$600 PC

[MJCfromCT]

Hi all,

Looking to build a PC for $600 for a friend. This doesn't need to be a gaming machine at all, just a simple web-browsing, mp3-playing, dvd-watching machine.

Everything will be needed, basically, aside from keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

I was looking at getting the Acer 19" widescreen monitor, and a copy of XP home OEM from newegg...the prices for those are $190 and $90, respectively. So that's 280 down the drain right from the start.

So, any recommendations for the rest of the system? The one caveat is that the case needs to have a window, but there is a cheap Linkworld case that i've used in other builds that I think will get the job done:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164040

Again, this system doesn't need to be an extreme performer, just stable. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[dchrsf]

First off, Centurion 5 case..

Second, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103010 w/ BIOSTAR (combo price-free)

Third, 250gb WD2500KS, 81 bucks or a 160gb for around $60

Ram, 1gb pair http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231030

Video: Cheapie http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125204

CDROM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058

HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185125

Soundcard: Audigy 2 ZS http://www.directron.com/audigy2zs1bulk.html

Thats all! Under price..

You choose the monitor, but acer is a good brand. you can even find stuff cheaper than what I linked, but I was just giving you an outline of stuff possibly you could get, and would work.

 

[-=Antimatter=-]

I would get a motherboard with onboard video and audio, unless he is a hardcore MP3 or movie watcher. I built an AM2 box for my parents using an ECS motherboard with onboard geforce 6100, seems to be pretty snappy.

 

[MJCfromCT]

thanks for your input, dchrsf, that CPU/mobo combo helps a lot.

antimatter, do you have a link to the board?

 

[w1retap]

939 pin shuttle pc or some other SFF system. It would probably suit his/her needs pretty well. You can pick up the 939's for very cheap now since the price breaks, the vid/audio is already built in, so that just leaves buying mem/cpu/hdd/dvd. I think someone looking for a cheap pc would love a SFF system. Most of the cases look pretty cool, they are portable, and don't take up much space at all.

 

[MJCfromCT]

I think that a shuttle SFF PC would be a good idea...even if it meant sacrificing a windowed-case.

 

[w1retap]

I think that a shuttle SFF PC would be a good idea...even if it meant sacrificing a windowed-case.

Shuttle clear cases.. $14. They were having a $2 sale on them not to long ago.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3125

or, if you go with a microATX system, this case is still SFF and would probably look nice. it has windows on top and both sides. (just get a better Power Supply for it)
http://www.xoxide.com/aspire-x-qpack-black.html

 

[-=Antimatter=-]

thanks for your input, dchrsf, that CPU/mobo combo helps a lot.

antimatter, do you have a link to the board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135010

Booted up fine after setting up the BIOS, no issues at all so far and stable for the last month. Running the latest Forceware graphics drivers. They're using the onboard audio as well.

If you look on Newegg, you can find boards for any CPU socket that have a 6100/6150 for onboard.

 

[dchrsf]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135010

Booted up fine after setting up the BIOS, no issues at all so far and stable for the last month. Running the latest Forceware graphics drivers. They're using the onboard audio as well.

If you look on Newegg, you can find boards for any CPU socket that have a 6100/6150 for onboard.

^^ with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104301 and you've got one hell of a cheap combo!