Could I build a good system for under 300?

[50]

Okay, I was thinking, my dad needs a new system desperately. I was thinking about just scrapping his old system then building almost a barebones system:

XP 2400+ + Cheapo mobo= $130
Take old PSU out of Compaq 500mhz (will this be compatible or will I have to buy another one?)
Take out all optical drives and floppy.
Can I use his old case?
Find a cheap heatsink 10-15
Radeon 9200= $50
Windows XP OEM= $90
256 pc2100: 50
WD 80 gb SE: 50
Find an old sound card...
Total about...310

Am I forgetting anything? Can anyone find a cheaper way to do it?

 

[Boonesmi]

i would spend a little a little more on a mobo.. and you will probably need a new powersupply

the powersupply you already have is probably atx in which case its compatable with any new motherboard, but you run a big risk of it just not being powerfull enough

 

[us3rnotfound]

Find a motherboard w/ onboard video, LAN, and audio. THat'll save you enough to maybe bump up the RAM to 384 or 512 MB, which is more important IMO.

I would get that $30 Allied PSU from Newegg instead of using some junk power supply.

Edit: BTW, I think that WD 80 GB SE is more like $80, not $50:frown:

 

[Bovinicus]

That HDD is definitely more than $50. I'm sure you can find a decent HDD for $50 though. Buy whatever is available from one of the major manufactureres in the price range.

Don't get a complete cheapo motherboard. Get an nForce2 motherboard. They come with good onboard sound and LAN. You can also get an nForce2 board with integrated video if it helps you cut costs more and your dad doesn't play any games.

Do not use that PSU. Even if it is ATX, it will most likely be completely insufficient to power the new system you want to build. Not only are the power requirements of the new system going to be more demanding, but OEMs often put in cheapo power supplies because people don't pay attention to that very important spec.

You should be able to use that same case, as long as it is ATX. If it is an AT case, then you are out of luck (It's probably ATX).

 

[Ionizer86]

Yea, Seagate 80GB 7200.7 = $50 Cusa this week.

You can use the same case if the old one is ATX. Get a good board, such as an 8RGA+ (The onboard vid is good enough and the other onboard stuff is really quite good too). A $30 allied works, but Newegg also sells low-cost Sparkles. Don't skimp on the HS too much. Something decent, such as maybe an AX-7.

 

[Boonesmi]

everyone keeps saying he cant get the hdd for $50

ive often times seen them at office supply stores with rebates for as low as $40-$60 or ive seen them used for around $50-$60
he never said he was buying them new, nor that the $50 wasnt after a rebate

 

[50]

7Yeah...I thought I saw a few HD hot deals for a WD for 50 bucks, I guess I could be wrong. So let me rewrite what I should get

Use old case, optical drives, cables, keyboard, mouse, fans.
Try to sell old PSU, mobo, RAM (doubt it but I can try)
80 gig hard drive, 50 bucks(?)
PC2100 RAM-28 bucks
Athlon XP 2500-81 bucks (333 FSB, worth the extra 11 bucks from xp 2400?)
Biostar M7NCD-Pro-50 bucks
Radeon 9200-50 bucks
Windows XP OEM-90
PSU (dunno which brand)-20 bucks
Heatsink 10-15
Total:330

Still need to change stuff around?

 

[Boonesmi]

if your getting an xp2500+ (333) then you need pc2700 ram (pc2100 is only designed for 133mhz)

if you get the xp2400+ then you could get by with pc2100 (since it will be running a 133mhz fsb)

 

[randumb]

Is your dad a gamer? Otherwise scrap the Radeon 9200 and get an nForce 2 mobo with integrated graphics (GeForce 4 MX).

 

[Bonesdad]

you can use PC2100 with a Barton 2500+, just not the best...here's what I would do:

Shuttle MN31N mobo (Nforce 2 with onboard video, sound, lan, USB2.0) = $86 OR Biostar M7NCG 400 (Nforce 2, comes with video, sound, LAN, USB 2.0) = $74
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU = $91 (retail, comes with heatsink and 3 yr warranty) and with the Buffalo memory you can OC to 3200+ speeds later on
Buffalo 512 MB PC3200 Ram = $83 (PC 2700 RAM will not be much cheaper and will not allow the OC I mention)
Win XP = $90
Fortron 350W PSU = $36 (shipped)
Seagate HDD mentioned above= $50 AR

Total: around $425 - $450 depending on mobo - I know that is more than you want to spend...but you will be set for a while with this. Esp with the OC (By the way, what you laid out totalled $385...check your math! And that is without adding a PSU which I am sure you will need)

I really like the shuttle board, have never used the Biostar, but it is there.

