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200 complete build

B

bastage

Pics of your wife?
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
12,874
So this is for my youngest sister who has been going to the library every time she needs the net. So Simple & cheap at the main focus points.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
basic web stuff.. Facebook & web surfing mostly.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
200 All In

3) Where do you live?
Idaho. All parts will be ordered

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, MB, Ram, HDD, Case, PSU

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Nodda

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not

I have a couple 1gb sticks of G.Skill DDR800 laying around so chances are these will have to be used to make budget. I would prefer not though.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Need to get one from Craigslist. Not in budget. Assume 1440x900 res most likely though

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
This week, Next week, Whenever

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
Needs to post & boot OS..

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Most likely *nix of some sort. May use the Win 7 Lissence I have sitting around (30 dollar student deal, so I bought an extra).
 
Here is the problem: You can't get anything that can run any current software for that low of a price without getting extremely shitty parts. (Or put it this way, you can't get any decent-quality system, even used, for such a low price unless you're willing to settle for hardware that's totally obsolete that it can't even run Windows XP, let alone Windows 7.) For example, the least expensive worthwhile PSU already costs $50, and the least expensive 500GB hard drive already costs $45. And with the least expensive serviceable case costing about $50 as well, that would have left you with only $55 total for the CPU, motherboard and RAM. The troulbe is, the least expensive CPU with a good performance-to-price ratio has already exceeded the $55 that remained out of that budget, leaving that system with no motherboard and no memory. As a result, the least expensive worthwhile build that's of even reasonably good quality would cost you $350, not $200.

Under these circumstances, the best choice for your youngest sister would definitely be a cheap netbook or nettop.
 
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E4g1e said:
Here is the problem: You can't get anything that can run any current software for that low of a price without getting extremely shitty parts. (Or put it this way, you can't get any decent-quality system, even used, for such a low price unless you're willing to settle for hardware that's totally obsolete that it can't even run Windows XP, let alone Windows 7.) For example, the least expensive worthwhile PSU already costs $50, and the least expensive 500GB hard drive already costs $45. And with the least expensive serviceable case costing about $50 as well, that would have left you with only $55 total for the CPU, motherboard and RAM. The troulbe is, the least expensive CPU with a good performance-to-price ratio has already exceeded the $55 that remained out of that budget, leaving that system with no motherboard and no memory. As a result, the least expensive worthwhile build that's of even reasonably good quality would cost you $350, not $200.

Under these circumstances, the best choice for your youngest sister would definitely be a cheap netbook or nettop.
Click to expand...

So not true.. a Dual core atom mITX board (intel d510) for 80 50 for a HDD & an antec isk-100 with PSU for another 75 is 205. And it would run Win 7 well enough & as I listed in the stickied questions will most likely be *nix so that would still be more then enough. Those parts added to my Newegg Cart came to about 215 shipped. Thats using the memory I already have.

And getting a netbook, or nettop is not out of the question. Just looking for less then I already found if possible. Use is very very basic stuff.

Edit: and switching the case to a habey 600b from mwave (since newegg is out of stock on them) cuts out better then another 20 bucks.
 
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Monkey34 said:
Hmm. How about these:
Atom MB/cpu combo $70
Mini ITX case/pwr supply $50
Use your memory $0
HDD bout $50
A cd/dvd burner will run about $20 if you need one
Click to expand...

Motherboard is ont he right track, but for the 10 bucks different a dual core atom makes a big improvement.
Case wise That guy is still 60 bucks shipped & very low quality case & psu.
HDD is most likely going to be a new Samsung f3 for my gaming rig & her getting my 500gb samsung mp4 (2.5" 7200 rpm) since most of the tiny cases want the 2.5" drive & I am going back to a full tower from my mITX.
No optical is needed at all.
 
I was going to edit with a recommendation to upgrade to the better Atom for $10....I was leaving work and wanted to get a quick post in. The HDD is still $50 - as you can see. $200 isn't much to work with. A quality case with pwr supply is about $100
 
ok check these out;

Intel setup;

Intel Celeron E3300 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core $49.99 + fs

Foxconn G31MXP-K I7 LGA 775 Intel G31 $33.99 + fs

G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $28.99 + fs

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $41.99 + fs

COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply $54.99

Total: $209.95

AMD;

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core $59.99 + fs

BIOSTAR A780L3L AM3 AMD 760G $49.99 + fs

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $41.99 + fs

COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-OWR460 Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case RS-460-PSAR-J3, Elite 460W Power Supply $54.99

G.SKILL NS 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $19.99 + fs

Total: $226.95
 
bastage said:
So not true.. a Dual core atom mITX board (intel d510) for 80 50 for a HDD & an antec isk-100 with PSU for another 75 is 205. And it would run Win 7 well enough & as I listed in the stickied questions will most likely be *nix so that would still be more then enough. Those parts added to my Newegg Cart came to about 215 shipped. Thats using the memory I already have.

