• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

$300 for new PC

I

infin|ty

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jun 20, 2003
Messages
1,139
If you had $300 to put together a new computer, what would you build. This is for my friend, he's going to recycle his dvd-rom, cd-burner, keyboard and mouse. So he needs everything else. Best gaming possible would be priority, also needs lan functionality. Please post ideas.
 
infin|ty said:
If you had $300 to put together a new computer, what would you build. This is for my friend, he's going to recycle his dvd-rom, cd-burner, keyboard and mouse. So he needs everything else. Best gaming possible would be priority, also needs lan functionality. Please post ideas.
Click to expand...

I would get a cheap case/PS combo, an athlon XP cpu, 512 MB of ram, and a cheap asus motherboard.. i will post specific links later. I would get a motherboard that has onboard sound and video. Then save up and buy a good video card later on. $300 wont build a gamming rig, sorry.

Would be best if he had atleast $700.
 
iha said:
I would get a cheap case/PS combo, an athlon XP cpu, 512 MB of ram, and a cheap asus motherboard.. i will post specific links later. I would get a motherboard that has onboard sound and video. Then save up and buy a good video card later on. $300 wont build a gamming rig, sorry.

Would be best if he had atleast $700.
Click to expand...

How are you going to get 512 mb of RAM on that budget?
 
If he wants to game then you can forget the 300$ budget. He's gonna need 3 times that much to even get a decent gaming rig.
 
This is what I am putting together currently:

$10 board from the deals forum with onboard video and agp slot both
Undecided processor, sempron 2200 if I can't get an athlon cheap enough($40 budget)
case w/ 550 psu $30
cd-rw 52x24x52x $20
160gb hd $40
512mb pc2700 - $40
$140

Since I already had the hd and cd-rw, it is really about a $100 system
 
A decent gaming rig can be done for maybe $500. Here's what I got for under $300:

I assume he has the optical drives, kb and mouse. Also I assume he has a monitor. Otherwise, this just isn't at all possible.
All parts (and part numbers) are from newegg.

$22 Linkworld Black/Silver ATX case w/ 300 watt power supply - N82E16811164044
$45 Maxtor 40 GB 7200 rpm - N82E16822140133
$35 Rosewill pc3200 256 mb - N82E16822140133
$45 gigabyte kt400 mobo - N82E16813128257
$60 AMD sempron 2400 (1.667 GHz) , retail - N82E16819104210
$80 sapphire 9600, refurbed - N82E16814102295R

Comes out to $288.97, not including tax and shipping. Even another $100 would make a much better performing computer. It would get you a bit better video card, a better processor, double your RAM, and get you a decent sized HDD. While this is no gaming rig, I bet it would play most new games, just not on the highest detail settings. The amount of RAM is what is really going to kill you.
 
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=56-110-025&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=20-220-026&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-104-208&DEPA=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=14-102-326&depa=1

Best I can do and it would play most games decently, HL2 is a no go of course and frame rates on Doom3 would not impress anyone but should be playable.

Unfortunately your bud is going to have to come up with another $80 bucks. As the barebones here has a CD and floppy included perhaps he could get a few bucks for his old one.

You didnt mention case or monitor, I assumed he needed a case (if not subtract $50 and get the least expensive NF-2 board with onboard lan and dual channel memory support and add +10 for 2 x 256 memory sticks instead of one 512 stick.

if he needs a monitor, game over.
 
oh crap forgot the HD and since anything worth having is $60 you just cant make it on $300 unless you go refurb or used.
 
The only game he wants to play is CS. It's almost 6 years old, that's all he cares about. So he doesn't need an expensive card.
 
Get a board like this: $71 - EPoX "EP-8RGM3I" Micro ATX Socket A, GeForce4mx Integrated, nForce2

GeForce4mx will play CS fine. 512 megs of ram, the sempron, a cheap case/power supply combo, go from there.
 
Liam said:
What about CS:S? I doubt he would like CS more than CS:S.
Click to expand...

While it is better its not wworht the hundreds of dollars he'd have to spend just to play it
 
Tell him to get an Xbox and a few good games...

:D


No, really, does he have an operating system? If not, you'll have $200 for a computer...


I think it is time for someone to get a job... :p
 
infin|ty said:
If you had $300 to put together a new computer, what would you build. This is for my friend, he's going to recycle his dvd-rom, cd-burner, keyboard and mouse. So he needs everything else. Best gaming possible would be priority, also needs lan functionality. Please post ideas.
Click to expand...

A cheap NForce2 IGP motherboard, and whatever AthlonXP/HDD/memory you can get a good deal on. It won't play intensive games at high resolution, but it will do a lot better than anything else you'll get for the money. You can still play things like WarCraft III with all of the options turned to high, which for a $300 machine is pretty good.

steve
 
I would suggest starting to collect tin cans and doing some odd jobs because there is very little that you can buy with $300 to even constitute as good for gaming.
 
I disagree. I am very good at putting together performers on a budget as evidenced on my upgrade here hold on while I get a list together. I betcha I can get a good system built!
 
Had to cut a few corners but...

