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Help build $400 AMD PC

B

Boy Hits Car

Member
Hey everyone. I'm trying to build a PC for a family member for about $400. I want to be able to keep it some what future proof incase he wishes to upgrade later. So I think it should be a 939 socket motherboard with PCI Express x16. Any thoughts here would be good.

This is what I came up with:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail $158.79

BIOSTAR GEFORCE 6100-M9 Socket 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $59.00

Kingston ValueRAM 512MB (2 x 256MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model KVR400X64C3AK2/512 - Retail
$44.25

Western Digital Caviar SE WD400JD 40GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 HD-OEM $49.00

Foxconn TLM624 Black/Silver Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W $32.50

Logitech Internet Pro Desktop 967457-0403 Black PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM $16.00

NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3550A $43.99

Total: $446.45 with shipping.

What is your overal feeling of this PC? Will not be used for games; mainly Office XP apps and internet.

Can we get it down closer to $400?
 
The parts chosen will work well for your intended use. You're really not going to get it a whole lot cheaper w/o going socket 754. And if you're pricing from NewEgg only, look around . . . many places (ie ZZF, Monach, ChiefValue) beat their prices and don't rape you on shipping.
 
That's the best you can do Boy Hits Car.

I do not see anywhere where you can shave any price since the hard drive is adaquate for him...

watch out for microatx and make sure the motherboard fits.
 
Thanks guys. Is there anyway to do this build without microATX? You think there could be a problem fitting the motherboard into the case?
 
The mobo is micro, so it'll fit in the case. I don't have experience with microATX in builds and will leave the 1st question to someone else. The only potential problem is that you are limited to micro mobos with that case should you decide to upgrade.
 
Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd try to find a dell refurb before buying what you have listed. The case/psu scare me.
Click to expand...

You're kidding with the Dell, right? I haven't seen a Dell, yet, not give me problems.
 
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd try to find a dell refurb before buying what you have listed. The case/psu scare me.
Click to expand...

You're kidding with the Dell, right? I haven't seen a Dell, yet, not give me problems.
Click to expand...

No, not kidding.

There are some great deals for refurb dells.

I agree that the case/psu is scary cheap.
 
If i'm thinking correctly about microatx it's a shuttlecase right?

Be sure the vidoe card fits, alot of people say it's a tight fit so be prepared to shed some blood 🙂

Dell is something to stay away from, refurbed they offer warranty for a limited time
but I don't know about dell in general

your choice, but you have alot to upgrade in that case whenever you want. i guess it's a fork in the road.

bang for the buck or longevity.
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd try to find a dell refurb before buying what you have listed. The case/psu scare me.
Click to expand...

You're kidding with the Dell, right? I haven't seen a Dell, yet, not give me problems.
Click to expand...

No, not kidding.

There are some great deals for refurb dells.

I agree that the case/psu is scary cheap.
Click to expand...

Lol, I know. Read the reviews on Newegg. People seem to be pleased with it. I'd be more worried if I was going to put more drives and a video card, but since it's only 2 drives and onboard video, I figured I be alright. I'll keep looking.
 
Originally posted by: Broly
If i'm thinking correctly about microatx it's a shuttlecase right?

Be sure the vidoe card fits, alot of people say it's a tight fit so be prepared to shed some blood 🙂

Dell is something to stay away from, refurbed they offer warranty for a limited time
but I don't know about dell in general

your choice, but you have alot to upgrade in that case whenever you want. i guess it's a fork in the road.

bang for the buck or longevity.
Click to expand...


Not putting a video card in it, however, I see the problem if I need to upgrade the card in the future. Can i get a regular ATX case and still use a microATX motherboard?
 
That's a good question

with all the mounting screws/placements in a regular atx case I'm sure you can.

But I'd research that a TAD more, Might not be able to.

 
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd try to find a dell refurb before buying what you have listed. The case/psu scare me.
Click to expand...

You're kidding with the Dell, right? I haven't seen a Dell, yet, not give me problems.
Click to expand...

No, not kidding.

There are some great deals for refurb dells.

I agree that the case/psu is scary cheap.
Click to expand...

Lol, I know. Read the reviews on Newegg. People seem to be pleased with it. I'd be more worried if I was going to put more drives and a video card, but since it's only 2 drives and onboard video, I figured I be alright. I'll keep looking.
Click to expand...

Don't base your purchase based upon NewEgg's reviews. They even say so on the site. Notice how hardly anyone EVER posts anything negative about those items?
 
Originally posted by: Broly
If i'm thinking correctly about microatx it's a shuttlecase right?

Be sure the vidoe card fits, alot of people say it's a tight fit so be prepared to shed some blood 🙂

Dell is something to stay away from, refurbed they offer warranty for a limited time
but I don't know about dell in general

your choice, but you have alot to upgrade in that case whenever you want. i guess it's a fork in the road.

bang for the buck or longevity.
Click to expand...

What does "shuttlecase" mean?
 
OK. Read about four different forums. All say you can use a standard ATX case with a microATX board. So that leave the question:

Can anybody recommend a good black case with 24-pin power supply for around $40?
 
I don't think you can get em that cheap my friend.

i think at this point in time a microatx is ideal since a tower is a few bucks more with an OK power supply
don't quote me on that

yoYo: You know, the shuttle cases.... The tiny boxes..
 
Originally posted by: Broly
I don't think you can get em that cheap my friend.

i think at this point in time a microatx is ideal since a tower is a few bucks more with an OK power supply
don't quote me on that

yoYo: You know, the shuttle cases.... The tiny boxes..
Click to expand...

Small form factor? (SFF)
Those will usually come with their own PSU and motherboard since they are not standard sizes. This is just microATX.
 
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
OK. Read about four different forums. All say you can use a standard ATX case with a microATX board. So that leave the question:

Can anybody recommend a good black case with 24-pin power supply for around $40?
Click to expand...

That's your problem. You're not going to find a decent case/psu for $40 that anyone would recommend. Any way to increase your budget?

The reason I recommended a Dell (however, I looked, and right now they're not any good deals, very low inventory), is becuase a Dell 4700 or 5100 would be perfect for what you're looking for. Four dimm's for memory, PCIe, good case and a psu powerful enough to handle a high-end video card. And for a price that is much cheaper than a BYO.
 
Originally posted by: Boy Hits Car
OK. Read about four different forums. All say you can use a standard ATX case with a microATX board. So that leave the question:

Can anybody recommend a good black case with 24-pin power supply for around $40?
Click to expand...

I tihnk that's too low. The Antec 1650b can be had for around $60. It's not the most heavy / solid case around, but it's fairly inexpensive, well-designed and has very good cooling (better than many more expensive ones, esp. older ones). I'm sure that there are others; this is one that I've had experience with.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3113532/sort_type=price

Micro-ATX motherboards actually gives you more flexiblity -- they'll fit into most cases, and these are also the ones that tend to come with integrated video.
 
$400 is too conservative for a Skt939 build really.. it forces you to skimp on the case/PSU (ATX 1.0x) which is not a good thing.

Here is my recommendation: Click

- Quiet SATA II NCQ HDD
- 6150 GPU w/VGA and DVI port (nice for LCD upgrades)
- 400w ATX12v2.0 24-pin PSU
- Quiet case
 
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