General-use PC

[carnageX]

Well, my aunt/uncle's PC crapped out today (CPU burned up; when I tried booting it up w/out the case, I could smell something getting hot; was an old AMD slot processor, heh). So, I told them that I could probly build them a decent PC for better than what they could get with a Dell or HP. So here's kinda of a list I whipped up quick:

Case:
Newegg.com - iStarUSA Elegant Storm S-9B-ROHS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail or Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU:
intel: Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
amd: Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

mobo:
intel: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
amd: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

RAM:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail

HDD:
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

GPU:
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PSU:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

It's main use is going to be internet browsing, IM chatting, and schoolwork. Don't really need anything fancy; How does this list look? Anything I should change? The less the price, the better. Since this is just a basic PC, would it be smarter to go with the Intel or AMD setup?

Thanks for the help guys, appreciate it =).

 

[SinxarKnights]

Interesting. If you going for low price with modern performance, I would just grab a barebones PC (case, mobo, PSU) and drop in a cheap AMD X2 processor with 2GB of DDR2-800 RAM. ****, throw in a dvd burner and and hard drive and you should still be under $500, including a Microsoft OS. Asus had at least 2 half decent barebone systems on newegg.com, with a PCI-e 16x slot.

I am in the process of building a super cheap computer for my mother. The barebone system is $150. I have the processor and graphics card (3800+ X2 and a 7300LE) and we are gonna reuse the HDD and DVD drive. 2GB of cheap DDR2-800 RAM is only $40. That is a grand total of $300(ish) without monitor, including Vista Home Premium.

If your looking for cheap, barebones is usually a good way to go. If you want high quality, it will of course be much more expensive. From personal experience/trial and error, I found that it is actually better to go REALLY cheap for this type of build. As I'm sure you know, non-overclocked systems are pretty **** reliable and extremely stable - assuming the hardware is not defective.

Or you could just save them $300 and get a gPC from wally-world for $200.

Well, my aunt/uncle's PC crapped out today (CPU burned up; when I tried booting it up w/out the case, I could smell something getting hot; was an old AMD slot processor, heh). So, I told them that I could probly build them a decent PC for better than what they could get with a Dell or HP. So here's kinda of a list I whipped up quick:

Case:
Newegg.com - iStarUSA Elegant Storm S-9B-ROHS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail or Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU:
intel: Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
amd: Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

mobo:
intel: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
amd: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

RAM:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail

HDD:
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

GPU:
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PSU:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

It's main use is going to be internet browsing, IM chatting, and schoolwork. Don't really need anything fancy; How does this list look? Anything I should change? The less the price, the better. Since this is just a basic PC, would it be smarter to go with the Intel or AMD setup?

Thanks for the help guys, appreciate it =).

 

[SapperX]

Drop the gpu for something half the price and get another stick of ram. If it wont be used for gaming at all, no need to have a mid level card like the 8600gt. The extra ram will be noticed however.

 

[maroon1]

If I were you I would get the intel build

If your are not going to use it for gaming, then save some money by getting cheaper GPU like 8400GS
Newegg.com - MSI NX8400GS-TD256E GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Also, you can save more money by getting cheaper Intel motherboard
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

And try to get 2GB RAM
Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[KSoD]

I agree. Drop the GFX Card. I mean why would they need a 8600GT for IM, Net adn school work. Can use onbaord GFX (If the mobo has it) for that stuff. Get mroe RAM then. Either that or just get a real cheap 6 Series card.

I do agree that Intel is better off. AMD has not shown me anything as of alte. the new Phenom CPU's are good but still don't stand up to the Core 2 Quad CPU's from Intel.

 

[veg1992]

Well, my aunt/uncle's PC crapped out today (CPU burned up; when I tried booting it up w/out the case, I could smell something getting hot; was an old AMD slot processor, heh). So, I told them that I could probly build them a decent PC for better than what they could get with a Dell or HP. So here's kinda of a list I whipped up quick:

Case:
Newegg.com - iStarUSA Elegant Storm S-9B-ROHS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail or Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU:
intel: Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
amd: Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

mobo:
intel: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
amd: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

RAM:
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail I guess thats ok
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail EMCADBDAF promo code

HDD:
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

GPU:
Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail drop this and use the 690g's Integrated Graphics

PSU:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail you could settle with a Fortron 450w

It's main use is going to be internet browsing, IM chatting, and schoolwork. Don't really need anything fancy; How does this list look? Anything I should change? The less the price, the better. Since this is just a basic PC, would it be smarter to go with the Intel or AMD setup?

Thanks for the help guys, appreciate it =).

carnage overkill (accidental pun honestly!!)

 

[Trotter]

A 6200 would be more than enough for what they plan on doing. My wife's computer has a MX4000 and it handles all of her stuff just fine.

 

[carnageX]

carnage overkill (accidental pun honestly!!)

=P I'm sure it was, haha.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Heh, did that list fairly late last night, so I was gettin burnt out.

 

[carnageX]

Ok, I revised my list. How's this one look?

Case: Newegg.com - iStarUSA Elegant Storm S-9B-ROHS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Mobo: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

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

GPU: Newegg.com - MSI NX8400GS-TD256E GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

HDD: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3160815AS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

PSU: Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 450R ATX12V 450W Power Supply 100 - 240 V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail

 

[Trotter]

That would work, but the GFX is still more than they would probably need.

A thought... look for a fanless card to cut down on the noise the system makes.