Second ever build, low end PCs

[djm227]

My first build was a computer for myself, which was around 7-8 years ago....so it's pretty old but it's held up pretty well. Therefore I'm a bit out of shape as far as building goes.

My dad wants me to build him 2-3 pcs..one for home and 1-2 for work. They do not need to be anything fancy, and they should not be expensive. All they use their computers for is standard productivity software (Excel, Word, etc.), internet/email, and a LAN. I figure, since their needs are so low, whatever I build him for home I will do the same for the business.

Since I haven't build a computer for so long I'm a little out of the loop as far as current standards go. The following is a rough draft for a parts list that I have put together so far. I would really appreciate it if someone could make sure everything on this list is compatible, and secondly if there is anything that I have on there that could be downgraded as to lower the total price. Right now it's around $475, which is more expensive than a low end Dell ....and if I can't get it down more they might as well just go with a factory built PC.

List:

Case
CPU
GPU
HD
MB
RAM
PSU
DD
Windows 7 (probably home addition)

Any help/advice would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

[quartet-man]

I have finally given up on pre-built computers. They are good for people who need the support and warranty, who want the deals on the lower end, and who just want to pick out something without customizing the parts better to their needs.

I did learn a bit with the Gateway I got in 2000 (on the phone with support and following directions while tearing into it :-) ), but when I went to update the power supply, I couldn't get one that fit. About a year ago, my Dell at work had problems. The motherboard and other parts are proprietary and expensive. The OS is tied to the computer. I suppose if someone buys a new one after the warranty ends or there's a problem, or wants somewhat of a throwaway device, it might be okay, but at this point I'm done. Now, if I didn't have PCMech, GLC and others here helping, I woukld have to or buy one built in local shops. Fortunately, I am not in that position.

[Tin]

You did your homework well. Heres the list I came up with, itll be faster and will run you about $50 more. It has a better CPU, 2x the memory, and a better case. The only area where it may not excel is the GPU, as this uses the on-chip GPU found in the processor. FWIW, the low-end PC market is pretty much cornered by the manufacturers, so in reality it would probably suit you better to go with a pre-built since youre looking to go as cheap as possible. Its when you get into the mid to high end segment that the value of home built really shows itself.

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115222

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131638

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231253

DVD-RW:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106333

[rwest]

using the cpu, ram and optical you selected:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811124126
enermax w/400w psu 59.99
Its not a top quality case but it will serve its purpose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131616
ASUS P5G41T-M 64.99
This MB uses onboard video and has a pci-e x16 slot if you want to upgrade later.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
WD Caviar Black 69.99

totals to 397.94

you could save 15.00 buy going with the hd you chose, or you could go with the green which is only $5 bucks more than the blue

You maybe able to get it down some more by going with an AMD builld.

I do agree with the 'Tin man' When it comes budget builds, it's hard to beat retail.

Realize; we haven't added in is the OS, peripheals. and monitor

[djm227]

Originally Posted by rwest Realize; we haven't added in is the OS, peripheals. and monitor

I forgot to mention that a monitor/keyboard/and mouse isn't necessary, as we are just replacing the computer itself. OS is a factor though, which will be Windows 7 (I prefer Ubuntu but they won't hear of it).

After reading your replies so far I'm leaning towards recommending pre-built...still not positive though. Any more input would be appreciated.

[Tin]

Even a budget prebuilt will do office stuff very good. There really is lots of savings to be had, some of them would probably even come with a monitor for a decent price. I picked up my brother a Q8200S desktop with 4GB of memory, a 640GB hard drive, and Windows 7 for $550 after tax and shipping. Office apps arent power hungry. At my workplace, we were running PII 350s up until a couple years ago. They ran office apps perfectly.

[rwest]

Cost wise, for a budget pc prebuilt is the best solution. The disadvantges are you get all the crapware on the the thing, and usually Norton or Mcaaffe. Which both are resource hogs and a pain the backside to remove. On the upside you wil get some free software, but today alot of the free software are trials anyway.

On a budget iits a tough call. My wife and I bought my daughter a dell for graduation, two years later the MB took a dive. But yet I've got a 7 year old Compaq that's beem upgraded and still kickin'. Dell's are known to be good, but all manufacturers have thier lemons. We ended up trying Dell again and got her a real nice Studio Slim for about 6 bills; came with a 3yr warranty, mouse and keyboard. She reused her speakers and Monitor.

