Help me Build the Cheapest System ever

[slippy]

Basically I'm getting fed up with the speed of my Dell computer. It has a Celeron processor (~2 GHz?) and 512 MB DDR RAM, running Windows XP Home. Would it be worth it to buy some expensive PC2700 DDR RAM or should I build a cheap system?

It is used for:
1. Email/browsing
2. MSN
3. Word/Excel
4. Printing

Would it be possible to build one for ~$200? I see some pre-made systems for around $350. Thanks!

[Aj23]

Basically I'm getting fed up with the speed of my Dell computer. It has a Celeron processor and 512 MB DDR RAM. Would it worth it to buy some expensive DDR RAM PC2700 or should I build a cheap system?

It is used for:
1. Email/browsing
2. MSN

Would it be possible to build one for ~$200? I see some pre-made systems for around $350. Thanks!

For something like this, it's better to go pre-made. Building it yourself will give you better quality parts and better performance, but it will cost more money. You should be able to get something for about $300 that will fit your needs.

[matkun]

Check out the Dell Vostro for $279. Hard to make anything cheaper then that unless you are buying used.

[mr_raider]

Basically I'm getting fed up with the speed of my Dell computer. It has a Celeron processor and 512 MB DDR RAM. Would it be worth it to buy some expensive PC2700 DDR RAM or should I build a cheap system?

It is used for:
1. Email/browsing
2. MSN

Would it be possible to build one for ~$200? I see some pre-made systems for around $350. Thanks!

Try erasing windows XP and running some cut down distro of Linux. Hell, why not give windows 2000 a run. If you pay me postage, I'll send you my windows 3.1 diskettes :D

[slippy]

Man you guys are fast. I updated, but I don't think those extra tasks are that system intensive.

[slippy]

Try erasing windows XP and running some cut down distro of Linux. Hell, why not give windows 2000 a run. If you pay me postage, I'll send you my windows 3.1 diskettes :D

Ah yes, maybe a fresh install will do the trick :)

[terrybear]

1-2 gigs of ram & a format just might be what ya need. :)

[willy]

I don't think you need a brand new system ... Another 512MB or 1GB of RAM and possibly a faster HD should do the trick. Your intended tasks are not heavy.

Which motherboard / HD do you have now ?

[akbar_k]

Don't update anything, reformat and reinstall winxp sp2 or sp3 at your discretion. win2k is also a possibility, but I would probably stick with winxp.

[ShootingStars]

Basically I'm getting fed up with the speed of my Dell computer. It has a Celeron processor (~2 GHz?) and 512 MB DDR RAM, running Windows XP Home. Would it be worth it to buy some expensive PC2700 DDR RAM or should I build a cheap system?

It is used for:
1. Email/browsing
2. MSN
3. Word/Excel
4. Printing

Would it be possible to build one for ~$200? I see some pre-made systems for around $350. Thanks!

Believe me, browsing can turn computer to SLOWDOWN if you got tabs and especially Firefox... a memory muncher.

[willy]

512MB is quite painful to use nowadays ... I really hope OP is not using onboard video (which leaves even less RAM to use) ...

[mr_raider]

Yeah and I'm gonna get killed for this one:

Get rid of your AV program and replace it with a dose of discipline and common sense.

Anti virus sucks performance out of any system. It's like running molasses through a coffee filter.

[slippy]

Believe me, browsing can turn computer to SLOWDOWN if you got tabs and especially Firefox... a memory muncher.

I actually switched to Firefox because I thought it was more efficient :o Should I use Internet Explorer again?

[slippy]

512MB is quite painful to use nowadays ... I really hope OP is not using onboard video (which leaves even less RAM to use) ...

Haha, I think it does have onboard video!

[willy]

Haha, I think it does have onboard video!
Based on what I can see so far, I think your system is too busy diskswapping (due to lack of RAM) which causes the sluggishness. Firefox does hog a lot of memory. The onboard video only compounds the problem.

Celeron 2GHz is pretty good for your intended tasks. I would definitely add more RAM to your current setup and I think you will love it again :)

If your mobo supports 1GB stick, here ... http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10840BD0859

If not, here ... http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10840BD1801&vpn=DD4003-S512/BR&manufacture=BUFFALO

How old/new is your HD ?

[ppl4golf]

Any cheap new system you can get now will blow the old rig outta water.

Adding ram may help, but 3-6 months down the road; or any moment when you want to get into any HD video playback - you're back to square one - WTF am I doing with the old computer ???

IMHO, any investment in DDR RAM is a write-off unless someone buys it off from you.

Get the $299 Dell and add stuff on as you go along. I don't generally recommend pre-built let alone Dell, but the $299 basic Intel E2xxx system with Intel X4500HD mobo is pretty hard to beat. And I think you deserve it:D

[huyla]

Basically I'm getting fed up with the speed of my Dell computer. It has a Celeron processor (~2 GHz?) and 512 MB DDR RAM, running Windows XP Home. Would it be worth it to buy some expensive PC2700 DDR RAM or should I build a cheap system?

It is used for:
1. Email/browsing
2. MSN
3. Word/Excel
4. Printing

Would it be possible to build one for ~$200? I see some pre-made systems for around $350. Thanks!

Clean install will probably fix all the issue. For the task you listed, I think your computer will do just fine assuming your HD is still in perfect working condition.