Building a Cheap PC Rig from Scratch--Need advice

Joined
Mar 4, 2008
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Your Mac's Specs
Unibody MacBook Pro 2.26, 4gb RAM, 500gb HD
I've always been more into software than hardware, but lately I've been wanting to build a PC from scratch--just because I've never done it. I don't want to spend more than $300 (after rebates), but I don't expect a lot either. Once it's built I plan to give it to my parents to replace their 7 year old XP Dell.

I like bargain hunting, and am thinking of building it entirely from new parts purchased with mail in rebates attached to them. I don't really care how long it takes. I'm looking at these items which are on sale this week...

CompUSA has a bundle with this motherboard and CPU for $99.
CompUSA.com | 785GTM-E45 | MSI 785GTM-E45 Motherboard
CompUSA.com | HD9850XAJ4BGH | AMD Phenom X4 9850 Quad Core Processor

NewEgg has this MicroATX case including 500 watt power supply for $30.
Newegg.com - APEVIA X-QBOII X-QBOII-NW-BK/500 Black SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply

I'll hunt down 4gb of RAM for $30, a 500gb drive for another $35, $20 for a DVD drive, and I just bought a friend a 500mb PCIe video card for $15 (after $50 rebate) that he loves. Hopefully I can find another one--if I'm not happy with the on-board video. (I don't expect much, but the board actually has an HDMI out built in)

By comparison, I have a Core2Quad Dell w/ 4gb DDR3 that runs Windows 7 flawlessly. I don't use it for games, but for everyday tasks, I consider it lightning quick.

Here are my questions...

Will I regret the micro ATX board? (1) PCIe, (2) PCI slots. Definitely limited, but I'm not sure my parents are ever going to need a 3rd PCI slot for anything. If necessary, many PCI add ons are also available in USB versions.

Will the Phenom x4 run Windows 7 relatively fast? Everyday tasks only. No games. Not a lot of multitasking.

How would a Phenom x4 w/ 4gb DDR2 compare to my 2 year old Core2Quad 4gb DDR3?
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2010
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Location
North AL
Your Mac's Specs
Late '09 Macbook Pro 13"
I think your parts pick will work perfectly fine with Windows 7. Even if something does go haywire (unlikely), it's only $300, so not the end of the world.

For comparison's sake, I have Windows 7 starter running on my daughter's 1.5 year old Acer netbook, and it is very fast on everyday tasks. Your parts pick will run W7 much more efficiently.
 

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