Build a computer for $500-$600

S

Sunni_Phono

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 14, 2004
Messages
183
Hey I want to build a computer for my friend from scratch. He only needs to use it for internet, email, and burning DVD's/CD's. He wants an LCD monitor. I have some ideas, but I was wondering if I could get some input on building a computer like this. Like how much CPU power he'd need for this. I'm thinking a semperon, or low level athlon 64, or an old P4. 512MB of ram should be fine. What about the GPU? Don't worry about the software, just need the hardware.

Thanks.
 
amd 64 3000+ with motherboard $140 at frys
or sempron 2600+ with motherboard $69 at frys
dvd burner $50
512 ram $40
120gig hd for $20-30 after rebate, seen alot lately at most places.
or 80gb for $40
9600 or 6600gt $150
17inch lcd $200

rough estimate, but yea.
 
Still needs keyboard, mice, and case. Get a cheaper video card since he's not gaming.
 
well its going to be hard to build a whole computer with a lcd screen i think he should just get a CRT monitor better IMO anyway check out this configuration

now since he isnt going to playing games since you said he is only going to surf and burn cds dvds i suggest he goes intel

Case: Aspire X-Dreamer case w/ 420W PSU - $56
24 pin adapter $4
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 530J Prescott LGA 775 $179
Motherboard: ASUS P5RD1-V Socket T
(LGA 775) ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 $94
Memory: Rosewill 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM $39.00
Hard Drive: 80GB Western Digital SE (8-MB) SATA - $59
Dvd Burner:NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A $41

Total is 472 .00
 
vat said:
Still needs keyboard, mice, and case. Get a cheaper video card since he's not gaming.
Click to expand...
hmm..forgot about the case, who needs a case anyways, lay it on the table next to his keyboard. :p
but can be had for $40-60 with decent psu, i dont think he needs to buy a separate psu because it wont be powering anything powerful. of course others may say otherwise.

generic keyboard/mouse combo are cheap $15
vid card just go to newegg, put in max price of say $50 and bam, all the cheapo graphics card. i usually get those $20 radeon 7000 for websurfing/office work type build. or onboard graphics.
 
I hate to say it but he/you might be better off going to your local big box store (bb, compusa) and getting one there. Usually if you don't mind rebates you can get a pretty good system for not much money, hell i saw a basic emachine bundle at bb for like $400 after rebate with an lcd. This way you aren't spending all your waking hours diagnosing his computer problems that are your fault cuz you built it for him.
 
3000+ venice socket 939 retail -- around $150, or cheaper if you find one on sale/on the FS forum here
motherboard -- $80ish or find a good one with a rebate for $70ish
512 value ram -- $45
160gb hard drive with rebates -- $30-40
or find a smaller one for a little cheaper (120gb for like 20-30$)
whatever case he likes -- $50 (comes with PSU most of the time)
dvd burner -- $40
video card -- find one cheap on here for $20-30 or newegg for $50-$60
and I would just go up to a local GoodWill store (no joke) and buy a 17" CRT for $10. 2 of them local to me have about 15 monitors in stock most of the time for between $5 and $20. I bought one the other day for $10 and it looks great and it has GREAT picture quality. It will be used, but it works and there is nothing wrong with it... otherwise just go to your local bestbuy/walmart/wherever and find one on sale/rebate. Shipping will rape you on a CRT online.

if everything worked out, you could easily get an amd 64 setup for around $450 with a cheapo video card and a good sized hdd, plus it will be socket 939 for future upgrades. But the question is... do you dare go into goodwill :) I will if it saves me $80 on a monitor.
 
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