Desktop for $300

[Xee]

My mom's computer (a build of mine from 2004) died and I have been unable to diagnose the problem so she's ok'd the purchase/building of a new system. Since she's not exactly flush I told her I'd try to find/build something for $300. I know any system from the past 5 years will be more than adequate but she's adamant about wanting a "new" computer. Thanks in advance.


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

Just web-browsing. Nothing more intensive than Youtube videos.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

$300. Yes.

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

Schaumburg, IL. I have pretty much every major computer retailer within driving distance.

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.

CPU
PSU
Mobo
Ram
Video card (though integrated would be fine)
OS
Case

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

None.

6) Will you be overclocking?

No.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?

Acer S220HQLAbd Black 21.5"

1920 × 1080

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.

Just want it to be dependable.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

Not sure. I upgraded her computer to Windows 7 a little before it tanked. Don't know if Microsoft would let us transfer it since it was barely used. I'm going to guess no.

 

[Dangman]

Where did you get that copy of Windows 7? Was it the retail or system builder/OEM copy?

How long is the drive to Microcenter?

 

[Xee]

Where did you get that copy of Windows 7? Was it the retail or system builder/OEM copy?

How long is the drive to Microcenter?

Being in college, I got it as a student deal off their website (downloaded). I still have the original msi/exe file if it matters.

I have two Microcenters roughly within 40 minutes each of me. Wouldn't mind the drive at all.

 

[tiraides]

I was about to say, "Get a prebuilt!" but the options look pretty slim at the moment. I found mostly refurbished, discontinued models on sale, but maybe you should consider this for your mother:

From TechBargains - Dell Inspiron 660s Mini-Tower Desktop System - $299.99
1.9 GHz Intel Celeron G465, 2 GB DDR3, 500 GB HDD, DVD±RW, Intel HD Graphics, Windows 8

 

[OrangeWolf]

I don't know where to start when it comes to telling you what to do about building for $300. My first instinct is to tell you see if you can reuse any of the parts from her old machine you built like the case or power supply and go from there.

So about stuff you could buy pre-built, let's see...

Dell Vostro 270 -- New from Dell @ $329? Not sure how great it is and I know it's slightly outside of your price range but it'd have a warranty at least. Also given that Dell usually seems pretty fond of coupons you might be able to find one to get that down to $300. That doesn't count shipping and tax though, so it might still be a bit much.

If you're willing to go with older hardware, like Core 2 Duo processors, there's some under $300 options on Newegg (ThinkCentre, Dell, etc.).

 

[bastage]

A net top like This would also fit the bill & can be built for well under 300. Built one for my daughter at the end of December for 200 including a 64gb crucial SSD (it was bundled with the net top). Plus it can be attached to the back of the LCD..

 

[Xee]

A net top like This would also fit the bill & can be built for well under 300. Built one for my daughter at the end of December for 200 including a 64gb crucial SSD (it was bundled with the net top). Plus it can be attached to the back of the LCD..

Wow, great idea. Didn't even know these existed. Definitely going to look into this. Thanks a lot.

 

[OrangeWolf]

That does sound fantastic, especially with an SSD along with it.

 

[Xee]

Well, reading reviews on the book-size desktops I didn't really feel comfortable going with one. A lot seem to have overheating/bios/etc issues and I'd feel more comfortable just building myself. That being said, I've procured another $50 for the build so I tried piecing together a "draft" build to see if it was possible to hit that mark. Unfortunately, it's been almost 6 years since my last build so I'm more than a bit out of the loop. Here's what I came up with:

Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32120 - $118.79
BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 54.99
Rosewill Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case FBM-01 - 29.99
G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 (PC3 10600) F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS - 24.98
Windows 8 Upgrade - 39.99
Logisys Micro ATX 350W Power Supply, Model "PS350MA". - 19.99
Crucial m4 64GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2 -79.99

Total: $368.72

Actually came pretty close to the number. I'm sure with some more thorough research as well as keeping an eye out for deals I can get the whole thing for $350. Any thoughts?

