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Cheap build for a friend

4

450

Fully [H]
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
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My friends laptop died so he is looking to build a desktop.

1) Web browsing, light coding, lots of documents open at once, eventually gaming (not in the initial budget)
2) ~300 w/tax & shipping, somewhat flexible budget, use prices after MIR
3) Central Ohio, near a MicroCenter
4) CPU, Motherboard, Memory, PSU, Case
5) 2.5" SATA 160GB HDD, USB webcam
6) No overclocking.
7) 19" 1440x900 locally bought
8) I'm planning to build it in 3-4 days unless I should wait.
9) Onboard video would be nice
10) Windows 2008 R2 (64-bit)

My initial build is...
Intel Core i3 2100 - $106.49
Intel DH61BEB3 LGA 1155 H61 - $50.51 (after MIR)
Antec EA380D - $34.99
Antec One Hundred - $39.99 (after MIR)
8GB DDR3 - $35 (I'm assuming I'll be able to find a deal)

Anything I should change?
 
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What is the availability and price of I3 2105? If carried at similar discount you get HD3000 video instead of HD2000.
 
Not a fan of the Antec 100 case. Fairly sure that if you look around there should be a Coolermaster case for around that price range.
 
Danny Bui said:
Not a fan of the Antec 100 case. Fairly sure that if you look around there should be a Coolermaster case for around that price range.
Click to expand...

I don't have experience with the 100. What didn't you like about it?
 
450 said:
I don't have experience with the 100. What didn't you like about it?
Click to expand...

I just used one in a build for a friend. It's a really flimsy case:
The standoffs don't really want to thread into the backplane.
You can't put the expansion slot (PCI) shields back in once you remove them.
The metal is so thin that it bends when you look at it.

Honestly though, for $40 after MIR you can't really complain.
 
Thanks for the input Chibo, I'll stay away.

Danny, what case would you recommend?
 
Right now if you get ANY Intel Sandy Bridge processor you get $40 off a motherboard at Microcenter.

So an Intel Core i3-2100 is $100 (before taxes)

Then get the Biostar H61ML LGA 1155 H61 mATX Intel Motherboard for $55, then subtract $40 to get a $15 motherboard. Or you can get an H67 board, whatever. Lots of choices.

Also, there's a Thermaltake case I've seen floating around for $30 that's decent. I think it's one of the few Thermaltakes to make Danny's list. I think it's the Thermaltake V3 IIRC. It's available for $40 before a $10 MIR and has free shipping. I've also seen some good review of the new Fractal Design 1000, which is $40 + $10 shipping at Newegg.
 
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tonytnnt, do you know if open box CPUs are eligible for the $40 motherboard discount?
 
Unfortunately I don't know. I've never actually been to a Microcenter so I don't know about their open box CPUs -- but if you know anyone in upper management there be sure to tell them Omaha needs a store!
 
tonytnnt said:
Unfortunately I don't know. I've never actually been to a Microcenter so I don't know about their open box CPUs -- but if you know anyone in upper management there be sure to tell them Omaha needs a store!
Click to expand...

Microcenter has its headquarters nearby... I should drop by and tell them that! ;)

You should ask the Oracle of Omaha to buy MicroCenter and make a store there.
 
450 said:
Microcenter has its headquarters nearby... I should drop by and tell them that! ;)

You should ask the Oracle of Omaha to buy MicroCenter and make a store there.
Click to expand...

That would be nice, but he already owns a Furniture/Consumer Electronics store here so I doubt it'll happen. Weird combo but somehow they pull it off.
 
The Xigmatek ASGARD II is pretty decent too for a budget case, especially with the additional $10 MIR on top of it ($30 before $10 MIR.)

And for RAM, this isn't too bad of a deal for $25 (use coupon code EMCKBKF55.) Not 8GB, but 4GB is still pretty good. Especially if you get a motherboard with 4 RAM slots.
 
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