Building a cheap ass machine for a friend

jesus_thats_gre · 19-06-2004 9:19pm #1

Hi Ya

Sorry to lumping this on ye but I am all over the shop at the moment..

I have been asked to build a PC for a mate. Its main purpose is basically internet browsing and listening to music, with possibly the odd movie and that. Games are not a factor at all.

I have a budget of between 500 and 600. The cheaper the better but I appreciate somethings are not possible, i.e. a 17 inch CRT will be required!

I am not concerned whether it is AMD or Intel, mind you a Celeron should be avoided. I presume a XP2500 or something should do wonders?!?! Even one of the Micro ATX shuttles or something like that is fine.

I appreciate anything you can give me to work on. I am very very flexible as your man doesnt have a breeze!

Thanks

KdjaCL · 19-06-2004 10:39pm

Buy one in For Sale save you a of bother.

kdjac

maxheadroom · 19-06-2004 10:45pm

MB ATX SA ASRock K7S41 Audio/LAN/VGA &#8364;44.32 
CPU AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Tray &#8364;62.75 
DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green &#8364;46.99 
GEH Midi 7728 Akrylic Design inkl. 350W &#8364;43.90 
HDD IDE 80GB Samsung 7200U SP0812N 8MB &#8364;66.00 
17'' V7 Videoseven S70S, 70 kHz &#8364;89.00 
	
&#8364;352.96

From Jes. Not a fantastic system, missing a keyboard, mouse and speakers, but a good starting point, maybe?

joePC · 19-06-2004 11:04pm

You can have my P3 500mhz Dell machine for €100,

All you need is monitor, key board & mouse.

Its more than enough for internet, word processing etc...

Let me know.

Thanks JoePC

Explosive_Cornflake · 20-06-2004 11:11am

would a P3 500 decode divx? Just wondering, because my friends P3 866 (?, something near there; edit: or is it a p4?) with 192 is a bit jumpy at decoding, but i'm just wondering if thats his machine or what?

dogz · 20-06-2004 11:20am

should be no problem. I have a p2 400 that i use just for diivx/xvid no problems and this thing only has 128 mb ram !!!!!!!!:) No its probably just his pc. as far as i can rmember a 300mhz will just about be the minimum for divx. open to correction

eoinmurphy · 20-06-2004 11:29am

From Komplett.ie

 Qty Your Price Total  
Q-Tec Midi tower ATX L-MD02, Black w/350W AMD/P4

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 300693
Stock status: 20-49 stocked   39.93 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Samsung 17" CRT Syncmaster 753S TCO99 Monitor

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 122906
Stock status: Backordered (lead time: 5 days)   119.78 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
AMD Athlon XP2600+ 1.917 GHz Socket A 333MHz, 512KB Barton, BOXED

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 121907
Stock status: 6 stocked   93.85 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Asus A7V8X-X Mainboard Socket A DDR LAN VIAKT400, ATA/133, ATX, USB2.0, 8X AGP

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 117359
Stock status: 20-49 stocked   54.45 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TwinMOS PC3200 DDR-DIMM 256MB CL2.5 Memory 184-P (for DDR-PC400MHz)   X2

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 113517
Stock status: 20-49 stocked    87.12   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Sapphire Radeon 9600XT Atlantis 256MB DD AGP,ATI9600XT,DVI-I,TV-Out, Full-Retail

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 123738
Stock status: 20-49 stocked   175.45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Trust Power Plus Keyboard English, UK, PS/2, Retail

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 120535
Stock status: 20-49 stocked   8.39 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Microsoft Mouse Trekker Basic PS/2 OEM

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 102649
Stock status: 9 stocked   7.27 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Trust SP-6018 300 W speakers stereo desktop

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 122636
Stock status: 50-99 stocked   7.14 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Surcharges: 0   
Your Ref:     Total: 593.38

Everythings there for a kickass PC, except drives.
You could even remove the Mouse, Keyboard and speakers and add in a DVD drive.

And keep it under €600.
Or you could cut back on only one diimm of ram.

Cheers
Murph

Explosive_Cornflake · 20-06-2004 11:33am

Originally posted by dogz
should be no problem. I have a p2 400 that i use just for diivx/xvid no problems and this thing only has 128 mb ram !!!!!!!!:) No its probably just his pc. as far as i can rmember a 300mhz will just about be the minimum for divx. open to correction

It does have me on it, so thats could be whats wrong

Or is his a P4, i'm sure someone knows.
Anyway i'll sort it out some day.

