500 Dollar Computer that'll Last?

J

JucyTEC

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 23, 2002
Messages
228
I haven't built sometihng with 500 Dollars before, but someone is asking for it. while I am researching already, this place is always good for nice straight forward opinions.

They Need: Case, Mobo, Intel Chip, VidCard, Ram, PSU, Lan, 100 Gig HD, Optical Mouse, and maybe even a keyboard, (i think they are still using a AT interface keyboard)

i'm probably going P4 C models, and a cheap vidcard, If not onboard. I guess I just need a good pair up of: Mobo, CPU, Vidcard and Ram combo and still have some $$ left for all the other MISC crap like CDRW/DVD reader drive. Obviously it will not be used for heavy grhpic intense usage, infact nothing at all will be intense. they have a 400 MHz machine and are happy with it. its just that it keeps breaking on them

open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance!
 
Are they going to need an OS? Also, AT keyboard connectors haven't been in use for a LONG time, and I don't think there's a board that supports a 400mhz processor that uses AT; but if they do have one, you'll definitley need a new keyboard/mouse. I'd just look for an optiplex or something on ebay personally.

For $500 you could probably get a whole new dell w/a 17" LCD if you call them. That way they can get tech support without having to bug you. At that price level, it's hard to beat some of the OEM deals you can get.


 
He is correct 100%

It is difficult, no flat out not reasonable to try and beat an OEM deal like Dell for 500 bucks especially with the costs of OS licenses thrown in the game. (unless they are running linux).

The added in monitor is worth it just by itself.
 
forget building. just go to your local best buy or circuit city etc...and buy the cheapest model. my parents wanted to replace the old pIII 500 i gave them, i was going to build, but i decided buying the cheap model at any b&m would be much easier and faster. we got a sempron 3000+ for about $350. only 256 mb ram, but the thing is quick.

For $500 you could probably get a whole new dell w/a 17" screen if you call them
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yeah i was going to suggest this. IF you spend enough money at dell to warrant free shipping, it may not be a bad idea. i was going to buy dell for my parents, but they wanted nearly $100 for the slowest shipping method for just the tower.

dualdrop[H]enia
 
i got the OS and every software covered,

I just need the Hardware.

sorry i forgot to mention
 
Celeron D 331 2.66
Gigabyte GA-8VM800M
Corsair VS512MB400C3 512MB DDR400 CAS 3
Sony Dual Layer DVD+/-RW DL
Maxtor DX10 160GB w/8mb Cache SATA
Antec Solutions Mid Tower w/350w PS and 120mm exhaust
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 w/Wheel Optical Mouse

Total $418.11+about $12 shipping on the case (everything else is free 2nd day). I'd probably pop the RAM up to a gig though. I've personally used that mainboard a few times, and it's really pretty good for the price, and the ones I saw had japanese caps.

 
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