[heartgrave]

My dad's birthday is in a few weeks. I am thinking of getting him a new PC for his birthday so he can get away from his crappy All in One PC.

Here is what I have already. Monitor, mouse, keyboard and a case. It's an Dell Inspiron case. I believe it is a micro case as I had to buy a micro MB for it.

What he does on it, downloads movies and burns them to disc and has a crap ton of pictures that he burns to disc also. No video or picture editing. Watches Netflix. He likes to play games on it as well such as browser casino games (lame but better than blowing real money) and I think he would enjoy World of Warcraft or Diablo 3 (Blizzard won't even let him get to the game screen when he opens the program because his computer is that lame) or other games if there was better performance and video and what not. I have been looking at newegg and found a few combos but none of them had an optical drive or Windows 7 within my budget range. My budget is $600. I do not want to go much over that. Parts can be bought together as a combo or separately. WIndows 7 should be OEM if needed. Please, if you find a graphics card, find one with HDMI. I have an old ATI Raedeon HD 3450 that I could use if needed until I can buy a better one for myself at which point I will give him my current Hawk 5770. Unless of course, the CPU integrated gfx is better than the 3450. If you can find a combo (doubt it) with everything, mouse, keyboard, monitor, case, windows 7 that would be cool too!

Some combos on Newegg that I like
http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1321549 seems to only have a DVD burner, can it play CD/DVD-ROM?
http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1352854 same thing about the DVD burner, can it play CD/DVD-ROM?
http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1292611 no windows, no case, CD/DVD-ROM drive. (really like this one)
http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1353150 No windows, no case or CD/DVD-ROM drive either but I like this one more than the one above although I am unsure about the GFX compared to the one above. 2gb 192 bit vs 1gb 256 bit?

Maybe you guys can find something better in terms of performance?

Thanks in advanced!

Edited by heartgrave, 30 July 2013 - 07:54 AM.

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Tom's Hardware > System Builder Marathon, Q1 2013: $600 Gaming PC

[SpywareDr]

Tom's Hardware > System Builder Marathon, Q1 2013: $600 Gaming PC

[heartgrave]

Are you suggesting I try going with that build or try to enter the expired contest? Haha

[phillpower2]

$600 is a tough budget but here you go everything - the case http://pcpartpicker....wer2/saved/24GN

You may need to purchase a new case to accommodate a decent video card as the low profile type cards tend to be rather lightweight when it comes to gaming performance.

[heartgrave]

The case I mentioned that I had, the Dell one, actually accommodated my current MSI Hawk 5770, so it should be OK, thank you very much for that build. I have been looking at combo builds all day, wracking my brain!

You think the 3450 I have will be OK for a temporary card until I can get the new one?

Edited by heartgrave, 31 July 2013 - 11:28 AM.

[phillpower2]

Good news that the video card should fit ok as it saves you some time and money

As ever you are welcome BTW and if you do go with the parts that I suggested be sure to use the "New" combo feature at the bottom of the PCPartPicker page

Sorry I missed your edit, the HD3450 will get left behind by the newer and faster upgrades + it requires a PSU with a Minimum output of 550W according to AMD http://www.amd.com/u...quirements.aspx

Edited by phillpower2, 31 July 2013 - 11:35 AM.
Additional details and link added

[heartgrave]

Oooh I like that feature!

Some builds I was checking out on Newegg in between my OP and your post with the suggested build:

http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1307802 probably my favorite out of the 3 I have looked at.

http://www.newegg.co...t=Combo.1353156 can use my old gfx until I can get the next one.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16883229285 I do not like the gfx card in this one as it is just like the 3450 but, I guess for temporary uses, it's alright since it comes with windows 7.

I posted this while your were editing

Edited by heartgrave, 31 July 2013 - 11:42 AM.

[phillpower2]

The three systems are all let down by having a poor quality PSU, never have a PSU with less than an 80% output efficiency and preferably bronze rated.

Glad you like the new PCPartpicker feature

[heartgrave]

I do want to point out, if you go with the combo, it is more expensive by a few dollars. $129.99 for gfx card (after instant savings) and then $99.99 for the CPU = $229.98. If you go with the combo, its $231.98.

The same is not the case for the HDD and OD.

Edited by heartgrave, 31 July 2013 - 12:35 PM.

[phillpower2]

Good catch heartgrave, perhaps the deal should be called a "conbo"

[ravens_creed]

I noticed that in all of my recent searches also, that "combo" deals in almost every case, were more expensive than buying the parts individually at the deals that are out there. Buying from a place that does price matching also saves!

