Budget Machines - Some ideas for those wanting to build cheap machines

[mbackof]

I've build a couple of budget machines for relatives where the goal is to get a new functional machine for the least amount of cash. They are using them for word processing, music, WWW browsing, and probably slight gaming (mostly older games at low resolutions). I had 17" CRT monitors for both machines and one mouse for Sharon's machine. Here are the specs (I'm including the prices I paid for the parts, there may be some variation of the current prices):

Jackie's Machine
AMD Athlon XP 2000+, 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail $57
BIOSTAR "M7NCG 400" nForce2 IGP Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL $60
Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 - OEM $65AR
Seagate 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST380013A-RK, Retail $55AR
Rosewill 52x32x52x16 CD-RW & DVD Combo Drive, Model C523216, Retail $40
Enlight Beige Micro ATX Mini Tower Case with 200W Power Supply, Model "EN-7358-0PU" -RETAIL $35
Logitech Deluxe Desktop Bundle (Deluxe Keyboard & S69 Mouse) PS/2 104keys -OEM $17
Creative SBS330 2.1 Speaker -OEM $30
Total $359

Sharon's Machine
AMD Athlon XP 2000+, 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail $57
ASUS "A7V8X-X" KT400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL $40 Refurb
Kingston ValueRAM 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail $34AR
Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200BB $60AR
Optorite Black IDE/ATAPI 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive, Model CW5201, Retail $35
APOLLO nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "BLOODY MONSTER 3 GEFORCE FX 5200" -RETAIL $40 Refurb
E-buyer Kingcase ATX 300W $25
Logitech Internet Keyboard PS/2 104keys -OEM $15
Altec Lansing 2.1 Speakers $25
Total $331

I built Sharon's machine and it runs fine on Win2000. I'm building the Jackie's machine this weekend. I didn't think that was two bad for modern machines under $400 complete with everything but the monitors. Maybe a budget buyer will read this instead of asking if someone can recommend them a machine for <$350. 😀 One can always hope.

 

[LED]

Do what you want to combine them with the Shuttle NForcey and even the DFI with bulit in Graphics reports to be running fine

 

[addragyn]

Software?

An OEM PC, new or used comes with SW that makes that prices go way out of whack. Plus you're not couting your time. That's the most valuable ingredient in this equation.

 

[asm0deus]

Aww now I feel like my A7V8X-X is a budget board 🙁 I guess it is but I love it just the same. $40 is a bargain, I paid $56 for mine brand new.

Nice budget systems, dont listen to addragyn, he doesnt understand family life or the joys of software piracy.

 

[mbackof]

I enjoy building the machines. These are for close relatives so I'm not worried about the time factor. If I ended up building them for businesses and acquaintences, you better believe I will be charging people above the material costs for the machines. Especially if I have to support them. I am having them provide their own OS because one works for a university, the other goes to one and they can get the academic versions of Windows products for low cost from their schools.
I built machines and supervised assembly a few years ago at my last medical imaging job so I consider this a "skills reinforcement" excercise. My current job has me doing network, OS, and software support all day but very little hardware support.
LED, the Shuttle "MN31L" nForce2 IGP Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL is a nice board but I was going for low cost as my main criteria so I cut corners where I thought I could to lower the overall cost.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

video(onboard) of the Biostar you are using benefits from 2 x dimms being installed..just a headsup 🙂

 

[mbackof]

Thanks for the headsup on the onboard video. If it is an issue I'll get another 256MB and swap the single 512MB for the 256MB from the Asus machine.

 

[Boogak]

Originally posted by: mbackof
Thanks for the headsup on the onboard video. If it is an issue I'll get another 256MB and swap the single 512MB for the 256MB from the Asus machine.

I wouldn't worry too much about it if they are not gamers as you indicated. It only affects 3d speed.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: mbackof
Thanks for the headsup on the onboard video. If it is an issue I'll get another 256MB and swap the single 512MB for the 256MB from the Asus machine.

all things considered.. the a7v8x-x also has issues with running @ 400FSB(not that matters with a stock non-oc'd setup) and has 3 dimm slots vs. the 2 on the m7ncg 400.. deals on 512mb sticks are becoming more frequent(2x512mb and XP the resource/mem hog ..😛 do very well together..so a 512 now and another later would be best..) so..just looking forward..