very tight budget

[nastsystems]

i am helping my friend build a computer and i am haveing problems keeping it in his budgetwhich is $400 he is not useing it for any kind of gaming just for normal internet browsing and thats it!

all suggestions are apprecited

 

[LeftEyeBlind]

Do you need a monitor? Keyboard/mouse? The whole Shabang? Or just a tower?

 

[NightSurge]

Go AMD.

Motherboard $50:
Newegg.com - ECS GeForce7050M-M (V2.0) AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA Geforce7050PV / nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Processor $66:
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

Case and PSU $50:
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Scorpio ATX-868WSP Silver 0.8mm SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420watts PS2 ATX12V Power Supply - Computer Cases

2GB Ram $37:
Newegg.com - WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

80GB HDD $35:
Newegg.com - EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8080S 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

DVD Burner $30:
Newegg.com - Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Vista Home Basic SP1 32bit $90:
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 32-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems

Total cost: $357.94 before shipping

EDIT: Just in case you were worried, I didn't include a GPU because that motherboard has good onboard video already. If it's just for internet usage, that's the cheapest and best way to go.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Go AMD.

Motherboard $50:
Newegg.com - ECS GeForce7050M-M (V2.0) AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA Geforce7050PV / nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Processor $66:
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

Case and PSU $50:
Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Scorpio ATX-868WSP Silver 0.8mm SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420watts PS2 ATX12V Power Supply - Computer Cases

2GB Ram $37:
Newegg.com - WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

80GB HDD $35:
Newegg.com - EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8080S 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

DVD Burner $30:
Newegg.com - Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Vista Home Basic SP1 32bit $90:
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 32-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems

Total cost: $357.94 before shipping

EDIT: Just in case you were worried, I didn't include a GPU because that motherboard has good onboard video already. If it's just for internet usage, that's the cheapest and best way to go.

Looks good. The only things I would change are the cpu and psu.

A 45w dual core will decrease power consumption and should run cooler.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon X2 4050e 2.1GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W 65nm Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

This psu is more reliable than the one included with that case.

Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 400R ATX12V 400W Power Supply 120/220 - 240v NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Power Supplies

Since you wouldn't need the psu included with the case you could also get a cheaper case.

 

[NightSurge]

If going that route, a possible case option would be:
Newegg.com - Rosewill RZS05 BLK Black Sturdy SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

That makes the new total with PuddleJumper's suggestions to $397 before shipping. Either build would be good. I'm pretty sure that the case included power supply on the RAIDMAX would be enough for his small needs and lack of video card, but the power supply PuddleJumper listed would leave more room for expansion.

 

[nastsystems]

ok thanks to all you guys that replied!!

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I'm pretty sure that the case included power supply on the RAIDMAX would be enough for his small needs and lack of video card, but the power supply PuddleJumper listed would leave more room for expansion.

I suggested a different psu because Raidmax is on the list of brands to avoid in the power supply guide.

 

[NightSurge]

ok thanks to all you guys that replied!!

Lol, all being mostly me and Puddle Jumper.

 

[maroon1]

Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

Motherboard with onboard video card for $39 after MIR
Newegg.com - ZOTAC N73V-Value LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 400R ATX12V 400W Power Supply 120/220 - 240v NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Power Supplies

Newegg.com - EXCELSTOR Jupiter Series ESJ8080S 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

If you are using you computer just for browsing the internet then you can save more money by getting celeron dual core

Newegg.com - Intel Celeron E1200 1.6GHz 512KB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors