build me a computer for around $800

[weirdichi]

Ok, I know I could just search for other threads, but seeing as how the prices change daily, I want the latest input. My roommate wants a computer for around $800. He doesn't want anything fancy, just a basic system to surf the net and burn CD's and occasional gaming (not a hardcore gamer). I'm lookin to build it for him just for more experience in building a system. If you can include the name of the parts, it'd be great (I've been out of the mobo/cpu/hardware scene for a while now). Basic needs are:


1. CDRW
2. DVD
3. Decent Video Card
4. 17" and above monitor
5. Cheap win98 SE OS

Thanks! ^_^

 

[BillClo]

Sorry to say, but with that kind of budget, he might as well go down to Walmart and get a system. $800 isn't really enough for a great system, unfortunately.

 

[Lucky]

<< Sorry to say, but with that kind of budget, he might as well go down to Walmart and get a system. $800 isn't really enough for a great system, unfortunately. >>

 

[hans007]

easy..


asus p4s333-m with lan and sound $84 (atacom, if you wanted to go super cheap you could get the p4s333-vm with built in video and video in, for $94, but your video wouldnt be that fast.)
intel p4 1.6 A retail $150 (Atacom)
256mb pc2100 sdram $75 (newegg)
40 gig 5400rpm hard drive $70 (newegg)
24x cdrw $80 (i'm sure you can find this for this cheap somewhere)
microatx case with powersupply that is p4 complaint $42 (directron has the inwin v500 with 180 watt p4 ready PS, should be able to power this stuff, HPs desktops i worked with this summer only have 135 watt p4 ready supplies. you could use a full atx but that wouldnt be as cool to match the microatx mobo)
17" monitor $150 or less (buy at like officedepot or something and save shipping)
dvd $50 (newegg)
geforce 2 gts-v 32mb $50 (newegg)
keyboard , mouse $25 (anywhere)

scrounge up an OS somewhere i guess

$776
shipping on all that crap if you can get it from just atacom and newegg would probably add up to like $50. hopefully you arent in cali. you could probably o/c to 2.133 ghz also. Now that machine is pretty much is super fast even if you dont o/c it. i suppose the video card could be a little better but hey the budget is $800

 

[JonnyDuke]

Well to start with you can find an Athlon XP 1700 barebones ECS kit for around $150 at Pricewatch.com, everthing else is there too, you just have to look. Personally I prefere to buy monitors from local retailers in case I have to return it. I have had to twice so that's just my preference. I just finished building a system using that same mb combo for someone and this was before the price was as low, for $700.

 

[acejj26]

This is all from newegg.com:

