Best Computer You Could Build for $500

[Krk3561]

What is the best computer you could build for 500 dollars if you want to include a NIC, Modem, DVD-ROM drive, CD-RW drive, windows xp home, and Athlon XP. Thanks for the help!

 

[human2k]

dude your getting a dell!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: human2k
dude your getting a dell!

the promo will change tonight... maybe there will be something under $500... there wasn't this week.

 

[Krk3561]

dude your getting a dell!

I want to build the computer myself

 

[Adul]

i asume you dont want a monitor.

 

[Adul]

mmm not possible with an athlon XP. hell you got to either get more cash or forget about it.

 

[Adul]

best i can do is 481. not including shipping. And there is no athlon XP. you get stuck witha duron at 1 ghz.

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition - OEM Full Version $90
AMD DURON 1.0 GHZ - $42
Abit Micro ATX Nforce - $88
Diamond SupraMax 56K V.90 PCI Modem - $19
Dane-Elec DDR 256MB 32MBx64 PC-2100 RAM - $42 (try crucial.com you can prob get it for a bit less)
MAXTOR 20GB 5400RPM Model - $62
Thermaltake VOLCANO 6Cu. Heatsink $11
TOSHIBA INTERNAL DVD ROM, 16X DVD, 48X - $39
ASUS CRW-2410A 24x10x40 CDRW - Retail - $53
CODEGEN (CG Group) 6016L-P4 Silver 7-bay 300W ATX Mid Tower PC CASE - RETAIL - $35


All from newegg.com

 

[owensdj]

Krk3561, here's a configuration that I came up with:
AMD Athlon XP 1700+ 266MHz FSB Retail Box $89
Asus A7V333 KT333 $139
256MB PC2700 Memory $69.99
Western Digital 40GB 7200 RPM ATA100 HD $67
ATI Radeon 7500 64MB DDR DVI AGP $97
INTEL PILA8460C3 10/100 PCI NIC $26
3COM v92 56K Performance Pro 5610 PCI Modem $39
Pioneer 16X DVD Tray Load White Box $56
Plextor 24X10X40 Internal Retail Box CD-RW $84
Antec Mini-Tower SX635 ATX Case w/ 350W PS & 2 Extra Fans $102.90
Microsoft Windows XP Home Full Version OEM $79

All of the component prices are from Comp-U-Plus except for the memory and that's from Crucial. All of the parts are top-quality. The only problem is that the configuration comes out to $848.89, not counting shipping. I would urge you not to cut back on the quality of your system. Pay the extra $300 or so. I think it's worth it.

 

[jaydee]

I'll build one for you for free if you just give me the parts.

 

[krackato]

Modifying owensdj's rig:

AMD Athlon XP 1700+ 266MHz FSB Retail Box $89
ECS K7S5A $54 (built in sound and Lan)
256MB PC2700 Memory $69.99
Western Digital 40GB 7200 RPM ATA100 HD $67
ATI Radeon 7500 64MB DDR DVI AGP $97
Lite On 32x12x40 CDRW $59
ENLIGHT MEDIUM ATX TOWER CASE $44
LITE-ON LTD-163 16X DVD ROM Drive $38
Diamond SupraMax 56K V.90 PCI Modem - $19

Total: $467 before shipping.

I stole all of owensdj's prices and all the different parts I added I got from Newegg. Personally, I think spending extra for the Plextor CD-RW is not going to happen if you want to stay under $500. The Lite-On is a great CD-Burner and a good DVD-Rom from what I've heard. I've got an Enlight case and it works great and has a good 300w powersupply. The ethernet on the ECS K7S5A works great and the built-in sound is good enough, although my first upgrade would be a decent soundcard. As far as Windows XP, find a deal. Go to your University and buy it discounted. Go to eBay. Whatever.

edit: 200th Post!
edit 2: Thanks to CrazySaint for pointing out my adding error. Sorry about that. The price is $537.

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: krackato
Modifying owensdj's rig:

AMD Athlon XP 1700+ 266MHz FSB Retail Box $89
ECS K7S5A $54 (built in sound and Lan)
256MB PC2700 Memory $69.99
Western Digital 40GB 7200 RPM ATA100 HD $67
ATI Radeon 7500 64MB DDR DVI AGP $97
Lite On 32x12x40 CDRW $59
ENLIGHT MEDIUM ATX TOWER CASE $44
LITE-ON LTD-163 16X DVD ROM Drive $38
Diamond SupraMax 56K V.90 PCI Modem - $19

Total: $467 before shipping.

I stole all of owensdj's prices and all the different parts I added I got from Newegg. Personally, I think spending extra for the Plextor CD-RW is not going to happen if you want to stay under $500. The Lite-On is a great CD-Burner and a good DVD-Rom from what I've heard. I've got an Enlight case and it works great and has a good 300w powersupply. The ethernet on the ECS K7S5A works great and the built-in sound is good enough, although my first upgrade would be a decent soundcard. As far as Windows XP, find a deal. Go to your University and buy it discounted. Go to eBay. Whatever.

edit: 200th Post!

Nice work, but that actually comes to $537 not $467 also, PC2700 isn't really worth the $$ on Athlons, save $20-30 and get PC2100.

 

[Nack]

Very nice $500 computer. There was a deal on the WinXP pro (same as home with a couple extra bells and whistles) circulating on the hot deals board recently ($39 direct from M$). If you are a computer reseller, and it is still open, you may wish to sign up for it.

Nack