grimloch · 20-06-2004 12:09pm

quote

Sapphire Radeon 9600XT Atlantis 256MB DD AGP,ATI9600XT,DVI-I,TV-Out, Full-Retail

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 123738
Stock status: 20-49 stocked 175.45

if the machine isnt for games a graphics card like that isnt needed at all
i think youd be better getting a fx 5200 for 60 euro or something to save 100

maxheadroom · 20-06-2004 12:19pm

Originally posted by grimloch
quote

Sapphire Radeon 9600XT Atlantis 256MB DD AGP,ATI9600XT,DVI-I,TV-Out, Full-Retail

- Surcharges 0 per item will be added.
Article number: 123738
Stock status: 20-49 stocked 175.45

if the machine isnt for games a graphics card like that isnt needed at all
i think youd be better getting a fx 5200 for 60 euro or something to save 100

Or get a motherboard with built in graphics and not bother with an external card at all.

jesus_thats_gre · 20-06-2004 12:53pm

Originally posted by maxheadroom
Or get a motherboard with built in graphics and not bother with an external card at all.

Yeah was thinking this myself, that is why one of the barbone shutles would be grand I thought...

Pretty much gonna go with this so far, spec wise anyway:

2400/2500 or 2600XP

120 - 160 GB hard drive (wants a large drive)

256 MB ram

Radeon 9200 or onboard

simple motherboard with onboard sound and graphics would be a bonus

DVD-RW 8x +- (he asked specifically for this)

Would I be able to build one of the Shuttle machines within the budget mentioned?

BloodBath · 20-06-2004 1:22pm

What operating system will you be running on that. If it's windows xp I'd recomend at least 512mb of RAM. 256mb are only about enough for OS.

BloodBath

maxheadroom · 20-06-2004 3:34pm

All from jes-computer.de:

Shuttle System, NForce Chipset, Radeon 9200

Products
1 x 	HDD IDE 160GB Samsung SP1614N 8MB 		&#8364; 85,79
1 x 	DVDR IDE NEC ND-2510A Dual beige bulk 		&#8364; 91,80
1 x 	CPU AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Tray 			&#8364; 62,75
1 x 	DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green 		&#8364; 46,99
1 x 	Barebone Shuttle XPC SN45G Rev. 2.0 		&#8364; 225,00
1 x 	17'' V7 Videoseven S70S, 70 kHz 		&#8364; 89,00
1 x 	64MB Asus A9200SE Radeon 9200SE 		&#8364; 41,99

Sub-Total: 						&#8364; 643,32
GLS (Dispatch to IE : 19.45 kg): 			&#8364; 35,00
[B]Total: 							&#8364; 678,32[/B]

Midi-ATX system, SIS chipset, onboard VGA

Products
1 x 	HDD IDE 160GB Samsung SP1614N 8MB 		&#8364; 85,79
1 x 	DVDR IDE NEC ND-2510A Dual beige bulk 		&#8364; 91,80
1 x 	CPU AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Tray 			&#8364; 62,75
1 x 	DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green 		&#8364; 46,99
1 x 	17'' V7 Videoseven S70S, 70 kHz 		&#8364; 89,00
1 x 	GEH Midi 7728 Akrylic Design inkl. 350W 	&#8364; 43,90
1 x 	MB ATX SA ASRock K7S41 Audio/LAN/VGA 		&#8364; 44,32
1 x	K&#252;hler S478 Arctic SuperSilent 4PRO TC		&#8364; 8,90

Sub-Total: 						&#8364; 473,45
GLS (Dispatch to IE : 17.85 kg): 			&#8364; 35,00
[B]Total: 							&#8364; 508,45[/B]

P4 2.8 C, Shuttle System, Intel Chipset, Onboard VGA

Products
1 x 	HDD IDE 160GB Samsung SP1614N 8MB 		&#8364; 85,79
1 x 	DVDR IDE NEC ND-2510A Dual beige bulk 		&#8364; 91,80
1 x 	DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green 		&#8364; 46,99
1 x 	17'' V7 Videoseven S70S, 70 kHz 		&#8364; 89,00
1 x 	CPU Intel P4 S478 BOX 2800 MHZ (C) 		&#8364; 175,95
1 x 	Barebone Shuttle XPC SB61G2V3 Silent-X 		&#8364; 233,99

Sub-Total: 						&#8364; 723,52
GLS (Dispatch to IE : 18.2 kg): 			&#8364; 35,00
[B]Total: 							&#8364; 758,52[/B]

P4 2.8 C, Midi-ATX, Intel Chipset, onboard VGA

Products
1 x 	HDD IDE 160GB Samsung SP1614N 8MB 		&#8364; 85,79
1 x 	DVDR IDE NEC ND-2510A Dual beige bulk 		&#8364; 91,80
1 x 	DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green 		&#8364; 46,99
1 x 	17'' V7 Videoseven S70S, 70 kHz 		&#8364; 89,00
1 x 	GEH Midi 7728 Akrylic Design inkl. 350W 	&#8364; 43,90
1 x 	MB ATX S478 ASUS P4P800-VM 			&#8364; 89,99
1 x 	CPU Intel P4 S478 BOX 2800 MHZ (C) 		&#8364; 175,95

