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


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

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB (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

NEC Black DVD Burner

Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply

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 or $11 more for the 3000+

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/Produc...82E16811116165

ASUS P4P800-MX Socket 478 Intel 865GV Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131504

Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819112196

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/Produc...82E16820145477

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106

LITE-ON Beige ATAPI / E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-167T BG - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827131416

$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]

Originally Posted by 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/Produc...82E16811116165 ASUS P4P800-MX Socket 478 Intel 865GV Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131504 Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819112196 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/Produc...82E16820145477 Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106 LITE-ON Beige ATAPI / E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-167T BG - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827131416 $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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.