Help with building a cheap cheap computer

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by X_40's_X, Jun 14, 2006.

  1. X_40's_X

    X_40's_X Specialist

    alright the computer i have right now.. is from asking people on here what to buy and what is all compatable and stuff.. bought all my parts and built it and i love my computer :).. that was like 5 months ago.. but now my friend wants to buy a lil gaming computer with.. $500 :eek: .. not anything to play like battlefield or doom or anything hardcore.. one to play CS 1.6, Runescape and lil games like that perfectly fine.. but.. could anyone gimme all the parts thats $500 or under for a lil gaming machine? thanks!!
     
  2. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    For that sort of money, your best bet is second hand from somewhere, or try our Buy Sell and Trade section.

    IanTheGeek was selling a few components, try PM'ing him.


    Even though you may be able to build a PC for that, you will get far better value buying second hand, or telling your friend to save up a few more dollars.
     
  3. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    This doesn't seem like a bad start for a budget system . . . thought about buying this myself.

    http://www.directron.com/p4m80m4combo35.html

    It seems their website is running a bit slow today, though - takes the page a while to load.

    This company is based in Texas, and I've built all my systems with items purchased from them. They are good with RMA's also. I hear NewEgg has some good deals also, but I haven't done much business with them.
     
  4. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    Well, here is something I was considering building . . . this is a rough draft of a system - I haven't fully researched all the components yet. They all should work together fine, though.

    http://www.directron.com/p4m80m4combo35.html (the aforementioned motherboard and CPU bundle)

    http://www.directron.com/xgamingsilver.html (neat gaming case, on sale. There are cheaper ones if you're not into "looks")

    http://www.directron.com/st3808110as.html (two 80gb 7200 sata drives)

    http://www.directron.com/ddr400512.html (two = 1GB ram)

    http://www.directron.com/fx5200td128lf.html (this is my preference - I just bought one of these for my wife's older HP, and it plays Guild Wars great. Has Dynamic Overclocking. Not the best card, but good for the cost IMO)

    http://www.directron.com/sh162a.html (dual layer DVD burner/combo drive)

    http://www.directron.com/fdsonyb.html (I still find floppy drives usefull).

    http://www.directron.com/atxas520wsv.html (I have an Aspire 600W, and it has performed well. This one should have the oomph needed for future upgrades - like a better video card)

    http://www.directron.com/roundideblue.html (rounded IDE dual cable for the optical drive)

    http://www.directron.com/tranuvgreen10.html (rounded floppy cable)

    http://www.directron.com/120ledfangreen.html (120mm led case fan - may need to go with 80mm fan - but on my "drive through" look at the above case I believe it supports it).

    Of course, this is only the box . . . you would still need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers . . . there are some decent deals on such equipment on this site - just halve the ram and go with one sata drive (maybe nix the floppy and cable if not needed) and you should be able to come in under 500 bucks. Shipping is a consideration - CRT monitors kill you on shipping - maybe find one used where you live?. Anyway, the components as described above come in at $463.50. Also, I don't add in the cost of your preferred operating system - Windows XP home runs about 85 bucks on this site (O.E.M); around 100 bucks at Wal-mart.

    Just thought this might give you some ideas. Hope it helps.
     
  5. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    oops - forgot to add a link for the the SATA cables - this set up would need two of them (costs 3 bucks). They were included in the $463.50 cost.
     
  6. X_40's_X

    X_40's_X Specialist

    so all of them parts.. work together just perfectly fine to build a complete computer? he already has windows so thats fine
     
  7. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    I don't see the point in running two 80GB drives in a budget system? :confused:

    Or rounded cables for that matter. (or even floppy. For most people, it's useless)

    Also, as he mentioned, you will still need a monitor, keyboard, meece etc.
     
  8. X_40's_X

    X_40's_X Specialist

    ok we wont buy the extra HDD.. and i told him not to get the floppy.. but he has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.. and OS.. so thats all good
     
  9. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    Good point on the hard-drives - But as I said, I was thinking about buying these components myself - and I usually run two drives, one primary, and the second as storage (I work with a lot of video files - and I put the primary paging file on the second drive). If a person can afford it, a second drive is very handy. Plus with two identical drives the user could configure a RAID if desired. I offered the list as a reference system for the individual to use as an idea-factory.

    The rounded cables are not much more then standard flat-ribbon cables, and they are easier to manipulate. A secondary consideration is the fact they allow easier air-flow through the case. Also - I still find the floppy usefull, as some applications I use are less then 1.44mbs in size - but this is a personal preference only.
     
  10. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    If the copy of windows he has is an OEM version of XP, then he will not be able to use it on another computer. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) versions are "married" to the system they are installed on, and cannot be transferred to a new system (I.E. another motherboard). If he has a commercial version of XP, or of Windows 98S.E., then my understanding is that you can install it on a different PC, as long as it is ONLY running on that PC - the previous PC must be 'dead'. I recommend your friend check the EULA on his version of Windows.

    Also, this was just a rough draft of a system - there are cheaper cases to be had, and better video cards may be desired - also, I used Directron.com because I have done much business with them. You may find better deals elsewhere. I just thought this might get you started. You and your friend should do some research on the components you finally choose. Good luck!
     
  11. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan


    I realise all that, but it's a budget machine, and $500 is about as rock bottom as you can get.

    Therefore, any money saved (regardless of the amount), is money that can be put towards getting a better video card or CPU etc.

    Especially considering he/she wants a gaming machine.


    The rest of the stuff is OK though.
     
  12. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    Point taken. What did you think about the motherboard/cpu bundle? I thought that was a pretty good deal, which was why I'm thinking about building a system around it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2006
  13. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    I don't like VIA chipsets, but at that price, you have to make sacrifices.

    It's pretty cheap, especially for the features and value.
     
  14. Natakel

    Natakel Guest

    I haven't had any problems with VIA chipsets - my wife's HP has VIA, and one or two of the PC's I care for at work are VIA. I do have a dim view of SIS chipsets . . . but to be honest I've only had one motherboard that used them . . . and one video card that was SIS based. I gotta admit I'm more trusting of Intel based systems, overall . . .
     

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