Building a New Computer with $500 Budget

[NoodleTech]

Hello, I am building a new computer for a friend. He is looking to spend $500 flat and needs at least a 17" LCD monitor and dual core processor. Could anybody recommend some parts that fit that budget? Thanks.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Thats going to be near impossible, especially if you need to include an operating system in that, unless you've got a lot of parts you can reuse.

X2 3800+ $91.99
Jetway NF6100 $62.99
2x256 corsair value ram $34.99
WD 80gb hard drive $40.99
Rosewill case with 350w power supply $24.99
Hanns-G 17" widescreen LCD $129.99 after $20 rebate
NEC DVD-RW $30.99
MS XP home edition $89.99
MS basic keyboard and mouse $16.99

With shipping that will probably be just over $550

If he doesn't need an OS or some of the components I listed, I would spend the extra on a better case/PS. I really don't trust the power supplies that come in those cheap combos.

If you shop around you may can find a mobo/cpu combo a little cheaper like at Frys or something

 

[lenjack]

Also, bear in mind that you will be 24-7 tech support for him forever.

 

[Skeeedunt]

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/dimen?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[lobbyone]

Grab a Dell, or one of those Compaq systems from Bestbuy, comes with 15" LCD though not 17" if that matters for less than $500

 

[Skitzer]

You aren't going to build a decent one for $500, (maybe $600 - $650). Hell a cheap 17" LCD costs about $150 by itself. Take Skeeedunts and lobbyones advice, get a Dell.

 

[Roguestar]

Dell it. At that price range, including software, a monitor and "a dual core processor" (which to me reeks of "I want it because it sounds good" instead of actually knowing what it means and what the difference is and why you'd use it) you'll be hard pressed to get something worth buying instead of saving for longer and getting something at a nicer price/longevity range. And as said before you'll be over fixing it every time it crashes, BSODs, spyware, wife found the porno etc etc because you built it for him. Get a Dell, if only for the bargain price (with monitor and windows) instead of the other reasons.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I agree with the others, Dell,compaq,etc... is the way to go. But your still not going to get a dual core and 17" flat panel for $500 bucks. The cheapest one I can config thru Dell that meets those requirements is over $600 and by the time you add in shipping,tax and a decent warranty your over $700, and thats with a POS Pentium D dual core.