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

[Blain]

Zorin OS is pretty nice.

 

[crashtech]

...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...

You are right. It would be about $345, give or take. A much better decision, and illustrates why it can be so detrimental to fit a build into a particular budget number without any other considerations.

 

[Charlie98]

I built my inlaws a computer for Christmas with a target budget of $400. The basic computer came in slightly over $400... but I added an SSD and 8GB RAM. I also shopped for the parts over a 3 month period catching each item as it came on sale (and, preferably, free shipping.) It has a G3220 and an H81 board... I thought that was pretty much the minimum for a GP rig that I had to support...

 

[crashtech]

$400 is a much better target range for a GP computer, imo.

 

[alkemyst]

Yes but you're probably better off buying a prebuilt.

QFT...hard to beat a basic Dell esp a refurb (or any other major company) at the sub $500 mark.

 

[Anomaly1964]

How do you think this would do?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...=Combo.1656333

 

[crashtech]

Now that's an amazing bottom scraper! The last single core CPU still for sale on Newegg.

It will work kinda like an 8 year old computer in a lot of ways, but will be new.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Now that's an amazing bottom scraper! The last single core CPU still for sale on Newegg.

It will work kinda like an 8 year old computer in a lot of ways, but will be new.

Damn...LOL!

 

[bononos]

How do you think this would do?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...=Combo.1656333

Its a old and slow sempron pc, I think you'd do better to get a cheap laptop or a refurb'd Dell.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

http://www.computerrefurb.com/windo...d-win-7-pro/?gclid=COKMlrmHsr4CFaY-MgodfFMAaA

Perfect. Install xUbuntu and tell your mom it's the new version of Windows. She'll only use Firefox anyway.

 

[Anomaly1964]

What about this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Just thought I'd check to see if it's even possible to build something reasonable for $300. Turns out it is, but its the cheapest possible components. Even then I properly overspent a bit on the mainboard.

Sempron 3850
ASUS AM1M-A
El Cheapo Kingston RAM, 4GB
Kingston SSD V300; 120GB
Cheapest case with PSU I could find (Likely crap PSU, but at this level of power-draw it should work fine)

Total: $220.95 without Windows. If you feel it needs more CPU grunt, add an Athlon 5150 or 5350 if required.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Just thought I'd check to see if it's even possible to build something reasonable for $300. Turns out it is, but its the cheapest possible components. Even then I properly overspent a bit on the mainboard.

Sempron 3850
ASUS AM1M-A
El Cheapo Kingston RAM, 4GB
Kingston SSD V300; 120GB
Cheapest case with PSU I could find (Likely crap PSU, but at this level of power-draw it should work fine)

Total: $220.95 without Windows. If you feel it needs more CPU grunt, add an Athlon 5150 or 5350 if required.

What about this one prebuilt?

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

 

[Insert_Nickname]

What about this one prebuilt?

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

Since it includes Windows, a card reader and wireless, I'd say its a pretty good deal for basic use.

 

[justin4pack]

Here is a E8400 setup. http://m.staples.com/touch/product.html?catname=Refurbished Desktop Computers&catid=CL168250#967582

 

[mnewsham]

Here is a E8400 setup. http://m.staples.com/touch/product.html?catname=Refurbished Desktop Computers&catid=CL168250#967582

The G3220 in the refurb he posted is better than the E8400 by about 30%.

 

[toughtrasher]

Yeah, I don't like refurbished products much (rarely ever buy em) but the G3220 is noticeably better than that E8400, even if it's new.

 

[justin4pack]

It is faster but does the budget need to stay under 300? Is windows 7 better for her then 8.1? Will she notice the speed difference with what she is doing?

 

[toughtrasher]

It is faster but does the budget need to stay under 300? Is windows 7 better for her then 8.1? Will she notice the speed difference with what she is doing?

She probably won't notice speed difference, but at $300 he needs to get her the best computer at that price

 

[Anomaly1964]

She probably won't notice speed difference, but at $300 he needs to get her the best computer at that price

I am still thinking this is the best bang for the buck...

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

 

[Charlie98]

I am still thinking this is the best bang for the buck...

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

I almost bought that one for my inlaws in lieu of building one. For the price it's pretty hard to beat for a glorified browser. I'm very fond of the new Pentium and specifically the G3220. All the rest of it is just a matter of component selection... i.e. the 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM.

I think you found your solution.

Note: If you live near a MicroCenter, you can probably get that even cheaper, or something similar.

 

[Anomaly1964]

I almost bought that one for my inlaws in lieu of building one. For the price it's pretty hard to beat for a glorified browser. I'm very fond of the new Pentium and specifically the G3220. All the rest of it is just a matter of component selection... i.e. the 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM.

I think you found your solution.

Note: If you live near a MicroCenter, you can probably get that even cheaper, or something similar.

Im gonna check out the local Tiger Direct but I feel Amazon will be the route I go unless I find some kind of great ONE OFF deal there...

 

[crashtech]

I am still thinking this is the best bang for the buck...

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

That will do nicely.

 

[nsafreak]

I am still thinking this is the best bang for the buck...

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-i3647-123...productDetails

I think I purchased my parents the same computer. Works just fine for their needs which are pretty much the same as hers (surfing, office programs, photo viewing, etc.) so it should be fine for her too. One potential gotcha about this PC is that there is zero room for additional internal hard drives. I was originally going to install an SSD for my parents on theirs but that went out the window when I opened the system and saw that not only was there not a free SATA port but there was no place to mount it. Shouldn't be a big deal though just remember if she needs additional storage you'll need to either buy an external drive or be prepared to copy everything needed from the old drive over.

 

[pw257008]

I disagree with the SSD essential in 2014 point. I'd take a faster CPU over SSD any day. Especially in this price range.