Buying a computer off Ebay?

[HeyBlinkin.]

So I've never bought a computer off of eBay before and my grandfather is sick and tired of his Pentium 4 that we've had since 2004, I believe.  Now, he doesn't want to spend over 400 bucks on this and he definitely doesn't want a used computer, so I was wondering if I should buy one of those no name customizable ones that are offered on eBay.

My computer currently has an e6850 processor and I wanted to get him something of equal or greater power, so I was looking into the e8400 (and I don't need to overclock anything for him).  I also wonder if I need to get him a dedicated GPU; can he watch 720p movies on his computer without one. I suppose he only needs two GB ram.  I want the computer to feel snappy, but keep in mind, grandpa doesn't game :).

What do you think about something like this one: (note, whatever values you see there weren't set by me, but I would appreciate some help in choosing the right motherboard and other components if, of course, it is prudent to purchase new computers over ebay.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-E8400-DUAL-CORE-2-MINI-TOWER-BAREBONES-SYSTEM-NEW-/370264190659?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item5635772ec3#ht_6740wt_1134

[DreadStunLock]

Why not build it? Fun experience if you know how to but your grandad doesn't so you can teach him :P

P.S: Imagine your grandpa blasting at COD and talk to kids how he did that at WW2 or whatever :P

[HeyBlinkin.]

Well, if it were for myself, I might have chosen to build it. I just assume that if someone else builds it, who does this all the time, then we will run into less problems. And I don't want my grandpa to complain that we should have gotten some name brand.

[DreadStunLock]

Alienware is a must! HeyBlinkin you dun goofed! The consequences will never be the same!

[Farley4Fan]

- REDACTED -

... on second thought, that Talladega Nights reference could have been reallly offensive and, as you all know, I have a high level of offensive tolerance...

but who can guess what it was?

[Zedblade]

Why does he need a new computer? If all he does is surf and watch movies, the P4 is just fine. Upgrade the RAM and re install windows, dust and any other maintenance you can think of and I'm sure it will be fine.

[HeyBlinkin.]

He's worked on my computer and he wants the snappy response time. Even on a freshly installed Windows it feels like the computer constantly hangs longer than he'd like.

[knooger]

This PC doesn't have included memory and no brand of power supply = probably crap not power supply.
You can tell in the shop parts that u want and they gonna build it and give u whole case...example.:

AMD Athlon II X3 450
Asus M4A77T
GoodRam 4GB 1333 MHz
Vertex3D Radeon HD 5750 - I think you can replace to something cheaper, since he don't play anything ;P (show him PS haha)
Samsung 500GB F3 ( If you want get bigger )
Samsung SH-223C
Fortron FSP400-60GHN

+PC case that you want.

Well, if it were for myself, I might have chosen to build it. I just assume that if someone else builds it, who does this all the time, then we will run into less problems. And I don't want my grandpa to complain that we should have gotten some name brand.

Print DELL sticker and put it on case :D

[HeyBlinkin.]

Thanks for the setup, Krooger, but the motherboard has no integrated video. Any reason why I should go with a dedicated GPU over an integrated one? For instance, will watching 1080p vids on youtube benefit from a dedicated GPU?

I also planned on moving the 80GB EIDE 7200rpm WD into the new computer from the old one. He has plenty external drives for storage but should I instead opt to find this is a SATA version?

[knooger]

Thanks for the setup, Krooger, but the motherboard has no integrated video. Any reason why I should go with a dedicated GPU over an integrated one? For instance, will watching 1080p vids on youtube benefit from a dedicated GPU?

I also planned on moving the 80GB EIDE 7200rpm WD into the new computer from the old one. He has plenty external drives for storage but should I instead opt to find this is a SATA version?

If you move his old HDD into new PC you gonna just slowdown whole setup, better move important files into new HDD/HDDs
I have never used integrated graphic cards in motherboards, so I cannot tell you how youtube 1080p will work. My Nvidia GPU is working while I'm Watching youtube videos, so I think something cheap should help.

You can replace this card to GeForce 210 512MB or anything else.

[HeyBlinkin.]

Ok, I am looking at this build over here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Barebones-PC-AMD-Phenom-II-925-X4-QUAD-CORE-Asus-M4A77T-/110694512329?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item19c5e836c9#ht_4716wt_1135

Seems to have a 3 year warranty


Cooler Master Elite 370 Mid Tower Case
550W Heavy Duty TOUGH Series SATA Power Supply
ASUS M4A77T
AMD Athlony II X3 450
Radeon HD 5450 (PowerColor GO! Green) (around $25)
(1) Kingston ValueRAM 2GB DDR31333 (around $21)
(1) WD 500GB 7200rpm 16mb cache SATA 3.0Gb/s (around $44)
(1) LG DVD Burner SATA (around $20)


What do you think? He doesn't need more than 2GB Ram. All four items above the GPU would be bought from the link on Ebay.

[knooger]

Ok, I am looking at this build over here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Barebones-PC-AMD-Phenom-II-925-X4-QUAD-CORE-Asus-M4A77T-/110694512329?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item19c5e836c9#ht_4716wt_1135

Seems to have a 3 year warranty


Cooler Master Elite 370 Mid Tower Case
550W Heavy Duty TOUGH Series SATA Power Supply
ASUS M4A77T
AMD Athlony II X3 450
Radeon HD 5450 (PowerColor GO! Green) (around $25)
(1) Kingston ValueRAM 2GB DDR31333 (around $21)
(1) WD 500GB 7200rpm 16mb cache SATA 3.0Gb/s (around $44)
(1) LG DVD Burner SATA (around $20)


What do you think? He doesn't need more than 2GB Ram. All four items above the GPU would be bought from the link on Ebay.

That's cool, you said that he have a lot of backups mby think about 1TB HDD? I would upgrade to better Antec PSU.

[HeyBlinkin.]

What about the "Thermaltake TR2 430W Core i7 & Core i5 Ready"?

[knooger]

What about the "Thermaltake TR2 430W Core i7 & Core i5 Ready"?

Yes, it will be ok + it have 5 years warranty :D

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?S=1172&ID=1541#Tab1

[HeyBlinkin.]

Looks like the M4A77T is not available, the next cheapest thing is an M4A785-M. Reviews look fine but I just wanted to confirm this one last item prior to my purchase. And thanks for all your input KroogeR