Mothers Day PC

[Doombard]

Alright, so I'm going to attempt to build a pc for my mom as a gift for mothers day this year. The only thing she will ever do on it would be browse the internets and play sims 3. Anyone got some recommendations for processor/motherboard/video card? This will be the first time I've put a pc together by myself, but I've heard that if you can do legos, you can build a pc.

[Pikarya]

Rule #1.

Price max.

[Doombard]

Price isn't a huge deal, but if I could do it for $500 or less that would be nice. Don't need a monitor or anything.

[Pikarya]

OS, will you need to dump cash into one?

Spoiler: show

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...s-7-Repository

[Doombard]

I'll just buy windows 7 really. Not gonna count that as part of the cost for pc though.

[Agito]

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-687-_-Product
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-647-_-Product
Video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-351-_-Product
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-323-_-Product
Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=xfx%20650w
Optical DvD: Any

I fail at trying to configure a computer...

[Pikarya]

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core + ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard 
XFX HD-477A-YDFC Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V + Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

Then find yourself a drive. I don't know how much your mom needs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E&PageSize=100

As for the memory, there might be cheaper alternatives if you want to go with generics.

Sims 3 requirements, just fyi.

http://www.infinitesims.com/news/138...announced.html

Also forgot to add, but as for the case. Get whatever you want, was just giving an example of price-range with the combo.

[SephYuyX]

Honestly if it's just for basic stuff, youll probably be able to get a decent PC cheaper from Dell. Unless building the PC is the gift, and not the PC itself.

[Kerberoz]

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-687-_-Product
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-647-_-Product
Video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-351-_-Product
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-323-_-Product
Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=xfx%20650w
Optical DvD: Any

I fail at trying to configure a computer...

GPU is major overkill for playing the Sims.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128435 onboard video on this is more than enough

[Olo401]

In this case going with a Dell or Gateway machine would be perfectly acceptable. That said, it's Mom right? You gotta put your own stamp on it somehow!

CPU: AMD Phenom II x2 550 - $88
Mobo: Gigabyte AM2+/AM3 mATX w/USB3 - $75
Memory: Kingston 2x2GB DDR3-1333 - $105
Storage: WD Caviar Green 500GB - $55
Optical: Samsung CD/DVD-R Drive - $26
Power: Seasonic 380W - $53
Case: NZXT Beta EVO ATX Mid-Tower - $55
OS: Win7 Home Premium 64-bit - $100
Input: Logitech KB/Mouse Kit - $17

= $574 before tax, shipping & rebates

I can get this less expensive if needed, but we'd be cutting corners pretty hard and sacrificing reliability.