BareBones PC

[Arhra]

I'm looking to build a computer to do the following:

Word Processing
Stream MP3s
mIRC
Minor Internet Browsing

Keep in mind this is in addition to my main rig.

I currently have a monitor, an HDD, my peripherials and a Sound Card. I'm looking to buy:

New Case
New Motherboard
New CPU
New RAM
New cheap GPU if Motherboard doesn't have integrated graphics

Obviously, I'd like to cheap this as cheap as possible.

Any suggestions?

 

[Arhra]

Just something to add, I checked around on the forums for a similiar topic, but no one seemed to have a topic covering the same situation.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

If word processing, mp3's, mIRC, and internet browsing is it, you won't need anything powerful at all.

Get the cheapest Athlon XP cpu you can, take it with an nforce2 chipset, I've heard good things about the Epox 8RDA or whatever the exact name is. Get a stick of 256mb ram, the cheapest video card you can find, might want to put in a Geforce2 or Radeon 7000. For the case just have a look around at newegg.com since they have some nice $25 and $30 cases.

 

[Arhra]

I was looking at a 950 MHz Duron. Any reason just not to get 128 MB DDR as opposed to 256?

EDIT: a GF4MX seems to be the most cost-effective solution, especially as I will have my actual other rig for gaming or anything that needs a decent graphics card.

EDIT 2: Thinking about it, there is no reason not to get a GF2MX.

 

[Arhra]

Is there any reason the Asus A7S333-E SIS745 won't perform well for this system?

EDIT: Without the motherboard, I'm thinking of this:

Case - Antec Mini Tower KS382 + 250W PS - $29.99
CPU - AMD Duron 950 MHz- $31.00
RAM - Crucial 128 PC2100- $27.50
GPU - GeForce2 MX200 - $35.00

 

[Superman9534]

well for 8 dollars more you can get a 1.3ghz duron, which will work fine. I build a 1.3ghz duron/128MB SDRAM for my grandma w/ XP home, and its perfect. It has an older VooDoo3 I have. With Windows/IE/normal things, its NO slower then my 1.9ghz XP/256DDR. I even get 100fps in UT (not 2003).

Dont let people talk you into Athlon XPs and nForce2s. nForce2 is overkill. WAY overkill. Get a KT266A or Sis 735 chipset.

 

[Wiseguy69]

For $340 get a Shuttle SFF. Comes with sound, video, LAN... and you have the HD. Drop in a Athlon 1700 for around $60 and you have a cool, quiet machine. Sell the sound card on ebay for a few bucks.

 

[Arhra]

Guys, keep in mind I have another computer for gaming. I think what I've settled on is this:

Antec Mini Tower KS382 + 250W PS - $29.99
MAsus A7N266-VM AA - $71.99
AMD Duron 950 MHz - $31.00
Crucial 128 PC2100 - $27.50