Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Extreme Budget Build Under 300

Extreme Budget Build Under 300

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Extreme Budget Build Under 300

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!

Ask the community Add a reply

Bottom Search this thread

Alright here it is. I'm looking to make a second computer for college in the fall. I'm looking to make it under 300 dollars. And I need everything including an operating system probably xp. So if I could get some reccomendations on components that would be clutch. I'm just looking for something to run the internet, word, aim, winamp.

Add a reply

I don't see it happening for your price range if you need a monitor. Your best bet is to try to find a deal on a cheap e-machine or something that includes a monitor.

You might be able to piece something together off ebay using used parts and might want to consider Linux as the OS since you don't have to pay for it.

Reply to uguv

Have you thought about just buying a pre-made from a major manufacturer? If you go home-built try to get Windows through your bookstore on campus. Cheaper.

Check out Dell oulet also:
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlin [...] l=en&s=dfh

Message edited by retro77 on 03-27-2008 at 09:10:30 PM

------------------------------ ...Meh...
Reply to retro77

Wow, umm ok here we go:

Mobo: $50 ($30 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813135049
CPU: $88 (OEM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103242
Cooler: $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185044
RAM: $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098
HDD: $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822210004
Case: $26
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147077
PSU: $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817339011

= $289, just get an illegal copy of windows, it will either be free or very cheap or get Linux.

Message edited by The_Blood_Raven on 03-27-2008 at 09:11:37 PM

Reply to The_Blood_Raven

pretty neat set up there.. raven..

Reply to chrisfromalbany

Get this Dell for $350

http://configure.us.dell.com/dells [...] lid=197378

It comes with a 19" montior which you could sell for $125-$150 which will drop the system to about $200.

Then if you really need a monitor, there are tons of 17" Monitors on CraigsList for $10-$20.

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
Reply to zenmaster

As retro said try to get windows through your campus. You can usually get it for free or for a low cost. ($5)

If a Fry's is near you watch for adds and find out when they have a celeron 430 motherboard and processor combo up for around $50. You might try spending $100 for an e2200 combo. Add 2gb of RAM for $40ish after rebate, a 160GB or so hard drive ($50), a GOOD power supply and case ($70ish, don't skimp on the power supply, or else it could blow and ruin everything else.) A DVD drive ($30) and you should be set. Total is around $240ish. Get a Monitor and peripherals and your set.

At this price point though it probably would be easier to buy a premade. If your campus has windows for cheap buy a premade with linux and put windows on yourself.

Message edited by doghills on 03-27-2008 at 09:25:29 PM

Reply to doghills

Yeah it does look like something pre-made is going to be the best option for me. Thanks a lot for the input guys.

Reply to Jibfluxk2

If you need a monitor the Dell is the only way to go, just remember there will be shipping that you need to figure in the final price which is going to put you close to $400. This is a bit strange as my brother and I are having discussions about that very Dell vs. a build which I'm kind of pushing him toward. Raven gave you a good AMD build, I'll throw an Intel at ya'
Case: $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147074
CPU: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116036
RAM: $20 (will be upgrading to 2 gig later)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145526
MB: $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128078
You can get this board in a bundle with Vista Home Premium and get $20 off- total $147, just if you're interrested
HDD: $41
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148231
DVD burner: $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151153
Power supply: $50
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair-VX [...] 66485.html

Pretty sure this adds up to $300.00, if you need the vista/mb combo it's $380

Message edited by chuckm on 03-28-2008 at 02:57:00 AM

------------------------------ Opinions are like asses,everybody has one.
Reply to chuckm

Wasn't someone else selling a computer for $300 with a 6600GT?

Reply to Can Not

If you want to go on the cheap, i'd recommend
AMD 780G MB (Want cheap, buy cheap) $70 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 5&Tpk=780G

AMD X2 Brisbane 4000+ RETAIL W/ HSF $56
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103774

Cheap 2GB DDR2 800 Memory (1x2GB) $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098

Maxtor 80GB Sata 300 HDD OEM $38
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822144466

LiteON DVD+/-R DL Burner 20x OEM $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106228

Case/PSU:
Rosewill Black ATX Case w/ 300WATT PSU $21 AR
You might have to replace the PSU ultimately, but with the low power requirements, you shoudl be fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147093

Total: $243 plus shipping ($27 to Michigan).

