One of my collegues wants to buy a PC for is parents mainly for internet and skyping purposes. I'm thinking a basic dual-core, 3 or 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, a 64-bit OS, and a basic video card. As to what those actual specs are, I have no idea.

The problem is I've got no time to research -- he wants to buy it within the week. Any help to narrow down the options would be greatly appreciated, ie, I'm not looking for a solid "buy this make and model" but more of a "these are your CPU options, your mobo options, etc."

Thanks!

I made such a machine for my Sister. She only uses it on line and for preparing documents, photos. No games. However, it will play games -- just not the "up to date" computer-intensive games we play.

Got AMD 890GX Gigabyte motherboard because it has a good built in GPU and very good sound -- ASUS also makes one. I would buy Gigabyte or ASUS (and have bought both in 890GX) because they will definitely work and unlock cores -- other brands may save a few dollars but come with risk.

Got AMD Phenom II dual core processor and tried unlocking -- 3 cores were good. So, she has a Phenom II X3 for the price of an X2. Suggest Phenom II Calypso Black Edition if one goes this route as they are more reliable core-unlockers (got one that went 4 core and one that went 3 core). I tried bare OEM and the cores did not unlock. Also, the boxed Calypso has a good heat sink. If you unlock, then don't OC.

4GB (2x2GB) is plenty of memory -- and cheap these days. Need 1333 speed brand name memory.

Often, at this level, a sale-priced Case with included PSU is a practical choice. I went that route with my HTPC. My sister got separate Case and PSU.

Can go with cheap on-sale 350 to 400W PSU. The system will use less than 300W (less than 250 actually) -- but, the extra watts permits a mid-level gaming GPU if one is ever needed. Also, good to have overhead space to improve reliability. Buy a single rail brand name rated at 40C+ -- whatever is cheap that day.

Cheap optical DVD drive -- heck, even good ones are cheap now -- I always buy $25 or less for my own use.

A single hard drive will do it. I notice my relatives do not know how to move stuff around to a second drive -- everything winds up on the primary drive -- often in the desktop folder. Need not be fast or large -- 320GB is fine. Thing is, prices of 1TB hard drives are low at times. So, one can buy the best value that day. Not a "green drive" as their durability as a main drive is questionable. On the other hand, a second green drive to backup important stuff makes sense. Or get a sale priced 16GB USB flash drive for backups of important stuff. Must have backup capability. Thing is, amateurs don't know how to back up. So, consider setting up Windows backup. BTW, a cheap (sale price, small) hard drive is not much more expensive than a 16GB flash at times.

64b Windows 7 HP. One can clean-install the either the cheaper upgrade or OEM package -- rather than buy retail "full" version.

What I do, FWIW.

The latest Maximum PC has an article on a less than budget computer. And Tom's Hardware has recent articles on different spec computers performance.

Here is a link to the PDF.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/%5Bprimary-term%5D/november_2010_build_ultimate_gaming_pc_budget

Tom's Hardware

http://www.tomshardware.com/theme-build-your-own,156.html

Thanks guys! I've been looking at Tom's and the specs are nice, but with an i3... I'd rather go with an older, probably even cheaper Phenom X2. I'm sure I can get away with just 2GB of RAM and 320GB HDD but to be honest with the price of 4GB RAM and a 500GB (or even a 1TB!) HDD, the extra money spent isn't really missed. Plus at 4GB, that's a bit of room to wiggle with, apps-wise.

I wonder though if it's a good idea to slap a GPU in there, even just a basic one. To be able to watch HD movies or play some games for when the grandkids visit and such.

Based on my experience with my HTPC, the built in GPU will do HD movies OK -- its designed for them but doesn't have all the power of a discrete GPU. Crysis will literally be a slide show -- 1 frame every 2 seconds (or longer)

If one wants flawless HD movies and good games, then one needs a discrete GPU.

I have an HD5570 in my HTPC -- great for HD movies. Played Fallout 3 adequately at modest 1920x1080 settings. Crysis still too slow and stuttered. So, if games are really wanted, plan to spend $100+ on the GPU (e.g. HD5770 or HD6770 or HD6790).

One could see how things work out without a discrete GPU and add one if it seems worthwhile.