Build me a cheap pc

williamtheface · Feb 4, 2008

I come back to bother everyone again. I'm wanting the cheapest PC you can build that'll be used for internet and light gaming. It must included monitor, keyboard/mouse, Windows. I'm doing this build for a friend of the family, the lady doesn't have much and this should keep her company. Thanks everyone. (This post is intended for those who like to play on newegg.) ^^

nossr50 · Feb 4, 2008

The cheapest computer sounds more like a challenge, I estimate on newegg you might pull it off for 300-400 if you don't include *buying* the OS, if you get the picture. Monitor is a very expensive component new, try finding one on craigslist for cheap just make sure it has full colors before you give the shady person your ten dollars.

g-paw · Feb 5, 2008

While you could knock some off, this machine would last her for years and be reliable

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811147055
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128056
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103243
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820211066
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16821103203
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148230
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823126018
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824254018
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116056
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16836113147

$611.15

roadrunner197069 · Feb 5, 2008

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3592048&sku=P450-9102%20M add a DVD drive, cpu fan, and a OS.

If shes on a tighter budget get a Dell or E-machines.

batuchka · Feb 5, 2008

roadrunner197069 · Feb 5, 2008

batuchka :

Dont forget to add OS . HEHE

IH8U · Feb 5, 2008

OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116196
(I hate Vista but it's an upgrade path $90)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774
(Dual core is almost a must, but could get a cheap single then upgrade later $60)

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813185083
(Has onboard GFX so no rush on Vid card) (also has a PCI-X 16 slot $44)

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073
(cheap, so watch your fingers edges are sharp $21)

PS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182021
(I have one in my HTPC and it works fine $32)

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161677
(2 Gb of DDR2 667 $39)

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136112
($51)

DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151161
($25)

Vid: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125072
(not nessecary but added for reference $43)

Price is $362 + S&H w/o Vid (not counting MIR's or sales)
$405 + S&H with vid (not counting MIR's or sales)

Add $145 for monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254018
(or check eBay ect for cheap used monitors)

IH8U · Feb 5, 2008

Srry, $95 for the Vista Home

lunyone · Feb 5, 2008

Okay here's my cheap build.

CPU - $64 shipped. Can't go wrong with 2 cores and is cheap!
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Brisbane 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103206

Mobo - $66 shipped. Has just about everything including decent onboard GPU. Does okay for light gaming (depending on your definition of light gaming is).
GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2 AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128043

Memory - $47 - $15 MIR = $32 shipped! One of the cheapest initial cost DDR2 w/a bonus $15 MIR (if you send in for it).
A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

Case/PSU combo - $50 shipped!! I've used several of these and have had ZERO problems with them. I've even got a 3850 GPU running on the same PSU (25A on the 12V rail ain't too bad). For a lower powered system this combo is hard to beat.
Athenatech A3603BB.400 Black Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811190072

HD - $50 shipped. Plenty of room for normal use and if they need more than just add another HD later or spend more now.
Western Digital WD1200AAJS 120GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136225

DVD Burner - $24 shipped! What else can be said? Cheap and does the job. Will need to get Burning software, if needed, but it has the capability to burn if you need it.
Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118003

OS - $90 shipped. Since your on the cheap this will do. Solid and reliable (mostly). Vista still needs some time, if you ask me, but you can get Vista basic for like $5 more, so you can decide.
Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056

Total ~$389 - $15 MIR = $374 shipped!! Now all you need to add is a monitor. If you want to get a LCD than I'd go to Costco for them. They are generally pretty well priced and they have a good return policy. Otherwise you'll need to watch your ads for better deals or shop online.

Edit: Other options are getting a Dell/HP/Gateway/eMachines pre-built units for about $500 w/17" LCD's. You can decide, but with the pre-builts your usually limited on upgrades, which I don't know if that is an issue or not. The one benefit that you have with a pre-built is that "you" don't have to support the computer! Dell/HP/Gateway/eMachines do, so that can be a blessing in disguise.

g-paw · Feb 5, 2008

williamtheface :

Some good idea but OP wants monitor, keyboard/mouse, and presume speakers

lunyone · Feb 5, 2008

g-paw :

