crunching on a low budget: high output for $250 and less

[Zbox]

I spent a few minutes on newegg to see if I could come up with a decent crunching system at a low cost... I realize I could even lower the total by a fair amount, but sometimes I can't resist putting in a larger hard drive for just a few dollars more (plus the extra utility you'll get from it when you're done crunching!)

Here is the mock crunching system I put together:
Cheap Crunching

Assuming you already have your accessories (kb/mouse/cables) and software, it looks like piecing a fast $200-250 cruncher is very realistic.

But maybe you guys think this is too pricey Let me know what you think and share your own findings here for others to see.

Thanks!

-z

 

[Xemus]

Nice machine. I would reconsider the 80 GB harddrive, as that machine is about a generation and a half old and probably wont be used as a gaming machine.
If you were going to use it as a file server or storage area, it'd be nice tho.

 

[Coquito]

Turn the processor into a mobile for only $7 more. Runs cooler in a tight microATX case. Needs a decent ps too. Otherwise, you can't do much better.

Now if anyone dares venture into the fs/t forums, you can really make your money stretch.

 

[BCinSC]

I got my Barton 2500s for $1 more than your T-bred. MSI Delta-L cost a lot more, but screw the drive and CDRom (i've got tons of those lying around), overclock the crap out of it, and have a 3400+ for <$250.

 

[zodder]

Where's the motherboard?

 

[Twioz]

I think the motherboard was intentionaly left out to conserve power

 

[Zbox]

mobo removes itself from wishlist when out of stock... they went too fast

 

[mikela78]

I think you would get more speed for your money with a mobile 2400+, what I just installed yesterday. It only cost a few dollars more, and so far I've been running it at 11x200 at 1.6V. I'm sure it will go higher once my Thermalright HSF arrives.

You want a larger HD for general use but you don't have memory for general use, in my opinion. I use all my folding boxes as workstations as well, and your 2x128MB 2100 memory seems a little limiting and not upgrade-fiendly. I installed 1 256MB PC3200 Geil for $40 at Newegg (price might have gone up) and saved a few dollars over your 2 DIMM setup, and though I am loosing maybe 5% performance with single channel I'm gaining more than that with bandwidth over PC2100.

 

[kamper]

I'd dump the case and replace the hd with something cheaper. Probably another 128mb of ram too, depending on the os you're gonna use. Also the cd-rom is probably something I'd swap in from another system long enough to install the os and then put it back.