Basic webrowsing PC/ updating older gaming rig

I have an i7 920 based PC which I built a few years ago. I used some lower performance parts to cut costs and planned to upgrade them, but never got around to it. My parents need a PC for basic web browsing and MS office.

Here are the specs of my i7 pc:
i7 920 D0
ASRock X58 Extreme
3x1gb Crucial Triple Channel
1tb Hitachi Deskstar HDD
Samsung DVD burner
NZXT Beta Case
PNY Geforce 8500GT
2x EVGA USB 3.0 Cards
OCZ ModXStream 500W PSU

My plan was to Cannibalize some parts from the i7 rig to go to the webbrowsing PC, and update the i7 in the process.
Components I was thinking of possibly using from the i7:
RAM
Graphics Card
PSU

I also have a 160 gig IDE drive from my HTPC - if I could use that, i could put the terabyte drive in the HTPC and put maybe an SSD in the i7.

Criteria for the webbrowsing PC:
-Small Size & Lightweight - This is the most Factor important for me. It needs to be small enough to fit in hand luggage. ~a cubic foot or Preferably less.
-Low Cost (this isn't going to be used for gaming - just basic web and MS Word)
-Futureproof (They won't upgrade this for years, so it needs to last)

What suggestions do you have for upgrades to the i7, and parts for the webbrowsing pc? Please remember that if something is upgraded in the i7, the old component will have to be compatible with the webbrowsing pc.

Also, would it be more combined to just build the webbrowsing PC ground up and upgrade the i7 later? I'm just looking for bang for the buck without wasting perfectly good parts I have lying around.

I already have a copy of Win 7, so dont worry about OS.

Thanks!

The only way the memory will be useful is if you get another X58 board (or only use 2 of the 3 sticks).

If size and weight is the most important factor for the 'media' PC, why not get a nettop/netbook/laptop?

Quote from prozac4312 : The only way the memory will be useful is if you get another X58 board (or only use 2 of the 3 sticks). If size and weight is the most important factor for the 'media' PC, why not get a nettop/netbook/laptop?

That is what I was originally thinking - a cheap nettop. However, my thought was that cannibalizing/upgrading would kill 2 birds with 1 stone. But, if i can't do this at around ~$200-250 ish, i guess I would be better off buying a cheap nettop.

also, if a mobo had 4 ddr3 slots, couldn't i use 2 in dual channel and 1 single channel or no?

Memory channels were always confusing to me, but I think if you do that you're running all 3 in single channel.

I think your best choice is to go micro ATX if your building for your parents(price/ variety of choices and 4dimm slots so you can use all 3 sticks)

Take this board for $40 as an example [newegg.com] only two Ram slots sadly. (it is $20 more for a board with 4 slots)

Combo it with the Athlon ii X2 250 for another $45 [newegg.com]
You can use either a PATA HD in this Mobo or a Sata drive.
You already have the ram, but ram is dirt cheap too at the moment(I just got 8gb for 63.50) If you wanted 4gb of ram, you could get that for $35 dollars [mwave.com] as well off Mwave or one of the countless deals I have seen on it.


Only thing you have to worry about is a case and an optical drive. Thats where things get a bit tricky, I imagine your Video card isn't low profile, so if you want to keep that for the parents, you'll have to either get a mini tower or a cube case. This tower will fit the bill $35 shipped. [newegg.com] You can even use your own PSU in it. A lot of cases come with PSU at this price range and I wouldn't have too many qualms letting them power this barebones computer. Any of these cases [newegg.com] will do, if you don't like the one I selected above.

Lastly a DVD burner/CDr, can be found quite cheap, $16 shipped for this one [newegg.com].

so for those parts you are looking at around $140, you'll still need to scrounge up a copy of Windows or do a flavor of Linux. Shouldn't be to hard if your a student(I have more Keys than I know what to do with). A much more capable machine than a nettop, even without the GPU, the Nforce 430(Geforce 6150) is decent, sufficient enough for Internet video.

