Grandma's budget PC (need suggestions)

[energeticelectron]

Here's what I have so far.

CPU: Celeron 2.4Ghz $85.89
Motherboard: Abit IS7-M $93.97
Memory: Crucial PC3200, 256MB x2 $112.56
Hard Drive: Western Digital 40GB 7200RPM $67.00
Case&PS: Antec SLK1600 w/ 300W Smart Power $59.00

Grand Total: $418.42.

Anyone have suggestion on how to lower the grand total below $400.00? (Besides switching platforms to AMD) Thanks!

 

[fredtam]

Grandma doesn't game?
Looks to be about as cheap as you will get. Search hot deals. There is usually an awesome rebate somewhere on those hard drives.

 

[energeticelectron]

Originally posted by: fredtam
Grandma doesn't game?

Nope. This system will purely be for email, word processing, web browsing, etc. Just the standard grandma stuff

 

[XBoxLPU]

maybe something slower then 2.4ghz

1.7 ghz for $30 less

 

[arcenite]

I doubt your grandma needs 512mb of memory for word processing... 256mb of memory, a lowend tbred, and a KT400 motherboard would take care of everything...

Bill

 

[EXman]

Nope. This system will purely be for email, word processing, web browsing, etc. Just the standard grandma stuff

You all are nuts
hell get a 200mhz system for $50

 

[energeticelectron]

Originally posted by: aRCeNiTe
I doubt your grandma needs 512mb of memory for word processing...

In my experience, 256MB just doesn't cut it. The system ends up going to virtual memory. Seems like 512MB is a minimum these days.

After 6 Mozilla browser windows are opened, email program is opened, 3 Open Office documents and spreadsheets are opened, etc, etc, the system eats up memory pretty darned fast.

But maybe I could try it first with a single stick of 256MB. Then, down the road, if it's not enough, I can pop in another 256MB and get dual channel 512MB

 

[dexvx]

Is this the same system you've been clamoring about for your grandma the past month?

For that price, you could get a complete Dell Dimension 2400 system with a 15" LCD.

Edit: Actually, I checked again, and for 540, Dell gives you a 17" LCD.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Why dual-channel PC3200? Get an i845G mobo, one 512MB stick of PC2100, and a celeron 2.0 GHz at 400 FSB.

Also, your parts list doesn't include a legal copy of XP Home OEM (check newegg Software tab), which could get Grandma in trouble once the fake activation key gets disabled.

Your best bet for a cheap legal system is some Dell special in Hot Deals.

 

[energeticelectron]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Why dual-channel PC3200? Get an i845G mobo, one 512MB stick of PC2100, and a celeron 2.0 GHz at 400 FSB.

Also, your parts list doesn't include a legal copy of XP Home OEM (check newegg Software tab), which could get Grandma in trouble once the fake activation key gets disabled.

Your best bet for a cheap legal system is some Dell special in Hot Deals.

If I choose an i845G mobo, then I won't be able to upgrade to a P4C 3.0Ghz when prices drop down to reasonable levels 18 months from now. The way I have it right now, all I have to do is drop in a P4C-3.0Ghz two years down the line, and I've tripled (at least) the performance for less than $100.

This system ain't gonna run Windows. It's going to run the next version of Red Hat Linux. So I don't have to worry about purchasing Windows.

 

[energeticelectron]

Originally posted by: dexvx
Is this the same system you've been clamoring about for your grandma the past month?

For that price, you could get a complete Dell Dimension 2400 system with a 15" LCD.

Edit: Actually, I checked again, and for 540, Dell gives you a 17" LCD.

I already looked at Dell's prices. For $600, you get:

Celeron 2.2 Ghz
256MB of 266Mhz SDRAM
5600 RPM "value" hard drive
17" CRT monitor (not a flat screen like you said)

I am offering, for $362.44:

Celeron 2.4Ghz
256MB of 400Mhz DDR
7200RPM Western Digital 40GB Performance hard drive
First-class Abit motherboard
-AND- the option to upgrade to a P4C 3.0Ghz and 512MB of dual channel DDR, in about two years down the line when prices fall very low.

Seems like my offer is a better deal...

