Cheap build for web use

[Gustaf]

Hello, I have been out of the hardware look for a long long time so I am looking for some guidance on what parts to get for a basic system that will be primarily used for web browsing with the occasional Sims 2 maybe 3 times a year...

Current system my mom has used since 2004 is:
Intel P4 2.8 Northwood 478
ASUS P4P800SE
Kingston ValueRAM DDR400 512mb
Segate SATA 80gb
Geforce2 gts
Antec Sonata w/ TruePower 380watt

She has used this since 2004 and its been a good computer but its time for something new. Looking to put together something that will run nonstop for another 4-5 years.

I plan to keep the HD and keeping the case would be nice (unless a case/psu combo could be cheaper than just a psu)

Would like to try and keep this below $500, around $400 woud be best if possible.

Let me know if I forgot anything,
Thanks!

See the questionnaire below:


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? Etc
Almost exclusively web browsing/word processing. Occasional use for Sims 2

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
MAX $500, but something around $400 would be best

3) Where do you live?
Seattle, Wa

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Video card
DVD drive (w/ cd-rw)
PSU

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Reusing :
LCD Monitor
SATA HD
Case (antec sonata)

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
It’s a Sony.. 17" lcd
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Asap

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

Onboard sound and network

 

[crhscoog]

since this comp will be primarily for web use, i would recommend you going with a prebuilt computer such as a refurbished dell from the dell outlet. if building is a must....

$190- q6600
$30- hd3450
$30- 2x1gb ddr2 800mhz
$100- p45 mobo
$60- some antec power supply
$25- optical drive
~$435

this is just estimates...

 

[MixPix]

I recommend an Eee Box. It's small, very cheap, has lots of features.

If you really need an optical drive just get an external. You can attach the Eee Box to the back of many LCD monitor and then put the drive on the desk.

 

[lt_shiro]

Shuttle KPC ~$95-$125 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101064
2 x 1 GB DDR2 667 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134384 $23
E5200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072 $83
WD 640 GB HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 $75

Total $276
n.b. you will need get a external dvd burner.

 

[Gustaf]

Thanks for the replies, I came up with this today:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2
XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600 GT 512MB
Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Antec earthwatts EA380
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R

total: $286.94

Will that 380w PSU power those above plus an additional sata hd?

 

[swatbat]

Thanks for the replies, I came up with this today:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2
XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600 GT 512MB
Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Antec earthwatts EA380
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R

total: $286.94

Will that 380w PSU power those above plus an additional sata hd?

Should be fine but I think a prebuilt will do better.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...c=productdetails~d&dgc=BF&cid=7421&lid=197378

Core2 2.66
2 gigs of memory
DVDRW
Vista home premium
250 gig hard drive
20 inch lcd

Comes to 448 plus shipping and tax. Also has next business day onsite meaning if hardware fails you can have them send a tech out to replace a part(not sure if you live near your mom or not).

Drop the monitor and it comes to 358 bucks. More expensive then building one if you don't count a windows license and hard drive but you have a system that will run quite and has a warranty on it. You said you are keeping the old hd but a new one couldn't hurt.

Personally I'd take the monitor for the 90 bucks. Hell if she doesn't need it get the monitor and sell it to make the price a little lower as you should be able to get more for it.

 

[gamerx11]

since this comp will be primarily for web use, i would recommend you going with a prebuilt computer such as a refurbished dell from the dell outlet. if building is a must....

$190- q6600
$30- hd3450
$30- 2x1gb ddr2 800mhz
$100- p45 mobo
$60- some antec power supply
$25- optical drive
~$435

this is just estimates...

You definitely don't need a q6600 just for word processing and web browsing. You're better off with just getting an e5200.

Also, it shouldn't cost you $60 for a PSU, maybe go with the Rosewill 500w. Preferably though if you can find a cheap antec PSU b/w 400-600w get it.

Lastly, you could get a cheaper mobo since you aren't gaming with it. The ASUS P5Q SE PLUS or Gigabyte P45.

Cuts the price down to around $300. Cheap yet probably still very fast for your intentions.

 

[Dangman]

Thanks for the replies, I came up with this today:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2
XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600 GT 512MB
Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Antec earthwatts EA380
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R

total: $286.94

Will that 380w PSU power those above plus an additional sata hd?

It'll be fine even if you add 2 more drives in addition the two you already have. However for just $7 more, I highly recommend getting this significantly faster video card:
XFX PVT96OSDFH 9600GSO 768MB PCI-E Video Card - $78

I also recommend going with this slightly better PSU for $5 less:
Corsair 400CX 400W PSU - $40

 

[HardwareGuru]

Man.. an AMD build may not be faster than Intel but, it really makes a good budget build.

 

[Noble Aquarius]

I agree with Danny Bui that 9600GSO is a big upgrade from that 8600GT

8600GT 32 SP 128-bit memory interface

vs

9600GSO 96SP 192-bit interface memory

I agree the 9600GSO is better then the 8600GT

 

[silent-circuit]

You're covered. Listen to Danny, and consider 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB. Kits are dirt cheap anymore.