Building my first computer (cheaply)

When I build a new computer, I monitor the ads for Frys. They have decent deals on motherboard/cpu combos.

 

I wouldn't go cheap on RAM although crucial.com has great RAM at good prices. Check out pricewatch.com for a lot of stuff too as well as newegg.com

 

You can buy a 500 computer these days that are pretty decent, maybe even 300. How much are you looking to spend on this?

 

for 300 bucks, you can get a pretty good Dell with a free 17 inch lcd.

 

If you never built a computer before, I recommend (and have recommend emachines).

http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=T6536

I would just buy that and maybe at a 100 dollar video card from new-egg if you game at all. Just look at the components and compare prices for similar parts on New-Egg and you'll see it's almost a wash, don't have to wait for the parts to arrive and the time to sample it.

 

i used this as a guide when i put my computer together

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/index.htm

 

I work for HP/Compaq here in Houston.

Let me know if you're interested in sampling our employee prices or refurbished machines.

Give me the specs, price range, and I'll show you what's available.

bamboodude65@yahoo.com.tw

 

The easiest way to build a cheap computer is to go with older generation parts. Don't get a 64bit or dual core processor. Buy an older motherboard with an older chipset on the cheap. You might want to look at used parts for some of these things. You can get some amazing, gently-used parts on EBay.

I'd also look carefully at what you can get for a complete new system. The prices are incredibly low, though I do worry a bit about the quality of low end systems.

 

I would shy away from used computer parts, esp motherboards (one component can be ruined on it and give you a real headache). If you buy from Frys, don't even purchase the returned items.

 

HP Pavilion a1410e series full tower
Windows XP Home Edition
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3500+ (2.2GHz / 512KB L2 cache)
Memory 256MB DDR2-533MHz SDRAM (1x256)
80GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive
CD/DVD Drive 48x max CD-writer drive (48x32x48x)
2 USB, front audio ports
Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
Sound Card Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ front audio ports
Keyboard and Mouse HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
Microsoft(R) Works 8.0/Money 2006/MSN Encarta Plus
Price after $50 mail-in rebate:
$254.99 + free shipping

====================================
512MB PC4200 DDR2 533 RAM from EWiz.com
$44 + $6.50 shipping

(This would give you a total of 768mb RAM)

=====================================
Subtotal: $304 and change.

Not dual core, and minus pretty much all the bells and whistles... but would that meet your needs?
Let me know. Just trying to root for the home team...

 

Nowadays it's not really worth it build your own computer.

 

Along with Pricewatch and Newegg, check out the Hot Deals forums at anandtech.com, fatwallet.com and slickdeals.net for good deals on various parts.

I do agree though, buying one from a big box manufacturer is the way to go these days, but I get that you want to do it for the experience. Good luck, and feel free to ask for advice.

 

I built a new computer, pretty powerful (with gaming in mind), and only spent about $800. Considering that purchase included a new XP cd ($90), a new HD ($43) and a new 19" widescreen monitor ($190), I'd say that bodes well for you. I also got a pretty good graphics card, which it sounds like you won't need, for about $150. So If I can build a pretty mean machine for roughly $300 (minus XP, graphics card, HD, and the monitor), I'm certain you can achieve what you're trying to do with your $300.

newegg.com is your friend, remember that.

You'll find some G-Skill brand memory on their for good prices, and I would suggest it wholeheartedly. Zero problems with my 2 x 1G setup since I built it 6 months ago.

Good luck with everything. I did my first and only build without any help or prior experience and everything came out just fine. Just be careful with all the parts and make sure to invest in an anti-static wrist strap (~$4).

 

Hey I have a brand-new AMD Sempron 2500+ (I think) with a fan still sealed in its original box. It's NOT 64 bit, though. I bought it a couple of years ago when my motherboard got burned but it turned out my cpu is okay. Let me know if you are interested and how much you'd like to pay.

 

chiefvalue.com, monarchcomputer.com, and zipzoomfly.com are good too

 

Build your own + cheap, never ends up that cheap. You're better off buying a system.

 

does anyone know about the quad core processors? specifically, when theyre coming out and are they worth it in terms of price and performance?