Cheapest build possible (<$200)

1645 Views 24 Replies 19 Participants Last post by AJLarson, Mar 15, 2009

NotoTIP

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2009

I had a little accident and poured half a glass of water onto my Macbook over the weekend (don't drink and surf the internet), so now I need to build the cheapest machine possible to hold me over until the end of the summer. Basically, I want to be able to use the internet and Microsoft Office, and if possible play WCIII/CS 1.6 on it. I am not opposed to buying parts or the whole thing used either. Here is what I came up with:

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147058
Rosewill ATX Mid Tower: $49.99 - $10.00 + Free Shipping

HD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136195
80GB WD 7200RPM SATA: $33.99

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813185113
PC Chips (I've heard bad things but Newegg rated it highly): $39.99

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104951
FSP 300W: $24.99

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220231
Patriot 2GB DDR2 667: $17.99
Do you think 1GB would be enough or should I spend the extra $8?

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103221
AMD 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHZ (I had one in the past and OC'd it to 3.0GHZ on air): $39.99

CD/DVD Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827140029
HP CD/DVD Burner: 20.99

OS:
XP, already have it.

Total: $218.93 w/o shipping

I'd really like to bring this down to below $200 with shipping. Any advice?

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1 - 20 of 25 Posts

gerikoh

· #2 · Mar 3, 2009

uhm that cpu is only eom. you still need to buy a fan for it.

NotoTIP

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 4, 2009

I still have the stock fan from my 4000+. I'm figuring it's the same.

Nelson2011

· #4 · Mar 4, 2009

Get a single core

Slipp

· #5 · Mar 4, 2009

Define "cheapest"
When I think about cheapest running your PC in a cardboard with a fan or two comes to my mind. Save the $50 and get a dedicated graphics card

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conductor609

· #6 · Mar 4, 2009

Definitely get a better psu, that's the last thing you want to skimp on

Sacre

· #7 · Mar 4, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by conductor609

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Definitely get a better psu, that's the last thing you want to skimp on

Not if it only needs to last a little while...

You might want to look into buying refurbished machines. You can probably find a decent P4 (which will run WC3/CS1.6 just fine) for ~$200.

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xXkeyboardkowboyXx

· #8 · Mar 4, 2009

Use this case instead.

NotoTIP

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 4, 2009

3

Quote:

Get a single core

I won't have any issues with web apps or Office 2007 then? I'll be running XP so the OS isn't an issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slipp

View Post

Define "cheapest"
When I think about cheapest running your PC in a cardboard with a fan or two comes to my mind. Save the $50 and get a dedicated graphics card

Haha, the only issue with cardboard is I don't want to spill another glass of water and fry it all over again

.

Quote:

Definitely get a better psu, that's the last thing you want to skimp on

Is FSP a bad PSU? I had purchased one for my last rig and it's still going.

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MCBrown.CA

· #10 · Mar 4, 2009

Honestly, for $200 I'd just look for something used on CraigsList or somewhere local. You'll end up paying a considerable portion of your $200 on tax and shipping if you ordered the stuff.

NotoTIP

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXkeyboardkowboyXx

View Post

Use this case instead.

Ah, awesome find, thanks.

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northbayvallejo

· #12 · Mar 4, 2009

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811162044

has a 420watt psu

justadude

· #13 · Mar 4, 2009

FSP is a well known psu brand. should be solid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by northbayvallejo

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811162044

has a 420watt psu

edit: would trust it hands down over no name that came with a case.

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northbayvallejo

· #14 · Mar 4, 2009

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147010

justadude

· #15 · Mar 4, 2009

much better

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sgdude

· #16 · Mar 4, 2009

ram, 2gb dual channel 800mhz $20.99 (worth the tiny price increase over single channel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820161172
Antic Basiq 350w $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371013

EDIT: the above $37 case+psu would work fine for your needs.

DiHydrogenMonOxide

· #17 · Mar 4, 2009

My suggestion is to go to your local pc shop and see if they have any for sale. I know the pc shops by me have a whole bunch of referbs running linux that they have to sell to people that only need to surf the web and check email. Get one of those and upgrade what you need. PS If you haggle you can usually get much better deals.

Ruei

· #18 · Mar 4, 2009

Sucks about your notebook, but I agree that something like craigslist, ebay or a local store would suit you better in that price range. Also, you may want to check exactly what it is you fried with that glass of water - you never know. It might not be something impossible to fix.

sLowEnd

· #19 · Mar 4, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoTIP

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I won't have any issues with web apps or Office 2007 then? I'll be running XP so the OS isn't an issue.

No prob. Even P4's work fine with those things

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NotoTIP

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 4, 2009

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to go to the local comp store here and see what they have, otherwise I'll probably build it using that Rosewill case w/ the 350W PSU. It's more fun building it anyway.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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