The old case *should* be fine, unless its proprietary for some reason, check before you get everything else.

If you are using Win98, you can still use that, if you wanna wait to upgrade OS. I wouldnt tho.

 

[Swanny]

I'd try to find a mobo with integrated graphics, like the Asus A7V8X-MX for $64 at Newegg. Spending that little bit more on a mobo would save you the $50 graphics card.

 

[50]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
you can use PC2100 with a Barton 2500+, just not the best...here's what I would do:

Shuttle MN31N mobo (Nforce 2 with onboard video, sound, lan, USB2.0) = $86 OR Biostar M7NCG 400 (Nforce 2, comes with video, sound, LAN, USB 2.0) = $74
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU = $91 (retail, comes with heatsink and 3 yr warranty) and with the Buffalo memory you can OC to 3200+ speeds later on
Buffalo 512 MB PC3200 Ram = $83 (PC 2700 RAM will not be much cheaper and will not allow the OC I mention)
Win XP = $90
Fortron 350W PSU = $36 (shipped)
Seagate HDD mentioned above= $50 AR

Total: around $425 - $450 depending on mobo - I know that is more than you want to spend...but you will be set for a while with this. Esp with the OC (By the way, what you laid out totalled $385...check your math! And that is without adding a PSU which I am sure you will need)

I really like the shuttle board, have never used the Biostar, but it is there.

The old case *should* be fine, unless its proprietary for some reason, check before you get everything else.

If you are using Win98, you can still use that, if you wanna wait to upgrade OS. I wouldnt tho.

That's a good setup I see, could I go less on the RAM(I have an extra 512 mb stick of GEIL value ram in my current rig I could give him for like 40 bucks), I doubt he'll O/C. He doesn't game either, he just does a little work with photo's, internet, e-mail and word proccessing. His old computer has many problems, and the smallest problem often ends up with reformatting. Is a 36$ PSU neccessary also? I've heard people say that the PSU is very important, but I have been using a Channel Well PSU for a while now and it hasn't caused any problems for me. Couldn't I save 20 bucks and get some no name PSU? That would bring me down to about 365-385..Thanks for the help

 

[Bonesdad]

sure, you could do that...if he's just got the single hard drive, and the mobo with nothing else riding the mobo, you could go with a less expensive PSU. I also have a couple of Channel Well PSUs and am using one on a XP2100+ setup...with no problems.

You could also look at going with a VIA chipset mobo if he's not a gamer. Look at the KT400 or KT600 boards, some are under $50. I have never used any of them, the NForce2 boards are just too good, i would stick with NF2...like I say, take a close look at the MN31N...nice board, esp for what he will be doing.

If you wanna use the Geil RAM, that's a good idea too...you can upgrade it later for a little kick, or just go 2x256 of the PC2700. If, like you say, he will never OC, it wont really matter. I really wouldnt go with less than 512 MB tho.

Finally, you might think about going with a slower CPU, like a 1700+ or 2100+. If he is just doing what you say, will he need the extra CPU speed? AND you can upgrade him later to a 3200+ when the prices drop drastically. Just a thought.

I think a lot of us here at AT always go for the throat on these systems, not looking at what it is being used for. Bang for Buck is a phrase often spoken here, but if you ain't got the buck and you don't really need the bang...just get a good mobo so you can put $$ into an upgrade down the line, when things are cheaper (as they always get)

Good luck

 

[SpeedFreak03]

The thing about PSUs is that if they fail, you have the likely chance of taking your HDDs and everything down with them. For example, I had a L&C 350W that recently died on me. All it took was my DVD-ROM and 32X CD-RW, so I got REALLY lucky lol. I replaced it with an Antec 350W (I bought a whole new case) so now I dont have to worry. But the moral is that the $30 I saved from buying the generic PSU I had to spend on a new CD-RW, plus another $30 for a DVD-ROM (which I doubt I will buy though), then another $60 for the PSU. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Boonesmi]

Originally posted by: SpeedFreak03
The thing about PSUs is that if they fail, you have the likely chance of taking your HDDs and everything down with them. For example, I had a L&C 350W that recently died on me. All it took was my DVD-ROM and 32X CD-RW, so I got REALLY lucky lol. I replaced it with an Antec 350W (I bought a whole new case) so now I dont have to worry. But the moral is that the $30 I saved from buying the generic PSU I had to spend on a new CD-RW, plus another $30 for a DVD-ROM (which I doubt I will buy though), then another $60 for the PSU. Oh well, live and learn.

any powersupply can fail and cause damage, even an antec

the only powersupply ive ever had that actually killed some hardware when it died was a name brand sparkle

 

[SpeedFreak03]

He doesn't game either, he just does a little work with photo's, internet, e-mail and word proccessing.

