- Joined
- Oct 24, 2010
- Location
- McKinney, TX
My son is 6 years old and he is in need of a computer for educational use, i.e. learning software, educational games, reading, tutoring, etc. I don't wish to spend a ton of money on it, no more than $500-800, preferably less if possible. My son is also interested in helping me build the computer, project for Mommy and son. 
The reason for this build is that the old Dell no longer cuts it. It's Celeron processor can't keep up with my son. I will pick up parts as I find the best deals on the final components and build will probably be completed in 1 - 2 months.
Requirements:
1. Needs to be able to run many many internet windows (he hasn't quite learned to close them when done or he forgets to).
2. Needs to be able to stream videos, play online learning games, etc flawlessly.
3. Case needs to have a large window, multiple windows or be fully acrylic as I want him to be able to see how all the parts work together to form a system.
4. His favorite colors are blue and green and he'd be very happy to have one or both included in the build.
5. I would like for him to have a color coded keyboard (i.e. different colors for consonants, vowels, numbers, punctuation, etc).
6. Needs to have at least a dual-core processor and I prefer AMD due to budget friendly prices.
7. Absolutely NO MSI motherboard. I have not had good luck with them and the one I have has been relegated to HTPC duty and expect it to fail in the next year.
8. No need for an SSD and most likely will only need a 500GB HDD.
Things I already have:
1. I have 8GB of DDR3 memory in the HTPC, I can pull 4GB for this build.
2. I have a small black Dell flat screen monitor that I want to continue using till it dies.
3. I have thermal compound and two AMD stock coolers that came with the two CPU's in my sig.
4. A copy of Windows XP and a copy of Windows 7 Home but I'll most likely use Windows XP unless ALL of the educational software I want to purchase for him is fully Windows 7 compatible.
Items needed:
Motherboard
Processor
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
Hard drive
Keyboard
Mouse
DVD burner
Thanks in advance for your input!
The reason for this build is that the old Dell no longer cuts it. It's Celeron processor can't keep up with my son. I will pick up parts as I find the best deals on the final components and build will probably be completed in 1 - 2 months.Requirements:
1. Needs to be able to run many many internet windows (he hasn't quite learned to close them when done or he forgets to).
2. Needs to be able to stream videos, play online learning games, etc flawlessly.
3. Case needs to have a large window, multiple windows or be fully acrylic as I want him to be able to see how all the parts work together to form a system.
4. His favorite colors are blue and green and he'd be very happy to have one or both included in the build.
5. I would like for him to have a color coded keyboard (i.e. different colors for consonants, vowels, numbers, punctuation, etc).
6. Needs to have at least a dual-core processor and I prefer AMD due to budget friendly prices.
7. Absolutely NO MSI motherboard. I have not had good luck with them and the one I have has been relegated to HTPC duty and expect it to fail in the next year.
8. No need for an SSD and most likely will only need a 500GB HDD.
Things I already have:
1. I have 8GB of DDR3 memory in the HTPC, I can pull 4GB for this build.
2. I have a small black Dell flat screen monitor that I want to continue using till it dies.
3. I have thermal compound and two AMD stock coolers that came with the two CPU's in my sig.
4. A copy of Windows XP and a copy of Windows 7 Home but I'll most likely use Windows XP unless ALL of the educational software I want to purchase for him is fully Windows 7 compatible.
Items needed:
Motherboard
Processor
Video Card
Case
Power Supply
Hard drive
Keyboard
Mouse
DVD burner
Thanks in advance for your input!
