low power computer

[Seanz0rz]

in these rough economic times, its important to cut costs where ever possible. mom has a computer that is just about dead. i have reformatted it but i fear the hardware is just about to go on its own, so she needs a new computer. if im going to build a new computer, i want it to be as low power as possible. its been so long since ive kept up with any of the hardware, i dont even know what is out there, so im asking for your help!

here is what she does/the computer needs to do:
streams music from the internet
manage an extensive music and photo collection
burn, rip, author DVD movies, data discs, etc
then the usual email, web, maybe some other basic tasks

and it needs to use the least amount of power possible. total cost with a flat panel monitor needs to be under 1000, and the less the better of course!

thanks for your help guys, really appreciated!

[mastacox]

in these rough economic times, its important to cut costs where ever possible.
...
if im going to build a new computer, i want it to be as low power as possible. its been so long since ive kept up with any of the hardware, i dont even know what is out there, so im asking for your help!

here is what she does/the computer needs to do:
streams music from the internet
manage an extensive music and photo collection
burn, rip, author DVD movies, data discs, etc
then the usual email, web, maybe some other basic tasks

and it needs to use the least amount of power possible. total cost with a flat panel monitor needs to be under 1000, and the less the better of course!

Asking for "the lowest power possible" is a relative term, because computers really don't draw THAT much power in the first place when compared to things like a washing machine or television...

That being said, I would get a processor with the smallest manufacturing process available (45nm), and there are hard drives that are "low power" rated. In addition, get a low-end graphics card (possibly integrated with the motherboard) and a small monitor to go with the computer because bigger ones put off more heat.

You can probably buy a small all-in-one unit from Dell that would be relatively low power consumption.

[Seanz0rz]

id like to stay away from dell if possible. their quality has been less than impressive to me over the last few years and i really rather build the PC myself.

[Good Times]

craigslist ftw!

[oly884]

go to newegg and use their advanced search to narrow down choices of 'low power' devices. I did that when I was entertaining the idea of building a computer for the truck, but then I got lazy and got a laptop.

[CJM]

Build one with the most decent stuff, spend 500 bones MAX. My brother built my mom a whole new pc for 350 including the case and all.

Oly is right with newegg, imho go look at the prebuilt ones and then build something using similar hardware.

[Nick]

CASE: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($59.95)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042
--
CPU: E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz ($65.99)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072)
--
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB(2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 [PC2 6400] ($29.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098
--
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX ($59.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128388
--
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified ($53.49)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008
--
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS 500GB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s ($57.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136358
---
DVD Burner: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL etc (25.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151175

So there we go; for $353.39 you have a quality built case with just enough room and with quiet 120mm fans; a rock solid power and efficient power supply (I love Corsair and have several of their units, never had one fail); a VERY capable CPU and a nice little motherboard with build in video+sound; that should be sufficient for DVD burning and music streaming. 500GB drive from Western Digital...I've had good experience with their brand recently too.

How about that? Want to add another DVD drive so she can copy CDs easier? Prob 20 bucks...another 500GB? You can get a 1TB drive for $100. Dedicated but low power GPU if need be for about $75.

I would be glad to help you any way I can if you decide to go with home built.

[Seanz0rz]

ive built hundreds of computers in my day, just been out of the loop on whats good and "low power".

i entertained the idea of giving her mine (1.86 core 2 duo, 4 gig ram, 1.25 tb, 8800gts, etc.) but i think the 1kw power supply kinda defeats the purpose of low power!

thanks nick! ill take a look at those parts and talk to my parents about it. i would also find a ~19" flat panel display for her on sale at one of the local stores (someone always has one on sale)

thanks!

[Nick]

That 8800GTS isn't exactly power conservative either ;-)

I used to build systems 4-5 years and then stopped abruptly (career change!) When I ordered parts for a new build last July, I was blown away by how much things had changed. Seagate used to be my sole trusted drive mfg and I avoided WD drives like the plague, but appears WD has topped them since (to me, anyways...)

[Seanz0rz]

i still buy seagate drives because of the 5 year warranties. i tend to kill harddrives! but ive also used WD drives in just about every system ive built