Cheapest computer

[jastew1011]

i was looking to making a large number of computers that are each under 100$. It also has to have passive cooling. Would mini-itx be the best option and could you recommend a build?

 

[striker410]

For under $100....No way bro. It can't be possible without getting secondhand materials or used parts. Just.....No.

 

[etk]

Mobo/cpu: $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157209
RAM:$13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134784
PSU: (you can prob find a lower watrtage cheaper: $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148042
HDD: Use a flash drive
Case: Cardboard Box they ship the mobo in.
Total: ~$100
For about $50 bucks more you could step up to an atom, 2GB ram, and a proper case.

 

[striker410]

Ahh, I was proven wrong. The hard drive is what caught me up.

 

[jastew1011]

thanks. Do you know where they sell low wattage power supplies and if this were to be placed outside, does the passive cooling work well?

 

[etk]

Do you mean the PSU outside the box, or the whole thing outside in the elemernts? Cooling depends on workload, you may or may not have to underclock/undervolt the cpu to run completely passive. Maybe it would help to list your application...I'm having a hard time figuring out what you are trying to do here.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Whats the intended use of the systems?
Moto

 

[jastew1011]

My intended purpose is to have computer run minor applications out doors all year round. I live in New York. It should have Ethernet and possibly serial communication ports. The whole computer and power supply will be outside.

 

[etk]

Does it have to be X86? Do you have source code? You could put something together for next to nothing with a PIC, if the apps are that simple. This could prob be battery powered at that point too.

 

[jastew1011]

I am currently pretty unexperienced in this subject, so i don't know what x86 or PIC mean. I hope to be running simple C## or labview programs and i will need ethernet and possibly serial ports. The battery power is unnecessary because i have to install electricity anyways. Thanks for your help and if a PIC would work please give me more information.

 

[jastew1011]

I also know how to program with java, which I would prefer.

 

[etk]

x86 is the archetecture of intel, amd. For simple tasks, ARM or PIC microprocessors can be used. You will have to do a bit of research to see if these will work for you and look into their implementation. Microchip forums would be a good place to start.

 

[jastew1011]

Best answer selected by Jastew1011.