Build/Buy a Family PC for < $300

Mooga · 01-21-2009, 12:20 AM

My family's main computer is a 2.8GHz P4 with Hyper Threading, and 1GB of DDR Ram. The HDD is having issues, the two optical drives should be fine.

The computer has been acting up for a long time now, re-installs don't do much.

I would like to build or buy a PC, but I only given a $300 budget. (Which I understand is a major problem)

The computer needs to run fine with 3 users logged in (using user quick switch). It also need at least 2GB of ram. Graphics are not an issue. While a dual core would be nice, I understand that this is probably impossible.

If it's a build, I will need to get a case. More then 2 sata would be nice, but I might be pushing my luck.

Thanks in advanced guys!

Credge · 01-21-2009, 01:12 AM

2 gigs of ram shouldn't be a problem as ram is super cheap now.

Here's a question. Are you looking to buy a new case, monitor, speakers, etc? If so, then this isn't really a possibility. If not, then you'll probably be able to do it no problemo on $300. Maybe just a tad over, but it's a very reachable goal.

Edit: Oh. I didn't read a part of it right. If you're going to be building your own, I don't think it's a possibility due to the tower. Lemme do some newegg searching. I'll post some results in a new post.

Credge · 01-21-2009, 01:15 AM

Real fast search results:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147095

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147111

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147074

Or, for just a list...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000007%204093&Desc ription=tower&name=$10%20-%20$25

Not that bad. Had no idea towers even went that cheap. I also started from the $50+ area. I'm pretty sure you can build one for $300 since you aren't looking for a graphics card.

Innoc · 01-21-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooga

My family's main computer is a 2.8GHz P4 with Hyper Threading, and 1GB of DDR Ram. The HDD is having issues, the two optical drives should be fine.

The computer has been acting up for a long time now, re-installs don't do much.

I would like to build or buy a PC, but I only given a $300 budget. (Which I understand is a major problem)

The computer needs to run fine with 3 users logged in (using user quick switch). It also need at least 2GB of ram. Graphics are not an issue. While a dual core would be nice, I understand that this is probably impossible.

If it's a build, I will need to get a case. More then 2 sata would be nice, but I might be pushing my luck.

Thanks in advanced guys!

So...a Hyperthreading CPU...safe to assume you're running with an AGP card?
What ATX version is your power supply? I can't remember offhand whether the HT CPU's were 20 or 24 pin. My gut says 24 but you should make sure.

Also, what make and model power supply?

I assume the CDROM Drives are IDE? That could also be a problem. ATAPI emulation has been dropping from newer ICH instruction sets so you may not be able to use an IDE/ATAPI device on the single IDE port that most boards will have...the fun part is that this is not always well documented and can be a genuine PITA to pin down.

Taking all of that into account you may be looking at the following:

Mobo 100.00
CPU 75.00
RAM 25.00
Video 35.00
HDD 65.00
PSU 65.00
DVD 35.00
S&H 45.00

DarkeN_HellspawN · 01-21-2009, 02:21 AM

and *bam* you have your new machine. barebones my dear friend. barebones.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=Barebone-Kits

dh

Bridget · 01-21-2009, 02:51 AM

Those items are OEM, meaning you'll be in a world of trouble if a part decides to stop working.

Mooga · 01-21-2009, 02:54 AM

I need a Computer. Screen, Speakers, Mouse, and Keyboard are already covered.
I would rather buld a new system rather then try to patch up the current one. All the hardware it too old to reuse. And the PSU is a POS I had to pick up and bestbuy and HAMMER into the case because the origonal PSU died. You can buy a sata DVD burner for under 30 bucks. Not an issue.

Innoc · 01-21-2009, 03:06 AM

300.00 is a terribly low target for a new PC without an OS. That's why I was listing out the price per component to build yourself. I was listing average prices off the top of my head using a source like Newegg. Staying under 300.00 is going to be rough considering you have shipping in that as well...which will chew up 30-60 of your stated budget.

Mooga · 01-21-2009, 03:27 AM

OS is also not an issue. I have a copy of XP and Vista that I can use.
Forgot about that

Innoc · 01-21-2009, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooga

OS is also not an issue. I have a copy of XP and Vista that I can use.
Forgot about that

That's why I mentioned without

**mervaka** · 01-21-2009, 08:22 AM

whats windoze?

Zatoichi · 01-21-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mervaka

whats windoze?

windoze is basic english... i used it the other day talking to kubedawg.

"yo kube windoze yo mamma get done workin on da corna?"

Mooga · 01-21-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkeN_HellspawN

and *bam* you have your new machine. barebones my dear friend. barebones.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=Barebone-Kits

dh

That's actually AMAZING. The $200 builds can easily be finish within $300. I think I might get one of the Intel systems because I've got the heatsink that came with my core2quad.

KubeDawg · 01-21-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zatoichi

windoze is basic english... i used it the other day talking to kubedawg.

"yo kube windoze yo mamma get done workin on da corna?"

>:O

Mooga · 01-22-2009, 12:14 AM

What do you guys think of this build?
No video card, but the integrated one is decent. It does have a PCIe (1.0, not 2.0) so it has room for a video upgrade.

Motherboard - $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131338

Processor - $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072

Case & PSU - $35.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147092

Ram - $42.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145195

Optical Drive - 25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171

Hard Drive - 59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136149

TOTAL ~$290

Can someone double check that the PSU will work with the motherboard and HDD/Optical Drive? Thanks!

