Help with Budget Build - As cheap as possible

[KingstonU]

My gf's laptop is on it's last legs and she needs a replacement for as cheap as possible. She wants a desktop. Used for web-surfing, MSN, movies, music, burning DVD's, flash games.

She already has Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and Speakers.


Target Specs:

500GB HDD
4GB DDR3
Better CPU than current Turion X2 TL-64
Win7
DVD Burner
Integrated graphics (I assume this will be good enough)


Budget: As cheap as possible but will consider an upgrade if it offers substantial improvement for the money. Max $500 CA if possible.


I have been somewhat out of the loop since I built my Q9550. And even then I never looked at budget segment. Can you even save any money to build it yourself at this price range or would a stock store bargain like this E5400 tower for $260 be better?

Is small form factor possible in this price range? Something like this Dell ZinoHD form factor would be really nice and simple.

I do not live near a Microcenter or Fry's. I am in Toronto. I usually shop at DirectCanada.ca

Recommendations appreciated, thanks!

 

[alkemyst]

there is an Athlon II 240 system at staples for the same price. not sure if they are in Canada

 

[mbevolution]

you'll def save money building a system yourself. check newegg.ca and ncix. you should be able to pull together 500w psu (antec trupower new 550w, 40 AR), athlon x4 or better w/ am3 mb ($200), simple case ($30), 500gb hdd ($50), 4gb ddr3 1600 ($105) and dvd-rw (25) for $450. this system will be way faster than the e5400 (which doesn't even meet your target spec).

 

[BladeVenom]

you'll def save money building a system yourself...

Not if he doesn't already have a copy of Win 7.

 

[khon]

A copy of windown 7 is going to cost you about $100, and the 4gb of memory will be another $125 or so. As such you certainly won't be able to beat the $260 prebuilt system you linked to (which if any operating system does that include ?)

You can build your own system with all the specs you listed for around $4-500.

 

[KingstonU]

Ok looks like at this bottom range of performance that store deals will be better than building it myself. Huh. I think that staples deal that alkemyst recommended is best.

Thanks to all!

 

[BD231]

What's wrong with the Turion X2 TL-64? Laptops are extremely cheap to upgrade and the Turions are still a good CPU.

 

[nyker96]

at this price range you'd better wait for a sale from HP/Dell, at 500 or below range, one of those pre builts tends to be cheaper onsale.

 

[ElFenix]

What's wrong with the Turion X2 TL-64? Laptops are extremely cheap to upgrade and the Turions are still a good CPU.

i wouldn't go for a K8 processor for a new computer these days. if the price were right K10 might be viable, but K10.5 CPUs are so cheap even that is doubtful.