home office computer

circusslaughter

Senior member
Sep 4, 2013
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Is it possible to build a home office computer for $350 or less?

Would just be used for school (word processing, document formatting) and internet surfing. I wanna build my mom a cheap computer that's better then her current one.

$350 or less budget would need to include os,case,cpu,mobo, etc. I have to buy everything on newegg. A mini case would be nice.

I wanna build it, don't want a pre made computer.
 

circusslaughter

Senior member
Sep 4, 2013
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CPU: AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master GX 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-07 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (32-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $394.92
 

DominionSeraph

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
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Prebuilt is the way to go here. You may want to show off your computer building skills, but there are other things to show off, such as your ability to find deals (which shows off your knowledge of computers in knowing what is a good deal), and the ability to take sound advice.

Dell Outlet Home is having a 15% off sale right now on all their computers, until the 19th, with coupon code 3ZFSHSTKJ53G2G. That will put you into an Inspiron 660s with an i3 for around $320 + tax. That's a faster processor than that A6, and Dells have better PSUs than that cooler master.
 
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circusslaughter

Senior member
Sep 4, 2013
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I can only buy on newegg. NEWEGG ONLY. NOWHERE ELSE.

I have a newegg credit card, that's all I have for money. I only have $400 left on it. I don't think I need to spend more then that on a computer that she'll just use for online school and surfing the web.
 
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Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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www.techbuyersguru.com
Here's a system that would be far superior to your $395 build for $25 less: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883103852

There's simply no reason at all to build a system in this price range. You may want to build it, but then you're costing your mom extra money and delaying getting her a system. If she supports that because it will make her happy to have you build it, then that's fine, but don't suggest to her that this is better than buying a system off the shelf.

By the way, download a Windows 7 start menu emulator for her, but don't bother with buying Windows 7. It's outdated at this point.
 

circusslaughter

Senior member
Sep 4, 2013
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Seriously? Send me a computer with mixed reviews and it's an Acer? Nice...

Win 7 is the recommended OS for all her classes and she is using Vista.

No cursing in the technical forums.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator
 
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circusslaughter

Senior member
Sep 4, 2013
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I know OS cost a lot.

I am paying $300 off my balance off in March so I guess I'll spend $500 then or find something good on newegg that isn't acer.
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
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Get one of the sub-$200 refurbs, like an E8400 Dell with 4 GB ram. There is one there now (maybe 2GB and 160 GB HD) with a 17" monitor for under $200.
 

DominionSeraph

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
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Seriously? Send me a computer with mixed reviews and it's an Acer? Nice...

There are only 4 reviews, one DOA (which happen and are covered by warranty) and one taking off only because it's Windows 8, when 8.1 is free.

You are more likely to be hit with DOA parts with the mobo and PSU you picked out (and RAM is never a sure thing) than a prebuilt which actually gets tested at the factory.

Get one of the sub-$200 refurbs, like an E8400 Dell with 4 GB ram. There is one there now (maybe 2GB and 160 GB HD) with a 17" monitor for under $200.

^ This is also a good idea. Really good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...42&ignorebbr=1
$125 for a 3GHz C2D. Get 2GB DDR2 and you're set. If you really want to impress, add a 120GB SSD for $70.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-na-_-na-_-na
You're not going to do any better for ~$220, or even close to that price.

untitled.jpg
 
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nwo

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2005
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^ This is also a good idea. Really good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...42&ignorebbr=1
$125 for a 3GHz C2D. Get 2GB DDR2 and you're set. If you really want to impress, add a 120GB SSD for $70.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-na-_-na-_-na
You're not going to do any better for ~$220, or even close to that price.

untitled.jpg

I agree, you definitely can't do any better than that for $220. If you want to save 10 bucks on the RAM upgrade, here is some cheaper DDR2 667 RAM from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-66...words=2gb+ddr2
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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I agree with the others in this thread, get a prebuilt machine. At your price point, the cost of Windows itself will eat you alive. You wanting to built a machine is not a good reason to force that on your mom.