Bridget · 01-22-2009, 01:25 AM

It works from what I've seen. If you're willing to risk it, you can overclock the board to accept 800 memory standard and go with these. You void the warranty and risk fucking over the board if you're a rookie at overclocking, so, it might not be worth it. Just a tip, I guess.

Mooga · 01-25-2009, 01:06 AM

Anyone else?

EDIT:
The Case/PSU is currently out of stock but they dropped the price on that and the CPU.

01-21-2009, 12:20 AM	#1
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	Build/Buy a Family PC for < $300 My family's main computer is a 2.8GHz P4 with Hyper Threading, and 1GB of DDR Ram. The HDD is having issues, the two optical drives should be fine. The computer has been acting up for a long time now, re-installs don't do much. I would like to build or buy a PC, but I only given a $300 budget. (Which I understand is a major problem) The computer needs to run fine with 3 users logged in (using user quick switch). It also need at least 2GB of ram. Graphics are not an issue. While a dual core would be nice, I understand that this is probably impossible. If it's a build, I will need to get a case. More then 2 sata would be nice, but I might be pushing my luck. Thanks in advanced guys!

01-21-2009, 01:12 AM	#2
Credge FF Loremaster Beta Tester Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 4 Times	2 gigs of ram shouldn't be a problem as ram is super cheap now. Here's a question. Are you looking to buy a new case, monitor, speakers, etc? If so, then this isn't really a possibility. If not, then you'll probably be able to do it no problemo on $300. Maybe just a tad over, but it's a very reachable goal. Edit: Oh. I didn't read a part of it right. If you're going to be building your own, I don't think it's a possibility due to the tower. Lemme do some newegg searching. I'll post some results in a new post. __________________ "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

01-21-2009, 01:15 AM	#3
Credge FF Loremaster Beta Tester Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 4 Times	Real fast search results: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147095 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147111 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147074 Or, for just a list... http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000007%204093&Desc ription=tower&name=$10%20-%20$25 Not that bad. Had no idea towers even went that cheap. I also started from the $50+ area. I'm pretty sure you can build one for $300 since you aren't looking for a graphics card. __________________ "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" Ronald Reagan

01-21-2009, 02:21 AM	#5
DarkeN_HellspawN FORUM ADM!N Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Sun Class/Position: O/D D/O - For life or death Gametype: 2fort Spectating Llama GD Ex. TALOS Sniper Affiliations: FF God, The Yellow Brotherhood Posts Rated Helpful 13 Times	Buy a barebones kit and use your windows OS from your current case......... and bam you have your new machine. barebones my dear friend. barebones. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=Barebone-Kits dh __________________ If you come across a great Yellow entity offering a yellow pill, take it. Its sunshine will grow in you stomach like a bowl of Sea Monkeys - The Great Yellow Book Page 8765 Ch. 194 -Section 3

01-22-2009, 12:14 AM	#15
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	What do you guys think of this build? No video card, but the integrated one is decent. It does have a PCIe (1.0, not 2.0) so it has room for a video upgrade. Motherboard - $49.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131338 Processor - $74.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072 Case & PSU - $35.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147092 Ram - $42.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145195 Optical Drive - 25.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171 Hard Drive - 59.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136149 TOTAL ~$290 Can someone double check that the PSU will work with the motherboard and HDD/Optical Drive? Thanks! Last edited by Mooga; 01-22-2009 at 12:19 AM.

01-21-2009, 02:51 AM	#6
Bridget Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Class/Position: Soldier Gametype: AVD Affiliations: TALOS Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	Those items are OEM, meaning you'll be in a world of trouble if a part decides to stop working.

01-21-2009, 02:54 AM	#7
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	I need a Computer. Screen, Speakers, Mouse, and Keyboard are already covered. I would rather buld a new system rather then try to patch up the current one. All the hardware it too old to reuse. And the PSU is a POS I had to pick up and bestbuy and HAMMER into the case because the origonal PSU died. You can buy a sata DVD burner for under 30 bucks. Not an issue.

01-21-2009, 03:06 AM	#8
Innoc Hitman 2 1 Actual Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: "Oscar Mike" Gametype: FPS or RTS (just say NO to MMO) Affiliations: Your Mom Posts Rated Helpful 8 Times	300.00 is a terribly low target for a new PC without an OS. That's why I was listing out the price per component to build yourself. I was listing average prices off the top of my head using a source like Newegg. Staying under 300.00 is going to be rough considering you have shipping in that as well...which will chew up 30-60 of your stated budget.

01-21-2009, 03:27 AM	#9
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	OS is also not an issue. I have a copy of XP and Vista that I can use. Forgot about that

01-21-2009, 08:22 AM	#11
mervaka A Very Sound Guy! Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts Rated Helpful 15 Times	whats windoze?

01-22-2009, 01:25 AM	#16
Bridget Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Class/Position: Soldier Gametype: AVD Affiliations: TALOS Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	It works from what I've seen. If you're willing to risk it, you can overclock the board to accept 800 memory standard and go with these. You void the warranty and risk fucking over the board if you're a rookie at overclocking, so, it might not be worth it. Just a tip, I guess.

01-25-2009, 01:06 AM	#17
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	Anyone else? EDIT: The Case/PSU is currently out of stock but they dropped the price on that and the CPU. Last edited by Mooga; 01-25-2009 at 06:20 PM.

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