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Need to build a $300 PC for Mom (Email, web browsing)

ArmchairAthlete

ArmchairAthlete

Diamond Member
Well my Mom moved out, so now she needs her own computer, but the budget is only $300. The PC will only be used for stuff like simple web browsing, and email. I've got experience building gaming rigs, but haven't the slightest idea about what to get for a budget PC like this. I do think it's possible to build a PC that'll be OK at web browsing for $300, a few parts I already have.

It'd take some time to research exactly what to get, so I figured I'd post this in hopes that someone has built a PC like this recently and would quickly post what parts they bought. After I post I'm going to look around some.

Parts needed:

Case
PSU
Hard Drive
Mobo (onboard video and sound would be a plus)
CPU
Ram

As for where to buy the stuff, I'd really like to get it all at Newegg but am willing to shop around since this is such a tight budget.

Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading.
 
Up until a couple of weeks ago, my wife used a k6/300 for web browsing, Word, Excel wiith no complaints. I honestly didn't notice that much difference between her system and my Athlon 2400+ ! Heck, I'd sell you the box for $50 if you were local but you should be able to find similar deals in your area. Your biggest budget item may be a new monitor. I'd rather scrimp on speed than readability.
 
Antec 3700 Case w/ PSU - $65
WD 40GB - $67
Asus A7N266-VM AA (nForce1 w/ GF2MX graphics & onboard sound) - $66
Duron 1.3 Retail w/ HSF - $44 (get an XP1700 OEM if you already have the HSF)
Apacer 256MB PC2100 (Infineon) - $43

Total - $285

Not too bad for the price but if it's truly only for web browsing and MS Word, you could get an OLD used PC for next to nothing that would get the job done.
 
dammit i had a gr8 computer all made up but i tink the forums were down for a few minutes and everything ogt deleted

anyway i went on newegg and got a 20 dolalr case w/ 300w power supply, a shuttle mb with onboard gf4 mx400 and onboard sound, 30 gig HDD, amd 2600+, 256 kingston ram pc2100 (i thnk)


this came to exactly 300


shave off money by downgrading processor


and also dont u need a modem or keyboard or mouse or cables?
 
Looks like you've got floppy drive, CD drive, kb, mouse, and monitor?

So you could just do a cheapy $70 AMD 2000+ w/ ECS MB. 256MB DDR PC2700 about $40. Cheap case w/ PSU ~$30-40. Leaves about $150 for hdd, shipping and tax, if you end up paying it. Shouldn't be too bad, assuming you have those parts already.
 
How about one of those Wallmart Lindows boxes? those are under 200$

LINK

it leaves you 100$ to get a monitor & she's all set. 🙂
 
The illustrious PC Chips line has the perfect product for you, my friend. Duron 1600+ with HSF, integrated sound and video, $75. Add the aforementioned ram ($43), 30GB Maxtor ($50), and an Enlight case w/300 watt PS ($40), and you barely break $200.

Spend the extra on things that really matter to a user like that -- namely a UPS and a good keyboard and mouse.
 
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