building but been out of the loop for awhile

my old man FINALLY wants me to build him a computer since he realizes how much HP sucks (very slow, since he does a lot of stocks online)
he just watches some real time broadcasts online and surfs, that's it, nothing intensive in terms of graphics, gaming or programming.

what would you recommend from AMDs line up 32bit? or go for 64? i mean recently i myself said to someone here get a 32bit platform, but now everyone is saying 64. ill more likely than not put him on windows-xp, because i think that's really all he'll need right now, and the prices for amd's opteron sempron (which i understand is 64 enabled...not sure how that works) line ups are fractionally cheaper (which will be fine for the next 2-3years for him).
we're talking $100 or less...bahhh help
and id like suggestions in terms of ati vid cards and mobo's as well, thanks

 

If I was building a computer for him since he dont do much and everything is moving to 64 bit I would get him a all in one mobo and the 64 bit processor this way he wont need to upgrade for awhile all in one mobos are great for the person that just uses the computer for basic things

 

hmmm something to think about...or i can always just give him my amd-barton 2400 with ati 9600 and get the newer one hmmm...
but the all in one is food for thought definitely....thanks...anyone else?

 

Dont waste the extra money on the 64 bit... My athlon XP barton 2600+ runs FASTER than my friends Athlon 64 2800... His computer is better too (i should know, i built it for him)... I dont plan on upgrading to a 64bit for a long time..... I wont upgrade untill i absolutely need it... My 2600 is a fast little demon! and my comp was a budget build for under $500!

 

agree on that, only thing is, the stores here sell only 64bit cpu's...that's it.
semprons and athlons...i prefer amd over intel.

 

well the update is, i can build a computer all for myself, looks like my current comp is headed over to his room since it's fast enough and does the job, while ill get the newer one, ie - school, games, plus use a lot of photoshop and cs2 stuff.
so do i go sata/ide? and is it really worth goin sata in terms of long term upgrading, pricing and the speed, is it that noticeable?
so where do i go from here? thanks guys.
btw 2 products id like to stick to are amd & ati(a true video card, not one with their chipset, unless you can really convince me

 

IMO a 64-bit processor is the way to go. Yes, I know there is no software that takes advantage of 64-bit; but it was several years, before software took advantage of 32-bit processors.

 

what about, the HD, im not too educated on sata-ide...id like some help there as well

 

Newer boards come with both ATA/ATAPI and SATA controllers. Serial ATA supports all ATA and ATAPI devices.

I would go with a SATA drive, little more money but worth it.

 

well since its been awhile, would that affect my choice in other parts as well?
ie - mobo-video...?

 

No as Shadow Puter Dude said almost all boards have sata on them and if your going with 64 bit I belive all of them have sata on them just check to be sure that it supports sata once you figure out the configuration that your going with post it and we can give you recomendations