1. #1

    Need a basic cheap setup

    Hi guys, this forum helped me in the past build my gaming machine.

    Now I was wondering if you computer wizards could help me with the most basic cheap desktop computer for my parents. They have an 8 year old slow as hell computer. They don't play games. They do simple things like using the computer for work, make spreadsheets, and internet browsing.

    What are the best/cheapest parts to build this simple pc?

    Ever since I built my own from lingering on the forum I refuse to go out and buy one pre-made. I'm not a computer wiz,, and my cousin helped me build mine when I got all the parts. You guys seem to know your stuff here

    Looking to spend 400-500 on everything. Thanks.

  2. #2
    Anything that can be reused ? Like peripherals perhaps?
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.7GHz | MSI Z77 Mpower | Noctua NH-D14 | Corsair Vengeance LP White 1.35V 8GB 1600MHz
    Gigabyte GTX 670 OC Windforce 3X @ 1372/7604MHz | Corsair Force GT 120GB | Silverstone Fortress FT02 | Corsair VX450

  3. #3
    Moderator chazus's Avatar
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    I recently did this thread about an extreme budget build. You could take that, forego the video card, and get a nicer CPU/APU setup. With the OS, you'd hit about the $400 mark on a system.

    However, I HAVE seen recently prebuilt systems as low as $250. Honestly, anything manufactured within the last 2-3 years will handle any 'non-gaming' workload well.

  4. #4
    Stood in the Fire slasher0161's Avatar
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    Build with everything including OS and peripherals.

    If you can reuse the following:
    • Mouse
    • Keyboard
    • Monitor
    • Optical drive
    • Hard drive
    It only works out at $352.89
    Realistically could probably drop it even cheaper though its a bit in the air if its worth while.
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.79 @ Amazon)
    Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($52.99 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
    Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
    Case: Rosewill R363-M-BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case w/400W Power Supply ($53.47 @ Amazon)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
    Monitor: Zalman MZ215ED 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.65 @ Amazon)
    Keyboard: Rosewill RK-700M Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ Newegg)
    Mouse: V7 M30P10-7N Wired Optical Mouse ($5.13 @ Amazon)
    Total: $532.98
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-04 22:46 EST-0500)

    ---------
    *edit*
    ---------

    Cheaper build at cost of performance (probably nothing they would note but it won't age as well as the i3 build.
    If you can reuse the same parts I said before you looking at $245.37

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Pentium G550 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
    Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon)
    Memory: Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.00 @ Amazon)
    Storage: Samsung Spinpoint M8 320GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($26.99 @ Amazon)
    Power Supply: Rosewill 350W ATX Power Supply ($29.42 @ Amazon)
    Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
    Monitor: Acer G205HVbd 20.0" Monitor ($89.99 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
    Keyboard: Rosewill RK-700M Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ Newegg)
    Mouse: V7 M30P10-7N Wired Optical Mouse ($5.13 @ Amazon)
    Total: $410.46
    (Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-04 23:23 EST-0500)
    Last edited by slasher0161; 2013-02-05 at 04:28 AM.

  5. #5
    For what his parents are going to use it for, I'm pretty sure he could just build a celeron, pentium dual core, or A4 system, which can easily be built for close to $200 before OS.

  6. #6
    Stood in the Fire slasher0161's Avatar
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    Yes and no, the biggest cost of either of those rigs I linked is the bloody peripherals (and they aren't anything special either). That is where the problem with a brand new low end build comes in your peripherals start to become 50-60% of your cost.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by slasher0161 View Post
    Yes and no, the biggest cost of either of those rigs I linked is the bloody peripherals (and they aren't anything special either). That is where the problem with a brand new low end build comes in your peripherals start to become 50-60% of your cost.
    For that very reason at very low budget you should look into laptops instead where the monitor and OS basically comes for free. For parents web surfing basic 14-15" laptop would be ideal because it can be hidden away when not in use to fit better into interior decoration and there's less cable clutter. Also the lack of gaming GPU will not be any kind of problem there. 120GB SSD would be great upgrade there that makes $400-500 laptop feel like a rocket in all daily things with $100 extra cost.
    Never going to log into this garbage forum again as long as calling obvious troll obvious troll is the easiest way to get banned.
    Trolling should be.

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