 

[Dangman]

That CPU is a tad overkill. Drop the CPU down to the Pentium G860:
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Pentium.../B005LLBBSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359452639

With the leftover cash, get a better quality PSU as that Logisys is liable to kill your PC:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Build...f=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359452692

Save yourself $5 + shipping with this RAM instead:
http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Signa...3332/dp/B003GSLDJ0/ref=sr_1_6?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Case wise, spend the extra cash for a better case:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbi...f=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359452795

That SSD is pretty overpriced. $20 more gets you nearly twice as much space:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-120GB...f=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359452853

 

[lazerxo]

I'm sorry I know this isn't really helping but I don't think you'll find a computer for 300$, atleast a computer that's not downright awful.

 

[E4g1e]

Well, reading reviews on the book-size desktops I didn't really feel comfortable going with one. A lot seem to have overheating/bios/etc issues and I'd feel more comfortable just building myself. That being said, I've procured another $50 for the build so I tried piecing together a "draft" build to see if it was possible to hit that mark. Unfortunately, it's been almost 6 years since my last build so I'm more than a bit out of the loop. Here's what I came up with:

Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32120 - $118.79
BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 54.99
Rosewill Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case FBM-01 - 29.99
G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 (PC3 10600) F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS - 24.98
Windows 8 Upgrade - 39.99
Logisys Micro ATX 350W Power Supply, Model "PS350MA". - 19.99
Crucial m4 64GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2 -79.99

Total: $368.72

Actually came pretty close to the number. I'm sure with some more thorough research as well as keeping an eye out for deals I can get the whole thing for $350. Any thoughts?

I agree with Danny. In addition to what he stated, all of the parts on that list except for the CPU and motherboard are sold by third-party resellers that use Amazon as their checkout. As such, they may charge tax and shipping on top of those prices. So, that "$368.72" build might end up costing you more than $400 shipped - and then, the build would have still suffered from a massively shitty PSU.

 

[OrangeWolf]

Dell Vostro 270 -- New from Dell @ $329?

At least you'd have a warranty and whatnot, though I can agree with the desire to build yourself. It's just that under a certain price point it seems that pre-built is the better deal?

 

[Eureka!]

Well, reading reviews on the book-size desktops I didn't really feel comfortable going with one. A lot seem to have overheating/bios/etc issues and I'd feel more comfortable just building myself. That being said, I've procured another $50 for the build so I tried piecing together a "draft" build to see if it was possible to hit that mark. Unfortunately, it's been almost 6 years since my last build so I'm more than a bit out of the loop. Here's what I came up with:

Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32120 - $118.79
BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 54.99
Rosewill Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case FBM-01 - 29.99
G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 (PC3 10600) F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS - 24.98
Windows 8 Upgrade - 39.99
Logisys Micro ATX 350W Power Supply, Model "PS350MA". - 19.99
Crucial m4 64GB 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2 -79.99

Total: $368.72

Actually came pretty close to the number. I'm sure with some more thorough research as well as keeping an eye out for deals I can get the whole thing for $350. Any thoughts?

Are you near a microcenter, and does the total price have to be before rebates? If you are one of the fortunate ones to living within a reasonable distance to microcenter, you get $40 back on your motherboard/cpu combo. EDIT: It seems like you do. The i3-3225 is $120 in-store, the i3-3220 is $100 in store, and you basically get a discount motherboard (basic motherboard is around $50-60 and you get $40 off). The i3-3225 will offer you a better IGP, if you ever want to do anything more intensive than just youtube, otherwise the i3-3220 is just fine.

i3-3220: http://microcenter.com/product/398007/Core_i3_3220_330GHz_LGA_1155_Boxed_Processor
B75: http://microcenter.com/product/406650/B75MA-E33_LGA_1155_B75_mATX_Intel_Motherboard
Total: $154-40 = $114 + tax out of store, - $10 rebate = $104 + tax

