Inexpensive Starter System for kids

[Innova]

I had an old socket 939 system (2ghz, dual core Athlon, 2GB memory), that I was going to reformat for the kids. Unfortunately the power supply was bad. I got a new power supply but could not get the machine to POST, so I assume that the MB also got fried.

I would like to build an inexpensive system, reusing as many parts as possible.

I figure I need a new MB, CPU and memory for sure.

Hard Drive and Video card are hopefully still ok. Video card is nVidia 6800GS, PCI-E. It has both IDE and SATA hard drives in it, I figure I would only need the SATA in the new system.

The case is still usable, but it had a funky power supply....a replacement would be hard to fit in there, but I could make it work. Basically, if I could get a good deal on case/PSU I would consider getting it, otherwise I just need a PSU.

This machine is going to have Linux (edubuntu) on it. I would like the kids to use Scratch, and some flash based games. It will also be used for research, schoolwork, etc.

I thought a SFF pc would be nice, but I do not know very much about them. Do they cost more/less/the same for similar power? The small form factor would be nice, but not if I have to pay more for it.

Finally, I think I will go with 4GB, but am not sure what MB/CPU combo is a good deal right now at the low end. I would like to keep everything I need under $200 if possible.

Any suggestions you can offer would be much appreciated. My daughter is old enough now, where I think I will have her spend her own money on this system, and we can build it together.

Thanks in advance!

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0%20-%20%24200

Under 200 you are pretty much stuck with used computers. Even a barebones SFF with minimal specs will probably cost close to 300 new.
Or check Dell Outlet or HP Outlet and hope to get lucky.

For a kid I would actually recommend one of those slim net top systems but they are also close to 300.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883108535

As for building from scratch: Check out anands main page, look at the system builders guide for Entry Level, and strip out the heavy-duty stuff to get down to 200 dollars.

 

[mnewsham]

If she is already spending HER money then can you match her funding? She puts in 200 you put in 200, 400 bucks would give you a lot more room to breath.

 

[Tom]

computergeeks and tigerdirect have some pretty cheap stuff. or craigslist.

you can get a pretty good $300 laptop so dont spend too much on old stuff.

 

[Innova]

I was poking around the CPU Benchmarks and newegg this morning and came up with this:

MicroATX AM3 motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128469

AMD Athlon X2 265 CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103910

2x2GB DDR3 1066 Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820313100

Micro ATX case w/ power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811164131

Grand total of $200, $217 shipped.

Do you see any problems with this? Does it even pay to use my GeForce 6800GS vs the onboard Geforce 7025?

 

[bystander]

Where are you located? Not sure how much shipping is for you, but this deal is pretty close to what you have + a 500GB HDD.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.638451

 

[Innova]

Thanks for the response. I ordered the parts already...half will be here tomorrow, the rest on Friday...just in time for a weekend build!

 

[wirednuts]

i agree, i think you should match whatever your daughter is forking over. or just buy her an external bluray player for it, or something nice.