basic system recommendations

J

jeffmoss26

2[H]4U
Joined
Aug 1, 2002
Messages
2,267
Hello all-
Since I'm the family computer guy, my mom asked me to spec out a basic cheap computer for her to use in the kitchen. This would be for email and web surfing, that's it. Obviously I want to build this for her. What would be some decent specs to start with? I don't have much in the way of spare parts to piece something together, I told her I could work with 200-300 dollars to get her a decent system.
Thanks,
Jeff
 
jeffmoss26 said:
Hello all-
Since I'm the family computer guy, my mom asked me to spec out a basic cheap computer for her to use in the kitchen. This would be for email and web surfing, that's it. Obviously I want to build this for her. What would be some decent specs to start with? I don't have much in the way of spare parts to piece something together, I told her I could work with 200-300 dollars to get her a decent system.
Thanks,
Jeff
Click to expand...

I hope you have a spare monitor laying around, or else you'll spend a sizeable chunk of that money getting a CRT.
 
then you are working off of like 100 dollars because the cheapest lcd i know of is the dell 15 inch one
 
ok forget the price of the monitor. my budget for the computer ONLY will be 200-300.
 
Well if it's for email and web surfing are you going to be storing stuff on the hard drive or just a few programs? Here's cheap one from parts I could find on newegg. Didn't include optical drive don't know if you would need one. But if you do you an get a dvd drive for $20 or a CD only drive for around $10.

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144233

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135194

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104245

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145026

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811154017

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182011

Total: $268
 
Thanks...probably wont have very many programs on it. She may save emails and pictures. I have some extra CD-rom drives so I could throw one in.
Jeff
 
Considering your price range, I would look for anyone who might sell you a systen, and add a video card with DVI out if necessary.

Otherwise:
ASUS Vintage-AE1 Barebone $99.99
Sempron 64 2500 $70.00
ASUS GeForce FX 5200 $34.99 (You'll want the DVI out for an LCD monitor)
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB $43.00
Maxtor DiamondMax 40GB $43.00 (Shop around, you can find larger drives at = price)
LITE-ON DVD/CD RW $41.99 (Overkill?)
$332.97
For about $100 more, you could get one of the smaller shuttle (or other brand) shoebox sized barebones, which might fit better in the kitchen. It won't be a supercomputer, but it's a good basic system.
 
did some searchin on Newegg today, came up with this:
Case with PSU: Apex PC-115-$24
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-8S661FXM-$55.25
Proc: Intel Celeron D 326 (2.53ghz)-$67
RAM: Corsair ValueSelect 512MB PC3200-$35.99
HDD: Western Digital WD400BB 40GB-$42.00
CD-Rom/Floppy: I have several spares here.
Total w/o shipping: $224.24
Let me know what you think,
Jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top