really low budget build

jlee1 · Dec 6, 2011

so i have some scrap change laying around and thought it'll be fun building a rig. funds are sub $300 range. i need this computer to surf the internet, stream net flix and play decent games Crysis(medium setting). I need everything including a monitor, O/S(I could use my copy of XP Pro but i would prefer 7), case and even speakers. the parts im thinking about are a Intel C2D cpu, Radeon HD6570ish gfx, at least 4gb ram, and a small capacity SSD. i would like to know what others would do with a budget similar to mine($300 max). any suggestions? im open to ALL suggestions.

lehtv · Dec 6, 2011

$300? If you want Win7, then that's $200. If you want a monitor, that's $100. No PC for you

Even if you kept your XP it'd be best to buy a prebuilt

Meghan54 · Dec 6, 2011

lehtv said:
$300? If you want Win7, then that's $200. If you want a monitor, that's $100. No PC for you

Even if you kept your XP it'd be best to buy a prebuilt

Win 7 $200? Where are you buying? Try $99 shipped from Newegg.

But, you're close to correct...it's going to be difficult to build a decent complete unit for under $300, incl. OS.

For instance, spec'ing a cheapie gaming unit with so-so parts gives me:

MicroCenter:

AMD Phenom II X4 830 Processor - OEM
SKU: 942466 $49.99

Biostar A780L3G AM3 760G mATX Motherboard
SKU: 140442 $49.99

Kingston HyperX blu 8GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) CL9 ...
SKU: 385906 $34.99

Thermaltake V3 Black Edition ATX Mid Tower Compute...
SKU: 497818 $37.99
$27.99
after Rebate
[Details]

LG 22x DVD±RW Burner with Dual Layer Support - OEM
SKU: 822379 $17.99

Total so far (no video card, ps, hd, OS, or monitor): $190.95

Now, video card......cheapest 6570 is this one.....for $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102934

OS.......Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit for $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

Still no power supply, but a decent one shouldn't cost more than $40 or so after rebate.

Hard drive is out there still.

So, so far with the MicroCenter parts and the Newegg parts, you've already spent $350.93.

Looks like you're going bargain used shopping..........

lehtv · Dec 6, 2011

Meghan54 said:
Win 7 $200? Where are you buying? Try $99 shipped from Newegg.

$300 - $100 = $200 left

With another $100 spent on the monitor = $100 left = not enough for a PC

bguile · Dec 6, 2011

That processer doesn't have a heatsink or fan, chip only. I believe theres another X4 at microcenter for 59.99 which does include heatsink fan though. (forgot the model #)

If he's a student couldn'nt he get a windows 7 upgrade discs for pretty cheap?

sm625 · Dec 6, 2011

http://www.ebay.com/itm/S134-DELL-O...0510910199?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item519c140af7

Core 2. Auction ends in 2 minutes lol. Less than $100 shipped. Can find similar deals I'm sure. I'd buy that and rip out the mobo and replace it with a $30 gigabyte or whatnot, and overclock that sob to 3.2GHz.

pcsavvy · Dec 6, 2011

Have you thought about LLano from AMD? It has integrated graphics and depending upon which LLano you got, you could game on medium settings. You could get a dual core and motherboard for less than $150 and throw in some ram for around $30-40. Get a tower with ps for around $50.
Just a thought.

Skott · Dec 6, 2011

Better off saving the $300 and once you double it to $600 then start shopping again. Just my suggestion.

RavenSEAL · Dec 6, 2011

Here is something I just posted on another thread.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161384

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171031

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.787568

TOTAL: $377 After rebates

You be able to play games OK, but you'll have to put down a windows license. Which you might be able to get really cheap if you're a college student or work for a big company.

ElFenix · Dec 6, 2011

windows and monitor and be able to play crysis on medium settings? not doable with new parts.

RavenSEAL said:
TOTAL: $377 After rebates

You be able to play games OK, but you'll have to put down a windows license. Which you might be able to get really cheap if you're a college student or work for a big company.

another $100 for a monitor

GoStumpy · Dec 6, 2011

paperwastage · Dec 6, 2011

GoStumpy said:
Linux or install Windows 7 for 30 day trial... rinse & repeat LOL

* rearm Windows 7 for 3-30day trials = 90 days

but basically, its near impossible to get a full computer set under your budget, especially with Windows 7. Look for used parts/combos to help

mfenn · Dec 6, 2011

Yep, it is damn near impossible to meet those requirements with new parts. You can probably find something halfway decent if you trawl Ebay, Craigslist, and FS/FT for a couple of weeks.

monkeydelmagico · Dec 6, 2011

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Pavilion...0910474022?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item3cbf79e326
$220- shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-E152FP...2283?pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item3cbf6fa32b
#35.- shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103193&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687 $55.- shipped

I blew the budget by $10.-

That's a tough price point for a complete system

jlee1 · Dec 6, 2011

GoStumpy said:
I'll bite.

Apex Case with 300w PSU $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811154088

ASRock FM1 Motherboard $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157277

A4-3300 Llano CPU $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103957

Rosewill Keyboard $6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823201028

Rosewill Mouse $6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826193042

Samsung Burner $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151252

4GB Corsair Ram $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145278

80GB WD Recertified HD $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136152

19" LCD Monitor $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009262

Total = $329

Linux or install Windows 7 for 30 day trial... rinse & repeat LOL

this is actually pretty damn nice. im planning on using my old gateway case, keyboard and monitor to save some money but looks like it can definitely be done. I was initially planning to buy older parts on the FS section, but after checking out microcenter and their llano deals, i may try to build something more recent. thanks for all the ideas guys!

ther00kie16 · Dec 7, 2011

Uh.... best bet is a $300 laptop deal.

If you must have desktop, you'll have to wait for one of those rare $100 refurb core 2 deals with Vista, which isn't so bad after SP1. Then, add $100 for psu & gpu. $100 for LCD. Maybe a little more on the gpu and a little less for a used LCD but I'd suggest against a used piece of high-tech I/O equipment.

mfenn · Dec 7, 2011

jlee1 said:
this is actually pretty damn nice. im planning on using my old gateway case, keyboard and monitor to save some money but looks like it can definitely be done. I was initially planning to buy older parts on the FS section, but after checking out microcenter and their llano deals, i may try to build something more recent. thanks for all the ideas guys!

Since you have a monitor, mouse, and KB, it becomes somewhat kinda doable on $300.http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103957 Take Stumpy's build, drop the monitor, mouse, and KB and you're at $237. Add Windows to that and you've only blown the budget by $37.

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really low budget build

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