I really am not a fan of atoms, I am waiting for the brazos mini-itx boards to come out to do another small build. Or maybe I'll just cave in and by the fit-pc3 [gizmag.com] when it comes out(amazingly small form factor)

Also, FYI, my MSI AM3 board stays in dual channel with 3 sticks of ram in it, at least according to CPU-z, so your assumption is correct. If you get a mobo with 4 slots, you should be fine putting all dimms. One side will work dual channel, the other side will compensate in single channel mode.

Hope this was helpful

Quote from cyrusfox : I think your best choice is to go micro ATX if your building for your parents(price/ variety of choices and 4dimm slots so you can use all 3 sticks) Take this board for $40 as an example [newegg.com] only two Ram slots sadly. (it is $20 more for a board with 4 slots) Combo it with the Athlon ii X2 250 for another $45 [newegg.com] You can use either a PATA HD in this Mobo or a Sata drive. You already have the ram, but ram is dirt cheap too at the moment(I just got 8gb for 63.50) If you wanted 4gb of ram, you could get that for $35 dollars [mwave.com] as well off Mwave or one of the countless deals I have seen on it. Only thing you have to worry about is a case and an optical drive. Thats where things get a bit tricky, I imagine your Video card isn't low profile, so if you want to keep that for the parents, you'll have to either get a mini tower or a cube case. This tower will fit the bill $35 shipped. [newegg.com] You can even use your own PSU in it. A lot of cases come with PSU at this price range and I wouldn't have too many qualms letting them power this barebones computer. Any of these cases [newegg.com] will do, if you don't like the one I selected above. Lastly a DVD burner/CDr, can be found quite cheap, $16 shipped for this one [newegg.com]. so for those parts you are looking at around $140, you'll still need to scrounge up a copy of Windows or do a flavor of Linuz. Shouldn't be to hard if your a student(I have more Keys than I know what to do with). A much more capable machine than a nettop, even without the GPU, the Nforce 430(Geforce 6150) is decent, sufficient enough for Internet video. I really am not a fan of atoms, I am waiting for the brazos mini-itx boards to come out to do another small build. Or maybe I'll just cave in and by the fit-pc3 [gizmag.com] when it comes out(amazingly small form factor) Also, FYI, my MSI AM3 board stays in dual channel with 3 sticks of ram in it, at least according to CPU-z, so your assumption is correct. If you get a mobo with 4 slots, you should be fine putting all dimms. One side will work dual channel, the other side will compensate in single channel mode. Hope this was helpful

Thanks! That was really helpful! I think I will hang on to my graphics card and just get a mobo with integrated gfx.

only problem that I have is that i've heard triple channel ram is lower voltage than dual, and putting it in a dual channel mobo will fry it. Is that true?

It looks like building a cheap AMD rig and upgrading the i7 at the same time would work out cheaper. I guess I'll go that route.

Quote from helloha1 : only problem that I have is that i've heard triple channel ram is lower voltage than dual, and putting it in a dual channel mobo will fry it. Is that true?

Nope, not true, Triple channel ram just means the 3 sticks have been tested to play nice together(most ram does) DDR3 standard [wikipedia.org] state all DDR 3 modules are suppose to run at 1.5V regardless of configurations, Some manufacturers have resorted to higher voltage to attain higher speeds such as 1.65V for 1600Mhz. And some motherboards have problems with Ram outside of DDR3 spec(max recommended voltage of 1.575V). Your Ram will run fine in Dual channel environment as I imagine it is this module set [newegg.com], at the correct 1.5V.

if you are close to a Microcenter I can show you the exact system I keep building and selling.. I spend about 200.00 total on everything. Its a whole lot more system than a nettop.

AMD Athlon IIx 250
Biostar A780L3G (Board has DVI and VGA)

These 2 items are 58.00 + tax.
500GB Sata Drive for 40.00
The have a mATX case for 35.00 with 500 PSU ( Its red)
LG DVD Burner for 17.99
Ram is 40.00 for 4gb of rebranded Adata (Microcenter Brand)

Unfortunately, I don't live close to a microcenter. However, it seems unanimous that I should go for an AM3 based build, so I guess I will do that. Thanks!