Need to build CHEAP computer!!!

[brian_riendeau]

I am looking to help someone build a cheap computer to be used soley for accessing the internet over a 56k connection. I am looking for something along the lines of a motherboard with built in sound/video/modem. Upgradability is not a concern, but reliability is. PC Chips makes a few boards but they have very high return rates. Anyone know of any better quality integrated boards? Another concern is the HD, monitor, and CDRom, do any sites sell older 4->6GB HDs, 8X CDRoms, or 15 inch monitors (refurb is ok) for cheap? I am basically looking at spending...

$85 motherboard
$50 Celeron or K6-X CPU
$30 64MB RAM
$35 case + PSU
$15 keyboard + mouse
$65 monitor
$10 speakers
$50 HD
$20 CDRom
$10 floppy disk
$30 cooling fans

$400 for a complete system

 

[Clocker]

Amptron makes a mother board for socket 370 cpus with tnt 2 video, modem, lan and sound. I bought ne for 89.00 smacks at a local compter store.

This should take alot out of the cost

 

[Rigoletto]

You won't need cooling fans for $30 for that, don't be silly. A celeron won't get hot, and normally comes retail boxed with fan anyway.

 

[brian_riendeau]

I think that Amptron board is a PC Chips board. I out the model number into pricewatch and it came up as PC Chips. Still looks good though, I think that board is going to be the one

The CPU will be an OEM CPU hence it will come with no fan. I might as well buy a decent CPU fan and an extra case fan for those hot days. Like I said, reliability is important, I just can not see myself skimping on cooling a cramped Micro ATX case just to save $15.

 

[Chatterjee]

my suggestion:
drop budget on the motherboard and add to processor
compgeeks.com has some athlon MBs for about 50 bucks. So you'd have 80 for the processor. 80 bucks can get you an Athlon 650.

good luck!

-S

 

[brian_riendeau]

Do any Athlon motherboards have built in audio, video, and a modem for less thant $90?

 

[brian_riendeau]

*noticing that compgeeks.com has crazy cheap parts*

thanks!

 

[NOX]

If you plan on buying from Anands you may be able to find a good deal on a Socket A mobo and Duron. I've seen a few Duron 650's, and 700's go for around $50.

 

[NforSa]

The Celeron is a better deal than the K6-x, with a better upgrade path

If you still get the K6-x Aopen make a cheap via MVP-4 board with integrated cideo + sound, and 3 pci slots. Its the MX-59proII, but no modem or lan

Once you get a working PC-Chips they arnt that bad, just slow, but since speed isnt an issue then a el-cheapo PC-Chips should do the job

 

[hans007]

go to www.overstock.com , always a lot of good integrated non pc chips boards there. Usually a good sis 630 or intel i810, for $40-45 after coupons,

 

[Rigoletto]

uh, K6 int mobos are real good value, but the K6 has gone up in price and performs 2/3 of a PIII500... not good at all. Go for cheap Celeron Unless you can't get a cheap intel int.

 

[Rickr]

Go to the Tekram on-line store for cheap/reliable motherboards.

Tekram on-line store link

I have purchased three mb's there with no problems.

 

[TimeKeeper]

cheap?......

how about...

810 chip (support celeron)
810 graphic
Yamaha sound
NIC
modem
TV-out
50X CDROM
FD
Mouse + Keyboard.

for $165? + your choice of ppga celeron, 2 stick of RAM? and ONE HD.
Try bookpc at www.computersupersale.com

 

[Dulanic]

IMO it would be worth an extra maybe $30-40 to go with a Socket A MB.... and you can pick up a Duron 650 for $50. Youd have a much faster machine.... and if you OC hell you might have a 1Ghz PC for less than $450.

 

[erub]

personally a 15" monitor is bad, when you can get a 17" for under $210 - course i guess its how desperate you are - i wuoldn't want to stare at a $65 monitor (can you even find 15" for this price) all day.

 

[brian_riendeau]

Really, all this computer will be for is email and web surfing. The computer, along with a paid for ISP account, are going to be a gift for someone so she can stay in contact with people over email and get some info off the web. She is not able to buy her own PC at any price so myself and a friend are just trying to help her out a little. All it needs to do it turn on and work with IE 5.5 and Outlook Express, maybe MS Works too in a few months but that is it. She *should* be able to buy a full fledged computer for herself later on. Think web terminal guys, not a full blown computer

 

[fs5]

Don't forget the for sale/trade forum

 

[evanichka]

heh webterminal? how about webtv or i-opener? hehe j/k

 

[fs5]

can you still hack i-openers or did they get around that already?

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

durons are really cheap now. just check pricewatch

 

[FordLorider]

compgeeks has a nice barebones Intel Kit. Just search under "barebones" at Compgeeks.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Check this out LINK Slot 1 Mb's for 19.99!. No sound or video but you can get a sound card for like $10 bucks and an SiS video card for like $20. And 56k modems you can get for like $10 bucks, ive even seen them for free. I think there is a free one with rebate at best buy right now. And a 50x cd rom with rebate for free. Just get like a celeron 366 or something and an adapter card.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Actually this looks perfect! LINK And at least get a 24x cdrom, come on 8x! I would also get Some Kingston Value ram. Its like $40 bucks now I think and that will give you lots of stability.

 

[rnimz]

Well here is just a suggestion: www.parargoncomp.com has an Epox EP-3VWM mobo (Integrated Blade3D video, and sound, M-ATX) for $79 and you can get a 600 mhz Cyrix III (Ok don't yell at me for suggesting it, but this is exactly the situation the cyrix III was designed for) for $51.95, and you can grab a cpu fan for $10. They also have an Enlight M-ATX case for $35. Don't know about the other stuff but these are right in your price range, also for a little more you could always jump to a celeron too. Hope this helps.

EDIT: Also I would check www.ubid.com for a monitor, I bought a refurb 15" there a year ago for like $50 or so. They usually have something.