Enlight Beige Micro ATX Mini Tower Case with 200W Power Supply, Model "EN-7358-0PU" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Case Type: Micro ATX Mini Tower
Color: Beige
Drive Bays: 2 x 5.25" External, 2 x 3.5" External, 0 x 3.5" Internal
Power Supply: 200W
Cooling System: 1 x 80mm, Rear Fan
Motherboard Compatibility: Micro ATX - 9.6" x 9.6"
Dimensions: 17.5" x 14.0" x 13.8"(WxHxD)
more info-> N82E16811116157 $36.00 $36.00

CHAINTECH "7VIF4" KM400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket A AMD Duron/Athlon/Athlon XP Processors
Chipset: VIA KM400 + VT8235
FSB: 333/266/200MHz
RAM: 2x DIMM for DDR333/266/200 Max 2GB
IDE : 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 4X/8X, 3x PCI 32-bit
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,1xCOM,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xVGA,1xLAN,1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: High Quality 6-Channel AC97 Codec
Onboard Video: S3 UniChrome 2D/3D Graphics
Onboard LAN: 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Form Factor: Micro ATX more info-> N82E16813152030 $39.50 $39.50

Rosewill ATI RADEON 9200SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "RW92SE-128D" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9200SE/200MHz
Memory: 128MB 333MHz DDR
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out(S-Video) + DVI
3D API Support: DirectX 8.1, OpenGL
Cable/Accessories: 1 Cable, Manual, Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536
Retail Box (See pics for details) more info-> N82E16814164002 $45.00 $45.00

AMD Sempron 2200+ 1.5GHz, 333MHz FSB, 256KB L2 Processor - OEM
Specifications:
Model: AMD Sempron 2200+
Core: Thoroughbred
Operating Frequency: 1.5GHz
FSB: 333 MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 256KB
Voltage: 1.6V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: OEM(Processor Only) more info-> N82E16819104201 $43.00 $43.00


pqi POWER Series 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 - Retail
Specifications:
Manufacturer: pqi
Speed: DDR333(PC2700)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2.5
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 2.7GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820141167 $66.75 $66.75


Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD800JB, OEM Drive Only
Specifications:
Capacity: 80GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Features: High-performance with 8MB Buffer
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years
Packaging: OEM Drive Only more info-> N82E16822144122 $58.00 $58.00

Subtotal » $288.25
Click to expand...

I think he would be quite pleased with that little box. You will have to use the old monitor and OS.

Hope this helps! ^_^
 
cyber power is not a good company I have one too. They have NO support and mix-match your parts. :mad:
 
Well, I've had great luck with CyberPower systems. I know of at least 5 that I and my friends have had, and all have been great. I haven't used them in years, though, since I build my own stuff now.
 
it may not seem like a big deal but i was supposed to have a regular 5900 not the XT they gave me and charged me for. :mad:. We've called them, emailed them NOTHING ever. They wont respond at all. They just send it quick and drop you as there customer. And If you don't get ALL name brand from them expect crap if you even get what you asked for. I've replaced most of my stuff, next is the soundcard. Yeah they have wicked prices but they know how to rip the not-so-smart off. (This is in general not towards anyone here)
 
XSNiper said:
it may not seem like a big deal but i was supposed to have a regular 5900 not the XT they gave me and charged me for. :mad:. We've called them, emailed them NOTHING ever. They wont respond at all. They just send it quick and drop you as there customer. And If you don't get ALL name brand from them expect crap if you even get what you asked for. I've replaced most of my stuff, next is the soundcard. Yeah they have wicked prices but they know how to rip the not-so-smart off. (This is in general not towards anyone here)
Click to expand...

Well, I had a problem installing windows on a RAID once and they gave me over the phone tech support. But I've only had to contact them that one time.
 
jaqie said:
Had to cut a few corners but...

I think he would be quite pleased with that little box. You will have to use the old monitor and OS.

Hope this helps! ^_^
Click to expand...

Interesting build. I wonder how the built-in video on an NForce2 would compare to the 9200SE.

At work, I have two machines, one with the built-in NForce2 IGP video, and one with a cheap GeForceFX (5200? I don't recall, it's primarily for 2D), and the NForce2 beats the FX card by a very large margin. The IGP will play WC3 with all options on "high" very well, with the cheap FX card needing most effects turned down to get it playable.

Don't get me wrong, the IGP won't beat a decent add-in card - but it's a very good performer *for the money*.

steve
 
I almolst did that with the system I posted, but putting the card I did, added about $10 to the cost, and it ended up not eating system ram and well... its an add in card instead of an integrated one.
 
infin|ty said:
If you had $300 to put together a new computer, what would you build. This is for my friend, he's going to recycle his dvd-rom, cd-burner, keyboard and mouse. So he needs everything else. Best gaming possible would be priority, also needs lan functionality. Please post ideas.
Click to expand...
Case for $28.00 + 15.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-192-006&depa=1
AMD Mobile $95.00 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-436&depa=1
Mobo $54.50 + $5.00 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-227&depa=1
HSF $24.49 + $4.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-185-104&depa=0
HDD $45.95 + $4.69 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-140-133&depa=1
Memory $81.50 + $4.91 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-220-001&DEPA=1

I tried but came up with a total of $365.02, good luck. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top