is it possible to build a new computer for $3-400?

[edgar]

right now I have a P2 350mhz which is kinda showing it's age at this point. Last I checked what was out there was when I bought that P2 some 6 years ago. So I'm absolutely in the dark as to what's available right now

I'm not looking for the latest and greatest, just something a good bit more modern than my current system. Just something to work on, browse the internet, and burn stuff with. Don't really play games anymore, but a real video card would be nice. As would a DVD burner. Could someone point me in the right direction as to what I should be looking to purchasing, buying it piece by piece isn't a problem as I'm sure I could figure out how to assemble it. Hopefully looking to stay within my budget of $3-400

thanks for any help

[willy]

Do you feel comfortable with used systems ? You will find some very good deals in the BST forum.

If you are not looking for bleeding-edge stuff, I personally think socket-A based system should stay well in your budget and keep you happy for at least a couple of years.

[edgar]

I have no problem with used stuff, I simply have no idea of what to look for

last I checked, AMD systems were great for bang for the buck, is that still true?

[Evil Techie]

once in a while dell has some nice systems for 300 ish

monitor excluded

very good deal though so id keep an eye out in the hot deals forum
its very hard to build one yourself for 300 to 400 dollars

a used computer or a dell would be your best bet
and willy is right, lots of good deals to be had in BST forums as well

[edgar]

thanks

my price range is without a monitor of course, my 17" Mitsubishi will probably still be good for another year or two

[bluetroll]

yes.

[jaigandhi5]

get someone to custom build it for u (me) :cheesygri :lol:

[edgar]

building isn't the problem, the problem is finding something decent to fit within my price range

[Mike71]

I think for new you would be better off waiting for one of those Dell sales. I got the Dimension 3000 for my sister for Xmas for 321 including tax and its a perfect computer for what she needs it for. Personally I would keep an eye out for some of the used systems people are selling in the B/S/T forum. If you don't need the newest and fastest you can likely find something in there. Maybe post in the deals request forum and see what is available. Sometimes people don't decide to sell something until they know there is a market for it. Good luck finding what you are looking for.

[AnimeEd]

well, the thing is that you can buy a $400 computer and find it slow after one year then get another $400 computer
or you can just get a $1000 computer and use it for 3yrs

[willy]

well, the thing is that you can buy a $400 computer and find it slow after one year then get another $400 computer
or you can just get a $1000 computer and use it for 3yrs
I would think otherwise ... If a P2-350 can serve him/her well until now, I would think a 2GHz-class machine should serve him/her well for quite a few years. General office work and internet surfing are not that demanding ... A friend of mine is using a Celeron 900Mhz for the similar task and he is quite happy about the performance.

[siriuskao]

well, the thing is that you can buy a $400 computer and find it slow after one year then get another $400 computer
or you can just get a $1000 computer and use it for 3yrs

depends on what you do ....

[Amourek]

Straight off <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=37 target=_blank>NCIX's</a> Boxing Day sale:

$76 AMD Sempron 2400+ (CPU)
$45 Asrock K7S41GX (Mobo)
$43 256MB Samsung PC3200 (RAM)
$40 Asus Geforce MX4000 (Video)
$54 Samsung 40GB 7200RPM (Hard Drive)
$70 BenQ DW1620 16x DVD+/-RW (Optical Drive)
$40 NGear TW-01 16IN MATX 300W (Case/PSU)
************************************
$368 + tax

Options:
-probably can find a cheaper case/PSU - knock off $10
-toss video card and use on-board video - knock off $40 (or maybe use the money to upgrade to 512MB)
-replace DVD+/-RW with CDRW - knock off $40

[felix]

Awe man ... I just typed a whole bunch of stuff and lost it :cry:

What I was basically saying was I got the Dell 3000 deal a while back, $350 + tax including floppy, and I sold the Corel Wordperfect 12 Productivity Pack software on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>eBay</a> for $33 US :cheesygri

[gh05t]

canadasys has some ok prebuilt systems in your price range. I checked it out and if you were to buy all the parts at retail prices you still cannot beat the price so worth a check.

www.canadasys.com

[eloytron]

Straight off <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=37 target=_blank>NCIX's</a> Boxing Day sale:

$76 AMD Sempron 2400+ (CPU)
$45 Asrock K7S41GX (Mobo)
$43 256MB Samsung PC3200 (RAM)
$40 Asus Geforce MX4000 (Video)
$54 Samsung 40GB 7200RPM (Hard Drive)
$70 BenQ DW1620 16x DVD+/-RW (Optical Drive)
$40 NGear TW-01 16IN MATX 300W (Case/PSU)
************************************
$368 + tax

Options:
-probably can find a cheaper case/PSU - knock off $10
-toss video card and use on-board video - knock off $40 (or maybe use the money to upgrade to 512MB)
-replace DVD+/-RW with CDRW - knock off $40

There you go.

[edgar]

thanks for the heads up on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=28 target=_blank>Ncix</a>, I'll give it some thought

as for AnimeEd, my question is what will the extra $600 buy me? I don't play games, so the latest video card isn't going to do much for me. Where will a supposed $400 system be deficient compared to a $1000 one? One year from now when cpu speeds will likely exceed 6mhz (what's the rule, speed doubles every year or is it six months?), the difference between 2.4 and 3ghz will be negligent. So is the extra money really worth it?

when I bought my p2 six years ago, I bought what was close to the latest and greatest, cost probably three grand for everything. Three years later, I doubt there would be much of a difference if I had spend half that.