Need to build cheap system for my sister...

Need not be a "gaming rig". She will only be using for internet and some business programs.
She already has a case, HDD(IDE) and DVD burner(IDE).

Below are links to what I was considering...(Will a system with 800Mh FSB CPU run DDR2 667 memory?)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128076

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116039

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134384

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150255

I am stuck on the PSU...need one for $50.00 or less as her old one won't support new hardware.

Please keep in mind her current rig is a P 2 400

667 ram will run fine on FSB 800 CPUs.

Even if her old PC is a P2 theres no need to hold back that hard when building her a new one. I would go for E5200 and nvidia based mobo with integrated graphics, thats almost 4 (edit: or maybe 3) times more CPU power and should be even cheaper and almost same graphics performance + she can add a decent GPU later. Edit: Didnt notice how cheap that stuff you selected actually was, but still; its not much performance per $.

For a little extra you be better of getting this CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

Below are links to what I was considering...(Will a system with 800Mh FSB CPU run DDR2 667 memory?)

Click to expand...

Yes it will

This PSU not to bad had one in my old system for 4 yrs and still going
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

if you are going to go cheap. I suggest going AMD. their integrated graphics is LOADs better than that intel crap.

AMD BE-2400
780G m-atx mobo
2gigs of pc6400 or 4gigs ain't much more.
antec earthwatts psu
harddrive
case

Thanks for the replies...she only has around $200 to $250 to spend.

I will look into the suggestions and maybe talk her into more...

White_Pawn said:

if you are going to go cheap. I suggest going AMD. their integrated graphics is LOADs better than that intel crap.

AMD BE-2400
780G m-atx mobo
2gigs of pc6400 or 4gigs ain't much more.
antec earthwatts psu
harddrive
case

Click to expand...

+1 Also keep in mind most modern motherboards only have one IDE channel. I always prefered keeping my opticals and HD's separate.

The BE-2400 has been deactivated on newegg so take the 4850e as a replacement for $60. A Biostar 780G is $60. 2x1GB of Kingston PC6400 CAS4 is $37. Or you can do OCZ for $41 with a rebate that knocks it down to $16. Top it off with an Antec Earthwatts for $50.

You total will be a touch over $200. If you do go Intel get her something better than a 945 based board. A Celeron E1200, a Foxconn G43, and the same ram and PSU comes out to about the same money. I would go with the AMD for the better graphics as the processing power of either will be enough for here needs.

ou_phidelt said:

A Celeron E1200, a Foxconn G43, and the same ram and PSU comes out to about the same money. I would go with the AMD for the better graphics as the processing power of either will be enough for here needs.

Click to expand...

Foxconn scares me a little...A lot of bad reviews...I have a few weeks to decide....so I will continue looking into all this...

for a low budget build like this, the AMD solution will be better.

o pick me me me!!

sorry cant help it, i got something that well for the price cant be beat even compared to the amd setup. even if the intel graphics suck compared to AMD 790g. from your short post it sounds like all she needs is surfing and email?

meet my fav little friend!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856167032
i suggest this one since all you need to do is add CD-DVD/HD/RAM/OS!
For $231 from newegg, that is a 2gig DDR2-533 SO-DIMM(used in laptops),sata 80gig 7200rpm drive,sata DVD burner. now sell her old system and get some $$ back.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231 <-HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023 <-DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231163 <-RAM

now if you wanted to build a atom system from the ground up.
Atom 230 $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121342
or
Atom 330 $79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121359
no amd mobo or cpu can get that cheap for both even at the atom 330 higher cost. well unless you got real lucky on a fry's combo deal.
the case im using for my atom 330 setup is this one kind nice but the psu fan is going out.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091 <-$55.99
with this ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134187 <-27.99
use the same HD and DVD drives, listed above.
totaling $230.95 (this price here is with the Atom 330 setup, so knock $10 off if you go with the 230)

i would take the first one i listed, even a dollar more its a much smaller pc. the second option would allow, if needed to add a ATI 2400pro pci card. that is if you wanted to play older games with no issues, think quake 3 old.

usually i would have evilsizer's back, but the AMD build would have lots more cpu and gpu power than the option he listed.

White_Pawn said:

usually i would have evilsizer's back, but the AMD build would have lots more cpu and gpu power than the option he listed.

Click to expand...

if all she does is email/websurfer/word, why does she need all that extra cpu power? cause i was going on the fact he said not a gaming machine... i could be for tring to build a good system with all new parts for under $250. i had hard time tring to do that with AMD parts. guess i need to try agian, if others really feel that a Atom setup wouldnt be best.


*edit*
ok well if i still tried to inlude a HD/DVD this is the best i could find as a fit for a amd setup.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138133
however that would then require a new case and then possibly a psu as well.

AM2 3800+ X2 Windsor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103067
ECS geforce 7050 AM2+ mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135086
OCZ Vista Upgrade 2 x 1gig pc6400 (DDR800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227189
more than enough power for 95 bucks.

cpu is oem, so no HSF
xigamatech S1283 $32 + 10 MIR = $22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

OCZ Stealth Extreme 500watt psu: $50 + $25MIR = $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012
WD 500gig Harddrive 16mb cache 7200rpm = $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

total = $202

go salvage a case from somewhere.

ok but by going oem cpu that leaving him to buy a HSF as well. which would then add to the cost,no?

ok, well the best i could do with tring to keep the system some what upgradable with amd. comes out to $264 but its a single core cpu, got a new case, had to add a psu. since none of the cases i looked at had quality psu's that i would post/suggest.

im still going to stand by my atom suggestion. since to fit a core 2 system in that price isnt going to happen,unless you shop second hand(like ebay). the E1200 is no longer listed on newegg and he E1400 wont fit in the alowed $. about the best cpu from intel i would be able to fit in and allowing alot of upgrading room with a G4x board would be the celeron-l 430. even then that adds another $20 to the price over the amd setup.

*we are still a little blind as to what exactly the computer will be used for beside its not a gaming machine*