I want to build a computer for my dad for christmas. He: Still uses AOL dialup (so im going to need to put a modem in it) Only uses his computer for the internet, word, and other basic finance programs. I want to spend about $200 not including an OS on this adventure. I need: A CPU A motherboard RAM Harddrive DVDROM (this is only like $20 these days so, what the hell) 56KModem and thats all that I can think of right now. Can you guys put together a good system for me or find good prices on parts? Am I leaving anything out?
A case & PS would be helpful. Mouse & keyboard......unless you have them already from another computer. A video card......unless there is something built into the motherboard that would some share main memory.
Yes - A case too mouse,keyboard, monitor not needed video card should be built into motherboard.... This is also looking more like $300
It's gonna be hard if your price range is around 200 bucks, the CPU and the motherboard alone should cost you about 80 bucks at least. Maybe you should just go on ebay and look for a used one. *edit, I take that back, you can acutally buy a new one around that price on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51136&item=5146172701&rd=1
Yeah, I'd definitely say $300. Some places to check out: http://www.directron.com http://www.newegg.com http://www.axiontech.com - they are going out of business. The site isn't a great help, but I might call them, tell them your budget and that you know they're going out of business and if they can help you Fry's ads on Friday are usually killer. The processor/motherboard combos are great. But one thing I'd suggest is to stay away from PC Chips motherboards. For budget systems, you'll be tempted for these, but just stay away from them. I used to build systems with these motherboards and they are the worst parts you will ever find. They'll go bad within three months. ECS motherboards are a crapshoot, but I've used three and have had good luck with all 3. I'll try to throw something really cheap together and see what you can swing for your budget . . . Add a $20 case from directron or axion or something and you've got a computer. No floppy on this one. For about $100 you could do better -- mostly in better components. I'd get a better motherboard with a VIA or NVIDIA chipset, and maybe a better brand of RAM. The price difference to the next steps up from all these components is not that large -- usually $10 or so. You may be able to get better deals than this at directron or elsewhere, I just always use newegg b/c it's got great prices and a nice interface.
Vengeance basically has this covered but I’ll add the case and make a small change. Total cost: $238.83 tax and shipping included. From Axiontech ($30.25 tax already included)grab: http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=59593 4.99 Conexant 56K modem http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=15933 22.95 Dynapower Case w/PSU $27.94 subtotal, $2.31 tax This is of course assuming you live in Houston so you can arrange for pick-up and forego any shipping costs. From Newegg get: Same as Vengeance, just replace the ECS motherboard and AMD 2300 Sempron (cost 101.49) with the 2200 Sempron + fan + Biostar Motherboard Combination item # N82E16813138241 (cost 91.99). Also remove the modem because shipping is 4.99 as compared to the free pickup at Axiontech. However, if you really want to get close to your goal of $200 and you don’t mind mail-in rebates I would recommend waiting on the hard drive and seeing what deals surface on www.techbargains.com from Best Buy, CompUSA, etc. There is usually a $30 (usually 38 after tax) after rebate deal each week (but not this one). You pay $53.69 for it otherwise on newegg. What sucks is that there are free or almost free motherboard deals (after rebate) every now and then on newegg, and the most recent AMD one just expired yesterday. If only you had asked earlier. Also, the black Friday cheap hard drive deals have just passed, and a good stick of 2700 Kingston 256 for 29.99 after rebate ended last weekend.
Axion is going out of business? Man, that sucks. I used them on the last machine I built, they had the cheapest prices in town.
you can buy an e-machine from best buy for about that much, if you're looking to build one, try newegg.com they have some good prices.
EV1 was only 10 bucks and I pay 45 per month for Cable. Is AOL dial-up really in the 50 dollar range? If so, then I have some beach front property in Arizona I would like to sell.
Yeah...AOL...why does anyone use their service? The are extremely over priced and poor products. You can get cable through earthlink right now for $19.95 for the first 3 months, and $40 bux a month after that. I think AOL dial up is around $23/month now.
Trust me, I have tried to get him to change but he simply doesnt want to pay anymore. I have a commitment from my mother and sister for another $150 and I will pitch in $150. So now we are spending $300 , which gives alot more wiggling room
Wait for dell to sell one of their sc420 servers for 225 again. It's essentially one of their workstations rebranded. All you have to do is buy a modem and soundcard and you are set.
Im thinking of going this route: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=sc420sapp&s=bsd Any reason why a 56k modem costs $69 on this thing? I wish I could just buy a modem seperately and put it on there so I could have money to buy Windows XP home ... Also, I understand this is a server, but I looked around and it seems that although it is not recommended by dell, its okay to put windows XP on this system. Comments?
