SUPERCHEAP but fast Rig =)

[Rimnet]

I wish to spend around 500 on a new computer including a monitor. The computer doesnt need to be all high tech, and can contain generic parts. I dont want parts that are bound to break down though. I think i will get all my parts from newegg.com only because i like the site since it has a good service IMO. Well here is what i have so far. All i need is a 17 inch monitor, processor, and mobo. Please help me out Oh, i wish for the mobo to have integrated sound and video, unless u think it is cheaper or better another way. Thx.

Case- FOXCONN SUPER CASE MID TOWER CASE ATX3400-P4 ***AMD Listed 300W Power Supply******INTEL Approved Chassis***
$35

Processor- ?

Mobo- ?

HD- WD WESTERN DIGITAL EIDE HARD DRIVE 20GB 7200RPM MODEL # WD200BB -Caviar OEM, DRIVE ONLY
$69

CD/RW- Artec CDRW 32x12x48x IDE CDROM Drive featuring JustLink Technology OEM w/ Nero Software V5.5
$43

Memory- Buffalo Technology SDRAM 128MB PC133 SAMSUNG Chipsets - OEM
$26

Keyboard- ORtek MCK-800 Multimedia Keyboard. BEIGE. PS2. Built-in 16 Multimedia hot keys (6 Programmable keys).
$10

Mouse-Logitech S59 2-button Mouse PS/2 - OEM
$4

Modem- ENCORE ENF656-PCI-NDPR 56K V.92 INTERNAL PCI FAX / MODEM/ MIC & SPEAKER (NetoDragon) - RETAIL
$10

Software-Microsoft Works Suite 2002 - RETAIL
$67

OS-Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition - OEM Full Version
$90


Total: $354
w/ shipping: $401

 

[hopeless879]

You want a 17' monitor, a processor and a mobo for $99. Sorry but its not gonna happen.

 

[Superman9534]

you can get a processor and mobo for about $150 (its the main part, so its not the cheapest) and you can get a good used 17 inch monitor for around 80-90.

 

[Rimnet]

well i said around 500, but we can go up to 600 if needed. ALso, if you know of a part that should be replaced with another for any reason, please suggest thx =)

 

[StevenF]

Have you thought about one of those shuttle mini pc's. New egg has one. The newest is about 300, but the older ones are less. They include the video, sound etc.

 

[Dabappa]

I just ordered an Athlon XP 1600+ for $59.99 with free shipping from Newegg, it would be hard to get more bang for the buck.

The ECS K7S5A motherboard is listed for only $53.99 with free shipping, and it can use SDRAM (DDR also, if you ever want to upgrade). It also has built in sound, and LAN. Paired with a inexpensive video card it will probably be cheaper than an all in one board. Having DDR slots, and an AGP slot will give you some flexibility for the future.

You might upgrade on the Hard Drive, you could can take your pick of 7200 RPM 40 GB Hard Drives for $72.00 to $79.00, all with free shipping. Double the space for only $3 to $10 more is hard to pass up.



Good Luck.

 

[ScottyB]

If you don't mind getting a prebuilt one try this: www.cyberpowerinc.com

 

[nightowl]

I would also bump up the memory to at least 256MB. XP is going to really bog down witn only 128MB RAM.

 

[BD231]

I would not go cheap if I were you, I assure you you'll want more from your rig within a month.

 

[JackBurton]

Uhh dude, I see a nice XBox in your future. "Fast PC" and "under $500 or $600" don't go together. Sorry man, I'd save my pennies for a decent machine if I were you. If you can get about $800, you should have a pretty nice machine. For $600 you'll have a PC but the word "fast" will be nowhere near it, and the word quality not even in the picture. Like I said, I'd save up a little more if I were you.

 

[RJ77]

For just $10 more, might as get yourself the WD 40 gig. Much better bang for your buck. As for the mobo, I put an an Intel 845GBVL in the comp I just built. Onboard sound, video and lan. Though at $126 it might be more than your willing to spend, but I don't recommend cutting corners to go cheap. As a rule, I also avoid generic parts, especially with hd's and memory, but that's up to you. If you're really on a tight budget you might want to think about a Celeron or Duron system. You could easily build a good one for around $500 if you shop smart. My last build, a P4 rig, cost $600 without a monitor.

 

[Rimnet]

well i wanted to build a Duron/Celeron computer. Also, this computer is strickly for word processing, surfing the net, etc etc. No gaming and stuff. I already have a gaming machine, this computer is for my mom who doesnt really care about nething like that. As for the word fast, i shouldnt have put that in there =)

 

[Fokks]

Here's a suggestion to save $67.

Replace
Software-Microsoft Works Suite 2002 - RETAIL
$67

with
OpenOffice
http://www.openoffice.org/
FREE! (And much better than MS Works IMHO)


Also don't you have an old copy of 98 or 2000 around to use for the OS? If you want to be legit, you can buy a 98 license online for around $25, check pricewatch. That's another $60 savings right there.

 

[CrazySaint]

Dude, you're getting a Dell. Yes, I know Dell is anathema around here, but its the only way you're gonna get a anywhere near decent PC for anything close to your budget.

For $670, you get:

Cellery 1.7GHz
256MB DDR RAM (select free upgrade to 256MB)
17" monitor (select 17" monitor [+$30])
40GB HD (select free upgrade to 40GB)
Sound & Video
Speakers (select Monsoon speakers [subtract $30])
Mouse & Keyboard
1 year parts & labor
WinXP Home Edition

There are many cases where building your own PC is and cheaper, this isn't one of them. And before anybody goes off about how Dell is crap and uses crappy parts, A) They don't use crappy parts, B) I'd like to see somebody spec out a system like that for that price using quality parts.

