Another one of those build me threads :D

[Monsk]

So I have an athlon x2 5000+ cpu along with a hdd, monitor, mouse/keyboard, speakers and RAM. Anyway, this is my mom's computer at the moment, and the psu crapped out and took the motherboard with it.

I'd like to spend max 300-500 on upgrades, the uses will be for internet browsing, word, etc. I'm also considering getting her a netbook, but think that a desktop would be a lot faster. I just want to know your guys' opinion on this. Thanks in advance.

[dixson01974]

Originally Posted by Monsk

So I have an athlon x2 5000+ cpu along with a hdd, monitor, mouse/keyboard, speakers and RAM. Anyway, this is my mom's computer at the moment, and the psu crapped out and took the motherboard with it.

I'd like to spend max 300-500 on upgrades, the uses will be for internet browsing, word, etc. I'm also considering getting her a netbook, but think that a desktop would be a lot faster. I just want to know your guys' opinion on this. Thanks in advance.

Just pick up a good AM2+/AM3 mobo for her and you can upgrade the cpu in the future.

[MrLinky]

Yeah, a decent but inexpensive mobo (think Gigabyte), and a name-brand PSU. If all she does is surf internet/word processing/streaming video, then you probably don't need to upgrade anything else.

As for the netbook, they're awesome. I've had my msi wind for 6 months now and it rocks! best $300 i've ever spent. But Tiny Screen + Tiny Keys + Parents/old people = headaches... usually. If your mom is somewhat computer savvy and/or has good eye sight and small fingers, then it shouldn't be a problem. But the only time the desktop will be noticably faster than a netbook would be during multi-tasking. Heck, i run photoshop CS4 on my Wind no problem