Sub-Total: 	&#8364; 623,42
GLS (Dispatch to IE : 18.2 kg): 			&#8364; 35,00
[B]Total: 							&#8364; 658,42[/B]

If you want to go for 512 MB RAM:

+DDR PC400 512MB Mushkin Basic Green			+&#8364; 91,99
-DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green 			-&#8364; 46,99

[B]Price Difference:					 &#8364; 45,00[/B]

jesus_thats_gre · 20-06-2004 5:48pm

Wow maxheadroom, thats the best reply I have ever gotten. Thanks alot, I really appreciate all the help lads.

maxheadroom · 20-06-2004 7:49pm

No problem - I was having a lazy sunday afternoon

Just bear in mind that all of those prices are minus keyboard, mouse, speakers and OS. Also, I'm not hugely into the shuttle system thing, there might be better choices than the two I picked, maybe someone else can comment on that.

I would strongly reccommend spending the extra €45 for 512MB RAM...

secret_squirrel · 20-06-2004 7:59pm

Originally posted by maxheadroom
All from jes-computer.de:

Shuttle System, NForce Chipset, Radeon 9200

Products
1 x 	HDD IDE 160GB Samsung SP1614N 8MB 		&#8364; 85,79
1 x 	DVDR IDE NEC ND-2510A Dual beige bulk 		&#8364; 91,80
1 x 	CPU AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Tray 			&#8364; 62,75
1 x 	DDR PC400 256MB Mushkin Basic Green 		&#8364; 46,99
1 x 	Barebone Shuttle XPC SN45G Rev. 2.0 		&#8364; 225,00
1 x 	17'' V7 Videoseven S70S, 70 kHz 		&#8364; 89,00
1 x 	64MB Asus A9200SE Radeon 9200SE 		&#8364; 41,99

Sub-Total: 						&#8364; 643,32
GLS (Dispatch to IE : 19.45 kg): 			&#8364; 35,00
[B]Total: 							&#8364; 678,32[/B]

You might be able to save €20-30 off this price by getting a shuttle SN41G2 case with built in gfx instead of the G45 and the 9200SE

balkieb2002 · 20-06-2004 9:52pm

Originally posted by joePC
You can have my P3 500mhz Dell machine for €100,

All you need is monitor, key board & mouse.
Its more than enough for internet, word processing etc...
Let me know.
Thanks JoePC

::Off topic:::

JoePC just wonderin if ya could give me anymore details on that pc? I tried sendin a pm but ure inbox is full

Thanx

Balkie

unkel · 21-06-2004 12:19am

Originally posted by BloodBath
What operating system will you be running on that

Nobody mentioned the OS license which adds a good bit to the price. If you didn't plan on installing unlicensed software and you need a complete system with keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakers/modem etc, it is very difficult to beat Dell on price on low end systems

maxheadroom · 21-06-2004 12:57am

Originally posted by unkel
Nobody mentioned the OS license which adds a good bit to the price. If you didn't plan on installing unlicensed software and you need a complete system with keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakers/modem etc, it is very difficult to beat Dell on price on low end systems

Originally posted by maxheadroom
Just bear in mind that all of those prices are minus keyboard, mouse, speakers and OS.

Just for comparison, price wise:

From komplett:

Ortek Wireless OfficeMedia Pro (English Version), Mouse/Keyboard,Retail		&#8364;  51.35
Creative SBS230 UK 2 Desktop Speakers, Retail					&#8364;   7.26
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Software English, OEM				&#8364; 102.85

GLS Delivery									&#8364;  10.00

Total										&#8364; 171.46

Add that to the cheapest option above and you get € 679.91.
I couldn't get a dell to come out with an equivalent spec for under €900... (it was the DVDRW and Hard drive upgrades that jacked up the price...)

joePC · 21-06-2004 2:13am

balkieb2002: About that PC,

Its a Dell Optiplex: P3 500mhz, 64mb Ram, on board sound, graphics etc..... Windows 2K installed.

Thanks JoePC

My inbox is empty but I cant recieve any PM's......Strange?

jesus_thats_gre · 21-06-2004 7:57am

Forgot about the license, gotta double check that now...

whosurpaddy · 21-06-2004 2:36pm

Originally posted by joePC
My inbox is empty but I cant recieve any PM's......Strange?

have you checked your outbox, sendbox, savebox, etc

dubdvd · 07-08-2004 5:52pm

ive got a partly new system here that might interest your mate it a lain li silver case a 8x dvd + burner 52x cd burner p4 1.6 ghz 512 ddr.... mx440 graphics card.... and a 160 gb hard drive lots of room there for music ill let it go for 600 and ill through in keyboard and mouse and a 15" monitior running xp pro

Building a cheap ass machine for a friend

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