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Need help building a computer for 500$ max!

F

Freekshow22

n00b
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
57
Ok guys...i dont no shit about computers nevermind the different parts. I just got some money and been looking into buying a computer and decided to build one because my friend said i can build a better one for 500$ instead of buying one pre built.

The only things i will be using this computer for is web browsing and maybe capturing video, like making montages or live streaming. I willl NOT be gaming on it because im a console gamer.

I'v been using my moms computer for the last 6 years and to me its pretty fast for web browsing, because its the only comp i pretty much ever used lol. (the specs are probly terrible)

here are the specs...

OS: windows XP home edition
System model: dimension 3000
Processor: intel pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz
Memory: 510MB RAM
Chipset: i865P/PE/G/i848P
Intel 82865G Graphics Controller

I didnt know where to post this thread but i did it here because there were 270 viewers.

So "computer experts" please help me out! any help is appreciated. THANKS! =)
 
there is a general hardware board for posting general hardware/how doez build computor questions
this however, is not it

there are stickies and FAQs there as well to help you in the process
 
i was just about to say that too, Laptop.. there is a nice gateway at bestbuy for 499$
 
Building used to be cheaper and it still is, but the brick and mortar stores are getting cheaper.

I just bought a
Regor 240
500GB HDD
3GB RAM
DVD Burner
6USB ports
Nice looking case (many aftermarket cases are dog ugly)
Windows 7
389$

600$ is what i came up with all the same stuff at newegg with a decent looking case and windows 7.

Granted i had to buy a PSU for the my video (79$ at best buy) card and the mobo and ram MAY be better quality. And you can run a boot leg of windows but that gets old at times.

I say you cant go wrong with either. Personally im kinda proud of my first prebuilt after building every PC ive ever had for the last 10 years.

Open box, plug in, turn on is nice. And its still very upgradable.
 
Go pre-built. Below a certain pricepoint, you get better bang for the buck. Plus, if you are in fact new to the industry, you'll appreciate the warranty eventually. Break-even point is between 800-1000, above which point yes- you get more by building by yourself. Below that amount, there's no competing with the OEM's volume discounts.
 
OK guys thanks for the info. If you guys think i should go pre built or buy a lap top can u link me to some good ones for 500$ or less? i would appreciate it. =)
 
Just wait and get z iPad!!! lol in all serious though, as much as i think the initial keynote of the ipad was a huge fail, from the sounds of it you might benefit from it. your price level is $500, the same price as the base ipad. All you'd really like to do on it is web browse, watch movies etc, and as we all heard, its simply "Magical" on the pad :rolleyes:. You can't take video and pictures on it as we all know, but things might change from now until the official rollout so keep your eyes peeled.

Also, a few other pads from other brands such as MSI, Asus, and the most promising, HP, are soon to launch as they were shown off at CES to a lot more approval than what the iPAd received. TBH if you don't really game or use your home PC for productivity then a tablet type device may be right down your alley.

To the post above- its a secure link, meaning that only you can view your own shopping cart, just an fyi for future compilations of parts.
 
The beauty in building yourself comes on your first upgrade. Once you have a case, keyboard, monitor, hard drives etc you just throw in a new mb, cpu and memory and have a whole new computer that's twice as fast. If you have to buy it all you're looking at some serious cash to get started.

One other thing that's nice about building yourself is the computer works better than prebuilt. Especially if you use all name brand parts.
 
BigBallinGPR said:
To the post above- its a secure link, meaning that only you can view your own shopping cart, just an fyi for future compilations of parts.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I missed that. Let me try again... just click on each link and add to cart, then close page until you add last item then take a look at your cart. Sorry don't really know of an easier way to post it, I made it into a public wish list, but I think that takes some time to show up "new 500 limit"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164138

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131623

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
 
Jayham said:
Thanks, I missed that. Let me try again... just click on each link and add to cart, then close page until you add last item then take a look at your cart. Sorry don't really know of an easier way to post it, I made it into a public wish list, but I think that takes some time to show up "new 500 limit"

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164138

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131623

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115222

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
Click to expand...

Thanks man. are u sure this build is good for my needs also i posted this in the general hardware thread and this guy linked me to a pre built HP.

Should i go with that or get your build?
 