[heartgrave]

Alright, so, due to unforeseen circumstances, will I be able to use an old motherboard that had an OEM Windows Vista OS on it? I will buy a new HDD and download a new OS to it and install it to the old MB, that is possible, right? Will a 2GB flash drive hold the download? Here is what I am going to do. I am going to buy that EVGA graphics card and install it to my PC and then take my old card and put it with my old parts, MB, RAM, CPU and give it to my dad along with the HDD, OS, and PSU and then upgrade the rest of the parts you told me, to it as time goes on, most likely, long before xmas.

I would also like to take out my dads old HDD and put it in this new build so he doesn't lose everything. Is it just a simple swap after the initial setup of the new HDD or does something else need to be done?

I did some searching in previous posts between us and found that the MB I have does support Win7 so YAY to that!

Do they still make them HDD + WIndows combos?

I found a Windows 7 disk from http://www.softwarep...ersion-branded/ and it states that the CD is branded with Dell but it will work on any PC. Just want to confirm that this is possible and true to the full extent before I buy it. I mean for $58!!! who wouldn't!?!?

Will I have to buy another Windows when I upgrade the MB?

Will I be able to just place his HDD into the system and use the OEM Windows 7 that is already on it so I won't have to buy the HDD and OS?

Edited by heartgrave, 03 August 2013 - 08:45 AM.

[phillpower2]

Hello heartgrave

Can I ask that you stick to your original Gaming build topic as the thread is going off on a tangent and becoming confusing, thanks

Some clarity is required here so I will break your update down into manageable pieces;

will I be able to use an old motherboard that had an OEM Windows Vista OS on it?

The OS was not on the MB it was/is tied to it by way of the OEM licensing agreement, the OS data is on the actual HDD itself and there is nothing stopping you from reusing the HDD alongside the MB and CPU etc,

I will buy a new HDD and download a new OS to it and install it to the old MB, that is possible, right?

As explained above this will not be necessary as long as you have the 25 digit product key for the Vista OS that is installed on the HDD and that has only ever been used with the MB that you intend to reuse, you can then upgrade the Vista OS to Windows 7 or 8 by way of a download and purchase of a new product key for the new OS, you must first check what your upgrade options are http://windows.micro...asked-questions and confirm that your hardware is capable of running Windows 8 http://windows.micro...sistant-advisor

Will a 2GB flash drive hold the download?

You would need a 4GB flash drive for the download.

I would also like to take out my dads old HDD and put it in this new build so he doesn't lose everything. Is it just a simple swap after the initial setup of the new HDD or does something else need to be done?

To which new build do you refer.

Do they still make them HDD + WIndows combos?

If you are able to follow the upgrade path above this will not be required.

http://www.softwareplustech.com/windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-sp1-full-version-branded/

First time that I have seen this company and so cannot comment, I did note that they also provide an unbranded OEM version for around the same price as other merchants http://www.softwarep...m-64-bit-w-sp1/

Will I have to buy another Windows when I upgrade the MB?

Yes unless you purchase a full retail installation disk now http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20

Will I be able to just place his HDD into the system and use the OEM Windows 7 that is already on it so I won't have to buy the HDD and OS?

Again to which system do you refer, if it is a different MB than the one present when the OS was installed unless it was replaced under warranty no you cannot reuse the OS on the HDD, you would also most likely encounter other issues such as the wrong MB chipset drivers also being installed on the HDD.

[heartgrave]

My replies in RED I should note, when I say new build, I am only doing 1 build and it is for my faza. When I say old build/old parts/old computer, I am meaning my PC before I upgraded with your help. Back in the day, we did that Intel build. http://www.geekstogo..._1#entry2231573

Hello heartgrave

Can I ask that you stick to your original Gaming build topic as the thread is going off on a tangent and becoming confusing, thanks

Everything on this post is for the same computer. I planned on reusing some parts from my old computer to help build him a somewhat better PC for the time being. All questions I asked in my last post were to this computer I am building for him as were the ones before it, I believe sorry if I went off topic.
Some clarity is required here so I will break your update down into manageable pieces;

will I be able to use an old motherboard that had an OEM Windows Vista OS on it?

The OS was not on the MB it was/is tied to it by way of the OEM licensing agreement, the OS data is on the actual HDD itself and there is nothing stopping you from reusing the HDD alongside the MB and CPU etc,

The reasoning for this question was I thought I remembered you saying on a different topic that OEM is tied to the MB and I guess that's where I got confused, my apologies Both Hard drives I have are both in use and both have WIndows 7 OEM. When I upgraded my build, the only parts that got brought along with it were the optic drive and the hard drive. Everything else got left behind, MB, RAM, CPU, case, graphics card (3450) and some of these parts (MB, RAM, CPU, Case) are the ones I am trying to use in this build as a starter build for him. I was unsure if the MB was usable being it had OEM Vista on it.

