Grandma PC

[ilovejedd]

Well, not exactly a Grandma PC, it's more of a Mom PC.

I'm looking to build a new PC for my mom using left over funds from the file server I'm building. She doesn't really need a top of the line model. Just something that works better than the one she's using now.

Current config:
Case: Generic MicroATX w/250W PSU
Motherboard: DFI CM33-SC (VIA PLE133/686A chipset)
CPU: Pentium III 733 MHz
RAM: 256MB PC133 SDRAM
HDD: Seagate 20GB
Optical: 8x/4x Sony CD-R/W
Video: integrated
Audio: integrated
OS: Win98SE

I was considering buying an off the shelf bargain-basement PC but I couldn't find any good deals so I figured I'd just build one myself.

Requirements:
1) small form factor/space saving
2) low power consumption
3) ~$300 total (tax+S&H included)

I made a bunch of configurations and now, I can't decide which one to go with. Links to the shared wish list for each config are as follows:

Mini ITX BLKD201GLY2 Celeron 220 1.2GHz 19W (http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=10247187) - $251.45
pros:
-lowest power consumption based on parts specs
cons:
-least powerful
-not upgradeable

Micro ATX Celeron 420 Conroe-L 1.6GHz 35W (http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=8179608) - $254.94
pros:
-supports up to Q6600
-Gigabit LAN
cons:
-no Wolfdale support

Micro ATX Sempron LE-1100 1.9GHz 45W (http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=8178788) - $255.94
pros:
-supports most current AMD processors
-possible Phenom support
cons:
-max 2GB RAM

Micro ATX Athlon LE-1620 2.4GHz 45W (http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=8178648) - $270.94
-same as above Sempron build, but with better processor

I'm not really up to date with all the latest hardware so most of the components were chosen based on Newegg reviews and price. During the course of my "research", it was quite easy to find benchmarks for mid-range to high-end processors. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the really low-end segment.

The computer will be used primarily for internet, email and some word processing and spreadsheets. Gaming, if you can call it that, is limited to Spider Solitaire, Freecell and Hearts. Video related tasks would mostly be watching on YouTube. The PC will probably be left on most of the time but with auto-suspend feature enabled. Given the above, I thought it more prudent to stick to a single core (not to mention there weren't any dual core CPUs under $50). Besides, the Micro ATX builds all support dual and/or quad-core processors if ever the need to upgrade arises.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the mATX Celeron 420. On paper, it looks to be a good balance between power consumption, performance and upgradeability. Unfortunately, I still haven't found real-world power consumption comparisons.

Thoughts, comments, violent reactions? Anyone?

[setarip_old]

Hi!

For the uses you've described, unless there's something "broken" in your mother's present PC setup, I'd probably just opt to keep it and add more RAM...

It's good to hear of a child wanting to care for his/her mother ;>}

[Shinigami-Sama]

Hi!

For the uses you've described, unless there's something "broken" in your mother's present PC setup, I'd probably just opt to keep it and add more RAM...

It's good to hear of a child wanting to care for his/her mother ;>}

thats just what I was thinking

just get a nice slimed down XP install on it and its good to go

I've done lots with little celerons with less power and they're perfectly fine for youtube and mp3s

[ilovejedd]

For the uses you've described, unless there's something "broken" in your mother's present PC setup, I'd probably just opt to keep it and add more RAM...

That was the original plan, unfortunately, the CRT it was used with failed just recently. Connected it to a spare HP 15" LCD and the screen keeps flickering no matter what refresh rate I try to use. Bought an EVGA GeForce 6200 256MB PCI (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130289) video card. LCD doesn't flicker anymore but shutting down causes a general protection fault in Win98SE even when I try older NVIDIA drivers. I was going to install XP since I figured that would solve the problem, but during chat on IRC, one of the guys there told me how problematic the specific VIA chipset I had was and that it had a bunch of incompatibilities so I RMA'd the video card. I made a list of things to upgrade. The total came up to $195.95 ($225.76 w/tax & S&H). Hence, instead of upgrading, I figured I might be better off building a new one with a much nicer and smaller form factor.

It's good to hear of a child wanting to care for his/her mother ;>}

Lol, not really. I still live with my parents and my mom still takes care of me. I just help out with a few bills and grocery. I'm also in charge of all the PC troubleshooting. :p

[would_like_to_know]

Ah, taking care of parents, indeed, very sweet! :)

From what I see, the system is pretty good. Just boost RAM to 384-512 Mb, and, perhaps, get a 7200 RPM hard drive (if the old one is 5400). I like black colored Western Digital HDs, they were 7200 RPM from 40Gb all the way to 250Gb. And very reliable.

The only difficulty is to buy such old components, people usually throw such stuff away, but if you want to buy it, you'll pay top dollar :devil: Perhaps, eBay is your friend.

Once you have this, install WinXP on the new HD, and see if the video works OK. If not, do get an AGP/PCI video, something 3-5 years old would be fine.

There are lots of other ways to use $300 to update a system to a decent performance, everything depends on your level of technical savvy :cool:

You could swap MB/cpu/memory/video card, and leave the rest intact, and this would probably cost $150-200. You'll just have to work with your hands.

But even if you do keep all the current hardware, do install WinXP!!! This is the best move you can make without adding any new hardware. Before doing that update the motherboard BIOS to the latest available version, the problems might have been fixed since the MB came out.

Here, I found the BIOS link for you:

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/bios_download_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=1168&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&STATUS_FLAG=A&SITE=US

New hardware does not automatically make the system fly, it is loving hands that installed the OS that do ! :) Disabling a lot of unnecessary crap in WinXP makes it fly, my 1.6 Ghz laptop is way faster then some of the 3Ghz machines out there that I see, just because I disabled tons of stupid services.