It really is a crap shoot. Hp sometimes uses ASUS for thier MBs, and sometimes its some off-the-wall maker. I think GLC said Dell sometimes uses Foxconn for some of thier builds. I know I've seen at Walmart some budget PCs that you can't touch if trying to build, but garranteed; you're getting the bottom of the barrel. You probably could build a pc cheaper if you wanted to, but why risk it, if you're selecting your own parts. One of the things to recognize when trying to decide is: when building, and asking for suggestions, most of the time people are gonig to reccomend only quality parts for your build. So yeh, you could use that MSI board and it maybe okay. But the pro's here(the Mods), are gonna tell you don't -it's not worth the money you're trying to save. And I can attest to that. Just tonight I tossed an ECS board that woked when I put it away, tonight the sucker wouldn't even post!

[orbrit]

I buy exclusively Dell PCs and servers for my business clients- I support about 800 end users in 25 businesses.
The reason I choose Dell is supportability. The rare occasion that a part fails, I have the replacement on site the very next day, or sometimes sooner with servers.

I couldn't build the equivalent systems with OS and 22" pro series LCD for $660.
This also includes the 3 year NBD on site warranty.

[rwest]

I doubt you could get any where near that with HP. Even when we had our fist HP with the extended warranty, it was a huge pain the butt to get tech support. God forbid you needed a part replaced. I can only hope thier customer service got better. They've got an excellent support site, but, 'don't need a tech'.

[djm227]

Thanks for the help guys. I want to build it, but I think it will be smarter to go with a Dell so that is what we will do. Is it just me, or does Dell PC customization give you barely no options now? I'm trying to customize a Inspiron 560 on the site, but all the options are either cosmetic or software oriented. I remember back in the day you could choose HDD size, Ram amount, CPU type, etc. I must be doing something wrong.

[glc]

At the low end, the best reasons to build instead of buy are quality control and customization. You aren't going to save any money, but you are going to be building a better machine.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by djm227 ...does Dell PC customization give you barely no options now?...I' I must be doing something wrong.

You are. I did the exact same thing and went thru the exact same thought as you,when we got the Studio for my daughter.

It's the link. for some reason (I never figured it out) the page your on doesn't take you to the customization section. Try going to thier home page and getting there another way. I don't remember how I finally got to it. But I do remember being in your situation.
Good luck.

[orbrit]

I think there are more customization options in the small business site.
I stick with the optiplex range as they have proven to be the most reliable. Try the links to Dell deals.

[glc]

If you are looking for a business type machine, definitely use the small business site, not the home site.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by djm227 Thanks for the help guys. I want to build it, but I think it will be smarter to go with a Dell so that is what we will do. Is it just me, or does Dell PC customization give you barely no options now? I'm trying to customize a Inspiron 560 on the site, but all the options are either cosmetic or software oriented. I remember back in the day you could choose HDD size, Ram amount, CPU type, etc. I must be doing something wrong.

It is never ever smarter to go with a Dell. Their new systems are worse than ever, we are seeing them in the shops by record numbers, people are paying us to fix them while they are still under Dell Warranty because Dell Customer Support have become worthless.

If you know how to use a screw driver, you can build your own PC, the Smarter thing to do is build your own!

[Nikon]

this bit here is before i read all of the posts following the 1st build list.

that mobo does not have video, it wouldnt matter if you put a clarkdale cpu in it, without a video card you will have no video, the description of that mobo is extremely misleading. no p55 asus board has onboard video afaik.

this is after i read more...

@above post, wow an addbot... sigh...

@rest i dont like dell at all, i have worked on plenty, and they are just mediocre at best imo. only go dell if you want an alienware gaming laptop and have 3 grand you dont want.

more on topic than dell: i agree it is difficult to make the decision on prebuilt vs custom on a super tight budget. if your looking to go prebuilt, i recommend frys electronics. they are 'kind of' prebuilt. they are custom assembled to order from pre selected parts, same concept as dell, but much better. i have owned and used several of these without problems, and the one time i had a problem they were very good about replacing the whole thing free of charge (except for shipping)

[glc]

@above post, wow an addbot... sigh...

Taken care of.

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