I will buy a new HDD and download a new OS to it and install it to the old MB, that is possible, right?

As explained above this will not be necessary as long as you have the 25 digit product key for the Vista OS that is installed on the HDD and that has only ever been used with the MB that you intend to reuse, you can then upgrade the Vista OS to Windows 7 or 8 by way of a download and purchase of a new product key for the new OS, you must first check what your upgrade options are http://windows.micro...asked-questions and confirm that your hardware is capable of running Windows 8 http://windows.micro...sistant-advisor

The hard drive that had Vista was mine but that got upgraded to Windows 7 and is currently being used in my current build, but not the motherboard, that is sitting in a closet somewhere in my house collecting dust. The Vista that was on it was OEM and I had no CD or CD key when I got the PC from the store. Windows 8 is widely disliked amongst my family haha!

Will a 2GB flash drive hold the download?

You would need a 4GB flash drive for the download.

Thank you!

I would also like to take out my dads old HDD and put it in this new build so he doesn't lose everything. Is it just a simple swap after the initial setup of the new HDD or does something else need to be done?

To which new build do you refer.

The build I started this post about, so he doesn't lose everything that's on the HDD per se. Will there be any compatibility issues (windows maybe?) if it is just simply swapped out and put with this build?

Do they still make them HDD + WIndows combos?

If you are able to follow the upgrade path above this will not be required.

OK, from the sounds of, I am not able to do what's mentioned above.

http://www.softwarep...ersion-branded/

First time that I have seen this company and so cannot comment, I did note that they also provide an unbranded OEM version for around the same price as other merchants http://www.softwarep...m-64-bit-w-sp1/

Thanks for finding that!

Will I have to buy another Windows when I upgrade the MB?

Yes unless you purchase a full retail installation disk now http://www.amazon.co.../?tag=pcpapi-20

Thank you for this as well! The MB I am talking about is my old one that I am giving him and since this is a starter build, the MB will be upgraded. I will see if finances dictate me getting the OEM or full retail at this time. I might just buy the OEM now and buy it again when the time comes to upgrade.

Will I be able to just place his HDD into the system and use the OEM Windows 7 that is already on it so I won't have to buy the HDD and OS?

Again to which system do you refer, if it is a different MB than the one present when the OS was installed unless it was replaced under warranty no you cannot reuse the OS on the HDD, you would also most likely encounter other issues such as the wrong MB chipset drivers also being installed on the HDD.
The computer I am building for him, I was wondering if the HDD can be swapped into the system so I would not have to buy WIndows 7 or the HDD. Since the HDD and MB were not from the same computer, this answer is no.

So, what I am gathering from this post, if I want to do this build, I will need to buy Windows 7, a HDD and a PSU. Since data can not be erased in this situation, the HDD will be necessary. Due to unforeseen financial circumstances, my original plan can not go through which is why brought up the questions in my last post on this thread. I guess now it can be a father/son project. I am sorry for any confusion. Reading over what I stated yesterday I was like what the heck did I write? I have read over this post again and again before posting it but knowing me, I left something out and might edit it.

My replies WERE in bold on the reply part but now they are not so I went with red and now the paragraph above is partially red even though it shows as all being red on the editor and there is the bold I wanted I initially?!?!?!

Edited by heartgrave, 04 August 2013 - 06:39 AM.

[phillpower2]

Thanks for the update heartgrave (blue would have been easier on the eyes )

First of all I would deal with securing your fathers data on his HDD as this removes at least one complication, have you considered using a free OS as a temporary measure http://www.ubuntu.com/

You could create an image of the data on the HDD using Macrium Reflect (free) http://www.macrium.c...eflectfree.aspx or you can use Puppy Linux to back up all of the data on your fathers HDD

===================
***Required Hardware***
CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
Blank CD,
Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

• Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-528.iso)
  Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software
  
  There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivel...e-from-windows/
  
  
• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
• Double Click BurnCDCC
• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
• Open/Double Click that file
  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
• Click Start
• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
• Insert a blank CD and close the tray
• Click OK

Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

• Start the computer/press the power button
• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
• Press F10 to save and exit
• Agree with "Y" to continue
• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD
  
  

3. Recover Your Data

• Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.
  
  3a. Mount Drives
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
• A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.

• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!