Budget PC, around 300 or 400$?

[TazmanianBubblegum]

I'm looking to build my parents a new computer, and they only use it for email/browsing internet/documents. So basically there is no need for an expensive video card, etc. AMD preferebly, and just the PC, no monitor btw. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[Dufrane]

I believe that I would look into the new nforce 2 boards that will be scaled down and only use single channel memory as opposed to dual channel. The benchmarks are similar and the single channel boards should be cheaper. Now the processor. I would probably get a 1700 or a 2500 barton depending on their need for speed. I am out of the loop as far as video cards go. I was familiar with the geforce 4 line but now there are so many different choices. Hope that helps get you started.

 

[Corporate Thug]

2400+/ecs mobo at frys: $79
512 pc2700 at Circuit City: $19 AR
case/psu: whatever for $50
HSF: coolermaster x-dream $9.99 at frys
geforce4 mx: $40
sound: onboard
HDD: 80 GB WD SE $80
52X cd-rom or cdrw: $40

total is 318 + tax

 

[ultimatebob]

Here's a nice basic system configuration from newegg.com with a keyboard mouse and speakers included for $265. Once you add shipping, it should be about $300.

Pro Source Full Tower case Model 606LUNA (blue) RetailFeatures:
All beveled metal edges to prevent injury
Room for 4 additonal fans 80mm
Specifications:
300W Channel Well Power Supply (meets p4 Specs)
2 front Mounted USB ports
Drive bays 4x 5.25", 2x 3.5" and 4x 3.5" (hidden)
Expansion Slots 7
Dimensions: W/H/D 200x430x440mm
Form Factor: AT/MICROATX/ATX/P4 more info-> N82E16811132001 $25.00

Asus A7N266-VM AA (AMD Assured Version) NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Motherboard Micro ATX- Retail
Socket A AMD Duron, Athlon, and Athlon XP up to 2600+
Chipset: NVIDIA nFORCE 220D (IGP-64 and MCP-D)
FSB:266/200 MHz
2 DIMM sockets support max. 1GB unbuffered PC2100/1600 non-ECC RAM
Slots:3x PCI 1xAGP PRO 4x
Onboard LAN:10/100 Mbps
Integrated AC97and Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC-3) Encoder Audio
Integrated Nvidia Nforce GeFORCE2 Video.
2 onboard USB ports more info-> N82E16813131433 $63.99

AMD Athlon XP 1800+/266 FSB Processor CPU 1800+/ 1.53GHz -0.13 micro Thoroughbred Core Retail, AXDA1800BOX
3 Years Warranty with heatsink and cooling fan. The Ultimate Digital Media Experience in an x86 Platform.Tailored for Microsoft® Windows® XP. Featuring QuantiSpeed Architecture for Rapid Execution of Applications. Tomorrow?s Technology Today.The Power of a Reliable Partner.
Specifications:
CPU: 1.53 GHz
Type: 1800 XP Thoroughbred
Cache: 256K
BUS: 266MHz
Socket A (PGA)
more info-> N82E16819103353 $57.00

All Components 256MB PC-2700 Memory module. 184-pin -OEM
Specifications:
Type: 184-pin DDR RAM
Capacity: 256MB
Speed: PC2700
Single Sided Lifetime warranty more info-> N82E16820159203 $37.00

MAXTOR 30GB 7200RPM Model # 6E030L0 OEM, DRIVE ONLY
Diamond Max Plus
Specifications:
Size: 30 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA133
Seek time: <10ms
RPM:7200
Cache 2MB
OEM(Drive alone) 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty more info-> N82E16822140132 $52.00

Aopen KeyBoard KB-858 107-key Windows Layout
107-key Windows layout
3 Windows 98 power keys
Membrane tactile switch
Laser engraved printing keys
PS2 connector
20 million life cycles more info-> N82E16823144001 $3.00

ENCORE ENF656-ESW-NDPR/ ENF656-PCIE-NDPR 56K V.92 INTERNAL PCI FAX / MODEM/ (NetoDragon) - RETAIL
Specifications:
56K V.92 Data/Fax Modem
PCI interface
Supports V.92,V.90,v.34 and Group 3 Protocols.
NetoDragon MDV92XP Chipset
Telephone out Modem In standard RJ-11 Jacks
Supports Windows 95,98,ME,2000,and XP
Comes with Software/Drivers and Phone cord more info-> N82E16825180003 $8.00

Designer-Plus Scrolling Internet Easy+ Mouse
High Precision Input Device. 600DPI High Resolution, for IBM PC & Compatible. Easy to use Plug & Play.
Specifications:
Connector: PS2
Buttons: 2 button + scroll wheel
Operation: Mechanical more info-> N82E16826129001 $.01

Lite On 52x Cd Rom - Model LTN-526 -Full OEM PACK Innovated SMART-X® to get the fastest CD-DAE/VCD data extraction speed by request
Specifications:
Speed : CD-ROM 52X (22X~52X, Average 38X)
Interface : ATAPI-E/IDE
Sustained Transfer Rate : 3300~7800KB/sec (Average:5700KB/sec)
PIO mode 4 16.6MB/sec, SW DMA 2, 8.3MB/sec, MW DMA 2, 16.6MB/sec,
Ultra-DMA/33, 33.3MB/sec
Access Time : 80ms (typical)
MTBF : 120'000 Power On Hours with 10% Duty
Full OEM Package with manu, driver, Audio cable and screws. more info-> N82E16827101203 $15.99

KINYO PS-193 2 CHANNEL MULTIMEDIA SPEAKERS
Dimension: W86 x H180 x D85 mm
2 Watt (RMS)
3" Full Range Speaker
Frequency Response: 120Hz~18KHz more info-> N82E16836401001 $4.00

Subtotal » $265.99

 

[Ionizer86]

Newegg has a Geforce 2 MX400 for $28 shipped. The ECS, with its integrated lan and sound, is a good idea. Newegg has a pretty nice Speeze 80x44 fan cooler at $9. Their 8RDA+ is $79, and it has tons of integrated goodies if you have ~$30 over the ECS.

You can sometimes get a WD400BB from OMAX for ~$30 after coupon. You get to pull a free burner from them on some weeks too.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

- Shuttle MN31N Micro-ATX nForce2 mobo w/onboard LAN, sound, and GF4MX440 - $86
- AMD Athlon XP 1800+Retail - $57
- Aopen Internal EIDE 16X DVD ROM / 40X Max CD-ROM Drive Beige RETAIL - $28
- Panasonic floppy drive - $7
- Seagate 40GB Barracuda 7200.7 - $62
- Athenatech Micro ATX Case w/ 200W Power Supply, Model A100WW.200 - $43
- 2x 128MB Crucial PC2100 - $54
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - $93
=================================================
Total: $430 + shipping, everything from newegg except the RAM from Crucial.com

Hard to get lower than that without making some major sacrifices. This should be plenty good for just surfing and emailing all in a compact micro-atx case.

ultimatebob - good suggestions but I'd recommend going with 2 sticks of RAM, since PC2100 shared between the processor and memory is a performance killer. I think that getting a DVD-ROM is also worth it for an extra $10. Also, I prefer sticking to name-brand RAM that's backed by a full lifetime warranty even at a premium. Finally, remember to include a copy of Windows in there (unless he already has one).

 

[ultimatebob]

Actually, I went with an original nForce 220 board, which doesn't support dual channel memory. If he decides to spring the extra $20 for the nforce2 board, however, you're definately right about getting two sticks of PC2100 or PC2700 memory.

I also like the DVD-ROM idea. He might also want to consider springing $40 for a Liteon 48X CD-RW, and drop the floppy drive.