Hey guys I wanna build my dad a PC for Xmas for under 200. The goal is a solid performing PC that can handle simple tasks like internet browsing and movie playing without issues. I already have an Os, ssd, and optical drive. The biggest issue i'm having is selecting an appropriate CPU.Thanks guys!
PC build for under $200?
- Thread starter samz0nite
- Start date
Solution
- Mar 16, 2013
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An operational PC does require those things. You stated a couple of other parts that you did not need. OS, SSD, ODD.
Absent any other info, it might be assumed that everything else was needed.
So leave off the monitor, keyboard, mouse. At $200...there will be zero performance difference between what you might 'build', and what you would get at the store.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,442
- 17,908
- 184,590
If you want to come up a little in price, this is what my grandson and I are building next weekend
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($55.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.55 @ OutletPC)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.24 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.90 @ OutletPC)
Total: $279.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-14 00:30 EST-0500
Prices were slightly lower when I bought them a couple weeks ago.
This will work for your stated use case. Why are we building it instead of buying at that price level? To give the 10 year old 'geek in training' experience in making a computer. Otherwise, I'd just buy them one.
He has shown an interest, so we're going to make it.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($55.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.55 @ OutletPC)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-03 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.24 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($33.90 @ OutletPC)
Total: $279.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-14 00:30 EST-0500
Prices were slightly lower when I bought them a couple weeks ago.
This will work for your stated use case. Why are we building it instead of buying at that price level? To give the 10 year old 'geek in training' experience in making a computer. Otherwise, I'd just buy them one.
He has shown an interest, so we're going to make it.
synphul
Champion
- Mar 11, 2011
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I'd take USAFRet's advice. They were being helpful, most people wouldn't have bothered. A store bought from walmart or some place is likely to be as cheap as you can find since they buy in bulk and therefor can get rock bottom prices on generic parts. Trying to build a pc, any pc given the current prices of most components and such a low budget makes it extremely difficult.
That being said, to be able to build a tower only for under $300 isn't bad considering I still have ad fliers from a couple decades ago when dell was selling 'home pc's' with around 128mb of ram for around $1200 or more. My first 'pc' (not mac) was a used ibm off of ebay for around $120 and shipping. I resorted to ebay (craigslist didn't exist yet) for a used machine because I couldn't afford new.
Here is one on amazon, core i3 4130, tower, power supply, motherboard, 4gb ram - No hard drive. $219
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkServer-70A4000HUX-i3-4130-Computer/dp/B00F6EK9J2/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1418542898&sr=1-6&keywords=desktop+pc
That being said, to be able to build a tower only for under $300 isn't bad considering I still have ad fliers from a couple decades ago when dell was selling 'home pc's' with around 128mb of ram for around $1200 or more. My first 'pc' (not mac) was a used ibm off of ebay for around $120 and shipping. I resorted to ebay (craigslist didn't exist yet) for a used machine because I couldn't afford new.
Here is one on amazon, core i3 4130, tower, power supply, motherboard, 4gb ram - No hard drive. $219
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkServer-70A4000HUX-i3-4130-Computer/dp/B00F6EK9J2/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1418542898&sr=1-6&keywords=desktop+pc
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