sub $300 dollar pc!?

JacobJ

Banned
Mar 20, 2003
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OK...so I'm doing research on building a pc. I haven't built one in a couple years, so I don't know much about what hardware to get and its a bit overwheling trying to find stuff within this budget constraint...

however I just got myself a nice big dell lcd, and I want a system to go with it. AND I want it to cost me less than three hundred bucks.

What I want in the system:
DVI
as much ram as possible
no smaller than 40 gig HD
decent processor -- I'm receptive to overclocking
lan card
dvd player
decent looking, non flashy case

what I don't need:
don't need 3d -- I won't be playing games
don't need a cd burner, although if it fits no complaints
keyboard/mouse
monitor

This computer will be mostly used for programming / web development.

I know its possible!

Whats the best configuration?
 

Wall7486

Senior member
Sep 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

Not bad, but one problem you forgot to include the Windows operating system, its almost $100 for OEM version, so that'll probably go over the budget.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
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Originally posted by: Wall7486
Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

Not bad, but one problem you forgot to include the Windows operating system, its almost $100 for OEM version, so that'll probably go over the budget.

linux baby
 
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
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Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Originally posted by: Wall7486
Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

Not bad, but one problem you forgot to include the Windows operating system, its almost $100 for OEM version, so that'll probably go over the budget.

linux baby

unless he has a xp disc and 1-2 cpu code already to go

an all in one CD/DVD drive isnt all that expensive either, and you may as well go with it, bit of a daft idea going with just dvd rom only since for a few quid more you can have a drive that does it all
 

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1600366&enterthread=y

It's nice that you fit an EnerMax PSU in that build, but you got an $18 case with a floppy drive hole and no floppy drive.

*edit* ...and the motherboard you picked isn't compatible with the CPU you picked (not to mention the fact that PC Chips is the worst). The Sempron is 333FSB and you're putting it on a KT266 board. Maybe with a BIOS update you could run the CPU underclocked, but I doubt it.


Originally posted by: Wall7486
Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

Not bad, but one problem you forgot to include the Windows operating system, its almost $100 for OEM version, so that'll probably go over the budget.

The OP didn't say he needed an OS. Why are you assuming he does? It's probably a valid assumtion that he doesn't need Windows seeing as he's considering a $300 system.

Or is this one of those smart-ass-anti-piracy-passive-aggressive posts?
 

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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That's a hard budget to meet since you want DVI.

CPU: AMD Sempron 2200+ Retail $59 (ZipZoomFly)
mainboard: MSI KM4M-V REFURB $35 (newegg)
video: Asus GeForce4 MX4000 64M $32 (ChiefValue)
HDD: Western Digital 40GB IDE WD400BB $49.99 (ChiefValue)
RAM: Corsair 1 x 512MB DDR400 $41.99 (newegg)
CD: Sony CRX320E black combo $31.98 (newegg)
case: Foxconn 3GTW-02 black mATX $50 (ChiefValue)

That's $299.96 delivered.

If you don't want the refurb motherboard, you could look at something like this: mainboard: ECS KM400-M2 $38 (ChiefValue)

...but really, MSI is a good brand and all the $40 boards you'll find are by pretty terrible brands (except ASRock is pretty good since it's a subsidiary of ASUS), so I'd go with the refurb. You probably won't get an I/O shield with it, but if you're building it for yourself that's no big deal -- just a little extra ventilation in the back :). NewEgg accepts RMAs on refurbs, so you don't have to worry about anything, and you're getting a real brand.

If you could add another $37.50 to the budget you could upgrade to a 90nm Socket 754 Sempron with a retail NF3 board, which would add a lot of longevity to the system.
 

Chosonman

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: Tostada
That's a hard budget to meet since you want DVI.

CPU: AMD Sempron 2200+ Retail $59 (ZipZoomFly)
mainboard: MSI KM4M-V REFURB $35 (newegg)
video: Asus GeForce4 MX4000 64M $32 (ChiefValue)
HDD: Western Digital 40GB IDE WD400BB $49.99 (ChiefValue)
RAM: Corsair 1 x 512MB DDR400 $41.99 (newegg)
CD: Sony CRX320E black combo $31.98 (newegg)
case: Foxconn 3GTW-02 black mATX $50 (ChiefValue)

That's $299.96 delivered.

