VERY cheap PC

[Winnipesaukee]

I need to build/buy a REALLY cheap computer (have monitor/OS) for my grandmother lol. It has to be under $350. Is that even possible? It just needs to be able to go online.

So far, I need a cheap case. What's a good case/PSU combo out there? The really inexpensive cases are like Rosewills come with terrible PSUs. I dont know, can anyone reccomend one?

Thanks

[rspassey]

If you are interested, Dell has some very well priced Budget PCs, that will do exactly what you want (go online). They start for 299$ and are configurable, but as far as I know they come with monitors also.
This one should do the trick (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DB110B&s=dhs)


EDIT - just noticed you can choose without a monitor and save 50$.. plus, there is a 90$ rebate on the 458 price.

[12twelve12]

I just built this last week. It was my first build and it was easy and cheap. The motherboard has good onboard video and audio. There is a PCI Express slot if you want to upgrade to a great video card in the future. I built this for my kids and they love it. No problems at all.

Total $336 (no OS)

MSI RS482M-IL Socket 754 Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130526)

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819104245)

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145477) (I actually got Kingston memory for this system but I would get the Corsair if I was to do it over again)

Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822135106)

NEC Black DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058)

Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150)

Hope this helps. It's a great budget system with good upgrade options. Also look at Zipzoomfly.com for price comparison. I love Newegg but I was able to save about $30 using ZZF and their free 2 day FedEx!

EDIT: for just $43 more you can go with the 3400+ Sempron CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104231) or $11 more for the 3000+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104241)

That is all :)

[MakeYourslf2012]

Dell does have some great options that are really hard to beat. With a budget like that, it would probably be best to check them out.

[flawedreality5]

My grandparents have an Emachine and it's never let them down. I'd say either an Emachine or a low end Dell. Dell usually offers amazing rebates as Ryan pointed out.

[ktkendall]

The Dell's are hard to beat in the low end PC category..

[glc]

Okay - let's see what we can do with a cheap build with quality components -

Enlight EN-7250-ORZ Beige 0.8mm thick SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 300W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811116165

ASUS P4P800-MX Socket 478 Intel 865GV Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131504

Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112196

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB (2 x 256MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145477

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

LITE-ON Beige ATAPI / E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-167T BG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131416

$314 shipped - the $36 left over should be able to get you a keyboard, mouse, and speakers. The quality will be higher than a Dell B110 but the CPU is slower - if that really makes a difference here.

EDIT - if you need a modem, don't go TOO cheap, crappy Winmodems can be problematic.

[12twelve12]

Okay - let's see what we can do with a cheap build with quality components -

Enlight EN-7250-ORZ Beige 0.8mm thick SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 300W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811116165

ASUS P4P800-MX Socket 478 Intel 865GV Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131504

Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112196

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB (2 x 256MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145477

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

LITE-ON Beige ATAPI / E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-167T BG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131416

$314 shipped - the $36 left over should be able to get you a keyboard, mouse, and speakers. The quality will be higher than a Dell B110 but the CPU is slower - if that really makes a difference here.

EDIT - if you need a modem, don't go TOO cheap, crappy Winmodems can be problematic.

Good system but I think I still rather have the one I spec'd out above. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the ATI 200 onboard video better than the Intel onboard? Plus the MSI mobo has a free PCI Express slot...the intel board doesnt.

But obviously if your looking to save on every cent possible then glc's system is way to go to save $20 or so.

[glc]

I simply offered an Intel alternative to your AMD system - we all have our opinions but I personally feel the Intel would be more stable. I don't think the onboard video quality is going to affect the use of this machine in the least.

[Winnipesaukee]

Thanks for all the quick responces guys. I like the setup glc suggested, and I think I'm going to do that (first I have to convince her that I wont burn the house down if I build it myself. haha).


Thanks so much.

[12twelve12]

I simply offered an Intel alternative to your AMD system - we all have our opinions but I personally feel the Intel would be more stable. I don't think the onboard video quality is going to affect the use of this machine in the least.

Yes I know glc...I didn't mean anything by it. I was just pointing out some of the differences so that he could make a better decision. I think the system you outlined is a very good budget option. I hope you didn't misinterpret the post.

[glc]

Not at all - and I hope you didn't misinterpret mine either.