Building a Computer <$300 and Need Opinions

[herakles]

My parents were looking at some of the desktops on clearance at Staples and he ended up liking a Compaq (AMD Dual-core E450 APU with HD 6320 Discrete Graphics, 1tb HD, 4 gigs of ram) for 319.99. I was hoping to build something around that or less with better performance. They mostly surf, email, youtube and play flash games.

So this is what I came up with:

http://i.imgur.com/Gvosz.jpg

I could probably cannabalize their old case to bring the price down to $275. What do you guys think? Any recommendations? Suggestions?

[acemobile]

Honestly at this price point, it's probably not worth your time to build one, when one can be purchased for $300. I'm sure your time is more valuable than $25.

[arclite]

I honestly wouldn't spend <$300 on a computer if you expect it to last.

[willy]

Let me try ...

Celeron G530 ... $44 (2276 @ cpubenchmark.net, many times faster than E-450)
Gigabyte H77M-D3H ... $95 (you could throw in a Ivy Bridge i7 someday)
4GB RAM ... $20 (I would go 8GB personally and call it a day)
500GB HD ... $60 (or 60GB SSD !!!!!)
PS ... $35 (Enermax NAXN 450W)
DVDRW ... $18

Total $272

[DavidY]

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/

AMD E450=738
AMD Phenom II X2 521=2127

Currently out of stock, but would keep on eye on this PC (a refurb AMD Phenom II X2 521 based PC for $249..just add a monitor):

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/hewlett-packard-hp-pavilion-desktop-computer-featuring-amd-phenom-ii-521-dual-core-p6823w-english-refurbished-p6823w/10185451.aspx

Be advised that it won't be much of a gamer...limited by a small/cheap power supply and weak graphics. 90 day warranty however.

4+ years on my HP/Compaq PC refurb.

Dave

[PrinceMS]

Why not get one of the new atom (dual core) netbook. Connect it to a used big screen monitor. $300 you got yourself a pretty decent setup, which can be mobile as well. Provided its only basic stuff you need get done (just make sure it supports 1080p video).

If not, go used maybe? I have intel quad core system that will come v.close to your budget.

Just saying.

[oldpro]

Let me try ...

Celeron G530 ... $44 (2276 @ cpubenchmark.net, many times faster than E-450)
Gigabyte H77M-D3H ... $95 (you could throw in a Ivy Bridge i7 someday)
4GB RAM ... $20 (I would go 8GB personally and call it a day)
500GB HD ... $60 (or 60GB SSD !!!!!)
PS ... $35 (Enermax NAXN 450W)
DVDRW ... $18

Total $272
Absolutely brilliant - thanks.
Just wanted to mention that there is a MSI mobo for <$50 available, but no HDMI - just DVI and VGA

[audit13]

What about an OS? The Win7 included with the Staples computer is probably worth $75, no?

[oldpro]

What about an OS? The Win7 included with the Staples computer is probably worth $75, no?
Yes, this was omitted, and it adds a major cost component to this cheap system, for sure. With all in, maybe buying an assembled cheap/on-sale, brand name c/w Windows is not such a bad option, after all :)

Cheers

P.S. Linux is an option, but let's not start a Win vs. Linux debate here :)

[gnuman]

If you install Linux it would save you a lot of headaches though. Think of it how often you would have to pass by and fix a virus issue if you did install them Linux? Zero. I personally recommend Zorin 6 for them it looks and feels like Windows. http://tuxs.in/WZkfyj

[audit13]

If you install Linux it would save you a lot of headaches though. Think of it how often you would have to pass by and fix a virus issue if you did install them Linux? Zero. I personally recommend Zorin 6 for them it looks and feels like Windows. http://tuxs.in/WZkfyj

I agree that Linux is a good option but it may not be if the OP has to provide tech support and doesn't know Linux very well.

[oldpro]

I agree that Linux is a good option but it may not be if the OP has to provide tech support and doesn't know Linux very well.
Very true. Too bad that Linux, after all these years, has never been able to put even a smallest dent in the Windows supremacy, on the consumer PC side at least. We know that major servers of the well known giants, and many, many top scientific supercomputers, run Linux and nothing else :)

Cheers


If you install Linux it would save you a lot of headaches though. Think of it how often you would have to pass by and fix a virus issue if you did install them Linux? Zero. I personally recommend Zorin 6 for them it looks and feels like Windows. http://tuxs.in/WZkfyj
Personally I haven't tried Zorin, but I've read that indeed it is made to ease transition from Win to Linux.

Cheers.