His current computer sounds like it is fine for this. I know it has problems, but if I were you I would bump up the ram to 256 or 512, install Windows 2000 or XP, and let him use that. With the money you save you could get him a nice flat-screen (not flat panel) monitor to make his text and photos sharper (I have a HP Pavilion MX70 17'' flatscreen that I paid $80 after MIR at BestBuy back in August). Just my $0.02.

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: SpeedFreak03
The thing about PSUs is that if they fail, you have the likely chance of taking your HDDs and everything down with them. For example, I had a L&C 350W that recently died on me. All it took was my DVD-ROM and 32X CD-RW, so I got REALLY lucky lol. I replaced it with an Antec 350W (I bought a whole new case) so now I dont have to worry. But the moral is that the $30 I saved from buying the generic PSU I had to spend on a new CD-RW, plus another $30 for a DVD-ROM (which I doubt I will buy though), then another $60 for the PSU. Oh well, live and learn.

BUT, I had an Antec TruePower 330W that burned out after 3 months of use...I didnt lose anything either...strictly speaking, you are right...a good PSU is worth it's weight in gold (I wish!) But consider he will only be running the mobo, the Hard Drive and occasionally the optical drives off this PSU. Not exactly taxing...

 

[SpeedFreak03]

any powersupply can fail and cause damage, even an antec

True, but I am pretty sure name brand PSUs fail less. Not just failing though, but having a good PSU with steady voltage rails is also important for stability. Like my L&C had like 11.85-11.9 for the 12V, and my Antec has 11.97-11.99.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

But consider he will only be running the mobo, the Hard Drive and occasionally the optical drives off this PSU. Not exactly taxing...

Thats all I was running (P3 500, WD 80GB HDD, and 2 optical drives) lol. But I'm upgrading to a Abit IC7/P4 2.6C/Buffalo 512MB PC3200 and I cant wait lol!

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: 50

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
you can use PC2100 with a Barton 2500+, just not the best...here's what I would do:

Shuttle MN31N mobo (Nforce 2 with onboard video, sound, lan, USB2.0) = $86 OR Biostar M7NCG 400 (Nforce 2, comes with video, sound, LAN, USB 2.0) = $74
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU = $91 (retail, comes with heatsink and 3 yr warranty) and with the Buffalo memory you can OC to 3200+ speeds later on
Buffalo 512 MB PC3200 Ram = $83 (PC 2700 RAM will not be much cheaper and will not allow the OC I mention)
Win XP = $90
Fortron 350W PSU = $36 (shipped)
Seagate HDD mentioned above= $50 AR

Total: around $425 - $450 depending on mobo - I know that is more than you want to spend...but you will be set for a while with this. Esp with the OC (By the way, what you laid out totalled $385...check your math! And that is without adding a PSU which I am sure you will need)

I really like the shuttle board, have never used the Biostar, but it is there.

The old case *should* be fine, unless its proprietary for some reason, check before you get everything else.

If you are using Win98, you can still use that, if you wanna wait to upgrade OS. I wouldnt tho.

That's a good setup I see, could I go less on the RAM(I have an extra 512 mb stick of GEIL value ram in my current rig I could give him for like 40 bucks), I doubt he'll O/C. He doesn't game either, he just does a little work with photo's, internet, e-mail and word proccessing. His old computer has many problems, and the smallest problem often ends up with reformatting. Is a 36$ PSU neccessary also? I've heard people say that the PSU is very important, but I have been using a Channel Well PSU for a while now and it hasn't caused any problems for me. Couldn't I save 20 bucks and get some no name PSU? That would bring me down to about 365-385..Thanks for the help

I built this exact thing so to speak for 300 dollars just a few days ago.....checkout newegg...get harddrive at local stores with rebate deals as mentioned...

I would get the 2100+ retail chip for like mid 60's and save a few bucks...get only 1 stick of the buffalo pc2700 for now (always upgrade in the future if the money is tight, as this system is already quite a step up) and save 40+ dollars...

definitely get the shuttle...I have built 3 of these now and I say mius vcore adjustments for overclockers this thing is great...


How is his case??? I ask cause you can get a whole new case with and amd approved power supply 300-350 watts for 40-45 shipped at newegg. This powersupplies are fine for basic 2100+ needs..heck I have one oc'd to 2700+ levels and the rails are tight as can be....

Pick up a copy of xp from someone in the forsale forum and save a few bucks...