Cheapest Build Possible for Win7?

**DiabloDj1** · November 11th, 2009, 08:30 PM

I'm just looking to see if you guys can give me a ballpark figure of the cheapest build I can make that will be good enough to run Windows 7 decently.

Right now, the comp I'm looking to upgrade from is:
Intel Celeron 1.8ghz
256mb RAM
Windows XP
Old mobo, integrated gfx only, no sound card, very old comp...
80gb HD 7200rpm
DVD Drive
DVD Burner
All parts are probably a good 8 years old

May need a new LCD monitor.. 19" would be nice... I'm guessing that'll be the deal breaker..

But considering I can get Win7 for $30, I got a keyboard, mouse, printer already..
I'm looking for Mobo, gfx card if needed (I have an old ati radeon x800gto), PSU + Case, anything else I missed.

**Aaron_8015** · November 11th, 2009, 08:50 PM

If its a 'very old comp' then you would be best to try and sell it for what you can and start from new.... You can build a basic windows 7 system (with on-board gpu) for around $350 (mabye a bit less).

**DiabloDj1** · November 12th, 2009, 11:02 AM

Alright cool, $350 isn't too bad...
And yeah, I mean upgrade as a whole new build, it's too old to actually upgrade from, lol

**Aaron_8015** · November 12th, 2009, 11:17 AM

CPU
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
$60 (FS)

Mobo
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA78LM-S2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 760G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
$64.99

RAM
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Desktop Memory
$50.99 (FS)

HDD
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$42.99 (FS)

PSU
Newegg.com - FSP Group ATX350-PNT 350W ATX12V Ver 2.2 Power Supply - Power Supplies
$34.99

Optical
Newegg.com - LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
$28.99

Case
Newegg.com - Linkworld 72521-2121U Black body + brush finishing Silver patch ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
$21.99

T= $304.94

Here is a pretty cheap build (using good components) that will do all your basic computer stuff (interwebz, office work, etc)... Will run windows 7 also.

**DiabloDj1** · November 12th, 2009, 11:46 AM

Oooh nice... Thanks man! That looks like the builds better than my current one here... Might have to swap with my mobo/cpu/ram... haha.
Well I know were christmas is heading now!

**JPMiller** · November 16th, 2009, 10:42 PM

Thay PSU is a terrible choice for the price...
Look at the rails... Even though its a Fortron/SPI its still weak for the money...
At minimum get this...FSP Group ATX350-PA
or...
Newegg.com - SeaSonic SS-300ET 300W ATX12V Ver.2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

**EXreaction** · November 16th, 2009, 11:30 PM

You do not want to install something on an ancient 80GB hard drive, old drives are dreadfully slow.

**cksboy15** · November 18th, 2009, 06:41 PM

I'm worried about the case. Very bad reviews about the HDD cage blocking the SATA ports.

**Flying JJ** · November 18th, 2009, 10:36 PM

What is your budget, it can get a lot nicer for not that much more $. The build answered your initial question but, that build was going for cost alone, not performance or reliability. The case is a good point, from the reviews it is crap and probably more headaches than one that is a little more expensive. A budget would help out alot to try to do a better build.

**pullmyfoot** · November 18th, 2009, 11:39 PM

here is a half decent case. In fact, pretty decent. its only $10 more. And infinitely better than that linkworld stuff
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

may I also suggest this DVD drive. Its good stuff (quiet).
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

**DiabloDj1** · November 19th, 2009, 12:24 AM

Alright alright nice.
I'm not certain of my budget yet.. I'll see what I'm gonna contribute out of pocket, and what my parents would. Really, I'd only be doing this for my parents basically.. but we'll see about that..
I'm considering taking like, 2-3 months to collect parts, so I can wait to find deals here or there on select parts that fit my criteria, just have to be careful so I know it all fits together...

**pullmyfoot** · November 19th, 2009, 12:45 AM

no dont do that. buy all at once. in two months you will realize that the CPU you bought has been replaced by a new model and is 25% cheaper (hypothetically). its the way technology works. jsut wait til you have the money to buy everything.

**Flying JJ** · November 19th, 2009, 01:01 AM

+1 to pullmyfoot. Figure out when you want it, save up the money then buy it all at once. Your better off that way, you don't want parts coming in over the span of a few months, you may lose track of them and it gets frustrating that you have some and can't build it. Another concern is the warranty, some things come 30, 60, 90 days. If you get something with a short warranty, you don't want to put it in a system and find it is DOA and out of warranty. Most have a longer time but they also must be registered within a smaller time frame to be activated or extended. Example 1 year but if registered within 30 days of purchase it extends to 2 years or longer or must be registered within 30 days of purchase.

**DiabloDj1** · November 19th, 2009, 01:05 AM

Okay okay, very good idea! Thanks again. I'll look for some more help once I figure out my exact financial situation

**pullmyfoot** · November 19th, 2009, 01:33 AM

yup. i forgot about the warranty too

**pullmyfoot** · November 19th, 2009, 06:44 AM

You have a nice 3800+x2 there. Why dont you give them your system and build the new one for yourself

. I think you would have more use for the extra power than they do anyways, right?

**DiabloDj1** · November 19th, 2009, 11:19 AM

That's a good idea.. I just don't feel like reformatting and starting fresh on a new system, so hopefully it'll all work right on the new system, cause I was considering that...

**pullmyfoot** · November 19th, 2009, 12:55 PM

well its not thattt much trouble. think of the new computer you will have

**Vietster1** · December 12th, 2009, 02:19 PM

These are far from the cheapest 7 build. Look at these, should come cheaper. Actually, you can even get a fan for half what I have shown here. Though this fan is great for the price... Yank a DVD reader out of something you already have, and you are ready to go.

MSI K9N6PGM2-V Apex Barebone Kit - MSI K9N6PGM2-V Motherboard, AMD Athlon II X2 215 Dual Core Processor, Ultra 1024MB PC5400 DDR2 667MHz Memory, Apex PC-302 Black Mid-Tower Case w/ 300W PSU at TigerDirect.com

Ultra X-Wind Aluminum Socket K8/AM2/AM2+/AM3 CPU Cooling Fan at TigerDirect.com

Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.B 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive - 7200 RPM, 8MB, SATA-3G at TigerDirect.com

The board has OBV, and it suffices for windows 7. People here seem to favor Newegg, I have had a less than favorable experience with them, that is why I stick to Tiger.

**EXreaction** · December 12th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Those barebone kits are complete garbage. The ram is junk and not enough for a good Win7 desktop. The case and power supply are complete junk (I wouldn't pay shipping for those). Saving $8 on buying them together is not worth the garbage that is in it.