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Old May 15th, 2008, 05:35 PM   Digg it!   #1 (permalink)
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Sub-$500 Build

It’s been two or so years since I last upgraded my computer. I’m looking to spend sub-$500 and don’t need any sort of monitor.

What the computer will be used for / needs:

Dual boot with Windows XP & Ubunutu
Mostly used for programming PHP, Java & ASP
Needs to burn DVD’s pretty fast (most important for this build)
Music collection (couple thousand MP3s)
Dual-monitor support
Must include wireless keyboard / mouse by Logitech
Must have at minimum 4GB of RAM
Must have at minimum 250GB HDD space

I don’t really game, and any games I still play tend to run on Win 98boxes, so that’s not an issue (hence the onboard video).

I messed around on Newegg, and here’s what I got, comments, suggestions and pointing out something I missed is much appreciated.

Athlon Build:

Case: $31.99 - hec Black Mid-Tower Case
Case Fan: $7.99 - Scythe 120MM 44CFM / 19 dBA

HDD: $59.99 - Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 250GB SATA II
DVD Burner: $24.99 - Samsung 20X DVD+/-RW SATA
RAM: $77.99 - A-Data 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2 800 Dual Channel

Motherboard: $89.99 - Asus M3A78-EMH HDMI AM2/AM2+
Video: FREE - Included with mobo: ATI Radeon HD 3200
Processor: $102.99 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Brisbane AM2 65W
Power Supply: $39.99 - Apevia 500W Dual 12V Rail PSU

Keyboard / Mouse: $26.99 - Logitech EX110 Set

Cables:$2.49 - Kingwin SATA Data & Power Combo Cable

TOTAL: $465.40 + $17.38 Shipping to 01370 = $482.78

ng217

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Old May 15th, 2008, 05:58 PM     #2 (permalink)
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open box board saves you $20

you might need to buy cables with the open box board otherwise there is no need to.

cheaper memory saves another $20 after rebates

The 120mm fan you selected won't fit that case "Cooling System 1x 80mm rear fan 120mm Fans No Side Air duct Yes"

Guess I was wrong on that I see someone said they swapped them, you might need to be prepared to mod the case though

Personally I'd go with a bit better power supply IMO aprevia isn't that good
good reading on power supplies
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Old May 15th, 2008, 06:04 PM     #3 (permalink)
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Scratch that power supply... You DONT want Apevia PSU's anywhere near anything you buy
Its not that Apevia is "not that good" .... Its truly horrid
Lowest end I would go is this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104901
Better yet would be this....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256019
Personally Id spend the extra five for the silverstone as it has more/better cabling and "bling"

That case has a fan "reducer" in back
It fits a 120mm but goes out of its way to supply you with an 80mm
Odd...
Its not that great of a case... but thats a personal taste issue
Rosewill, Neweggs "homebrand", makes some nice looking cheapies...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147071
room for a 92mm in back, 120mm on the side and another 120mm in front

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147074
And for a few bucks more, I use this Tooless case at work all the time... Great case IMO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147057


Last edited by JPMiller : May 15th, 2008 at 06:14 PM.
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Old May 15th, 2008, 06:47 PM     #4 (permalink)
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I just did a uber cheap build for the neighbor. Let me pull up the list and I'll post it.

CPU: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116070

Mobo: $60 (open box, mine came with everything it was supposed to)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813128084R

RAM: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141241

PSU: $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104901

GPU: $38 (If you don't play games, this is more then enough, and offers dual monitors)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125076

Case: $37 shipped (she likes blue, it also comes in silver and puke green)
http://www.xoxide.com/chenming-301-blue.html

Burner: $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151153

HDD: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148316

Total: $420 plus shipping on the newegg items.
And all in all, that a solid build. If your into OCing at all, one trip to the BIOS will give you 3.0ghz on stock v-core and stock cooling.
Also, if you have a bit more to spend, you can up the CPU some more also.

Good luck, hope I helped.
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