$150 or so build?

S

Seraphic

2[H]4U
Joined
Oct 5, 2007
Messages
2,258
Anyone have suggestions for a cheap build around $150 or so?
Just need a CPU (need heatsink/cooler), motherboard, memory, case, HDD and DVD drive.
As for video card, one too if it's cheap. But integrated should be okay too for now. Don't need OS and have soundcard.
Motherboard must have a free PCI slot and case needs room for a DVD drive plus one extra free 5.25 drive bay.
Won't be overclocking and no gaming, just need a secondary PC for Audio Capture work.
 
Last edited:
im guessing you dont need an os? thats gonna be hard to do on that low of a budget but maybe someone can come up with something.
 
Did some quick searches and tried to piece something together. I had very little luck on newegg trying to part something together, that was worth the money in my mind. Pretty much in that price range, barebones combos are the best way to go, otherwise you'll be overbudget.

The cheapest barebones combo I could find for AMD was on Tiger...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4546367&CatId=332

Really not a bad deal for 140 dollars.

The thing that kills most builds in this price range is the price of the HDD and optical drive.

Of course I was looking at trying to build something all from one place... you may have more luck finding the lowest prices on multiple sites and buying x part from wherever's cheapest.

I guess its really all what you're looking for specs wise...
 
You know, that system doesn't look too bad.
Would just need to grab a video card, hdd, dvd drive, heatsink and it's set pretty much set.
Does that come pre-built or have to put it together yourself? (doesn't matter if you need to build it)
Only problem is that it has a 7 to 14 day wait time.
 
Seraphic said:
Only problem is that it has a 7 to 14 day wait time.
Click to expand...

That's not only problem with it:
- PSU is of extremely low quality. It would not hold up for long with any sort of decent video card. In fact there's a good chance that it might fry your system.
- PC Chips makes pretty low quality motherboards
 
Danny Bui said:
That's not only problem with it:
- PSU is of extremely low quality. It would not hold up for long with any sort of decent video card. In fact there's a good chance that it might fry your system.
- PC Chips makes pretty low quality motherboards
Click to expand...

Agreed.. most of the stuff there is decidedly of low quality, but that's what you're going to get in that price range.

And yeah.. you'd have to build it all yourself. I'm not sure it it comes with the stock HSF or not.
 
Seraphic said:
Think I could build better with parts from newegg for around $300?

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMD-X2-DUAL-COR...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:1|39:1|240:1308
Click to expand...

Yes you can:
$65 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 CPU
$55 - Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 AMD 740G mATX AMD Motherboard
$40 - A-Data ADQVE1B16K 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM
$55 - Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$25 - Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner
$80 - Antec NSK4480 ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU
---
Total: $320 plus tax and shipping.

My build has the following advantages over the ebay PC:
- Better quality PSU
- Significantly faster CPU
- Gigabit LAN
- Better cooling case
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Seraphic said:
Not bad, it comes to $314.94 with no tax and free shipping.
Any point going with Intel with a budget build at this price range?
Or is AMD the best bet for a build around $300?

Also, isn't the CPU that comes with the ebay build the below one?
Newegg has its price as $40 more then the AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 CPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773
Click to expand...

Not point in going with Intel in that $300 price range. And yes the X2 6000+ is the CPU that comes with the ebay PC. Despite being more expensive than the X2 7750, the X2 7750 is significantly faster than the X2 6000+.
 
Seraphic said:
Ah, right.
Any major step ups you could think up for a few $$$ more or is this about as good as it gets for around $300?
Also, can you think of any video cards for not too much?
Something like? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131142
Click to expand...

One major step up I could think is the mobo if it doesn't fit your needs. Do you see any reason why that mobo wouldn't fit your needs? Oh and from a price to performance point of view, this hard drive is a significantly better choice than the 320GB drive I chose above:
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Decide for yourself if that extra 320GB is worth the extra $20.;)

What do you need the video card for?
 
Well doesn't using integrated video bog the system down a fair amount?
That WD HDD you are using the single 320gb platter one, correct?
Motherboard looks fine for my needs, but what one were you thinking of?
 
Seraphic said:
Well doesn't using integrated video bog the system down a fair amount?
That WD HDD you are using the single 320gb platter one, correct?
Motherboard looks fine for my needs, but what one were you thinking of?
Click to expand...

Nope, not really.

By now, most of those WD WD3200AAKS 320GB drives should be the single platter version. There is a small chance that you might get the older dual platter version. The WD 640GB drive is a dual 320GB platter version and has been shown to be slightly faster than the single platter WD AAKS 320GB drive.

Wasn't gonna recommend another motherboard unless there was a feature that you needed that another mobo I could think of had.
 
Might not work out since I doubt I would get free shipping and would get charged tax.

Well, thank for your help.
 
I was looking at reviews for the WD 320GB on newegg.
Some reviews from this month and people are still saying they aren't getting the single platter version.
 
Seraphic said:
What do you think about this combo deal?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.178443

HEC 6AR6BB2F Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case X-Power 585W Power Supply
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Although, would have to switch to another motherboard as that one you selected caps at 800
Click to expand...

The HEC PSU is horrible as HEC tends to over-rate their PSUs. So that "585W" might actually be a 200W or even as low as 150W
 
How is the stock cooler for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 CPU? The reviews on newegg said is sucks big time. Any good aftermarket ones that don't cost too much?

Also, does the Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 support 1066 ddr2 at all? Can anyone suggest a motherboard that supports ddr2 1066 that isn't too much more?
 
Seraphic said:
How is the stock cooler for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 7750 CPU? The reviews on newegg said is sucks big time. Any good aftermarket ones that don't cost too much?

Also, does the Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 support 1066 ddr2 at all? Can anyone suggest a motherboard that supports ddr2 1066 that isn't too much more?
Click to expand...

Stock cooler for the X2 7750 is fine. Newegg reviews are the only ones I've seen complaints about the stock cooling.

That Gigabyte does support DDR2 1066 RAM in a way. You'll be able to use DDR2 1066 RAM but you will not be able to use it at full speed. Maybe at DDR2 800 speeds or so. This mobo might work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153
 
I think I might try my luck with an AMD X3 720 BE and trying to unlock the 4th core.
This is what I have so far. Just not sure if any x3 720 will work of if you need a special batch.

BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138130

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

COOLER MASTER V8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055
 
Have you not considered an Atom build? Those can be hard for real cheap and are pretty damn impressive!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top