Cheapo Computer

fatsheepfatsheep
edited June 2008 in Hardware
I'm building a cheap computer that's just going to browse the web and do basic tasks. I'm feeling pretty good about the parts I selected but I figured I'd post them here and see if anyone had advice.

Intel Celeron 2.0 Ghz Dual Core - $60
Biostar Motherboard - $50 ($40 after rebate)
Kingston 2 GB DDR2 - $43
FSP Group 400W Power Supply - $47
Centurion Case - $50
Acer 19" Widescreen - $170
Western Digital 160 Gb SATA HDD - $45
Pioneer DVD/CD Burner - $31
Logitech 2.1 Speakers - $22

Total with shipping and everything is ~$550 after a $10 rebate.

Look good? I'm just using the onboard video since this is just going to be used for web browsing and maybe a bit of image editing.

Comments

  • BubblemanBubbleman A Desert
    edited June 2008
    Whats your budget? And operating system?

    Also I strongly suggest a video card, even though your doing just web surfing and basic tasks it will help out your computer when you maybe want to play a movie and so on, even if its a $50 video card.
  • pigflipperpigflipper The Forgotten Coast Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    I would suggest looking for a deal on a better brand of PSU; cheap ones tend to fail.
  • adarryladarryl No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child. Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    The power supply you have selected is fine; I have it in an X2 5600 system and it has been flawless. Fortron is a good brand. However, I would recommend you look at an AMD Athlon 64 dual-core processor and motherboard over the Celeron combo you selected. Your call, but I would look at these CPU's for a basic build:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2%2050001028%2040000343%201050717007&bop=And&Order=PRICE

    You may be thinking of upgrading later to an Intel C2D with that motherboard but the 945 chipset is not a good choice for that performance leap. Yes, it will work, but it will not give you the performance a C2D is capable of giving you.
  • fatsheepfatsheep
    edited June 2008
    Bubbleman wrote:
    Whats your budget? And operating system?

    Budget is as low as possible but around $500. The operating system is going to be Ubuntu Linux. I can get Windows later on if I really need to but it's only going to be used for basic email and internet stuff.
    Bubbleman wrote:
    Also I strongly suggest a video card, even though your doing just web surfing and basic tasks it will help out your computer when you maybe want to play a movie and so on, even if its a $50 video card.

    That's probably a good idea.
    adarryl wrote:
    The power supply you have selected is fine; I have it in an X2 5600 system and it has been flawless. Fortron is a good brand. However, I would recommend you look at an AMD Athlon 64 dual-core processor and motherboard over the Celeron combo you selected. Your call, but I would look at these CPU's for a basic build:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2%2050001028%2040000343%201050717007&bop=And&Order=PRICE

    You may be thinking of upgrading later to an Intel C2D with that motherboard but the 945 chipset is not a good choice for that performance leap. Yes, it will work, but it will not give you the performance a C2D is capable of giving you.

    I think you're right. After looking at some benchmarks those AMD 64 X2s look a lot better.

    EDIT: Here we go:

    AMD 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane - $60
    Biostar Socket AM2 Nforce 430 Motherboard - $45
    Gskill 2 GB DDR2 800 Stick - $43
    ZOTAC 7300 GT - $30
    FSP Group 400W Power Supply - $47
    Centurion Case - $50
    Acer 19" Widescreen - $170
    Western Digital 160 Gb SATA HDD - $45
    Pioneer DVD/CD Burner - $31
    Logitech 2.1 Speakers - $22

    How does that look? Total = $600 with shipping but it has a decent video card (I have a 7300 GT in my other computer and it sure can handle email ;) ).
  • adarryladarryl No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child. Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    I can't complain over what you have done so far (keeping in mind this is a budget build). However, I prefer 2 memory modules over one so I would look at something like this: (I am a mushkin fan) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118

    With rebate, that comes in lower than the single stick you chose. However, if you are a GSkill fan, here is a dual module set for like a buck more than your single dimm: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

    Budget builds are a compromise and yours looks serviceable. Each of us has our own preferences and that's Ok. However, I would make one other suggestion: the case. The Centurion is a fine case (I also own that model in black and silver) but if you want to save some $, you might look at a lesser model. Rosewill makes some good budget cases. I just finished a build with this one and it works great for a general purpose machine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147086

    If you consider this Rosewill case, I would not use the blue drive mounting brackets you see pictured. I thought they were rather weak; use screws instead. GL! and enjoy your project!

    Edit: If you are interested in that Rosewill case I listed, it mounts the power supply sideways in the bottom front of the case. Not all power supplies will fit there. However, I just measured and your Fortron will fit that case just fine.
  • fatsheepfatsheep
    edited June 2008
    adarryl wrote:
    I can't complain over what you have done so far (keeping in mind this is a budget build). However, I prefer 2 memory modules over one so I would look at something like this: (I am a mushkin fan) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118

    With rebate, that comes in lower than the single stick you chose. However, if you are a GSkill fan, here is a dual module set for like a buck more than your single dimm: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

    Budget builds are a compromise and yours looks serviceable. Each of us has our own preferences and that's Ok. However, I would make one other suggestion: the case. The Centurion is a fine case (I also own that model in black and silver) but if you want to save some $, you might look at a lesser model. Rosewill makes some good budget cases. I just finished a build with this one and it works great for a general purpose machine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147086

    If you consider this Rosewill case, I would not use the blue drive mounting brackets you see pictured. I thought they were rather weak; use screws instead. GL! and enjoy your project!

