Budget build for my uncle

T

Trio

New Member
Hello. My uncle wants me to build a comp for him for under $400 dollars. He really only wants it to watch youtube videos and write CD's and watch DVD's. He also wants it to be a little quick. Here's a quick list of parts I put together for him, one Intel based and the other AMD based:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357
mobo- Gigabyte mini atx

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773
AMD athlon 64 x2 @ 3.0GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046
Kingston DDR2 800- 2x1GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106084
Lite-On DVD drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144224
Apevia mini tower (awesome deal. Fits his wants and has a psu included- 500 wats)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113
Western Digital Caviar

This'll be a total of $283, more or less. I picked out other parts to save a dollar or two, but I won't post them unless someone wants me to. Here's the Intel version, just mobo and cpu included:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153119
mobo- JetWay I31GM 4 mini atx

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206
Duo-Core @ 2.8GHz

Probably a total $326. I have a list of 3 other mobo's, but I'll post them if someone asks.

I like the AMD pick more, because he'll save at least $40. And he still needs to buy Windows XP (32-bit), plus a monitor, keyboard and mouse. I went mini atx because I thought the case and mobo would be cheaper. He won't be needing lots of expansion slots anyways, so that's no problem. I'm betting his current computer (uses duo-core I think) has at the very least 512mb RAM, so I might just buy him 1 stick of 1gb DDR 2.

If anyone has any suggestions, please post them. Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Watching youtube videos and writing CD's, but probably some more stuff. He won't be gaming or anything. Probably use Word to write something every now and then, and go online to email. Simple stuff.
 
Well, umm :D its alright.(not too good) You could probably get it up to 3.2ghz w/ some voltage changes, but you are going to need an after market cooler if you are thinking of overclocking, but if you want overclocking, get the black editions...
 
Since you need to buy OS, this acer could be a better choice.

Acer Aspire AM3201-EF8450A Phenom X3 8450(2.1GHz) 3GB DDR2 320GB ATI Radeon HD 3200 Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit (English / French) - Retail
$390

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103188

Or here is my list:

Microsoft Vista Home Premium OEM - 64bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Rosewill TU-155 with 400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147001

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS122-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106287

WINTEC AMPX 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 Model 3AXT6400C5-4096K - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161183

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

AMD

ASRock A780GXE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157139&Tpk=ASRock A780GXE

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e Brisbane 2.6GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103298

or intel

ZOTAC N73USupreme
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500006

E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072&Tpk=e5200
 
Go for the Intel.

DO not get jetway. They are cheapo off-brand ppl. Gigabyte, ASUS, Zotac, MSI, brands like that are my recomendation.
 
daisymtc said:
Since you need to buy OS, this acer could be a better choice.

Acer Aspire AM3201-EF8450A Phenom X3 8450(2.1GHz) 3GB DDR2 320GB ATI Radeon HD 3200 Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit (English / French) - Retail
$390

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103188

Or here is my list:

Microsoft Vista Home Premium OEM - 64bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Rosewill TU-155 with 400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147001

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS122-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106287

WINTEC AMPX 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 Model 3AXT6400C5-4096K - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161183

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

AMD

ASRock A780GXE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157139&Tpk=ASRock A780GXE

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e Brisbane 2.6GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103298

or intel

ZOTAC N73USupreme
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500006

E5200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072&Tpk=e5200
Click to expand...

I think those parts are a little too powerful for what my uncle wants, but thanks for the pc and mid tower idea. I found a bunch of mid towers with PSU's included under $70.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148046
LOGISYS- 80mm rear fan and 480wat PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811190040
Athenatech- 80mm rear fan and 350wat PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144042
APEVIA X-Gear- 2 80mm fans, 420wat PSU, and window

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156070
RAIDMAX- 80mm fan, 120mm fan, 450wat PSU, window and mail-in-rebate (awesome)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811162042
Broadway com corp- 250mm side fan and 550wat PSU


And as for the OS, I think I'll try to get him one that my school offers for like $20. It's professional, but I don't think he'll mind. He won't be needing a whole lot of RAM I think, so he should be fine with a 32-bit OS.


Thanks for the warning Elimin8or. I'll be sure to pick another mobo if my uncle wants Intel.
 
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