And getting a netbook, or nettop is not out of the question. Just looking for less then I already found if possible. Use is very very basic stuff.

Edit: and switching the case to a habey 600b from mwave (since newegg is out of stock on them) cuts out better then another 20 bucks.
Click to expand...

Oh, I did not include the Atom-based systems. I included only those systems with user/owner-replaceable CPUs.
 
E4g1e said:
Oh, I did not include the Atom-based systems. I included only those systems with user/owner-replaceable CPUs.
Click to expand...

Atom is pretty piss poor of a windows experience. I wouldn't have included it either.

Your best bet is probably the cheapest dual core amd rig something like hossdaddy posted. Will be leaps and bounds ahead of atom.
 
hossdaddy made some good examples.

I say scratch the atom as well. It's just not worth it, pretty soon shall start watching youtube videos on it, downloading tv shows, converting her mp3s, while chatting & surfing, etc. If you get one of the dual core wolfdale chips it can last her a good while.

A dual core atom would suffice though. It just seems for a slight bit more, can get her so much better. :)
 
rive22 said:
hossdaddy made some good examples.

I say scratch the atom as well. It's just not worth it, pretty soon shall start watching youtube videos on it, downloading tv shows, converting her mp3s, while chatting & surfing, etc. If you get one of the dual core wolfdale chips it can last her a good while.

A dual core atom would suffice though. It just seems for a slight bit more, can get her so much better. :)
Click to expand...

And the performance of that dual-core Atom is, as some reviews have put it, about equal to that of a single-core Pentium 4.
 
Holy fuck.. People are pretty much hung up big time on windows performance.. Well windows performance doesn't mean dick when it will most likely be running *nix.. And quite frankly a dual core atom runs FF just as fast is ubuntu as any other dual or quad anything..

And yes the dual core atom is about equal to a p4 3ghz with about 200w less power used (thats an exaggeration).

Bottom line is it needs to power on & let her surf the web. I Dont care about anything else really at this point. Of the builds so far though the AMD build by HD does look very promising.
 
bastage said:
Holy fuck.. People are pretty much hung up big time on windows performance.. Well windows performance doesn't mean dick when it will most likely be running *nix.. And quite frankly a dual core atom runs FF just as fast is ubuntu as any other dual or quad anything..

And yes the dual core atom is about equal to a p4 3ghz with about 200w less power used (thats an exaggeration).

Bottom line is it needs to power on & let her surf the web. I Dont care about anything else really at this point. Of the builds so far though the AMD build by HD does look very promising.
Click to expand...

Even on linux atom is pretty sluggish. They point wasn't necessarily anything about windows just that windows is commonly used and most know how it should perform. The main point I think we were trying to get across was that atom really isn't that great at doing much. If anything it will be worse on linux because of flash (which lots of websites use) which just doesn't run as good as the windows version. (maybe its improved over the last year or so but the last time I used flash on linux, it was pretty bad at cpu usage and freezing up).
 
munkle said:
Even on linux atom is pretty sluggish. They point wasn't necessarily anything about windows just that windows is commonly used and most know how it should perform. The main point I think we were trying to get across was that atom really isn't that great at much. If anything it will be worse on linux because of flash which just doesn't run as good as the windows version.
Click to expand...

Really you have an atom on linux? In the last year I have built 2x d510 systems (running kbuntu & ubuntu) & loaded the ubuntu netbook remix on 3 dell mini 9's & its not sluggish on any of them..
 
I you are thinking of that intel setup, you might as well spend $1 more for the E3400...won't hurt, although the mild oc'ing in the board would probably make up the difference.
 
bastage said:
Really you have an atom on linux? In the last year I have built 2x d510 systems (running kbuntu & ubuntu) & loaded the ubuntu netbook remix on 3 dell mini 9's & its not sluggish on any of them..
Click to expand...

