Cheap first PC for a kid

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TrueBuckeye

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I'm looking to get a first computer for my kid. He's about to start kindergarten (amazing how early they need computers) and I want him to have one for him and his little brother to grow up with.

I'm even thinking about a cheap netbook or laptop, but I have a bias towards desktops.

Any thoughts on those utra-slim destops?

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Flash games (Dora, etc), Spore, Roller Coaster Tycoon, light Steam games like Plants vs Zombies, maybe eventually a kids-oriented MMO.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$500, including tax and shipping

3) Where do you live?
Columbus, OH

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
At this point assume a new build. I probably have an old worn out hdd I could throw in there, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
n/a

6) Will you be overclocking?
no

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
I need to get one, hoping a 17" lcd at least

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? etc.
Nothing fancy

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
32-bit WinXP Pro is what I'll probably use.
 
If you don't mind going used, check the For Sale section, you might find a nice mobo+cpu+ram combo in there that you can get for cheap and the base the system off that.

Aside from that, I'll build you the best complete box for around $500 on Newegg real quick--but does that budget include the monitor?
 
I dont trust biostar and why get a single core when a dual core is only $30 more?
 
Sempron unlocks to a dual...


and -(He's about to start kindergarten )
 
No doubt you built the most cost effective system of all, but when I see $500 I try to squeeze all the juice I can out of those $500 rather than just build a $300 system because he's just a kid. Perhaps visitors can use this computer without wanting to smash it for being so slow? :p
 
The sempron unlocks to a dual core so it will be 100mhz slower that yours.
2.7 vs 2.8, not much different.

And who really needs 4gb of ram with XP Home? For kindergarden games?
 
I think they should add /unlocking to the overclocking question. I simply don't see the need to save a couple of bucks to go with Sempron on a Biostar board vs Athlon II on a Gigabyte board. I'll leave that decision to the OP. I built the best complete system I could with monitor and all, even a Corsair PSU, for $500 shipped and I'll leave it at that.
 
i would grab the unlockable sempron, a nice cheap gigabyte asus, or even ECS board. stock cooler should work fine as its just for a kid if you want aftermarket zalmans cool well and are cheap same as zerotherm.you can get 4670's or 9600gt's cheap now, hell I think the 5670's are cheap and they do DX11
 
Thanks for the different ideas, guys.

A few questions answered

- yes a monitor should fit in that price.
- I'm probably not up for unlocking the Sempron. I've been out of the hardware scene for a few years now and am just looking for "simple and works"

NoForgiveness's build looks great, but all of the advice is welcome.

I'm still browings around, so let me know if anything else crosses your mind.

Thanks!
 
I personally would like to see what MicroCenter has on sale for the month of march before I'd order anything.
 
If you need a full system, why not get a netbook, nettop, or even a cheap dell deal instead?

eg...
$429 after $287 instant discount: Dell Vostro 220s slim tower desktop with 2.93Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 w/VT, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320GB hard drive, 16x DVD-ROM, and an 18.5" Dell E1910H LCD monitor (upgrade to a 20" Dell LCD for $30). DELL VOSTRO 220S SLIM TOWER DESKTOP DEAL 1
Click to expand...

not the best dell deal (i've seen much better), but you can also check dell outlet. If you must build, I'd say get something even cheaper than $500 unless other people will be using the system. I think it's similar to a kid's first car... get him something used, in case he wrecks it, lol. I gave my little cousin a P4 2.8Ghz system and even his parents use it to check email and browse without issues. If you have a Fry's near you, grab one of their $40 - $60 cpu/mobo combos.
 
agree on used. you never know with kids, they run around, kicking things, like to press shiny buttons (repeatedly), dragging things off the table, knocking things over, spilling things on accident (or so they say). not that we adults don't do that, but kids definitely do it with more purpose and determination.
 
It's right there on my first reply, 2nd post: "If you don't mind going used, check the For Sale section, you might find a nice mobo+cpu+ram combo in there that you can get for cheap and the base the system off that."

Give it a go. All he really needs is a P4 or Athlon XP based system. You might be able to build something respectable for $100 or less.
 
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