You can get keyboard/mouse/speakers for about $25-50 for the set of them. I don't usually add them in, because you can get so cheap or I usually already have a spare sitting around. I don't use speakers, but do use a headset, so the OP can decide what they want to do with those parts. I'm just listing the parts that I'm comfortable recommending. I prefer LCD monitors, but not sure if a CRT will be fine or not.

g-paw · Feb 5, 2008

lunyone :

Was just curious about the total cost of the above recommendations. Looks like with a monitor they all come in around $600 give or take a bit.

andyinlondon · Feb 5, 2008

why bother with building it?

for a cheap basic system with everything you need for surfing emil and office type work just get a basic one from dell!

at this time of year with dell profits down you can get some great deals on basic systems.

gizmogamez · Feb 5, 2008

Intel®Pentium® dual-core processor E2160 (1MB L2,1.80GHz,800 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic - English
MONITOR 17 inch SE178WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 256MB
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Premium Optical USB Mouse
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Dell A225 2.0 Speakers
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support

this was $639.00 +tax

an upgrade to an E4600 was only $40 more, and you could always just go with integrated video depending on the "light gaming", that would drop the price by $60.

amd_fanboi · Feb 5, 2008

wait... what??? is that just me, or is that quite overpriced???

prolfe · Feb 5, 2008

amd_fanboi :

It's just you. Think about it, the best thing in that build is the 24X7 phone support; your 73-year old great-aunt isn't going to call you at 9:30PM while you're trying to watch House because she can't get the in-nuh-net to work.

orangegator · Feb 5, 2008

If you need a monitor os, etc to go with the computer, your best bet is to get the cheapest dell you can find. I've seen dell deals for $400 including monitor. Or, get her a laptop. You should be able to find one for about $500. If you're really lucky (like me) you could find a great deal on a laptop. I recently got a compaq c751nr for $349+ tax otd at bb.

grieve · Feb 5, 2008

WilliamThe Face this is the exact time to play on the Dell website.

Something like this doesn’t require a homebuilt machine and I bet you can make a cheaper machine from Dell. Not to mention you get included 1yr support.
Also.. we all know how ‘’friend of the fmaily’’ turns out in the end... You are on the hook till this rig dies.

Unfortionatly I have to say Dell in this situation

batuchka · Feb 5, 2008

Dell Inspiron 531 AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHzKeyboard and Mouse Bundles Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
Monitor 17 inch SE178WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
Video Cards NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Integrated Graphics
Hard Drives 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM
Mouse included with Keyboard purchase N [310-1966] Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet IN [430-0412] Modem & Wireless No Modem Option N [313-3137]] Optical Drive 16x DVD+/-RW Drive 16DVDRW [313-5176][420-6464]
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio IS [313-2758]
Warranty & Service 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support

$499

g-paw · Feb 5, 2008

While I think building will get her a better machine, support is absolutely an issue. You build it, she'll expect you to support it. Of course you could always give her this forum address and she'd learn a lot doing it herself

StevieD · Feb 5, 2008

Dell stock box. Also checkout Gateway and HP. Under $500 is very do-able. $600 would be a rock solid machine.

williamtheface · Feb 5, 2008

WOW thanks everyone with the comments. I went from hardly any to so many!

It's hard to build a cheap system that matches a prebuilt one now a days for the same price (that include monitor and os). I like the fact that you guys brought up warranty. I do think she'll be much better off with a dell.

Once again thanks to everyone. This is an excellent forum with excellent people. Good day.

-William

pcprebuilds · Apr 3, 2009

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xthekidx · Apr 3, 2009

pcprebuilds :

Advertising isn't allowed in the forums, read the terms...and your PC's are overpriced.

Translucency · Apr 3, 2009

CPU: AMD Athlon X2 3800+ EE 35W
35 euro
Mobo: ECS A740GM
38 euro
Memory: 1GB DDR2/666 CL5 (brand on third)
15 euro
Graphics: onboard (AMD 740G)
Sound: onboard
Harddrive: some 320GB single-platter drive
40 euro
Optical: SATA DVD burner
30 euro
Casing: some cheap casing with not ultra-bad powersupply
40 euro
Operating system: Ubuntu Linux ofcourse

Total cost: 198 euro. Very energy efficient too, and still dual-core and 1GB ram. Price may vary in your region.

Build me a cheap pc

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