I used an atom netbook with linux quite a bit a while back and it was ok for web stuff until you got to anything with flash and it would croak. I don't know if flash has improved all that much since then you might want to try it out on an atom pc if you have one around. Linux was generally fine, it's flash that was the killer for me.
 
Yes, the Atom would be adequate for your youngest daughter's use. Even Windows 7 runs on that machine, albeit slowly. But if it's going to be running primarily Linux, then what I stated about Windows performance is largely (but not completely) irrelevant.
 
munkle said:
Even on linux atom is pretty sluggish. They point wasn't necessarily anything about windows just that windows is commonly used and most know how it should perform. The main point I think we were trying to get across was that atom really isn't that great at doing much. If anything it will be worse on linux because of flash (which lots of websites use) which just doesn't run as good as the windows version. (maybe its improved over the last year or so but the last time I used flash on linux, it was pretty bad at cpu usage and freezing up).
Click to expand...

Pfftt! I've still got Linux on a pentium90 with 32mb ram - GUI, surf with Firefox and all.;) Atom is fine....not the best, but fine. Depends on the distro.
 
Have you given any thoughts to some good quality used components? I have purchased stuff here and on other forums on the cheap that are more than capable to run anything you need. Heck, I have even sold stuff that is sufficient. If you are not dead set on brand new...which IMHO you shouldn't be....I would suggest looking thru the FS threads and even posting up a a WTB thread stating your needs. I'm sure you can get your lil sis up and rolling for under your $200 budget using a few new parts. Buy the mobo/cpu/ram used and pick up a inexpensive case/psu combo. I'd offer some parts for sale, but I don't want you thinkin that is my reason for posting this suggestion. It is not. There is sooo much good hardware out here FS and it can be had for much less than retail.

here's a couple i quickly found...Look thru to find items...
CPU.------> Intel Dual Core 2ghz =$25.00 http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1598724
Mobo------>Intel Socket 775 new= $35.00 http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1596447
RAM------->Kingston 2gb DDR2= $20.00 http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1582954

I would think this would be the smartest thing to do considering your very low budget. $80 spent on core components...toss in a new case and psu...you at or under your $200 for sure.
 
$39 - AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz
$39 - ASRock N68-S Motherboard
$29 - Rendition by Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR2
$33 - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM
$25 - APEX TX-381-C
$25 (before $10 MIR) - Antec Basiq BP350 350W (Use promo code EMCKFKE25)

Subtotal: $189.94
Shipping: $18.99
Total: $208.93
Total after MIRs: $198.93

You can cut another $25 off this by getting a cheap case that includes a power supply if you want to go really lean with the build. Hell, you could probably ditch the hard drive and use something off of PenDriveLinux with a cheaper USB flash drive. Or you can spend $4 more and get a 320 GB hard drive, but why you'd need that much storage for a web box I do not know. If you were to install Windows 7 though, it might be a good idea. You could actually get her a pretty full featured computer if you can get the second core to unlock on that Sempron.
 
If you can stretch the budget a little bit, and if you are willing to use one of those Win7 licenses, I would look into the ASRock Zacate board.

ASRock E350M1 $109 + shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157228
1x2GB DDR3 1066 $22 FS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148149
Recertified WD Caviar Blue 250GB + shipping

Total comes to $162.98 with shipping in my cart.

The trick may be to find a decent case + psu combo for the remaining 40 or so dollars. Might consider one of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154062
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121114

Either would bring the total (with shipping) to around $220-225. If you shop around, you could probably find some better options in that price range.

I recently built a Zacate-powered HTPC using ASUS E35M1-I Deluxe, and used it for about a week or so as a desktop system. The Zacate platform is not a powerhouse and is not a good choice for gaming, rendering, etc but for day to day computing it is excellent. Windows 7 performance was snappy and did not leave me wanting in anyway, and the APU accelerates pretty much all the major video codecs, plus flash and other applications that are coded to take advantage of GPU processing power (I believe IE9, FF4 and the next version of Chrome all can take advantage of the GPU for page rendering).

