Looking to build a low cost system- suggestions needed

[Freeze]

Hi. A friend of mine asked me if I can build her a low cost system. She basically wants to do some web surfing and email along with some light gaming (like the Sims). Now I have an ATX case at home not doing anything, so I thought I would donate it to the casue. It has a 235W PS in it. I am almost certain that a Duron system will not run without getting a new PS. So I guess that leads me to a celeron system. I have an old 300a that used to do 450 but will no longer. I was thinking about using that, but I don't think that it would be a good idea. I would prefer something a little faster, so she won't have to upgrade so soon. I am open to all ideas.

I was thinking this:
celeron 600, decent mobo, 64-128MB RAM (probably 64), maybe a V3 or GF MX, cheap sound card (like a SB 512 or maybe a Mx400), decent sized hard drive.

What are some decent low cost celeron motherboards? I would prefer to stay away from the 810s... Thanks for all your help. You guys never disappoint.

 

[Redwingsguy]

I dont think shed need to upgrade from 450 if all shes gonna do is play some lights games and surf the web, a 450 should be able to do for a while.

 

[Freeze]

Unfortunately, the 300 no longer does 450. Otherwise that would be awesome.

 

[ArkAoss]

hey i have a tyan trintity 400 oc's good, and a V3 2000 agp, and a 466 celery that'll do 525, but no higher, and 64 mb of ram, it's yours for 270 (i know its the wrong place sorry,)

 

[Freeze]

What kind of performance can I expect from the onboard video of the MSI 815E Pro or the Asus Cusl2 (I think that is the model)? Would she be able to play the Sims or would I have to get a better video card. I kind of like the MSI because it also has onboard sound (although not the best in the world). That will save a bundle of cash... Thanks

 

[Dulanic]

A 600 or so Duron will run off a 235 as long as you dont have a GTS and 2 hardrives or so in there. If you just have 1HD a CD-Rom and a MX it will run fine. Ive run a 900 T-bird with 3 HDs off a 250 with a GeForce DDR.

 

[Freeze]

That's interesting. I'll have to see if the PS is on the 'authorized power supply' list... If it is, I'd much rather go with an AMD system. Thanks for the heads up.

If in fact it is an ok PS, then what would be a good low cost mobo for the duron? I went with the Abit KT7, which is hardly low cost.

 

[techwanabe]

The two mobos you mentioned are both excellent. I don't know the specifics of the on board video, but I expect they are 3D with 8 megs. Check the game to see if that meets the minimum necessary to run it. regardless, as long as those have an AGP slot, you can disable the onboard video when you are ready to upgrade and get a Geforce 2 MX card. The Voodoo 3 is a good solid video card, and a great deal for under ~$75 nowadays, but for a little more, the Geforce 2 MX have more uptodate features and should be faster to.

You say that the Cel 300a can't do 450 anymore. Just what will it do?
Anyway, I just checked pricewatch.com and you can snag a new Celeron 600 starting for $70, a good deal anyway you look at it and pleny fast. 64 meg of RAM will run 95% of games out there and I sure it will suffice for SIMs too. Check the box to be sure.

 

[pm]

For cheap, you really need integrated everything. And this is fine if the user is just going to be surfing and playing 2D games. As long as 3D games are not an issue, then the integrated video on an i815e should work.

Celeron 600 (retail) $87
i815 motherboard w/ integrated video and sound $110
(like the MSI 6337)
64MB PC100 memory $40
10-15GB Maxtor/Fujitsu 5.4krpm HD $100
Floppy, CDrom, keyboard, mouse, speakers, Winmodem $100

...and you have the case. Everything for ~$450 - and these prices are from MWave.Com - not the cheapest you can find on pricewatch. I guess that I'd get 128MB since memory is so cheap and I'd get PC133 rather than PC100 since the difference is minimal.

 

[jaydee]

There are lots of people running athlons (and yes probably Durons) with 235W PS. Check out if you got a good, it just might do it. If it does I would suggest a Duron 600, on a Chaintech board, which has onboard sound, and video.

 

[Freeze]

Unfortunately, it is not on the list, as far as I can tell. It's a Sparkle SPI-235HA... Looks like I am going with a Celeron, unless someone knows for sure if this will handle a Duron. It is probably about 3 years old (came with a system I bought in early 1998). Only used for about 1.5 years though, I had bought a new case.

 

[hubbs]

Check on the amd website to see if your 235w p/s is compatitble w/a 600 duron. It just might be ok to use that.

 

[duragezic]

What about 128mb ram? I know she is doing very simple things but at the price ram is now, it seems worth it to just go for 128mb and not have to worry about it for a while. I'm not sure how much 64 to 128mb does as far as web surfing performance and loading up programs, but I can tell you that 32 to 64mb gives a huge increase in loading times. My sister has a computer with 32mb and man that sucks so bad to just load up a webpage, especially a complex one with lots of pictures.

It would be great to get the Duron but there is that chance that it won't work. Yes it's not on the AMD approved list but is that really that important anymore? From what I get out of it is that it was important for the Classic Athlons that were power hogs and not as important for Tbirds and especially Durons. Could someone clarify this?

 

[Howard]

Have a Duron running off 250W PS, no problems here.

 

[DDad]

This maybe be silly- why not a K6 & and cheap PC Chips M599lmr?
Pretty fair chance you can find both for under $125