If you are willing to deal with rebates, there is the 160gb x25-m that on tigerdirect will often get cost you around $90 after rebates. More space, same price.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5250507&CatId=5300

Alternatively, this will probably be an unpopular choice because of the unique form factor, but they make SFF cases like these:
http://www.amazon.com/XION-Desktop-...qid=1359464802&sr=8-1&keywords=matx+450w+case
http://www.amazon.com/PIXXO-MICRO-C...qid=1359464802&sr=8-2&keywords=matx+450w+case

The problem is that you are stuck with odd PSUs. I personally would feel comfortable running that system in this case, simply because this is not a power user and won't be requiring heavy loads. Other people may have other opinions. It does still save you space while giving you more cooling than those tiny book-sized PCs.

Also, while the single DIMM RAM is cheaper in Danny's recommendation, wouldn't that be a problem since it's now only running single channel (1 stick vs 2)? I believe the ideal is always to run matched pairs.

 

[singe_101]

Is an SSD really necessary for web browsing?

 

[Eureka!]

Is an SSD really necessary for web browsing?

SSDs shine in day-to-day usage. Turning on computers, loading up browsers, loading webpages... because all of those require read and writes to a hard disk.

It's actually more useful than having a faster processor or more RAM in everyday tasks. And more necessary for a web-browsing rig than a gaming rig.

 

[tiraides]

Are you near a microcenter, and does the total price have to be before rebates? If you are one of the fortunate ones to living within a reasonable distance to microcenter, you get $40 back on your motherboard/cpu combo. EDIT: It seems like you do. The i3-3225 is $120 in-store, the i3-3220 is $100 in store, and you basically get a discount motherboard (basic motherboard is around $50-60 and you get $40 off). The i3-3225 will offer you a better IGP, if you ever want to do anything more intensive than just youtube, otherwise the i3-3220 is just fine.

Micro Center only offers the $40 discount when you pair any Socket 1155 motherboard with either the i3-3225 or the i5-3570K. But if the OP can't (or won't) go to Micro Center (that's an in-store special), then it's all moot.

Also, while the single DIMM RAM is cheaper in Danny's recommendation, wouldn't that be a problem since it's now only running single channel (1 stick vs 2)? I believe the ideal is always to run matched pairs.

The performance loss is inconsequential given the primary role of this machine. It would be virtually unnoticeable.

 

[Xee]

Thanks for all the tips, Danny Bui and Eureka!. I'm looking over the options right now.

Micro Center only offers the $40 discount when you pair any Socket 1155 motherboard with either the i3-3225 or the i5-3570K. But if the OP can't (or won't) go to Micro Center (that's an in-store special), then it's all moot.

Ah, that's why I didn't see the discount. And I don't mind driving there at all if it means a better deal.

The performance loss is inconsequential given the primary role of this machine. It would be virtually unnoticeable.

Good to know. Saves me have to research the differences.

Also, someone told me about a Newegg deal for today only:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1195757

Any thoughts on it? I was told the PSU might need to be replaced but otherwise the price seems pretty good for what you get.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

That link just takes me to an SDHC card.

 

[Xee]

That link just takes me to an SDHC card.

My bad. Pasted the wrong one. Here's the corrected link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1195757

The total cost is $220. Will edit my other post.

 

[tiraides]

That's not a good bundle. The case and power supply are bad choices.

You should not look at a case that uses only 80mm fans for cooling and there's no way to confirm whether or not that "no-name" PSU runs at its rated load.

 

[Prav]

That bundle also includes only one 4gb stick of 1333 ram. You really want to run dual channel and at least PC1600 or better yet 1866 on AMD APU systems. It greatly affects IGP performance. With the case, PSU and RAM being unsuitable it become much less of a bargain.