Youd could change a few things like a different case, or a PSU, but the system shoudl be game lightly (Don't expect Crysis to run well), burns DVDs (as well as decode 1080p in hardware, HDMI/DVI ports for integration to HDTVs).
The CPU is a low power Dual Core, will get the job done and will overclock decently. For a few more dollars you can increase the size of your HDD also.

Reply to hesskia

Yeah I second thought the Dell with the shipping and all. I have a spare crap CRT monitor laying around that I can use. I'll probably buy this thing piece by piece when I come in to the money just like I did my gaming comp. So I'm gonna take all these parts in to consideration and again thanks for all the help. Plus I may just want to throw a card with two DVI ports on to have monitor and tv hooked up at the same time.

Message edited by Jibfluxk2 on 03-28-2008 at 04:20:22 AM

Reply to Jibfluxk2

You might want to check out Craigslist.org for your area and just get an entire used computer. If you're near a big city your almost guaranteed to find something there.

Reply to Sundog

Reply to IH8U

wow...that's though an original xp home costs at least $ 80.
And that is already $ 80.
Perhaps, you should go for Linux like the others have told you, since it costs nothing.

------------------------------ Intel Q6600 @ 3.0GHz + ASUS P5E X38 +
4GB DDR2 1000 CL5 Mushkin + Coolermaster Dominator Xcalade 690 + Corsair VX 450W + HIS HD 3850 512MB Turbo + Seagate 500GB 7200rpm 32MB + Zalman CNPS 9700 LED + Logitec EX110 + ASUS VW198S.
Reply to guanyu210379

Thing is I'm not to familiar with Linux so any reccomendations on which one I should go with and how easy it is to use the basic programs like a word processor, aim, IE, etc.

Reply to Jibfluxk2

Hm...Linux is your only friend on this one, my friend, you can't get any OS other than LInux if you want to build a system under $ 300 including the OS.
Windows self costs minimum $ 80, or perhaps you can get it for free from your university, if it was given for free, or use a (sorry no offend) illegal OS for your own risks.
That is why I am still working under XP , the one that I've bought years ago, because I have used all of my green to buy my new system, VISTA'll have to wait.

. Product Description Savings Total Price

Sony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model AD-7190A

Sony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model AD-7190A - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$23.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380215A 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380215A 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148236
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$40.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145590
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

$25.00 Mail-in Rebate

$53.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4000DDBOX

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4000DDBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103774
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

-$4.00 Instant

$59.99
$55.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD
BIOSTAR NF61S Micro AM2 SE AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

*

Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116202
Return Policy: Software Return Policy

*

BIOSTAR NF61S Micro AM2 SE AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813138052
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$15.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo

$159.98
$124.98

Subtotal: $298.95
Calculate Shipping
Zip Code: GO
Shipping: $9.05

Redeem Gift Certificates
Claim Code:
Security Code: Redeem
Gift Certificates: $0.00
Apply Promo Code
Promo Code: Apply
Promo Code: $0.00

No Payment until July 2008 with your Bill Me Later
Grand Total: $308.00

Having problems with your cart? Click here to empty your cart and start over.

Reply to cisco

If you want to build something for under $300 then you will not be able to get a monitor and you'll have to run Ubuntu probably. Which is a really user friendly free operating system. But if you want a monitor and XP, definately get a dell, even comes with a warranty. But the 780G mobo, while is still integrated graphics, is much more upgradable and even the inegrated graphics are at least a better than normal. And you can run windows programs on Ubuntu with some additional downloads from their site.

------------------------------ Exchange Engineer - Why is it that when DNS goes down everyone thinks it's my exchange server?

Oh ya, email is the heart of work.
Reply to boonality

Ask the community Add a reply

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Extreme Budget Build Under 300

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 644 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 0.455 seconds

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel

Focus On

Extreme Budget Build Under 300

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Extreme Budget Build Under 300

Please mind