Budget Build

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pc1x1

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jan 1, 2008
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Looking to build uber budget, only requirements thats its a dual core, prefferably AMD, since they seem to be better on the low end, graphics card is not really needed, anything that has a dvi out works, but if we can get it cheap enough, a good graphics card like a 8800 gt, or something is considerable. This price of tower only, no software, I have my software ready. Target under 500 dollars shipped, preferably much lower ;)
 
What will this system be used for? If no gaming, then don't bother with a vidcard, onboard would work well.
Will you be overclocking? If you're OC'ing, you can't get a Dell, and Intel would be better than AMD.
Why not get a Dell? You can get one with Linux, dual core, 1gb ram, 160gb hdd, onboard graphics, and 1yr warranty for around $320, IIRC.

To start you off... no prices for now, gotta go to a meeting, lol.
Gigabyte AMD 780G
Athlon64 X2 4850
2gb ddr2-800 g.skill
WD3200aaks
SH-S203D
Corsair 450W
CM Elite 330
 
I been building my computers for years, normally in the high end, but to change pace, I decided to get some input, the computers are for the parental units, you know liven it up a bit ;), if its me, its normally Asus mobo, Corsair memory etc, but I'd think its time to experiment.

The computer is for web browsing, AOL use (Yes I know), Quicken, and Office Use, and watching movies. I have the DVD drives, that I can use from the old computers. I also have copies of Vista, and XP whichever they prefer to install.

They don't play games, but Dad likes Flight Simulator, and the Wii, so he may come to play them later or something for that might be in order if at all possible, though the only requirement, is both have DVI out. I don't know about you, but personally I see a difference between analog and digital, and we are all running at 1680 or higher resolutions, so I prefer DVI.

We can over clock, preferably but not a necessity.
 
I only notice a difference between analog/DVI on older monitors.

If you prefer OC'ing, switch to either an E2200 or E7200 and an Intel P43 board w/ a cheap, $20 vidcard. Will he be watching any HD video content?
 
Yes he will be watching HD content. But not blu ray, whatever I can stream or put into our media server.
 
For your parents' needs, I recommend getting this PC:
AMD Athlon64 X2 5200+ CPU - $77
Gigabyte GA-MA78GPM-DS2H AMD 780G mATX Motherboard - $98
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $62
Antec NSK4480 ATX Case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU - $80
---
Total: $362 plus tax and shipping.

Well under your $500 budget. The IGP of the 780G chipset can handle HD content so no need for a video card. If you think that your dad may actually game on this rig, get this video card:
PNY VCG96512GXPB GeForce 9600 GT 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $105

Though overclocking is a bit limited with the above rig.
 
Danny looks pretty, good, Ill look and tweak, just to add we do need a case as well, but thats very personal, Il show him the Antec though, though he seems to like flashy, which is kind of ironic, since I have Cooler Master, and Lian Li's heh. He will most likely not game, so I am thinking intergrated is fine, though with a pcie slot, so I can add it in the future if need me.
 
enginurd said:
Yah, Danny's build is good. ;)
Click to expand...

Haha, yea I know its half your build engi, but since you were the first to respond anyhow I didnt mention it, I am going to mix and match both of your builds and look around :).
 
Hehe. I was going to say: "Holy sh*t pretty mean build Danny setup" after he just posted that setup.
 
APEVIA X-QPACK2-RED/500 Black/ Red Aluminum Body/ Front Mask MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail

$98.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

$64.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

$104.99

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBN

$44.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5000DOBOX

$66.00

Total with shipping: $404.92
 
i would rather stick to the antec psu because apevia makes pretty bad power supplies. if you like another case then just get the antec earthwatts 380w/430w psu because
 
onedestinazn2 said:
i would rather stick to the antec psu because apevia makes pretty bad power supplies. if you like another case then just get the antec earthwatts 380w/430w psu because
Click to expand...

I agree, I wouldn't use an Apevia even for a non-gaming rig. I'd trust a Thermaltake TR2 over any Apevia PSU, but only for non-demanding builds.

HardwareGuru said:
Hehe. I was going to say: "Holy sh*t pretty mean build Danny setup" after he just posted that setup.
Click to expand...

lol

pc1x1 said:
Haha, yea I know its half your build engi, but since you were the first to respond anyhow I didnt mention it, I am going to mix and match both of your builds and look around :).
Click to expand...

Its cool, I love it when Danny saves me some typing (or copy/pasting, lol). :D :p No, really though, we think alike much of the time.

The reason I picked the 4850e over the 5200+/5000+ is for power consumption, since I was spec'ing out a new HTPC for someone, lol. There's a 100Mhz difference for $11 between the 5000 and 52000... the 5000+ is a good choice.
 
Ill look into psus then. I actually built an Apevia Cube before, and never had any issues with the psu, considering it won't even have a graphics card I wasn't to worried. So I guess the only thing to find now is a case, any recommendations, and links so I can see the pretty pictures ;)
 
enginurd said:
Its cool, I love it when Danny saves me some typing (or copy/pasting, lol). :D :p No, really though, we think alike much of the time.
Click to expand...

Yeah, pretty much copying and pasting. What can I say? I'm lazy. :)

Anyway, I concur about not using an Apevia PSU. I've personally have had one take out six hard drives as well as corrupt some RAM. Apevia makes some of the world's shittiest PSUs. So whatever you do, do no use an Apevia. Problems will definitely popup.

A case recommendation:
Silverstone SUGO SG02W-F White mATX Case - $75

A PSU recommendation:
Corsair 450VX 450W PSU - $60

Or case/PSU combo recommendation:
Antec NSK1380 mATX Case with 80Plus 350W PSU - $85
Antec NSK2480 mATX case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU - $84
 
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