Cigaro

I am in England, so prices will be in pounds.
After a very long story of moving from America and losing absolutely everything computer wise that I own, I need a new computer build.
Unfortunately, first comes a much less talked about computer type round here.


The Budget Computer

Oh dear. No one likes these. I would like to start by saying there is a budget of only £150. No more is applicable, I'm sorry that there is no fun thing to play around with on this build but I am in desperate need of a desktop, for this amount of money.
If it helps, I have a 280GTX laying around, 2X2GB 800MHz RAM from crucial (Ballistix) PC2 6400. I also have 3 more 1GB chips of RAM that are the same type, but 666MHz each. I would guess that the GPU is unusable with most of the possibilities going through the reader's head, so none of the spares I have listed need to be used. I have attached some photos of the amount of space I have (Pretty big desk) and the current computer I am using (A very basic and slow Optiplex GX280 from Dell.

Although we all hate pre-builds, I'm sure this is an exception. I would love a monitor included in this £150, but that is a ridiculous ask so I'll leave that request out.

If anyone cares to suggest something, just leave me a link and I'll look into anything you find. I am going to be using Ubuntu on this (of course) and I have keyboards + mice and those little extras. Don't bother with speakers either.


P.S. apologies if I have posted this in the incorrect section.


Thank you in advance if anyone spares any time on my little cry for help, I have been unsuccessful in finding anything so far, so maybe a cheapy coupon could help, if someone has one laying around that is unusable beforehand due to having to buy a cheap pre built.

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nolonger

Can you pull out the HD from that Dell? Can you run Caseless?

I think you just might be able to build a system with £150 in case both above are possible. You'd use your 2x2GB and GTX 280 in this build.
Foxconn A78AX-K
Athlon II x2 240
Corsair VX 450W

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Cigaro

I have a spare HD, 120GB, and another one that's only 40GB, and one 500GB. The 500GB is going with the current case elsewhere, I can run caseless however.
Thanks for the attempt by the way .
I have the problem of a monitor and the lack of a case atm, I have never run anything caseless so if there are any tips you can offer?
Ignore the monitor for now.


In other words, I have a spare HD yes, and I am willing to run caseless if someone gives me some advice.

nolonger

Well I'd get something to put the motherboard on, like a piece of wood. Make holes for the standoffs and stuff. If you can't get ahold of a piece of wood I guess a cardboard box would do.

I've never run caseless myself, but that's what I've seen people do.

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bryce

As for running caseless, here's what I do.

Motherboard box. Plain and simple. I just simple set mine on the box no mods to it or nothing. Been like that for a few months.

Might I ask why you wouldn't want to use the spares you have? You could put together a pretty nice rig with the spares and all.

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Cigaro

Because it may not fit in some suggested rigs that people have in mind, seeming as you need something that can fit the 280GTX and some other problems... I have never even seen a proper caseless rig, have you got a picture for reference?

EDIT:
Additionally, can someone link some suggestions, or just find some links for the above suggestions that are in GBP, £, so that I can be assured this is £150 or under... All I get from google is a load of U.S stores.

Cigaro

I have found this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-Precision...d=p3286.c0.m14
It is a precision GX380 from dell for £150 (inc p&p). Would you recommend the caseless proposal, or would this be safer?

nolonger

I'd look around some british stores for the prices. I forget where I got those, but I'm pretty sure it was around £150-160. As for the pre-built, I wouldn't get that as I don't think you can upgrade with that, ever.

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bryce

Here's my caseless rig, I've only got the gtx260 but about the same. What do you mean "I have never even seen a proper caseless rig" o.O. There's tons of them in the showoff thread and all, just look for em.

Sorry for the darkness, hope you can see it good.

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Cigaro

That helps alot, cheers
I mean I never seen a proper caseless rig because I generally don't look into case mods and the such, more interested in the specs and overclocking side of this forum. I wanted a reference point as well . Thank you for the picture.