Can I build a computer for $300 or less for my mom?

Anomaly1964

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2010
2,465
8
81
My mom needs a BASIC PC for surfing the net, storing pictures, email, FaceBook and the like...

Can I build her a desktop unit for $300 or less...?

If so, please recommend the parts for the build...

Thanks in advance!
 

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
The Kabinis are pretty cheap, easily doable. But if you have a buy a full blown OS, it might be a stretch...

$260 Without OS - Also Excludes Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and speakers
 
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mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
You can find a refurbished computer for about that price with an OS. Look on ebay, dell outlet, etc.
 

vailr

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,365
54
91
A used machine from your local Goodwill store might be the cheapest for your purposes.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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91
www.techbuyersguru.com
For basic uses like that, why not get a laptop?

Something like the Asus Transformer Book T100 would probably blow her away in terms of functionality for $350. The only thing it doesn't have is tons of storage for photos, but you can add a cheap microSD card for that.

Frankly, $300 desktops really aren't worth buying - too slow, way too clunky and big for the performance they provide.
 

Anomaly1964

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2010
2,465
8
81
For basic uses like that, why not get a laptop?

Something like the Asus Transformer Book T100 would probably blow her away in terms of functionality for $350. The only thing it doesn't have is tons of storage for photos, but you can add a cheap microSD card for that.

Frankly, $300 desktops really aren't worth buying - too slow, way too clunky and big for the performance they provide.

I will ask if she would like a laptop, good idea...
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
10,635
2,206
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I tried a quick build out of curiosity and got close to the $300, not the best but shows it can be done in a pinch:

b8l2pt.png
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
Wouldnt it be good for websurfing and facebooking?

Yeah, the integrated video is good enough for every day use and even light gaming (older games). The CPU is powerful enough for basic applications just fine.

It's a solid cheap build. I wouldnt even bother with the DVD drive, I haven't used mine in years.
 
Feb 25, 2011
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Wouldnt it be good for websurfing and facebooking?

It would be sort of adequate most of the time.

I'd want an A6/A8 or a Pentium Dual core. The (admittedly superior) integrated GPU on the AMD APUs will be wasted transistors for the intended audience.

But that's me - I tend to over-CPU the builds I do for family, because I know they don't game and I know they want a "smooth" computing experience. So building a properly balanced system in the enthusiast sense is out the window.
 
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justin4pack

Senior member
Jan 21, 2012
521
6
81
Newegg has a shellshocker complete setup for $159. Better hurry
Edit: doesn't include monitor mouse and keyboard or the operating system
 

crashtech

Lifer
Jan 4, 2013
10,635
2,206
146
It would be sort of adequate most of the time.

I'd want an A6/A8 or a Pentium Dual core. The (admittedly superior) integrated GPU on the AMD APUs will be wasted transistors for the intended audience.

But that's me - I tend to over-CPU the builds I do for family, because I know they don't game and I know they want a "smooth" computing experience. So building a properly balanced system in the enthusiast sense is out the window.

I agree with this 100%, but at the moment I did the little exercise, a Celeron was a few bucks more, and we were going for El Cheapo.

Clearly it's better to spend a few bucks more and get into LGA1150. That's what I would do, but the build was already over the target dollar, so...
 

escrow4

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2013
3,339
122
106
An A4 4000 is junk:

http://www.techspot.com/review/681-amd-a10-6800k-a4-4000/page4.html

"The A4-4000 was considerably slower at 33.80 seconds. This made it 20% slower than the A4-5300 and 40% slower than the Celeron G1610."

"Using the in-built WinRAR 5.0 benchmark . . . the A4-4000 was slightly slower than the A4-5300 in this test. Its multithreading performance was 23% slower than the Celeron G1610 and the single thread performance was 14% slower."

"Testing with Photoshop CS6, . . . . the A4-4000 took 105 seconds, making it 11% slower than the A4-5300 and 27% slower than the Celeron G1610."

http://www.techspot.com/review/681-amd-a10-6800k-a4-4000/page8.html

"Here is the real problem with AMD’s processors . . . . this means that the A4-4000 system consumed 46% more power than the Pentium G2020 and 53% more power than the Celeron G1610".

I'd go B85 + G3220 as a minimum for a basic build that has some balls and some expansion. It will be more like $350. But AMD A4, run so very far away. I'd also put in an SSD, which is essential in 2014.

This is a help thread. We would ask that you keep the discussion productive and positive. Also, if you're going to suggest something out of the OP's budget, a longer explanation as to why would be helpful.
-ViRGE
 
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JManInPhoenix

Golden Member
Sep 25, 2013
1,500
1
81
I just built my mother in law a cheapy computer for $350 or so. We did reuse her monitor, keyboard & mouse from the old system though. Put linux on it instead of Windows and that saved some cash.