PC under $500?

[matt20]

I am looking for a PC, preferably Intel, could be AMD. I don?t need monitor, OS, just PC so I can use it in the lab. I would prefer relatively decent motherboard, P4 over 2 MHz...
Could be the whole system or parts.
Sound and nic can be onboard, don?t need the latest features...
Could you please feed me in where I can find the best deals right now?

Thanks

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: matt20
I am looking for a PC, preferably Intel, could be AMD. I don?t need monitor, OS, just PC so I can use it in the lab. I would prefer relatively decent motherboard, P4 over 2 MHz...
Could be the whole system or parts.
Sound and nic can be onboard, don?t need the latest features...
Could you please feed me in where I can find the best deals right now?

Thanks

AT FS/FT

 

[charloscarlies]

If you check out the Anandtech guides they should give you a good idea of what you can build. If you don't need an OS or monitor you should easily be able to stay under $500.

I would definitely recommend a mobile barton setup, but you should be able to stay under $500 with a P4 rig as well.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Dell also has specials every week if you don't feel like building your own, or you want a legal Windows XP (of course you also can buy OEM Home and Pro for $90-145 at newegg.com)

 

[SneakyStuff]

Here's a list of parts all available at Newegg.com, I was considering building this exact system for myself because of the price.

CPU- Athlon XP 2600+
MOBO- Gigabyte
Memory- Crucial
Hard Drive- Seagate
Video Card- MSI GeForce 4 mx 440
Case- Antec

And the grand total should come to $431 including shipping

 

[SneakyStuff]

Here's also an alternative Intel setup, enjoy

CPU- 2.4 GHz Prescott
MOBO- Gigabyte
Memory- Kingston
Hard Drive- Seagate
Video Card- MSI
Case- Antec

Total cost = $460 shipped

 

[matt20]

Wholy Cow!!!
Did I say that you guys rock????

Thanksss! You made my day.

 

[matt20]

Sneaky:
Why Seagate HDDs?

 

[SneakyStuff]

Well, no reason in particular, I have the same model in my Dell, and it is very quiet, I just thought that for the same price (The Western Digital HD was also $60) I would reccomend something I have had experience with, and it has been a good experience for me

And as far as reliability goes, I own 2 Seagate drives, and both are in perfect working order, neither one has ever given me a problem, which is good because I don't back up my files as often as I should

 

[matt20]

OK. I was just wondering.

 

[SneakyStuff]

But of course Always better to ask. Which setup did you like better?

 

[big4x4]

If you have a fry's electronic store near you they have some pretty good deals for a comp/mobo. Right now they have an athlon 2500+/ and ecs motherboard for $79. Just yesterday I bought a 2500 and a kt600 for 119 =(.

CPU/Mobo combo - 79 (Frys also has one paired w/ an nforce 2 for a couple bucks more)
512 mb pc3200 (Corsair or Mushkin value ram) - 94
Decent case with PSU - ~ 60
HD - WD (got a 120 gb wd with 8mb cache for 69)
Video Card - ATI 9100 128 mb ( or 64 if you want to save money) - ~$50

That would put you at around the $350 mark. That would leave you with some money for some more upgrades

 

[daddiebigbig]

i would go to pricewatch.com they have good prices since you say dont need the latest features i configured what i like to call a word processing / interent / email or wie for short computer he it is

case $50
intel 2.4 prescott p4 $127
motherboard abit 875 intel chipset $96
wd 80 gig $70
dvdrom $30
512mb of ram pc2100 $58

this config only costs 430

most prices include shipping i recommend reading the store reviews and rember that ever store has some bad feedback. but if one has a lot of bad feedback issues i would stay away

 

[SickBeast]

dude, PC2100 ram won't cut it for a P4...

i would reccomend this:

-ABIT NF7-S $70
-AMD MOBILE ATHLON XP 2500+ $90
-ATI R9600PRO $100
-512MB PC3200 (SAMSUNG) $80
-120GB SATA MAXTOR 7200RPM 8MB CACHE HD $80
-SOME CASE $25
-ENERMAX 350W PSU $40

TOTAL: $485

if you have money to spare go for the R9800pro for an extra $100. your other option would be to use the ABIT NF7-M which has an integrated GF4MX that could tie you over until the new graphics cards are released, plus save you $100.

 

[matt20]

thanks guys.
Sneaky: I prefer your Intel setup, reason is that I never had AMD machine.
I never had Gigabyte motherboard either. So they are ok?

 

[daddiebigbig]

good point but hes just wants a internet email word processing computer so it should work i have bulit 3 sys with 2100 and a p4 it works just fine for Word interent and email

 

[SneakyStuff]

Originally posted by: matt20
thanks guys.
Sneaky: I prefer your Intel setup, reason is that I never had AMD machine.
I never had Gigabyte motherboard either. So they are ok?

My cousin just built a computer with a Gigabyte mobo, and they are as good as any other mobo out there, Gigabyte makes video cards as well, so they know what they're doing As long as you don't intend to be doing any hardcore gaming or overclocking that motherboard will work just fine in "the lab"