    Edit: If you are interested in that Rosewill case I listed, it mounts the power supply sideways in the bottom front of the case. Not all power supplies will fit there. However, I just measured and your Fortron will fit that case just fine.

    Thanks for the tips.

    The motherboard I chose only has two memory slots so I thought I should leave one open for an upgrade. One 2 Gb stick should work fine. I know there are some benefits to dual channel but it's not that big of a deal, is it?

    As for the Rosewill... that case apparently only supports ATX. If it supports Micro ATX (which is what my mobo is) then it doesn't say it. It also doesn't have a front fan which I think is pretty useful for ventilation. Other then that it looks good and it would save me $20 or so if it works with my Micro ATX mobo.
  • adarryladarryl No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child. Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    Though NewEgg doesn't say so, that case does support micro ATX. Here is the Rosewill link for specifics on that case: http://www.rosewill.com/product/product.aspx?productId=1009

    Single or dual channel, in this particular situation, it probably doesn't matter.

    As far as other Rosewill cases, you might look these over for something equally affordable or pleases your eye more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50002177%2040000007&Manufactory=2177&bop=And&SpeTabStoreType=0&Order=PRICE

    Also, one really has to watch shipping charges. They can sting you pretty good on a case. I always check http://www.chiefvalue.com/ (NewEgg's sister site) before I order. Often, Chief Value has lower shipping charges on bulky stuff like cases.
  • fatsheepfatsheep
    edited June 2008
    adarryl wrote:
    Though NewEgg doesn't say so, that case does support micro ATX. Here is the Rosewill link for specifics on that case: http://www.rosewill.com/product/product.aspx?productId=1009

    Single or dual channel, in this particular situation, it probably doesn't matter.

    As far as other Rosewill cases, you might look these over for something equally affordable or pleases your eye more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50002177%2040000007&Manufactory=2177&bop=And&SpeTabStoreType=0&Order=PRICE

    Also, one really has to watch shipping charges. They can sting you pretty good on a case. I always check http://www.chiefvalue.com/ (NewEgg's sister site) before I order. Often, Chief Value has lower shipping charges on bulky stuff like cases.

    OK, I think I'll go with one of the cheaper cases. I didn't realize shipping was $20 for the Cooler Master. How did you get my PSU's dimensions? I don't see them on the manufacturers page or the newegg specs...

    EDIT: Found the dimensions here: http://secure.ncixus.com/products/27909/SAGA%2B400R/FSP%20GROUP%20USA/

    Looks like, as you said, it will fit just fine.
  • adarryladarryl No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child. Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    "How did you get my PSU's dimensions? I don't see them on the manufacturers page or the newegg specs..."

    Like I said, I own that PS and that case. They are not in the same build but it was not difficult to go measure both. Glad you found what you needed to know.

    Yes, shipping charges on cases can be gruesome; it's good to compare total cost before choosing. Though the Centurion you initially chose is a fine case, purchase price + shipping makes it more than necessary for a budget build. Money talks! GL on your build! Oh, and one other thing. On a budget system, people can claim........."but you don't have much of an upgrade path!" But that is true on ANY new build. These PC component manufacturers don't stay in business off of us by making infinitely interchangeable parts. Build what you need, pocket the cash saved and ENJOY!
  • fatsheepfatsheep
    edited June 2008
    adarryl wrote:
    "How did you get my PSU's dimensions? I don't see them on the manufacturers page or the newegg specs..."

    Like I said, I own that PS and that case. They are not in the same build but it was not difficult to go measure both. Glad you found what you needed to know.

    Oh I didn't know you had the same PSU. Good to know. :bigggrin:
    adarryl wrote:
    Yes, shipping charges on cases can be gruesome; it's good to compare total cost before choosing. Though the Centurion you initially chose is a fine case, purchase price + shipping makes it more than necessary for a budget build.

    I've used it on my past two builds and been quite pleased with its air circulation. The foam on the front helps keep dust out too... However, yea it's $70 total while the Rosewill is only $38 or so. I'm going to add in a 80 mm fan so I can get a bit more circulation though...
    adarryl wrote:
    Money talks! GL on your build! Oh, and one other thing. On a budget system, people can claim........."but you don't have much of an upgrade path!" But that is true on ANY new build. These PC component manufacturers don't stay in business off of us by making infinitely interchangeable parts. Build what you need, pocket the cash saved and ENJOY!

    That's true. I never spend extra money to get a motherboard or something that will be more "future proof". By the time I want to upgrade, I will have to switch out the CPU and motherboard anyway.

    Thanks for the help.
  • adarryladarryl No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child. Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    My pleasure, sir!
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited June 2008
    Have you considered this
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121342
    I don't think that this thing will pull 100W at full load.
    It isn't rocket science, but small, quiet, and cool.
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