Super Budget Build?

Yelf

Member
Jan 30, 2002
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Hopefully this is the right spot for this.
I've got some DDR2, a TB HD, DVD burner, and a PS. I'd like to get a MB, CPU, and case for a cheap media streamer/file server. Looks like AMD is gonna be best bang for buck. Like to stay ~$150. My only prerequisites are DDR2, onboard video, and gigabit NIC.
Found a $34 shipped Rosewill case @ Newegg, the Foxconn A76ML-K looks like good choice, and maybe a AMD Athlon II X2 255 Regor 3.1GHz for $63. Could go to a AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz for $73. The AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz is $90 which is pushing the $ in "budget".
Any better bang for buck parts I should consider or avoid?
 

formulav8

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2000
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Newegg has an oem Dual Core Callisto 545 for $69 (Last time I looked) if your wanting lots of L3 cache. But that TriCore would prove to be a better buy in the end. A 785 based mobo would probably be the best option for onboard video. It includes an updated video engine over 780 based chipsets IIRC.

Honestly though, for a simple fileserver/streamer computer even a single core Sempron could probably handle it just fine. I guess if it was me, I would get the cheapest dual core I could find. :)
 
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themillak

Member
Feb 2, 2011
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856119031 is a little nettop for $140, byo ram + hd (edit: apparently it can only take 2.5" hds). If you're looking for something that could double for a mini htpc. It's not too expandable but if you just want to pop your ram and hd in and stream from it or use it for a diy digital picture frame its great.
 
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nyker96

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
5,630
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but a x4 620 for like $65 off ebay used. great deal for a nice little chip.
 

Texashiker

Lifer
Dec 18, 2010
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but a x4 620 for like $65 off ebay used. great deal for a nice little chip.

Yep, that is hat I'am using in may main system - the amd 620 X4. The AMD Athlon II X4 640 ranges around the $100 mark.

Then there is pricewatch.com - click on cpu+motherboard combos and pick the price range your looking for. Portatech has a biostar motherboard + amd 640 for $149.

Tigerdirect has lots of good sales on barebones systems - sign up on their mailing list to get daily updates.