Really Cheap Build

[setme31]

I need to build two PCs for my father in-law. They are only going to perform math calculations, and some MS Office assignments. He wants them to be reliable, yet inexpensive.

He already has monitors, keyboards, and mice.

Here is what I have come up with so far.

Case
Antec SLK1600 ATX Case ........... $59.99

Motherboard
Asus A7N266-VM AA ............... $72.99

Processor
AMD Duron 1.2GHz Socket A PGA Processor ................ $38.00

Hard Drive
Western Digital EIDE 20 GB 7200 RPM Model WD200BB ..... $65.00

RAM
Kingston KVR266x64 C25/128 128 MB DDR PC2100 ........... $43.99

CD
Sony 52x Max EIDE Internal Model CDU5211 .................. $27.00

Floppy
Teac 1.44 MB 3.5 Inch Model # FD235HFC291 .................... $9.00

TOTAL ................. $315.97

Is there anyway to knock down the price a little, and still stay with reliable components?

Also, what kind of fans do you recommend (how many)? I don't think the case comes with any. Is all of this compatible?

This is my first build, so thank you for your help.

Scott

[Jenni]

I can't really see any way to get lower than that and still use good parts. My only question, does that board have onboard video? I don't think you'll want to reuse whatever he has, lol.

[Kubie]

setme31,
You should install a exhaust and intake fan in the case.
Carl

[setme31]

Yes, it does have onboard video and audio. Here are the specs.

Super Deal! Asus A7N266-VM AA (AMD Assured Version) NVIDIA nFORCE 220 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Motherboard Micro ATX- Retail
Socket A AMD Duron, Athlon, and Athlon XP up to 2100+
nForce 220D
FSB:266/200 MHz
Slots:3x PCI 1xAGP PRO 4x
Onboard LAN:10/100 Mbps
AC97and Dolby Digital (AC-3) Encoder Audio
Nvidia Nforce GeFORCE2 Video

[Jenni]

I thought that looked like an nForce part number, but I wasn't sure. My only suggestion would be getting at least 256 megs of RAM (I realize DDR is expensive) and looking at the Duron 1.3, because usually it is only a few dollars more than the 1.2.

[Computer Hobbyist]

For your purpose it is a pretty good system. Not very expensive, and you are using pretty good parts. It won't blow anybody's doors off, but it won't embarrass you either. BTW I wouldn't call your system cheap. Cheap implies a lack of quality that your system doesn't exhibit. Get more ram. Did you say what OS you will be installing?


CH

[Cricket]

Originally posted by setme31 Is there anyway to knock down the price a little, and still stay with reliable components?

It'll be pretty hard to drop the price without giving up reliability. I'd stick with the parts you've listed.

Originally posted by setme31 Also, what kind of fans do you recommend (how many)? I don't think the case comes with any. Is all of this compatible?

You'll need 2 80mm case fans, one for the intake and one for the exhaust. Sunon is a good brand that is fairly easy to find.

Cricket

[setme31]

Thanks for everyone's help.

I will look into buying more memory. I might build it first, and see how fast it is. I'll play with it from there.

These machines are going to be hooked up to solenoids, and performing measurements on them. speed, temp, etc..

As soon as they are built and tested, they will be shipped to China for the life of them.

Hobbyist, we will be loading 98 SE.

[jhflau11]

I have an nforce based motherboard and would also suggest getting more memory. The onboard video will take 32MB to use itself. Also, what OS do you plan on installing?

[setme31]

Windows 98SE

[morriswindgate]

One of the ways to reduce the cost in building is to plan ahead. For instance I have a 30 gig Maxtor setting in the box at home, after rebate at Office Depot it was $49.99. Before that I had purchased an 80 gig that after rebate was $79.99. Here lately PNY memory has had decent rebates at Office Depot and OfficeMax has had great rebate deals on Kingston RAM and CD-RW and DVD drives. I tend to look at the Sunday ADs each week with the idea of getting this stuff for future builds. Also Office Depot, in my area at least, tends to put marked down stuff out on a table in the store. Not to long ago I walked in and got four Microsoft Internet Pro keyboards (unopened boxes) for $9.99 each, and these usually sell for above 30 bucks.
Also every once in a while surf over to www.justdeals.com and check out the motherboard, sound, networking, and video sections to see what they have. I recently purchase 4 ABIT KG7- RAID Socket A motherboards for $47.77 each. They have the older AMD761 chipset, but it was the most stable of the AMD system chips and the performace is just as good as anything out there. But 6 months ago these boards were above $120.00.

[jhflau11]

The nforce was really designed for win2k/xp. So make sure you get the win98 drivers for it. nforcershq is a forum for nforce based boards.

[setme31]

Can anyone suggest a better motherboard? (Same price range $73.00)

I don't care about the quality of video or sound. We will most likely run windows 98 SE.

Thanks,
Scott

[snix]

The Shuttle AK35GT2 is currently only 72 dollars at newegg. I have one and it was a breeze to setup. Performance has been stable as well.

[RobH]

Originally posted by jhflau11 The nforce was really designed for win2k/xp. So make sure you get the win98 drivers for it. nforcershq is a forum for nforce based boards.

I built one of these boards and used w98se on it,only difference is the drivers are installed in a more methodical way,just read the readme on the disk that comes with the board-w98 drivers are with it,and not hard at all to install-hth

[KHT]

you may want to check out www.mwave.com for RAM, hard drives too for that matter. go to the online catalog under memory

i`ve used the mwave brand ram quite a bit the last year or so without any problems. it`s inexpensive and depending what you buy, non ECC for example will come with a lifetime quarantee.

i`ve bought several thousand dollars of various components from this site (about 15 different orders) and they have been extremely reliable and prompt. even responded very fast when i inquired about an order a customer said they never received. (turned out the customer did receive the order but missed placed it)

[glc]

I would not change a single thing except for the case. You can save $1 plus the cost of a fan with an Enlight 7250 which comes with a front fan - which you simply remove and install it in the rear cutout. The midtowers are roomy enough so you won't need 2 fans, the airflow will be acceptable. There is no better motherboard for an AMD processor for that price and the Nvidia onboard video will run circles around the ProSavage video on the KM266-based boards.

If you can wait a bit, the non "AA" version of that board is $5 less, but out of stock at Newegg.