El Cheapo PC Build!!!

[dphillips81]

OK, i posted last week asking for some tips on what parts to use to build my new PC, and now i am back with my list of pieces. After looking at my budget, i came to the conclusion that i want to stay as low as possible but still have a decent running machine. I want to stay in the sub $600 range if possible. Now my current build list on Newegg comes out to under $500, but i think i will add an internal card reader, and maybe some addtional fans. I would appreciate it if some of the more experienced builders, (not hard to be more experienced than me as this is my 1st build :oops: ), take a look at my list and tell me how it looks. Please keep in mind that i am not trying to build a monster here, i don't do any gaming, just mostly running CS2 and other general use. I will be adding a new monitor later on, i don't think i will be needing dual monitors or anything like that. Just looking to upgrade from my crappy Emanchine, 1.2Ghz Celeron with 512mb and a 40g HD. Oh i did forget to list my HD's on the wishlist, i will be using a 80GB and a 300GB, with and external as a back up. Thank you all in advance,

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=6855728&WishListTitle=Cheapo (https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=6855728&WishListTitle=Cheapo)

[dphillips81]

Anyone care to comment, i would really like to hear some opinions on this as i would like to start building this system soon.

thank you all in advance

[Eagle]

Yep that will work. If you want to get rid of the DVD-Rom and get a card reader do that. DVD-ROM and a second burner is nice bit if your trying to go cheap why a burner and a second drive also?

[danpass]

Go to Dell


You can get a sweet machine without monitor, even with monitor it comes out to good price


Everytime I get into upgrade mode I see that Dell prices basically match my potential build and with Dell the components are tested together



_

[J.Arthur]

If your budget allows I would add another kit of ram to get it to 4gigs

[th3r0m]

Looking at what you got there, I would upgrade the dvd rom to another dvd burner, its only $15 bucks more and then you have a second burner if you need it. I don't know much about AMD processors, but 1mb cache seems a little low, so if you can you might want to find a processor with a bit more. Otherwise it looks like it should do ya better than the emachine. Hope this helps :)

Also, remember that you need an operating system...I am sure you know this, but didn't see anything mentioned about one in your post.

[dphillips81]

If your budget allows I would add another kit of ram to get it to 4gigs

I had planned on that, but thank you for the reminder.

Looking at what you got there, I would upgrade the dvd rom to another dvd burner, its only $15 bucks more and then you have a second burner if you need it. I don't know much about AMD processors, but 1mb cache seems a little low, so if you can you might want to find a processor with a bit more. Otherwise it looks like it should do ya better than the emachine. Hope this helps :)

Also, remember that you need an operating system...I am sure you know this, but didn't see anything mentioned about one in your post.

I am thinking XP Pro for the OS and maybe a 2nd burner would be better. As for the AMD, i was looking budget, i might spend a little more and get a AMD 5600 i think it has a 2mb cache.

[theflyingkiwi]

it looks good, however why 2 optical drives? You only really need one. many years ago I used to have 2 drives and then I figured out why? I never use them at the same time so I gave it a miss. now I just have the one.

I would also go with the extra ram if possible, more the better esp with dealing with photos.

[danpass]

Go to Dell


You can get a sweet machine without monitor, even with monitor it comes out to good price


Everytime I get into upgrade mode I see that Dell prices basically match my potential build and with Dell the components are tested together



_



Guess you don't like Dell.




Anyway I spec'd one out.

$549 and no monitor buys:

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E4300 (2MB L2 Cache,1.80GHz,800 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
No Monitor
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Dual Drives: 48X CDRW/DVD COMBO Drive + 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
No Modem Option
My Software & Accessories
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
No Security Subscription (30-day trial)
Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Yahoo! Music Jukebox - Music Player
My Service
1 Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day
Free 3GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Year
6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Also Includes
Award Winning Service and Support
Mouse included in Wireless, Laser or Bluetooth Package
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Windows Vista™ Premium

[dphillips81]

Guess you don't like Dell.




Anyway I spec'd one out.

$549 and no monitor buys:

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E4300 (2MB L2 Cache,1.80GHz,800 FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium
No Monitor
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Dual Drives: 48X CDRW/DVD COMBO Drive + 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
No Modem Option
My Software & Accessories
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
No Security Subscription (30-day trial)
Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Yahoo! Music Jukebox - Music Player
My Service
1 Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day
Free 3GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Year
6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Also Includes
Award Winning Service and Support
Mouse included in Wireless, Laser or Bluetooth Package
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Windows Vista™ Premium

I do like Dell, but that system only has 1GB ram, and to get to 4GB is usualy another $200+, and i don't really want Vista, i like XP. I might check into a Dell system, but i kind of want to try my hand at building a system. (I will need something to do when it is dark this winter, as i live in AK:D )

[danpass]

I do like Dell, but that system only has 1GB ram, and to get to 4GB is usualy another $200+, and i don't really want Vista, i like XP. I might check into a Dell system, but i kind of want to try my hand at building a system. (I will need something to do when it is dark this winter, as i live in AK:D )


2gb (dual channel, two sticks) total ram is $100 more.


I'm not sure that 32bit XP can access 4gb. I saw it in another thread on here just recently.

[Zepher]

check out this one from CompUSA,
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&N=200005+502364+502506+4294964967&Ne=304016&product_code=346300&Pn=Aspire_E700_UQ660A_Minitower&cm_ven=Performics&cm_cat=**Slick%20Deals**&cm_pla=General&cm_ite=generic%20120gb&ref=performics

It's a Quad Core machine made by Acer. Not a bad deal at all.

The Processor alone from newegg is $480,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017