Otherwise, piecing together a low end Core2 system with the used components is a decent idea.
 
tonytnnt said:
$39 - AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz
$39 - ASRock N68-S Motherboard
$29 - Rendition by Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR2
$33 - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM
$25 - APEX TX-381-C
$25 (before $10 MIR) - Antec Basiq BP350 350W (Use promo code EMCKFKE25)

Subtotal: $189.94
Shipping: $18.99
Total: $208.93
Total after MIRs: $198.93

You can cut another $25 off this by getting a cheap case that includes a power supply if you want to go really lean with the build. Hell, you could probably ditch the hard drive and use something off of PenDriveLinux with a cheaper USB flash drive. Or you can spend $4 more and get a 320 GB hard drive, but why you'd need that much storage for a web box I do not know. If you were to install Windows 7 though, it might be a good idea. You could actually get her a pretty full featured computer if you can get the second core to unlock on that Sempron.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that you need an amd chipset with sb710 or 750 to do any unlocking.
 
well looky there I totally missed that! "NVIDIA Chipset with Unlock CPU Core function " don't I feel silly :)
 
hossdaddy said:
well looky there I totally missed that! "NVIDIA Chipset with Unlock CPU Core function " don't I feel silly :)
Click to expand...

doesnt matter.. I wouldn't buy an nvidia chipset no matter the cost.. Too flaky in comparison.. Anyhow doing another zacate build sounds like fun, but its more then she needs & would be over budget by a bit.
 
I would have preferred to suggest an AMD chipset but I was trying to make every dollar count. In hindsight I think trying to get a DDR3 motherboard would be better since the RAM ends up being cheaper.
 
used = $189, new with full warranty and more than likely better parts = $209 - $223. You decide.
 
Monkey34 said:
Pfftt! I've still got Linux on a pentium90 with 32mb ram - GUI, surf with Firefox and all.;) Atom is fine....not the best, but fine. Depends on the distro.
Click to expand...
The distro makes a bit of difference but really it depends on the particular software. You often run into a bit of a catch 22 here, something like "damn small linux" is fast and small but IIRC it's fast because it uses very old versions of software (I think I read it was based on debian woody, I dunno if that is still the case). On a machine used for general web browsing you really want things to be up to date for security reasons.
 
Last edited:
bastage said:
doesnt matter.. I wouldn't buy an nvidia chipset no matter the cost.. Too flaky in comparison.. Anyhow doing another zacate build sounds like fun, but its more then she needs & would be over budget by a bit.
Click to expand...

Wow, no offense, but you probably should have added to your original post a line with stuff that you *don't* want to use... People keep making suggestions that you toss out because you won't use (insert brand) part.
 
Another build, this time with a better motherboard.

$94 - AMD Sempron 140 Sargas 2.7GHz Socket AM3 45W Single-Core and BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD
$20 - Rendition by Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
$37 - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
$39 - Linkworld 43715-128FU+P04 Black Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply

Subtotal: $189.96
Shipping: $1.93 (to Nebraska, I bet Idaho will be similar)
Total: $191.89

Upgrades:
$118 ($24 more) - AMD Athlon II X2 255 Regor 3.1GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core and BIOSTAR A880GU3 AM3 AMD 880G USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD
$39 ($19 more) - Rendition by Crucial 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

If you're lucky you'll get the Sempron to unlock the second core. Also note that the motherboard in the upgrade combo is better (it has USB 3.)
 
Jon55 said:
:eek: Yikes- how could someone bother spending money on it?
Click to expand...

Because higher performance isn't always as important as cost. Especially considering the reduced power and heat.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
Saw this on Tigerdirect today.

ECS A740GM-M Diablotek Barebones Kit - ECS A740GM-M Motherboard, AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition CPU, Patriot 2GB DDR2 RAM, Seagate 500GB Hard Drive, Diablotek Diamond ATX Mid Tower Case $183 before $13 MIR.

Not the greatest in the world, but another sub $200 option.
 
I have a better idea.

$129
Core i3 + mobo combo from microcenter(check hot deals section). I believe Fry's pricematches now so you could go there and try it if you don't live near a microcenter, since it's in-store pickup only at microcenter.

$40 psu (there's some good 400w ish ones on newegg for that price)
CX430 for 35$ after MIR(free shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017&Tpk=cx430

Antec NEO Eco - 50$ w/ free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

2gb ddr3: 20-21$ on newegg (shipping incl)

$20 for no name. $21 for mushkin value stuff

12$ for an 8gb thumb drive as hdd (if you don't already have one) and run linux off it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161424

or if you can spend more

recertified/openbox hdd
$26 for a 500gb WD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136741

Cardboard box for the case, or go dumpster diving or to a garage sale / beg a friend.

Total: $201-15


You might be able to pick up a case + cheap psu in a store somewhere for close to $40, dunno. I'd just salvage a case somewhere though and go with a better psu.

Btw, how will you install windows without a disc drive?
 
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