 

[nick1985]

sorry, ive just got to say it

athlon 1700 $49
cheap nforce2 $59
512 pc2100 $76
seagate 40 gig $57
dynapower case$25

total 266

and spanks any celery i might add

and i think you should go with a cheaper case. the dynapower for like 30 is a better deal for a "grandma"

 

[StraightPipe]

you could cut a couple bucks on that hard drive. get something old like a 13gig of 17 gig 5400RPM (if all she's doing is word and email, then that should be way more/faster than she needs.

keep 512 RAM, but get something slower like 2100 or 2700.

i'd also consider a slower processor (but I dont really know squat about the mobo you're on)


hope this helps

Edit: PSU is probly a bit much too (if your not planning on putting lots of drives or PCI cards) you could probly cut some dollors.

Edit2: celly really sux, (but I see that you want to move to P4c in a few), an AMD would probly be cheaper and a better performer

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: nick1985
sorry, ive just got to say it

athlon 1700 $50
cheap nforce2 $70
512 pc2100 $65
seagate 40 gig $57
antec case $59

total 301

and spanks any celery i might add

and i think you should go with a cheaper case. the dynapower for like 30 is a better deal for a "grandma"

ditto...THIS is a budget PC. Why does "grandma" need anything else???

 

[energeticelectron]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad

Originally posted by: nick1985
sorry, ive just got to say it

athlon 1700 $50
cheap nforce2 $70
512 pc2100 $65
seagate 40 gig $57
antec case $59

total 301

and spanks any celery i might add

and i think you should go with a cheaper case. the dynapower for like 30 is a better deal for a "grandma"

Because the way I have it setup with the components I chose, I can drop in a P4C-3.0Ghz two years down the line, and TRIPLE the performance of the system for less than $100.00.

With your idea, I would have to upgrade mobo/cpu/ram to upgrade the system in the future.


ditto...THIS is a budget PC. Why does "grandma" need anything else???

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: energeticelectron

Originally posted by: Bonesdad

Originally posted by: nick1985
sorry, ive just got to say it

athlon 1700 $49
cheap nforce2 $59
512 pc2100 $76
seagate 40 gig $57
dynapower case$25

total 266

and spanks any celery i might add

and i think you should go with a cheaper case. the dynapower for like 30 is a better deal for a "grandma"

Because the way I have it setup with the components I chose, I can drop in a P4C-3.0Ghz two years down the line, and TRIPLE the performance of the system for less than $100.00.

With your idea, I would have to upgrade mobo/cpu/ram to upgrade the system in the future.


ditto...THIS is a budget PC. Why does "grandma" need anything else???

you would have to upgrade the nforce2? i dont think so. just as "current" as the mobo you have picked out. sounds like your intel-pussy whipped

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: nick1985
sorry, ive just got to say it

athlon 1700 $49
cheap nforce2 $59
512 pc2100 $76
seagate 40 gig $57
dynapower case$25

total 266

and spanks any celery i might add




**update on prices **

266 bucks for a system that will eat that celeron rig alive, and will still have plenty of upgradeability for the near future.

 

[Lyfer]

You can get a dell with SOFTWARE for a much cheaper price.


Grandma's getting a dell.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: energeticelectron

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Why dual-channel PC3200? Get an i845G mobo, one 512MB stick of PC2100, and a celeron 2.0 GHz at 400 FSB.

Also, your parts list doesn't include a legal copy of XP Home OEM (check newegg Software tab), which could get Grandma in trouble once the fake activation key gets disabled.

Your best bet for a cheap legal system is some Dell special in Hot Deals.

If I choose an i845G mobo, then I won't be able to upgrade to a P4C 3.0Ghz when prices drop down to reasonable levels 18 months from now. The way I have it right now, all I have to do is drop in a P4C-3.0Ghz two years down the line, and I've tripled (at least) the performance for less than $100.

This system ain't gonna run Windows. It's going to run the next version of Red Hat Linux. So I don't have to worry about purchasing Windows.

Why would your grandma need a 3 GHz to surf the net?

Why would your grandma run Red Hat instead of Windows?

Are you planning to take out grandma, with a candlestick, in the parlor, and jack her PC?

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: energeticelectron

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Why dual-channel PC3200? Get an i845G mobo, one 512MB stick of PC2100, and a celeron 2.0 GHz at 400 FSB.

