Can I buy this system for $300, or what should I buy for 300?

[KevinF]

Well, a girl and I just decided that we should build a PC together. The thing is, she's not looking to spend much money. She is willing to spend ~300 for everything (she doesn't need mouse/keyboard/monitor).

This computer needs to be reliable, meaning non-overclocked, as fast as is reasonable, and a pretty case would be nice too, but I know that's a stretch.

The best value seems to be around a Duron 1.3, but can I get an entire system for 300? I figure that I'll need a case, 300 watt power supply, motherboard with integrated everything (I do have a geforce I can give her if a motherboard without integrated video makes more sense, and an extra 56k modem), hard drive around 20 gigs, 256 megs of RAM (128, maybe, but I planned on running Windows XP), and a CD-ROM (possibly DVD-ROM).

Is it possible to get a system like this for 300 dollars, shipped? If so, where's the best place? If not, what would you suggest I get for 300 dollars? I doubt that she'll be doing anything more than browsing, email, and something like The Sims, but I figure it's best to stay as far ahead as the technology curve as possible. I realize that any number of systems are sold similar to the one I want on our beloved FS/T, but I think it'd be a fun project.

Thanks for your help,
Kevin

 

[zShowtimez]

That could be a hard thing to pull off. I can only suggest a few things. Pricewatch for one, you would get killed on shipping if you got everything from different vendors though. Newegg, great site, good prices, really nice. Check out the hot deals forum, check around there for anything you might need. Also, if your willing to, theres always Ebay. I personally dont reccomend it. I would go with a combination of useing the hot deals forum, and newegg. Thats me though, you might feel different in how you want to spend your money.

 

[KevinF]

Yeah, I realize this is hard, if not impossible to pull off.

Perhaps the question would be better phrased as: what is the cheapest possible computer you wouldn't be ashamed to call your own?

 

[CrackRabbit]

It shouldnt be too hard, i just put together a machine for my GFs aunt that was 450 without a monitor, ill give you a list of what i used and from where...
Asus A7M266 (www.softwareandstuff.com) (has onboard sound)
Athon XP1700+ w/hsf (www.TCWO.com)
Geforce 2ti (www.enpc.com)
256mb of pc2100 mem from the FS/FT forum
40GB Seagate HDD (www.newegg.com) (it was a special...)
Antec KS-282 (www.TCWO.com)
Intel Generic Modem (www.TCWO.com)
Lite-On 52x Cd drive (www.TCWO.com)
cheapy keyboard and a microsoft mouse from Fry's
and some speakers from Sams.
Total 451.00

 

[Wolfsraider]

for 300.00 walmart has the linux versions hard to beat just format and load windows if linux is too much for you

plus you wouldn't be supplying tech support

if building for sure overlook this suggestion

hope this helps

 

[natopotato2]

if this thing doesn't have to perform fast, the SiS 730s is still the cheapest solution around and it's rock solid. here is what i priced out at newegg..

FOXCONN SUPER CASE MID TOWER CASE ATX3400-P4 $35
AOPEN CD-952E 52x CDROM - RETAIL $24
SAMSUNG 40GB 7200RPM(normally i'd go with a cuda4 but they were out of stock at the time of writing this) $69
ECS K7SEM B SiS730S MICRO ATX - RETAIL BOX $55
AMD DURON 1.1 GHZ SOCKET A, 200FSB, PGA PROCESSOR $45


that comes out to 251shipped to MI. i'd look at compusa or bestbuy for deals on SDRAM. ussually you can get 256mb for about $30 after rebate(about 50 or so before) so throw that old 56k modem in there along with an old floppy if you need it and you should be all set.

hope this helps, good luck with your project

-nate


edit: bah, forgot the heatsink, just pick up a volcano 5 from newegg or the GC-68 from SVC. i recommend the latter strongly, best cheap heatsink out there, i use it in about 75% of my builds for other people. it's a great value.