Qty Product Item # Unit Price Qty x Price

Cases - PC
CHENBRO ROC Series PC60211 7-bay P4 Ready & AMD Approved 1xFan 300W Power Supply Mid Tower PC Case - RETAIL ATX 3x5.25" 2x3.5" 2x3.5"(Hidden) total of 7bay, 7 Standard PCI Slots, with one extra fan, 2nd extra fan is available-OPTIONAL AMD Approved & Pentium 4 Ready One Year Warranty N82E16811123001 $42.00 $42.00
CD ROM-Rewritable Drive
AOPEN CRW2440 24x10x40 CDRW - RETAIL Internal EIDE/ATAPI CD-RW Drive - 24x record (CD-R), 10x rewrite (CD-RW), 40x read (CD-ROM), 2MB buffer, 120ms average access time, Just Link Technology - prevent under-runs, Just Speed Technology - prevents writing error, w/ audio cable, blank CD-RW media, manual, NERO burning software, mounting screws, (RETAIL BOX). N82E16827106168 $87.00 $87.00
DVD ROM
TOSHIBA INTERNAL DVD ROM, 16X DVD, 48X CD ROM. 16X DVD-ROM playback 48X CD-ROM playback Random access: 115ms DVD-ROM, 95ms CD-ROM Compatible with CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-R media 512KB Data Buffer MTBF 100,000 Power on Hours Model SD-M1612 - Drive Only OEM-Version, One Year Warranty N82E16827130010 $49.00 $49.00
Floppy Drives
MITSUMI D359M3 FDD 1.44MB 3.5INCH - OEM N82E16821103104 $9.00 $9.00
Hard Drives - IDE
MAXTOR 40GB 7200RPM Model # 6L040J2 - OEM, DRIVE ONLY D740X Plus Series Ultra ATA133/100 2MB Cache Buffer <8ms Seek Time - 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty. 40.0gb 7200 rpm N82E16822140127 $80.00 $80.00
Keyboards - English
Microsoft OEM Internet Keyboard and IntelliMouse PS/2 Bundle INTERNET KEYBOARD: Equipped with (10) hot keys that support Internet and e-mail functions, so users can launch their browser and surf the Web directly from their keyboards. Or, they can open their e-mail program and check messages with the push of a button. Also, a sleep key and two user-programmable hot keys, labeled "calculator" and "My Computer". Does not have a removable Palmrest. MOUSE: 2-button mouse with Wheel (that can be used as third button). With the included IntelliPoint Software, users can "scroll" and "zoom" natively withing Microsoft Office 97 applications as well as a host of other compatible programs. N82E16823109106 $24.00 $24.00
Memory - PC (DDR)
OCZ DDR RAM 256MB PC-2400 300Hz OCZ300256. CAS 2 Performance DDR Overclockable memory. OEM, Lifetime Warranty. N82E16820146800 $74.00 $74.00
Motherboards
Abit Micro ATX Nforce Chipset Motherboard Model NV7m Support Socket A CPU. FSB: 266Mhz. 2 DIMM Sockets. 3 PCI Slots. 1 x AGP Slot. N82E16813127115 $132.00 $132.00
Processors - AMD Athlon Thunderbird, XP, MP
AMD Athlon XP 1600+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU - RETAIL 1600+/ 1.40GHz, AX1600BOX. 3-Year 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. N82E16819103304 $115.00 $115.00
Software - OS
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition CD Full OEM Version *Must be Purchased w/Hardware!!* - This item is not refundable!! N82E16837102004 $91.00 $91.00

Subtotal » $703.00
Shipping and Handling Charge » $ 40.28 Grand Total » $ 743.28

mind you, this does not include a monitor, but it includes an O/S. if you have an O/S laying around or if you find one for cheap on the forums, subtract $91 which brings you down to ~$650. That leaves you with enough money to buy a decent 17" monitor. Hope this helps.

 

[bocamojo]

If he doesn't want much of a PC, then why not just buy a Dell. You can pick one up for around 600-700 that meet all his requirements, and he's got the warranty and support, etc. Also, that keeps you off the hook, should he have problems with the system you "built". If he's adamantly opposed to that idea, and set on you building him a custom PC, then I'd recommend going with something similar to hans007 post ( a P4 1.6A or 1.8A Northwood).

 

[ScrapSilicon]

<< 1. CDRW 2. DVD
3. Decent Video Card
4. 17" and above monitor
5. Cheap win98 SE OS
>>

wow ...no case , no power supply, no case fans,no mobo, no harddrive,no modem and or lan card, no mouse, no keyboard, no floppy drive( newer OS and mobos not required) and no separate sound card (must already have all that ). Yeah its doable for $800. acejj26 I like that setup but one case fan and a stock CPU HSF? Dell sounds good too. <edit> for the guy below

<< You left out IDE cable.

Such a clever guy... >>

last 4 motherboard retail kits I bought came with IDE cable(s) and 3 came with FDD cable as well. A retail box CD/CDRW/DVDRom will also come w/ the audio cable (not needed in WinXP ).

 

[poopaskoopa]

<< wow ...no case , no power supply, no case fans,no mobo, no harddrive,no modem and or lan card, no mouse, no keyboard, no floppy drive( newer OS and mobos not required) and no separate sound card (must already have all that ). Yeah its doable for $800. >>


You left out IDE cable.

Such a clever guy...