Also, your parts list doesn't include a legal copy of XP Home OEM (check newegg Software tab), which could get Grandma in trouble once the fake activation key gets disabled.

Your best bet for a cheap legal system is some Dell special in Hot Deals.

If I choose an i845G mobo, then I won't be able to upgrade to a P4C 3.0Ghz when prices drop down to reasonable levels 18 months from now. The way I have it right now, all I have to do is drop in a P4C-3.0Ghz two years down the line, and I've tripled (at least) the performance for less than $100.

This system ain't gonna run Windows. It's going to run the next version of Red Hat Linux. So I don't have to worry about purchasing Windows.

Why would your grandma need a 3 GHz to surf the net?

Why would your grandma run Red Hat instead of Windows?

Are you planning to take out grandma, with a candlestick, in the parlor, and jack her PC?

You wouldn't want to inherit a sucky pc would you.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: energeticelectron

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Why dual-channel PC3200? Get an i845G mobo, one 512MB stick of PC2100, and a celeron 2.0 GHz at 400 FSB.

Also, your parts list doesn't include a legal copy of XP Home OEM (check newegg Software tab), which could get Grandma in trouble once the fake activation key gets disabled.

Your best bet for a cheap legal system is some Dell special in Hot Deals.

If I choose an i845G mobo, then I won't be able to upgrade to a P4C 3.0Ghz when prices drop down to reasonable levels 18 months from now. The way I have it right now, all I have to do is drop in a P4C-3.0Ghz two years down the line, and I've tripled (at least) the performance for less than $100.

This system ain't gonna run Windows. It's going to run the next version of Red Hat Linux. So I don't have to worry about purchasing Windows.

Why would your grandma need a 3 GHz to surf the net?

Why would your grandma run Red Hat instead of Windows?

Are you planning to take out grandma, with a candlestick, in the parlor, and jack her PC?

Haha, this is true, I have never met any grandmother, either of mine included that needed anything as powerful as you are describing. I would say grab a 1700+, Epox 8RGA Motherboard, 256MB DDR, 40GB HD, and a copy of Lindows or something like that and get out for about 350.00 if not less. What you are describing would seem like grandma is going to be blasting away at some Photoshop or Premier instead of word processing and e-mail. And why would she need a 3GHZ processor is she's running Linux? I know that Linux has become more resource intensive over the years, but not enough to justify what you are looking at. I mean hell, I built my fiance's grandmother a PC three years ago that was a Duron 900MHZ, KT266 MB, 40GB HD, 256MB RAM, and Geforce2 MX200 32MB DDR AGP Card with Windows XP Home and she still uses it without complaint doing AOL, Office, and listening to music...she still tells me how fast it is every time I come over!

 

[energeticelectron]

CPU: Celeron 1.8Ghz $58.00
Motherboard: Abit IS7-M $93.97
Memory: Crucial PC3200, 256MB $56.28
Hard Drive: Western Digital 40GB 7200RPM $67.00
Case&PS: Antec SLK1600 w/ 300W Smart Power $59.00

GRAND TOTAL = $334.25

And, in 2 years, I can upgrade her system to a P4C-3.0Ghz for less than $100.00. How could anyone complain?

 

[Twista]

dang! Your granny needs pc 3200 ram? Go for 2100 if cheaper.

 

[energeticelectron]

Originally posted by: Twista
dang! Your granny needs pc 3200 ram? Go for 2100 if cheaper.

The 2100 is the same price on www.crucial.com. Check for yourself.

You guys don't get it!

This system is going to last for 6 or 7 or more years!!!!

I have all the components carefully selected, so all I have to do is drop in a P4C-3.xGhz CPU a couple years down the line, and BAM, I've just TRIPLED (at least) the performance for less than $100!!!!!!

If I got PC2100 RAM, I'd be stuck with an A or B-class Pentium4...

 

[Blackroot]

first off get an AMD a crap load better then celerons, and cheaper(in some cases)

my suggestion on what to get
Barton 2500+ w/HSF - 90$
Shuttle nForce2 ultra 400 - 61$
Case - 30-50
80gb Hardrive after rebate, 60$
512 pc 2700 - 80$

331$

same price as u'rs but would own it so badly it's sick


Not having a crappy ass celeron, priceless