If you don't want the refurb motherboard, you could look at something like this: mainboard: ECS KM400-M2 $38 (ChiefValue)

...but really, MSI is a good brand and all the $40 boards you'll find are by pretty terrible brands (except ASRock is pretty good since it's a subsidiary of ASUS), so I'd go with the refurb. You probably won't get an I/O shield with it, but if you're building it for yourself that's no big deal -- just a little extra ventilation in the back :). NewEgg accepts RMAs on refurbs, so you don't have to worry about anything, and you're getting a real brand.

If you could add another $37.50 to the budget you could upgrade to a 90nm Socket 754 Sempron with a retail NF3 board, which would add a lot of longevity to the system.


You're recommending REFURBISHED parts?
Man all the criticism you give me you have the nerve. You're a joke Tostada.

And you recommend a 40 gig HD for $50.00 when you can get an 80Gig for the same price... If it weren't you I wouldn't be so pissed, but you're a serious joke... :|
 

RadiclDreamer

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
8,622
40
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Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Originally posted by: Wall7486
Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

Not bad, but one problem you forgot to include the Windows operating system, its almost $100 for OEM version, so that'll probably go over the budget.

linux baby

unless he has a xp disc and 1-2 cpu code already to go

an all in one CD/DVD drive isnt all that expensive either, and you may as well go with it, bit of a daft idea going with just dvd rom only since for a few quid more you can have a drive that does it all



Am i reading this wrong or do you think that since it says 1-2cpu it means that you can install it on more than one pc?
 

GuitarDaddy

Lifer
Nov 9, 2004
11,465
1
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Save up more money:D

If you truly have to stay under $300 bucks, try and find a decent used rig without a monitor. Anything you can build for $300 would be a waste of money IMO.
 

Chosonman

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2005
1,136
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Originally posted by: frx218
Chosonman your a dick.

Highschooler,

What your mom won't give you money to buy a new system so you have to troll around here to get you jollies?

What's the use of telling me that?

I come up with more constructive comments talking a dump.
 

frx218

Senior member
Apr 18, 2005
265
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There you go again making an ass of yourself.

No worries your still friendless.
 

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,789
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Originally posted by: Chosonman
You're recommending REFURBISHED parts?
Man all the criticism you give me you have the nerve. You're a joke Tostada.

I recommended them because they're good parts and NewEgg allows you to RMA refurbs if there's a problem. I also made a point of recommending a non-refurb alternative.

And you recommend a 40 gig HD for $50.00 when you can get an 80Gig for the same price... If it weren't you I wouldn't be so pissed, but you're a serious joke... :|

I guess I should just paste my last response to you:


Refurbished MSI parts are better than PC Chips parts any day.

I recommended the 40GB drive because I was keeping it within budget. You could get an 80GB drive with an 8MB cache for another $10. You could get a better CPU for $4. You could get a DVD burner instead of a CDR/DVD combo for another $15. I stayed in budget, though. I met all the requirements the guy had, and I did it with quality parts. I also did it with a nice-looking case and 512MB of Corsair instead of an ugly case and 256MB of Rosewill memory. Yeah, you tell me how great a Duron with 128K cache is on a PC Chips KT266A board compared to a modern Sempron on an MSI KM400 board.

All that, and mine was a few bucks less.

Anyway...

You guys should all check out Chosonman's other thread where he proves what an idiot he is. He actually claimed that he had built every system he recommended, and posted a picture of his NewEgg invoices that show he hasn't bought a single video card this year (even though he's built systems with X850's).

My prediction is that he'll change his story to say he does most of his shopping at places besides NewEgg (and that he somehow can't provide similar screenshots to prove that).
:)
 

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,789
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Originally posted by: doinmybestatlast
Dell more often than not

Originally posted by: Hanpan
One word:

DELL

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Dude, you're getting a Dell!

- M4H

Dell doesn't have $300 systems. Sure, they avertize that they do, but if you get their $300 system they charge you $100 shipping.

Also, I think the cheapest Dell with a DVI output is $862.
 

DanDaMan315

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2004
1,366
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Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Originally posted by: Wall7486
Originally posted by: Chosonman
Yes the budget system I posted meets your specs.

Not bad, but one problem you forgot to include the Windows operating system, its almost $100 for OEM version, so that'll probably go over the budget.

linux baby

Linux or H4cked Windows.
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
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bought couple of things from newegg over the years. no prob at all and it still qualify for a rebate.