Budget build, friend needs ASAP

A

AshleyG

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 5, 2007
Messages
272
I'm helping a retired friend with a super-budget build to replace a system fried by lightening. I can piece a high end rig together with no problem, but the low end absolutely perplexes me. Here we go:


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Browsing, email, Office

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$400, all-inclusive

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Knoxville, TN

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Case, PSU, CPU, RAM

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
HDD (250GB SATA), DVD Drive (SATA)

6) Will you be overclocking?
No.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1280x1024, not sure of size

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Immediately

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
Onboard video as main GPU; onboard audio and LAN are needed


10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows Vista x64
 
For that usage, it may be better to get a pre-built dell or similar. It may even come with a slightly better monitor too.
 
I second the recommendation for a prebuilt system. Check out some bargain-hunting sites like GotApex or Ben's Bargains.

Here is one such deal you could take advantage of immediately (courtesy of TechBargains):

Dell Small Business has the Dell Vostro 270 Mini Tower Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Ivy Bridge Desktop Computer for a low $399.99 Free Shipping. Tax in most.

Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Ivy Bridge; 4GB RAM; 500GB HDD; DVD burner; 802.11n wifi + gigabit; 1yr warranty; 15mo TrendMicro Security 3.5
Click to expand...
 
With that budget, pre-built as already stated would be your best bet. You can definitely build one at that price point but you won't be saving much in that price range.
 
i did a prebuilt for somebody using a walmart acer aspire and stuck a low profile gpu from best buy in it. instant, cheap gratification. came with a phenom x4, 4gb of ram and a 1tb hdd. the gpu is a low profile gt430, iirc. runs most games just fine at 720p res, but you can probably do better, now. i'd have preferred one of the low profile 5770s at the time, but again, instant gratification. it's a very tiny pc. a year and a few months ago, this system totalled ~500usd

[edit] seconding tiraides deal with the ivy bridge. intel is kicking amd's ass. [/edit]
 
Since he already has a Windows license, hard drive and a optical disk drive and a monitor; a prebuilt system isn't a good recommendation.

Given the $400 budget and needing 5 items. That's ~$100 for case & RAM, $100 for a CPU, $100 for a motherboard and $100 for a PSU. Those items will be better than any prebuilt system for $400.

With that being said;
$190 - Intel Core i5-3330 Ivy Bridge 3.0GHz (3.2GHz Turbo)
$110 - GIGABYTE GA-Z77-D3H
$18 - G.SKILL Value Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
$50 - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W
$49 - NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black

Total shipped: $416
 
Skillz said:
Since he already has a Windows license, hard drive and a optical disk drive and a monitor; a prebuilt system isn't a good recommendation.

Given the $400 budget and needing 5 items. That's ~$100 for case & RAM, $100 for a CPU, $100 for a motherboard and $100 for a PSU. Those items will be better than any prebuilt system for $400.

With that being said;
$190 - Intel Core i5-3330 Ivy Bridge 3.0GHz (3.2GHz Turbo)
$110 - GIGABYTE GA-Z77-D3H
$18 - G.SKILL Value Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
$50 - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W
$49 - NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black

Total shipped: $416
Click to expand...

You are forgetting the peripherals...
 
Read the OP. He doesn't list needing those items.
 
That isn't a good case on account of its lack of cable management.

Aeroflot isn't recommended much around here on account of its lack of reliable consistency.

Yes the i5 is overkill, but at least it wont have an issue with boatware that'll most likely infect that computer. :p
 
Considering RAM prices these days; I'd suggest adding another 4GB stick to Skillz build.

If the OP's budget can't go over 400$, just downgrade the CPU to an i3 or even a Pentium G620/G630. i5 is overkill if you look at the user's needs.
 
The g series doesn't have onboad video.

Bloatware* autocorrect on my phone. Lol
 
Danny Bui said:
The G series does have onboard video.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected then. I was under the impression that was one of the major differences between the i-series and the G series processors.

Danny Bui said:
Ok that explains "boatware" but not "Aeroflot". Was that suppose to be AsRock?
Click to expand...

Yeah, ASRock... my phone has a mind of it's own sometimes. I was at work, on a 10 minute break when I typed that. No proof reading. :eek:
 
Skillz said:
I stand corrected then. I was under the impression that was one of the major differences between the i-series and the G series processors.
Click to expand...

The main difference is that the i-series has Hyperthreading. I believe it also sometimes has a larger memory cache. And usually has higher clock frequencies.
 
Mercuri said:
The main difference is that the i-series has Hyperthreading. I believe it also sometimes has a larger memory cache. And usually has higher clock frequencies.
Click to expand...

Not all the i-series has HT.
 
Skillz said:
Just add the motherboard to your cart, the RAM will show up.
Click to expand...

Yeah I see that now. Thanks. And that is a great deal as long as that mobo isn't complete garbage. It appears to be pretty decent given the basic specs and positive reviews.
 
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