Cheapest entry level build?

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dario03

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Hey guys what would be the cheapest build you can think of for basic web surfer, WoW, and Diablo 3 (when it comes out). My sister is planning on getting a Gateway which is a pretty good deal but is more than she needs. So I'm wondering if its possible to build a decent computer for a decent bit less.

The one she is going to buy is a Gateway, AMD X3 8450, 4gb, 500gb hdd, ati 3200, Vista home premium, 19" lcd widescreen, some printer for $630.

But I think a dual core, 2gb ram, similar gpu, is all she needs.
 
uh, its gonna be hard to build that with the monitor for that price

a 19" widescreen monitor is usually around 180-220... that means u need a $400 computer... will be very tough... i'll leave it to anyone else to see if they can build one better than that gateway.
 
sometimes you just can't build cheaper than those companies, for that is what they do.

Dell is hard to compete too. they buy so many bulks thhat their components are way cheaper. So they dont sell high and still make alot of profit.

She should go for that, but just check everything is real.... a cousin bought a dell 2 months ago, and it had DDR ram lol. It was horrible inside
 
No don't go with that deal. While is may be ok, it is lacking a graphics card and it will not run Diablo3 imo.

Someone please assemble a build, i would but I am LAN'ing
 
Besides the monitor, Dell essentially can give out the OS for free because it costs them nothing to duplicate a CD, whereas it would cost the DIY computer builder upwards of $70 to get an OS. That truly means you need to assemble a computer for around $400. Here's my attempt:

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $85
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail - $70
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail - $60
Newegg.com - Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail - $43
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

SAPPHIRE 1034 Radeon HD 2400PRO 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - OEM - $35
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 1034 Radeon HD 2400PRO 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $50
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Current total: $343

Hanns·G HW-191APB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - Retail - $150
Newegg.com - Hanns·G HW-191APB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD - OEM - $100
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems

Logitech 967973-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys PS/2 Standard Deluxe 250 Desktop Mouse Included - OEM - $13
Newegg.com - Logitech 967973-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys PS/2 Standard Deluxe 250 Desktop Mouse Included - Keyboards

Complete total: $606

Not much better pricewise, but one might be able to do better if they built an AMD. When it comes to cheap computers, though, large companies have a competitive edge on the DIY team because they can afford to practically give away monitors, keyboards, mice, and OSs.
 
I was interested in doing the same thing so I was able to put together a system right around 400 bucks, but that was without a monitor, since i plan on using with my flat panel tv or taking into account the price of the OS since I already have vista... Here is what I put together:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1A16K - Retail
Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

LG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech Black SATA Model GH20NS15 - OEM
Newegg.com - LG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech - CD / DVD Burners

Rosewill R114A-BLK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply - Retail
Newegg.com - Rosewill R114A-BLK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply - Computer Cases

my price with shipping was just short of 400...but this was with some combo deals and taking advantage of free shipping on certain items, and I also bought like an grounding bracelet and arctic silver 5, and some necessary cables from other sites...HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! has great deals on cables...My advice would be that you can start to change your plan based on what kind of deal you can get....you should really look for combo deals, and something that has free shipping....Also remember when you are buying parts that the ones Labeled as OEM do not contain wires or manuals, so you will need to purchase those separately....hope this helped
 
No don't go with that deal. While is may be ok, it is lacking a graphics card and it will not run Diablo3 imo.

Someone please assemble a build, i would but I am LAN'ing


It does have a PCI-E slot for future upgrades like Hybrid Crossfire with 3450 or just a whole new card. Games can be played at normal settings to.
I was leaning toward having her buy since all the builds I could think of were only a little cheaper.
 
I just think that's better than you'll be able to build for... and especially if it has a PCI-E slot, you can always upgrade the gpu.

Where are you buying it from?
 
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