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DO NOT BUY THE COMPUTER THAT JAYHAM PUT TOGETHER

Go for the recommendations of Danny Bui, Enginurd, tirades, lt_shiro, myself, Hardware Guru
 
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You would be buying a cheap case / bad PSU and paying for ~20.00 in shipping (total) when it could go for better componets. No need to spend 23.99 on a DVD burner and pay 6.98 to ship it when you had one for 24.99 with free shipping.

The case comes with a quality Antec Earthwatts 430w power supply.
 
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One thing I do know if you want a faster system and better longevity you go with the build I choose only using his case/psu combo (cost a bit more but worth it), and the optical he picked out to save $7.00

Optical was simply overlooked only because it was something that was put together very quickly (you saved $7.00 here)

Same OS, RAM, and HDD were picked out

Only problem here you approx $70 over budget...
 
Jayham said:
A.One thing I do know if you want a faster system and better longevity you go with the build I choose only using his case/psu combo (cost a bit more but worth it), and the optical he picked out to save $7.00

B.Optical was simply overlooked only because it was something that was put together very quickly (you saved $7.00 here)

C.Same OS, RAM, and HDD were picked out

D.Only problem here you approx $70 over budget...
Click to expand...

A. Faster system and more longevity- Both the processors run at ~2.9ghz and if the OP decides its too slow in six months he can upgrade to a quad core or SIX CORE processor coming out to the am3 socket soon. bad argument.

B. Not just this dvd, the case is 14.00 worth of shipping and a crappy power supply. Now he would need a better PSU. No money saved.

C. You managed to pick some quality componets.

D. His budget is 500, so 500-486 $14 more to spend!!
 
gwarren007 said:
A. Faster system and more longevity- Both the processors run at ~2.9ghz and if the OP decides its too slow in six months he can upgrade to a quad core or SIX CORE processor coming out to the am3 socket soon. bad argument.

B. Not just this dvd, the case is 14.00 worth of shipping and a crappy power supply. Now he would need a better PSU. No money saved.

C. You managed to pick some quality componets.

D. His budget is 500, so 500-486 $14 more to spend!!
Click to expand...

A) Same scenario here if he decides to upgrade to Core i7/Core i5 (which he can) it still puts performance ahead.

B) That PSU would have worked fine, just like any crap PSU that you get with Dell, HP, Sony, etc desktops (Specially since the op will not be OC'ing or using high end GPU's So yes money would have been saved regardless of how you see it. Although I do recommend going with with much better quality like Antec for the PSU.

D) Yes more money spent, but better system in the end... No real argument here :(

I mean we can go back and forth all day I agree with you, you built a great system but with motherboard/cpu combo I picked. His system would be would be faster to start off with, and since he's been using a P4 system for 6 years I can easily see him using this system for 6 years... without the need for another upgrade too soon especially for what he's using it for.
 
If we are to recommend parts to people we need to give them quality parts for thier money. I also gave him the link to the quad core if he could stretch his budget $15 (515 shipped)
 
I agree with warren

seriously jayham, is it really worth flaming someone to defend your sense of honor or whatever else, just because you made a mistake? so what you made a mistake, nobody thinks less of you, just leave it be
 
obobski said:
I agree with warren

seriously jayham, is it really worth flaming someone to defend your sense of honor or whatever else, just because you made a mistake? so what you made a mistake, nobody thinks less of you, just leave it be
Click to expand...

Huh, I'm not flaming anyone..... we had some disagreements just another forum discussion.. really I'm not upset just stating some facts as he was. We both posted our opinions, I think he'd be better off going one route while he thought maybe a different route and in the end I believe we both had some pretty decent systems put together for the OP, spend slightly over budget and get a faster system or slightly under and still get a great system. The final decision all goes back to the OP, and all we did was make a couple of recommendations.

To Freekshow22 my apologies if you found this to be more confusing than helpful, I wish you the best in finding what your looking for, good luck :)
 
if im spending less than 600 i just go big box, and upgrade from there...i think only above 600-700 do you really start getting better powerformance (i know i made that up... :D ) per dollar.

but thats just and opinion
 
Im still not 100% sure what to get. I could buy one of your guys builds or i could get a pre built. Is it worth building one if im not gaming on it or should i just go pre built?
 
