APUs.
I'm assuming you're in Canada, so I have a modified build here. You can save a bit by going with a smaller SSD.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/RoHx
Jerm, could you give me a link to a IDE to SATA adapter? I cant find something like that. Got a couple laying around. (please not newegg, I live in Austria/Europe, Amazon etc., though I just need an example, so it can be newegg to. THANKS!)
nice link cooperman, i wished i build that