good computer for under $200?

[astroview]

Is it possible to build a good system for under $200?

This is just the box, not monitor, mouse, keyboard...
I have a Radeon 8500 and NIC. I could use an old sound card but I'd prefer something newer.

That leaves, CPU, Mobo, Case, power supply, RAM. What do you think?

 

[BmXStuD]

yep a ecs board and a good cpu will do you ;0

 

[Acanthus]

ouch, staying out of this one... in short, no.

 

[dguy6789]

lets see, get a k7vmm from ecs, get a 256 mb of sdram, get the cheapest case you can find, should come with a 300 or more power supply, and an athlon xp 1500 or 1600 and you should be set.

 

[WildMonkeyLover]

These guys are crazy don' t listen to them.

Get an Abit BH7 it has NIC, 5.1 ready sound, USB 2.0, etc.
BH7
Then you get a northwood 1.6a or 1.8a GHz CPU and you can overclock them in some cases up to 3 GHz (go to an overclock site for details e.g. www.overclockers.com)
RAM should run you less than $100
This is top notch stuff maybe not under $200 but pretty dam close

 

[JohnPaul]

I think it just depends on what your definition of a "good system" is. You certainly can buy a mobo, cpu, ps, ram for $200, but it would likely not be a very good , or shall I say performance oriented setup, but yes, it can be done. I would just get the mobo and cpu now, and if you can get a really good deal on them, maybe you can also fit in the ram or the ps, but i'd concentrate on the most critical parts first. Not that a system can run without ram and a ps, but i'm sure you can find those things used online if need be.

Good Luck,
John-Paul

 

[astroview]

I figured if I could get a decent system for $200 I'd do it.
I guess its still hard. I have the hard drives (3 totalling 80GB) but a new fast/big one would be nice.

More than anything this was an exercise to see what I could get for $200. I guess I'll wait until winter and see what is around then, thanks guys!

 

[biggiesmallz]

Originally posted by: astroview
Is it possible to build a good system for under $200?

This is just the box, not monitor, mouse, keyboard...
I have a Radeon 8500 and NIC. I could use an old sound card but I'd prefer something newer.

That leaves, CPU, Mobo, Case, power supply, RAM. What do you think?

Sure

Here ya go



$50 ---- AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred /266 FSB Processor CPU 1700+/ 1.47GHz -OEM


$40 --- CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB 32x64 PC 2700 DDR RAM - OEM


$40 --- EVERCASE E4252-ABV (BEIGE) 10-BAY MID-TOWER CASE w/ 300W P4 POWER SUPPLY


$57 --- Biostar M7VIG PRO Motherboard



Total= $187.00
Shipping=$10.00

==============
$197 shipped !!

 

[Macro2]

No optical drive, HD or floppy?

It's possible...especially with used parts but another $100 will get you a lot more.

 

[biggiesmallz]

Originally posted by: Macro2
No optical drive, HD or floppy?

It's possible...especially with used parts but another $100 will get you a lot more.

Well his post said:

"Is it possible to build a good system for under $200?

This is just the box, not monitor, mouse, keyboard...
I have a Radeon 8500 and NIC. I could use an old sound card but I'd prefer something newer.

That leaves, CPU, Mobo, Case, power supply, RAM. What do you think? "

 

[ShowdOWN]

i dont think a good computer can be had for $200.

if you can just add a bit more for a good quality motherboard, like the asus a7n266. then everything will be good.

you will still need a heatsink if you dont already have one.

 

[spanky]

epox 8k7a+ w/ xp1800+ @ $75
256MB Infineon pc2100 @ $30
Sparkle 300W ATX @ $30
Enermax CS3171 case @ $55
Thermaltake Volcano 9 @ $12

total comes to $202 shipped

edit - hey biggiesmallz... i'd like to see how long that rig would run without a hsf for the cpu.

 

[hfhf6]

What?!?!? No love for Hard Drive? Almost everyone forgot about the HARD DRIVE!!!! You wouldn't get very far without one, so I would have to say they are pretty important...

 

[spanky]

astro didn't ask for hd, cdrom, or floppy

 

[hfhf6]

Yeah, I know he didn't ask for it, but he didn't say he had it either, so maybe he forgot it. And also WOW, you have a lot of posts.

 

[Macro2]

He didn't mention having a HD either. Or opticals or floppies. I suspect he forgot the HD...which blows the whole deal.

 

[spanky]

yeah if he does in fact need a hd, the deal is pretty much impossible... unless he gets some smokin' deals. btw, the secret to having a lot of posts is here

 

[Kingofcomputer]

with HD and cd-rw, $300 is enough.

 

[biggiesmallz]

Originally posted by: spanky


edit - hey biggiesmallz... i'd like to see how long that rig would run without a hsf for the cpu.

I listed the parts he asked for (CPU, Mobo, Case, power supply, RAM).

I assumed he probably had the other parts he needed laying around.

 

[Bojax]

I have the hard drives (3 totalling 80GB) but a new fast/big one would be nice.

He did mention hard drives.

 

[hfhf6]

Originally posted by: Bojax

I have the hard drives (3 totalling 80GB) but a new fast/big one would be nice.

He did mention hard drives.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see that... Now I feel dumb...

 

[dexvx]

Dell deal = $350 shipped

p4=2.66
Intel 845PE board
ATI Rage 32MB (sell it, but your radeon in)
60GB 7200 rpm HDD
128MB PC2700 DDR (would highly recommend more)
onboard sound
onboard Intel 10/100 NIC
WinXP Home
1 year warranty

Cant beat that, but certainly over the $200 mark. If you sell the CPU and buy a C1 Celeron (meh) it would put you under the $200 mark. It was still going on last I checked.

 

[spanky]

dexvx: is that rage onboard? i think he could still get that dell under $200. sell the hd and use one that he said he already has. do with the cpu as u suggested. and if the rage isn't onboard... sell that too. that will definitely put him in the $200 neighborhood. one thing the rest of us did not factor in, is the cost of the OS.

 

[Pilsnerpete]

winxp from DBWillis right here on our very own AT!! $45 last I heard. I would definitely get a good psu, as I've had one fail and I've seen the results of another one failed. I hope that's not $200 Canadian.

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: spanky
dexvx: is that rage onboard? i think he could still get that dell under $200. sell the hd and use one that he said he already has. do with the cpu as u suggested. and if the rage isn't onboard... sell that too. that will definitely put him in the $200 neighborhood. one thing the rest of us did not factor in, is the cost of the OS.

Its an Intel 845PE board (no onboard video), so the Rage is an AGP card, and the Dell has an AGP4X slot (its not worth much, maybe ~$10-20).

I would imagine the HDD is a Maxtor, and should sell for ~50 rather easily.

You dont even have to be stuck with a P4-Celeron, seeing if you go to the FS/T forum, there are a decent number of AT'ers that would be willing to trade their Northwood + $$ for a 2.66Ghz P4 from dell (all of them appear to be C1's and give good O/C's).