I'm building a new cheap computer

[cpuloser]

I am building a very very very basic computer for my word processing and very basic gaming needs. I don't plan to spend over $100 on a processor or $100 on RAM (seperate). The only game I will play is Half-Life 1 on Steam. I don't want to spend more than $100 on any other part of my computer either. I am currently wanting either a Sempron of Celeron D processor. Please help me choose since I don't know much about them.

Thank you.

 

[justly]

what is your budget (total) and do you need everything including keyboard, mouse, monitor, software ect.ect. or do you have some things you might be able to reuse?

 

[cpuloser]

My total budget is around $400. I can reuse my TNT2 graphics card.

 

[TheOasis]

is it even worth it to make a PC for HL1? maybe you should save for like $700 then you can make a much better PC without a 4 year old GFX card

 

[cpuloser]

I see what you mean. This PC is replacing my Pentium 133. I got the graphics card as a gift that I never opened. And yes, I got it 4 years ago. The Pc isn't just for HL1. Most of my software requires MMX and my Pentium dosen't have it.

 

[cpuloser]

I thin I'll go with Celeron D. It seems good for what i do.

 

[TheOasis]

maybe like an athlon XP2400+ at $60, a good motherboard which name is slipping my mind right now - $60, 512mb PC3200 corsair VS CL2.5 - $63, 40GB WD IDE HDD- $45 - antec SLK3000 - $50, 16xDVD RW- $25, some random HSF for overclocking the 2400+ - $25, thats umm... $300 + windows = $400

sound good?

 

[cpuloser]

Sounds great, but i can't find vendors to buy the 2400+ at a reasonable price. i won't overclock though. bad idea when I overclock 386. lit on fire . I have Windows ME Full version that i never used too.

 

[cpuloser]

Which vendor sells 2400+ at a reasonable rice, say around $50-60?

 

[justly]

Originally posted by: cpuloser
My total budget is around $400. I can reuse my TNT2 graphics card.

If you need everything (monitor, keyboard ect.) $400 won't cut it, the monitor alone will be over $100, and an up to date opreating system like XP will double that (at least).

 

[Pciber]

codegen microATX case/ps
lite-on 52x burner
ascent HSF
maxtor 40gb 7200rpm drive
2x wintec pc2700 256mb DDR (512mb)
chaintech nforce2 mobo
AMD Sempron 2300+
Radeon 9200SE

thats $293.24, without a monitor, keyboard, mouse..

if you need it.. 17" monitor

 

[cpuloser]

I have a decent CRT and I will use Windows ME that i already have. i will also use my "new" TNT2

 

[Hajime]

If you've got a monitor, if you'd spend $400 instead of $300, grab the setups suggested here, except swap the mobo for a Chaintech VNF3-250 ($75-ish) and a Sempron 3100+ or Athlon 64 2800+ - should run in the $100 range.

 

[justly]

I doubt you can use that tnt2 card in a new motherboard.

 

[Pciber]

Originally posted by: cpuloser
I have a decent CRT and I will use Windows ME that i already have. i will also use my "new" TNT2

If you dont need the CRT, i'de spend the other 100 on Windows XP.. .windows ME sucks. ass.

 

[cpuloser]

Will Socket 754 Support Windows ME? I don't think it supports TNT2 either.

Currently, My computer will be either

AMD Athlon 2400+ or AMD Sempron 2300+ - 2600+
256-512MB RAM
40-80GB HDD
TNT2 Graphics or a better one for no more than $30 (excludes tax)

It is not a good gaming system, but I don't game often.

is Sempron better than Athlon XP?

 

[Pciber]

Originally posted by: cpuloser

is Sempron better than Athlon XP?

kinda.. go by the speed rating. A sempron 2300+ is better than an athlon xp 1700+, but worse than an xp 2600+, etc..

 

[cpuloser]

I haven't used my OS Disk or my Graphics card. I'll get Xp if ME is as bad as 95, but will settle for it if it is better than what I am currently using.

 

[nick1985]

PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Case $40

CD-RW $25

Hard Drive $51

RAM $65

Motherboard $54.50

CPU $75

Heatsink $13

Video Card $92

Grand Total: $415.50

Its going to be tough to beat this rig for the price.

 

[cpuloser]

I think XP 2400 is fine if I can actually find the processor online...

 

[cpuloser]

Actually, I'll go with XP 2500+

I see how everyone is pushing me towards XP and ATI Radeon 9000 series graphics. Which ATI model is a good but cheap model?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: cpuloser
Actually, I'll go with XP 2500+

I see how everyone is pushing me towards XP and ATI Radeon 9000 series graphics. Which ATI model is a good but cheap model?

see my suggestions in my post.

 

[cpuloser]

9600 is awsome. I see how that system is pretty good. I hope it runs Windows ME. I also hope my Pentium can support my TNT2

 

[cpuloser]

thanks everyone. i now see what i am going to build.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: cpuloser
thanks everyone. i now see what i am going to build.

can i ask what your final parts list looks like?