Building PC for dad. Barebones < $400

[Sabiancym]

Ok, so my dad wants a pc to basically do a little online banking, quickbooks using, and maybe some web browsing. That's it. He wants to try and get it for $350 plus the cost of a wireless access point.

The only PC's I've ever built have been $1500-$4000 gaming rigs, so I don't even know what to buy for such a low scale rig.

I want to keep it as cheap as possible, but I also don't want him calling me to come over and help him because the damn thing freezes for 30 seconds every time he clicks a link.


I don't even know where to start guys. Thanks.

I'm wondering if it'll just be better to head to dell.com and order him the lowest level POS I can find.

 

[hunter315]

Do you have any parts you can reuse like a monitor, mouse, keyboard, or case?

Assuming a monitor, keyboard and mouse, then you can do this

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
ASUS M3A78-EM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL6D-4GBNQ - Retail
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Antec New Solution NSK3480 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail

Total 332 before MIR, tax and shipping

 

[Onus]

Here's a build. It's a little over, but there are some obvious places you could make cuts:

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L - OEM
Model #:SH-S223L
Item #:N82E16827151188
$26.99 $26.99

Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:R102-P-BK
Item #:N82E16811147111
$29.99 -$10.00 Instant $19.99

BIOSTAR TA790GX XE AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:TA790GX XE
Item #:N82E16813138140
$89.99 $89.99

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS420X 420W ATX12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #: PPCS420X
Item #:N82E16817703017
$69.99 -$20.00 Instant $49.99

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor Model HDZ550WFGIBOX - Retail
Model #:HDZ550WFGIBOX
Item #:N82E16819103680
$109.99 -$7.00 Instant $102.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996557 - Retail
Model #:996557
Item #:N82E16820146692
$53.99 $53.99

Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM
Model #:WD6400AACS
Item #:N82E16822136298
$67.99 $67.99

Subtotal: $411.93
================
You could drop the mobo back to a 780G, drop the CPU back to a 250BE or 7780, and/or get only 2GB of RAM. Unless you have a 32bit O/S already, I'd stick with 4GB though, since if you bought one you'd either buy Vista 64 or put on the 64bit Windows 7 RC.

 

[Sabiancym]

Thanks for the help. While I was waiting for replies I threw together this.

Intel Celeron E1400 Allendale 2.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E1400 - Retail
+
ECS G31T-M(1.0) LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Combo Deal $88.98 plus $10 mail in Rebate

WINTEC AMPO 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2667-2G2-R - Retail $22.99 plus $5 mail in Rebate


Athena Power AP-MP4ATX30 300W MicroATX/SFX-12V ATX-12V eMachines, HP Upgrades/Replacement Power Supply $20.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $39.99

Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $29.99

LITE-ON 52X CD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model DH-52R2P-04 - OEM $16.99

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $99.99

Zonet ZEW2500P MINI USB / USB 2.0 Wireless Adapter - Retail $22.99

Total $354.32
-$15.00 mail in rebate.

Would that work.

I'll check out your builds. Thanks again.

 

[Onus]

No. That PSU is crap, and furthermore the case takes a standard size PSU. Of all the places to skimp, the PSU is not one of them: http://www.corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747
Next, your father will never thank you for inflicting a Celeron on him. His requirements may be low, but nothing is THAT low. A low-end AMD chip will run rings around it.
You'll also want to use a SATA burner, that can also use DVDs; at least for reading, because some software installs from DVD now, and he can watch movies on it too.

 

[hunter315]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Use that power supply, and the case jtt283 suggested and that drops the price of my build to 320 before MIR and 290 after MIR, and celerons are weak, thats about the only way i know how to describe one. Also AMD chipsets have stronger IGPs.

 

[Master Kibbe]

I wouldn't waste my time putting together a low cost solution such as this. Why not hit up bensbargains.net and get a decent core 2 duo system with OS, LCD monitor, and acessories? I'd only build systems when they'd cost me $500+ otherwise it's a waste with all the good low price options out there.

 

[megamanx00]

The G31 is an o.k chipset, but it's IGP is pretty crummy for doing anything other than basic office work. I suppose if you aren't going to watch any movies, especially HD movies, it will be o.k. That celeron is also pretty minimal for a modern system. The AMD Phenom II X2 550 paired with an AMD chipset would be a better choice, or at least an nVidia chipset if you're pinching pennies here 😀.

I wouldn't trust the PSU that you chose either. That Athena PSU could very well blow and take the whole system with it. The old Fortron Blue Storm is a decent choice


FSP Group FSP400-60THN-R 400W $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104935

This newer model is worth the extra $5 for it's active PFC and higher efficiency

FSP Group FSP400-60GLN(80) 400W $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104052

or you can get an Antec Earthwatts 380 which is more than enough for that system

Antec earthwatts EA380 380W $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005

 

[stumpystumped]

I'm surprised that most of you go for a separate PSU, he's building a computer that won't even exceed 100W in power, any PSU can handle that. I built a cheap computer for my friend very similar to your dad's needs. I used an Asus G31 MB + Celeron Dual Core CPU 2Ghz. Simple Coolermaster case + 2GB RAM (4GB is overkill, 2GB + 2GB pagefile = 4GB that's a lot of windows and programs running). 500GB HDD, DVD writer and also a Twinhan HDTV tuner with remote. All up cost $390 AUD = $280 USD. He can watch 1080i HD TV on 1 monitor and surf the web on another with no problem at all. I'm not sure about full HD playback but recorded TV is 1080i and that plays back perfectly, all of these in Vista Home Premium. I'm sure US parts are cheaper or just as cheap as parts here in Australia.

 

[hunter315]

because you can get a POS case and it doesnt really matter, but if you get a POS PSU with that case then you are out far more than the extra 30 for a good PSU