System build for my parents

[yngwie98]

Haven't built a system since the original Athlon XP days (~8 years ago). Not sure if my parents will like Windows 8, so I'm thinking of building them a A8/A10 based system with WIndows 7. They just do email, web browsing and look at photos, don't need anything high end. My budget is ~$500.

OS - Win 7 Home premium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986
CPU/APU - AMD A8-5500 (currently out of stock) or A10-5700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113289
Mobo - Biostar Hi-Fi A85W FM2 AMD A85X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138366
RAM - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104173
DVD - SAMSUNG SH-224BB/RSBS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151257
Storage - Plextor M5S Series PX-128M5S 2.5" 128GB SATA III http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820249024
-or- Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148840

[yngwie98]

Case - either a cheap/decent case from the local mom & pop store, or I could reuse one of my cases I have sitting around. Question is are these mobos still ATX, that is open from the left side of the case?

Since this will/should last them ~5 years, should I get an SSD or HD? They usually leave their computer on 24/7, so don't know if they will notice the extra speed from an SSD.

[Steven P Jobs]

I don't think building the system yourself is really worth it in this case. You can get a decent Dell OptiPlex desktop for $500, or the cheapest Mac Mini is $599.

[yngwie98]

I was thinking of just buying them this HP:
http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p...nalize=certona

Nearly the same specs minus the SSD, and has windows 8.

[Steven P Jobs]

Regardless of whether you go with Dell/HP/Lenovo/etc I'd recommend getting a business machine instead of a consumer one. You'll end up with slightly slower specs for the money (not really a big deal in this case), but in exchange you get better reliability.

[kujoe2002]

I would recommend you go with DELL for versatility and IBM for reliability (of hardware). I'd try to stay away from anything else. Dell's support sucks (I ended up teaching those fools how to trouble shoot) but what they allow you to customize for the build is awesome. IBM's computer quality is good but they limit what you can modify with your order.

[yngwie98]

I didn't know IBM still made desktops. I thought Lenovo manufactures them now.
I could order a Vostro from Dell small business (you can still get Windows 7), but are they really any better than an Inspiron?

I bought an HP desktop about 2 years ago, its been fine and suits my needs. I'm sure the HP I linked above would also be more than enough for my parents. The problem is, like most new desktops, it has Windows 8. Their multifunction printer isn't fully supported in Windows 8.

[kujoe2002]

I didn't know IBM still made desktops. I thought Lenovo manufactures them now.
I could order a Vostro from Dell small business (you can still get Windows 7), but are they really any better than an Inspiron?

I bought an HP desktop about 2 years ago, its been fine and suits my needs. I'm sure the HP I linked above would also be more than enough for my parents. The problem is, like most new desktops, it has Windows 8. Their multifunction printer isn't fully supported in Windows 8.

Well Levno is IBM. I still refer to it as IBM. Also you should be able to get them installed with Windows 7. I know that Dell allows you to buy a custom desktop with Windows 7 Home Premium 64.

[yngwie98]

How is Gateway's reliablity these days? Found a couple systems at Microcenter.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...sktop_Computer
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...sktop_Computer

[kujoe2002]

How is Gateway's reliablity these days? Found a couple systems at Microcenter.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...sktop_Computer
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...sktop_Computer

I still don't like them. Personally I feel that they are just expensive paperweights.

[yngwie98]

I bought them this HP.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...sktop_Computer
Should be enough for their needs.

[richardginn]

Well if all they do is email, web browsing and look at photos that will be fine, BUTTT I say this is the better purchase...

http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...sktop_Computer

[SpywareDr]

Passmark scores

Intel i3-2120 - 4,004
AMD A6-3620 - 3,037

CPU world: AMD A6-3620 vs Intel Core i3-2120

[yngwie98]

Not sure if they'd notice the differnce between the 2 CPUs. Nor do they multitask enough to really need a quad core CPU. My rig is about 2 years old, has an Athlon II X4 635 (passmark score 3,297) and it's plenty fast enough for me.
I like the case of the one I bought better than the case the cheaper system has. It's a newer version of the case I have, it adds USB 3.

[richardginn]

Passmark scores

Intel i3-2120 - 4,004
AMD A6-3620 - 3,037

CPU world: AMD A6-3620 vs Intel Core i3-2120

Screw passmark.... How about GPU performance...