$300 build?

[linguapura]

Okay, just talking strictly the box, no peripherals, no keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. What is the best build I can put together for $300? I am looking for just a case, PSU, CPU, Mobo, and memory. Preferably I would like integrated sound, graphics, and ethernet on my mobo. I have an extra HDD to go in the box, but if I could squeeze an optical drive in that would be nice too. I am looking for the fastest system I could put together in the set price range. Any suggestions?

[blue60007]

$300? We can't recommend building a computer for $300. Even if we suggested low quality parts and cut corners, it would still be difficult to do. I think you will be better off getting a $300 Dell.

[doctorgonzo]

I agree. $300 is just not enough for a good homebuilt system. Dell is your best bet.

[rspassey]

I just picked up the latest Maximum PC issue, and it has a guide on how to build a 300$ PC... here are the specs it lists: (total price was 310$)

AMD Sempron2800+

MSI RS480M-IL

Generic 512mb PC3200 RAM

80GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA

Lite-On 16x Double Layer

Generic ATX Case

Ubuntu Linux

They say "this 300$ PC can perform 98% of the tasks that most non-gamers (and here I suppose other people who do video editing, etc - which are demanding) use their computers for"

If you go with this build, I woul recomend picking up the magazine because it details how to get around a little Ubuntu issue with the onboard video.

[linguapura]

Originally Posted by ryan124712 I just picked up the latest Maximum PC issue, and it has a guide on how to build a 300$ PC... here are the specs it lists: (total price was 310$) AMD Sempron2800+ MSI RS480M-IL Generic 512mb PC3200 RAM 80GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA Lite-On 16x Double Layer Generic ATX Case Ubuntu Linux They say "this 300$ PC can perform 98% of the tasks that most non-gamers (and here I suppose other people who do video editing, etc - which are demanding) use their computers for" If you go with this build, I woul recomend picking up the magazine because it details how to get around a little Ubuntu issue with the onboard video.

Yes this is something like what I am looking for. This PC will not be used for gaming. It would be used for graphic editing, web design, etc. The only thing I would be worried about in that list would be a good power supply.

[bailey]

the best I can do in short order is this

intel motherboard box915gevl
onboard sound, video, and lan $102.00

intel prescott 506 p4 2.66 gig. $119.00

corsair memory 512 ddr2
cm2x512a $103.00

total price of $324.00 plus shipping

or you could use a celeron D 326 2.53 Ghz for $76.00 and lower the price

this will give you a very fast system and one that can be upgraded as time will allow.
all parts are from newegg.

[786ARS]

have you got another comp you can salvage parts from?
iff yes, then it should make it much easier.

[linguapura]

Originally Posted by 786ARS have you got another comp you can salvage parts from? iff yes, then it should make it much easier.

Yes, I have various miscellaneous hardware around. I even have an extra stick of corsair 512 MB DDR PC3200 memory to use. I have an extra HDD but it is only a 40 GB seagate 7200 Barracuda. I could use more space then that, but that could come later. Mainly I need a case, processor, motherboard, optical drive, and PSU. I have everything else I need.

[pam123]

Go get the January 2006 edition of of MaximumPC they've come up with a very viable option.
Okay theirs is $310 and it runs Ubuntu LINUX (free) and a has a free stick of Ram and a case/psu they found on sale for $30.
Now you know.
So either turn yourself into a sale shopper/parts scavenger or face up to the fact that you'll have to spend a bit more.
Still that article is good for inspiration and might give you a few ideas.

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by pam123 Go get the January 2006 edition of of MaximumPC they've come up with a very viable option. Okay theirs is $310 and it runs Ubuntu LINUX (free) and a has a free stick of Ram and a case/psu they found on sale for $30.

Yeah, that is where I got the parts listed in my post above I love that magazine.

[linguapura]

Originally Posted by pam123 Go get the January 2006 edition of of MaximumPC they've come up with a very viable option. Okay theirs is $310 and it runs Ubuntu LINUX (free) and a has a free stick of Ram and a case/psu they found on sale for $30. Now you know. So either turn yourself into a sale shopper/parts scavenger or face up to the fact that you'll have to spend a bit more. Still that article is good for inspiration and might give you a few ideas.

Seems like a good deal for $310. Now all I need to know is where they found that stuff at that price. I have been looking around like crazy, and by scavenging and bargain shopping I have come up with a similar setup...

AMD Sempron2800+ $75.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...iliate=bizrate

MSI RS480M-IL $78.50
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...iliate=bizrate

Lite-On 16x Double Layer $45.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=173830

Raidmax Scorpio 868 ATX868WUP Mid Tower Gaming Case (Blue) Retail
w/420W Power Supply $44.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=168087

Western Digital WD Caviar WD800JD 80GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive $54.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...ductCode=16808

Total cost including taxes: $322.38

As for an operating system, I run linux on most of my machines already. I prefer open-source operating systems most of the time. I also have a copy of XP pro which I have tweaked using Nlite, stripped all the unnecessary services, bundled packages, spyware, etc. while integrating all the current updates. So OS is not an issue. The only thing I worry about with the above parts is the case/psu. I am not good at picking cases or PSUs and from what I understand, cases never come with good PSUs.

It might be worth picking up the magazine too though, considering they had pretty much the same stuff listed for slightly cheaper and threw in an extra stick of RAM. I have extra RAM already but you really can't have enough memory. More is better. Does anyone know what vendor the magazine cited for the deals on that $310 PC? I'd like to check it out and calculate it after tax and shipping and compare it with my list...

[linguapura]

Okay, I think this is the best I can get for my money:

Barebones kit: Includes an AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Processor
Mid Tower Case with Viotek 550W Power Supply. Holds 4-5.25" Drives 2-3.5 Exposed 5-3.5 Hidden Drives. Front USB
MSI K8MM-VS with VIA K8M800 Chipset
Realtek ALC655 6-Channel AC'97 CODEC 100% Sound Blaster compatible sound card
Accepts DDR 333/400 Memory
4x Or 8x AGP Video Slot
Serial ATA (SATA 150)
3 PCI Slot For Expasion
PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Ports
6 USB 2.0 Ports, 9 Pin Serial One 25 Pin Parallel - Lan
http://3btech.net/newamdat64d3.html $259

Lite-On 16x Double Layer $45.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=173830

I have: 512 MB DDR PC3200 and a 40 GB Seagate Barracuda HDD available already...

So I can have an Athlon 64 system running for $328.50 after taxes. Anybody see any problems with this build?