$500 system

D

dtess17

2[H]4U
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Feb 7, 2005
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Ok my friend wants to get a new PC and only as about $500 to spend.
It is just a general use computer, internet, school work, maybe some DVD's...i doubt if he will game on it.


What can you guys think of for this price ?
 
Walmart has computer systems around that price that would do him good.Also Dell would be a good choice too for systems at that price.
 
Oh sorry it was late last night i forgot to say i will build the system for him...i could never let him go to Walmart.
I was just wondering what parts most people would use here...i know it's a tight budget
I trust in the [H]
 
dtess17 said:
Oh sorry it was late last night i forgot to say i will build the system for him...i could never let him go to Walmart.
I was just wondering what parts most people would use here...i know it's a tight budget
I trust in the [H]
Click to expand...

There is the issue of needing to do his tech support when you build it for him. I generally build people computers and they do things my way. or, in other cases, I'll suggest going to dell's site and I can help configure a system, and i'll help install things for them like webcams or scanners or show how to use software...

If you're building something, you could also parts that you may have laying around and aren't using. or in my case, I'll use my old parts for their new system, buying new parts for my system. that's my upgrade cycle. = family stuff mostly.

some of that may or may not make sense.
 
Well, I came up with two configs: One assuming that he does not need a monitor or Windows XP OEM and the other assuming he does. I tried to keep the quality of parts fairly high on both, but I'm a bit overbudget on the second config. Take a look.

CASE = COOLER MASTER Centurion 540 w/ 380W PSU = $69

MOBO = GIGABYTE GA-K8N51GMF-9 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 = $79

CPU = Athlon 64 3000+ Venice = $142

MEM = CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR400 = $81

HD = Maxtor 6L200S0 200GB SATA = $82

ROM = NEC 3540a 16x DVD+/-RW = $40

TOTAL = $492

If he needs a copy of Windows XP Home and a 17" CRT Monitor, the following is the best i could put together (he might be better off going with an OEM like Dell if this is the case). Keeping the same case/psu and burner:

OS = Windows XP Home Edition OEM = $92

MONITOR = SAMSUNG 793DF-T/T 17" DynaFlat CRT = $134

MOBO = BIOSTAR GEFORCE 6100-M7 Socket 754 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 = $60

CPU = AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo Socket 754 = $76

MEM = CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB (2 x 256MB) DDR400 = $49

HD = Western Digital WD800JD 80GB SATA = $54

TOTAL = $573
 
Must build, OEM- Dell, HP, COMPAQ total POS in that price range, well actually most
price ranges.
CPU - no brainer AMD venice core
MOBO - partial to MSI Dual Channel
RAM - good cheap stuff Patriot, Corsair Value
CASE Antec, INWIN, industry standard, any rolled steel case, the kind you can get up and dance on and dont have to worry about it collasping...haven't we all done that...
HD 80-120GB SATA
DVD RW Samsung, NEC
Monitor NEC,
 
a64 3000+
biostar tforce mobo
1GB ddr 400
80GB hard drive
DVD-RW drive
Aspire x-qpack
 
You could save most of the money on the case. I see some $50+ cases being suggested, I am sure you could get one for cheaper at a local Mom and Pop. Maybe even at a garage sale. Just paint it if Beige is out of the question.

If this include Monitor and Windows than beating the Dell sub$500 deals is going to be tough. I mean you could get one of those, reinstall Windows IMMEDIATELY to get rid of the bloatware and install a bit more RAM bought at Newegg and be set. But thats just my opinion.
 
I have to agree with sabrewolf732. That is almost the same setup for my new build. The integrated graphics on the 6100 is supposted to be comparable to the 6200 geforce. Its also supposed to play dvds well.
I am gonna upgrade the video card later for gaming, so thats always an option as it has a slot for pci-e.

Value ram (either crucial, kingston or corsair would work great).

I would go a bit bigger on the hard drive, as space gets hella cheaper north of 80gb.

You could save cash by getting some cheapy matx or atx case istead of the qpack, but it looks sexy though as its small and has that little led on the front and window option.

I went with the 3200 as its only $10 more on newegg.

If your gonna burn dvds I would get an nec 3540a, cause its cheap and it works for a lot of ppl.
 
We need to know if XP & monitor need to be purchased. Then we can make a valid recommendation. If monitor, XP, and say a printer need to be included, you can't beat a cheapo Dell, really.
 
All from newegg no rebates.

BIOSTAR 6100 Mobo 754 socket = $65 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138266
AMD Sempron 64 2800+ = $76 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104245
WD 80GB, SATA150, 7200 RPM, 8MB Cache = $55 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
Rosewill Value Case w/350w PS = $46 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147010
CORSAIR Value DDR400 512MB = $44 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145026
TOSHIBA Black 16X DVD Burner = $37 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827130052

Total for hardware only = $322 shipped
Windows XP Home if needed = $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102141
Total with OS = $412 shipped
Add $100 17inch CRT from local Wallmarket or Buybest. ~$500 total

If you dont mind rebates you can save alot more. You can almost always find 512mb of ram for under $30 AR in bestbuy or circuitcity's weekly adds.
or online $57 shipped - $40 rebates = $17
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...u=P56-3906&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM990C
80GB to 120GB Harddrivers can usually be found for $30 or 40 AR in bestbuy or circuitcity's weekly adds.
Works for 17inch CRT's too. (70-90 AR)
 
thanks for all the quick replies...no he does not need an OS i am taking care of that. And he already has a monitor...
 
i was looking into either going old socket 478 with a like 2.8 or 3.0 chip...but i found that to still be a little expensive.
I'm thinking maybe 754 with a semperon 64
 
Apex Case $37 shipped.

Sparkle Power Supply $39 shipped.

Gigabyte motherboard $57 shipped. Onboard video but has an AGP port if later he decides to become a gamer. Not a overclockers board but a good stable board.

Athlon 64 3700+ $179 shipped.

CoolerMaster heatsink/fan $15 shipped.

512mb Patriot memory $69 shipped.

Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 80GB $54 shipped.

LITE-ON Beige IDE DVD Burner Model SOHW-1693S $41 shipped.

$490 shipped total. I built basically this same exact system recently for a friend and she loved it. Throw in a floppy drive, a couple of case fans, and some cheap round cables from SVC and you've got a nice, fast system for about $500.
 
I would really think about finding some alternate means to get windows on the machine... i hate the idea of sucking up hundreds of $$ on a crappy peice of software.. After all, that stuff could be invested in more RAM, larger HD or better videocard or display. You may want to consider getting an upgrade copy instead of the full install if you really want to go the legit way. I am sure you have a windows CD key floating around somewhere that you can use to activate the upgrade. Also, if you go to college, check with the university for deals. A lot of schools have really good deals, and mine has XP pro with the 32 and 64 bit versions for only 75 bucks.
 
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