 

[JackBurton]

For $670, you get:

Cellery 1.7GHz
256MB DDR RAM (select free upgrade to 256MB)
17" monitor (select 17" monitor [+$30])
40GB HD (select free upgrade to 40GB)
Sound & Video
Speakers (select Monsoon speakers [subtract $30])
Mouse & Keyboard
1 year parts & labor
WinXP Home Edition

Now let's add $99 for shipping and about $64 for tax...that brings the grand total to $833+. I can build a faster system for $825 shipped! Dell PCs are good PCs if you don't want to build you own and they have pretty good prices too, but you can still build a cheaper machine yourself. If you'd like the full specs on my PC for $825, let me know and I'll post it. It's a DAMN good PC too!

 

[CMUdave]

After years of lurking, I finally joined up just for this thread.

I'm also building a budget box for my friend who's going off to school this year. I happen to believe that a very decent quality, DIY box is feasible at this price-point. I have about 50% of the components for her rig ordered right now.

I found Ars's latest System Guide to be helpful in getting me started. Follow that up with some browsing through this week's circulars, pricewatch, Newegg, and the eminent HOT DEALS forum here on Anand, and you'll really have your components narrowed down in no time at all. If all goes well, you'll have some cash left over to pocket for a rainy day or to do a little upgrading with.

Here are the results of my labors so far:

Case: Yours will do, but for a little more you may want to check out the Evercase E4252BEF5 SCREWLESS Mid-Tower with 300w PSU from Newegg. 58.00 shipped. Great Deal on a great case. We'll keep yours for the sake of price-point, though. 35.00
Motherboard: Asus A7N266- integrated 5.1 channel sound, Geforce 2 mx video, and network adapter. $88.09 shipping included. Ars Price Grabber engine.
CPU: Athlon XP 1600+. $61 shipped to my door. Newegg ran out of stock again right after I ordered mine , so this is off Ars Price Grabber again.
Heatsink: SVC GC68 as recommended by Ars. 11.13 shipped with 32CFM fan . SVC company website
Hard Drive: Maxtor 40.0GB 7200RPM 2mb buffer. 99.99 - $20 off $100 coupon - $30 rebate =~ 50.00 with free shipping for any over order $50. From our buddies at Staples Online
Memory: 256 MB PNY PC2100. Check your weekly circulars. I just saw some PNY which typically uses Samsung chips In this past week's Best Buy ad for 37.50 after tax. Check HOT DEALS for the latest. We'll say $40
CDRW: Cendyne 32x (Rebadged LITE-ON!) 79.99. - 110% pricematch to Outpost.com - $10 free toward $40 in store coupon on Google - $50 mail-in rebate =~ -$10!!! You just made the gas money to visit your local Staples and pick up this very sweet deal.
Keyboard: We'll go with what you had. $10
Modem: We'll go with what you had. $10
Mouse: Upgrade to the Lgitech B69 Optical. 17.00 shipped from Newegg. We'll keep your $4 cheapie for price-point, though.
Software: Microsoft Works Suite 2002 - RETAIL
$67
OS-Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition - OEM Full Version
$90
Throw in whatever headphones you have around for audio. That's free.

Oh and the monitor...
Envision EN-710 17" CRT from Staples 79.94 after rebates. Free Shipping over $50. Not the greatest or flattest, but it'll get you up to 1280x1024.

Pulling out the TI-92 super-calculator to add this up...
$536.21 using your case and mouse, while keeping your software.

Check that out; you still have about 130 bucks to upgrade here and there (possibly better case and mouse, add a LITE-ON DVD, or better monitor) before you hit the Dell price. Not too shabby for not gettin' a Dell DUUUDE!

-Dave Kochman

 

[CMUdave]

Update: You can get the 17" inch monitor at Staples Online for 49.99 actually. See this thread

Updated Grand Total of system above: 506.21
349.21 without MS WOrks 2002 or Windows OS! :Q

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

For $670, you get:

Cellery 1.7GHz
256MB DDR RAM (select free upgrade to 256MB)
17" monitor (select 17" monitor [+$30])
40GB HD (select free upgrade to 40GB)
Sound & Video
Speakers (select Monsoon speakers [subtract $30])
Mouse & Keyboard
1 year parts & labor
WinXP Home Edition

Now let's add $99 for shipping and about $64 for tax...that brings the grand total to $833+. I can build a faster system for $825 shipped! Dell PCs are good PCs if you don't want to build you own and they have pretty good prices too, but you can still build a cheaper machine yourself. If you'd like the full specs on my PC for $825, let me know and I'll post it. It's a DAMN good PC too!

D'oh, I forgot abut shipping! I don't think they charge tax, though...at least they don't on their peripherals. But yes, definitely agreed that he can do much better than the Dell system for $825.

 

[Athlon4all]

ECS K7SEM (includes Video, Sound, and LAN, only SDRAM which is perfect for u $45-50 and a Duron 800-1.0GHz for $40-50 (Duron 800 was $35 last I checked, but u woiuld need HSF, and the OEM Duron 1.0 (which is in my system, runs solid) was $40 when I bought it not too long ago. You can get the SVC GC68 which is very quiet and is what my Duron 1GHz is being cooled by.

 

[Rimnet]

CMU, awsome job man!!! haha! Thanks for the help =)