You should ask a moderator to move this thread to general hardware. You would get more opinions...
 
Freekshow22 said:
Im still not 100% sure what to get. I could buy one of your guys builds or i could get a pre built. Is it worth building one if im not gaming on it or should i just go pre built?
Click to expand...

That's for you to decide I'm afraid. If you think that it might be too daunting to DIY then pre-built would seem a better choice, but once you bite the bullet and build your own, you get much more satisfaction IMHO (plus other members here are always willing to help).

Also, if you DIY then if any problems arise later down the line with the pc, you'll find it that much easier to troubleshoot as you will be more familiar with the innards of the machine.

Then (if you're like me) you'll become slavishly addicted to this forum, and you'll feel yourself compelled to start upgrading as soon as you can afford to and then it's a slippery slope....:D
 
I would say to go forward with building your own system if this something your interested in and would be willing to take your time to understand how everything works. There is a lot of benefits to building your won system and some downsides. If you fubar something with your system it could get frustrating. I mean its not like your not going to run into similar problems if you by a pre-built system, but the parts would be under warranty and you would have some type of legit support.

Here's my take on a $500 build, should take you down under $500 after the mail in rebate for the heatsink. I had to revise my original build do to some flaws - But the main reason I chose the Intel e5200 and Asus LGA 775 based motherboard because this is a good starter type build to get yourself acquainted with the fundamentals. They are fairly easy to overclock up to the 3GHz on each core. Many have been able to surpass the 4Ghz threshold with ease. Plus you don't need quad core to browser the internet, you don't need the latest and greatest x58 or even p55 based chipsets. This should fit all your application and browsing needs, but thats for you to decide. I included a nice set cas 4 D9 micron ram which should allow to overclock to a decent point and also included a heatsink 120mm fan combo from XIGMATEK that should fit all your cpu cooling needs once you start to overclocking and with all DIY builds you will have room to grow and upgrade. Like adding more ram maybe? Adding additional drives, setting up a stripe array, short stoking drives in attempting to get faster reads and writes maybe? Better video card if you get into the pc gaming field. The possibilities are endless. And once you get tried of it and feel the urge for more like we all do you can swap out the ram, cpu, and mobo for another, and likewise with all other parts. Best of luck to you


12345sl.png



or

get yourself a nice 17' laptop refurb from Dell's outlet, same warranty - lots under $500

123456yn.png


http://outlet.us.dell.com/
 
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For dirt cheap PCs go with a prebuilt one from Dell or someone with good support. For extreme price savings you can't beat OEM builders, as people have already pointed out you only start saving money with home built PCs at the high end like 1000$+
 
I agree that it's down to whether you're interested in PC and want to know more about it and to do more than just internet browsing with PC.
If you do then you should build your own system.

If you otherwise are not that much interested about PC yet, then get a pre-built.
 
@ crazfinx...yea im getting interested in knowing about the different parts of a PC and just about computers in general...im not going to be buying a computer until i get money. i just got 2 jobs (im 17) so when i save up i'll decide.

malih...what kind of things besides web browsing? like gaming or other stuff?
 
Freekshow22 said:
I didnt know where to post this thread but i did it here because there were 270 viewers.

So "computer experts" please help me out! any help is appreciated. THANKS! =)
Click to expand...

BTW for future reference and better help with these kind of questions, ask in the General Hardware subforum:
http://hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=40

Make sure that you answer the sticky "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST" there.

Oh and I don't recommend going with crazyfinx's setup due to the slow hard drive and overpriced RAM.

But to answer your basic question: For your needs and budget, you're better off with a prebuilt PC. Hit up www.slickdeals.net and www.gotapex.com for Dell and HP Deals. If you were gaming, doing heavy video encoding, and/or had a legitimate and transferable Windows key, then a DIY setup would be the better choice
 
I spec'd him a build in post #17, and he could do the Quadcore for $515 shipped
 
your best off going for a pre-built


though if you go the hand built route, the build by gwarren is a better build(mainly b/c the 6 core Intels will be coming to the 1366 socket, not the 1156 to my knowledge.....and yes there are i7's for the 1156, but you will have a better upgrade path with socket AM3 from AMD)
 
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