The Help DarkSavant0 build a 200 dollar computer thread

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:03 pm

Inspired by the news I saw on the osx86project.org, I would like to build a $200(US, not canadian or mexican or anything else) PC. I will put linux on it and triple boot to 98 and xp, so don't worry about OS's. Here are the parts I have in mind.

Motherboard and CPU, 2.9ghz at $130
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=191

256 MB Ram (one stick for now) at $19.00
http://store.yahoo.com/pcmemory-stores/ ... toemf.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT
30 gig Hard Drive at $28.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT
Case\Fan\PSU at $32.00

CD-RW Drive for free (scavenged)

Floppy Drive for free (scavenged)

I get an $80 rebate on the the motherboard/cpu, so I save money there. If I can go for better on any part(being compatible with the rest, mind you) for a comparable price, please post. I plan on starting to order by friday, so I can have it built by the second to third week of school.

EDIT: Updated items, all bought. Donations and VERY CHEAP additions excepted. Like 5.00 shipped optical drives

bizzle · Post by **bizzle** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:38 pm

LOL TigerDirect for rebates. You won't get your money.

ETR · Post by **ETR** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:38 pm

Xylene wrote:LOL TigerDirect for rebates. You won't get your money.

We've gotten everyone we've sent in. Wireless card, CPU Fan, power supply, and range boosting antenna.

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:00 pm

No, I will get them. I have a hispanic mother who will be damned if she doesn't get the rebates. She once argued for a rebate that went up after I bought a monitor and she eventually got me the 80 dollar rebate and store credit. If TigerDirect is bullsh1ting about it, my mom would have half a mind to go down to the warehouse.

I bought the Motherboard/processor and ram. Looking at ebay for hard drives and a case since the case on that site would cost 30 shipped. Any other advice?

bizzle · Post by **bizzle** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:27 pm

ETR wrote:
Xylene wrote:LOL TigerDirect for rebates. You won't get your money.
We've gotten everyone we've sent in. Wireless card, CPU Fan, power supply, and range boosting antenna.

Consider yourself lucky. Everytime I hear about TigerDirect rebates it's people saying they didn't get them.

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:42 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT
Hard Drive

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT
Case/PSU/Fan

I bought them just now. A little over 200 (all right, maybe like 30 bucks) but I get the rebates, so I get my money back. But for now I cant afford a DVD Drive without my mom going nuts (I told her I would spend about 215), so if anyone can donate

, I would appreciate it.

I just hope it works when I put it together.

Tall Israeli · Post by **Tall Israeli** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:12 pm

Youre going to need a PSU if that $10 case doesn't come with one, which I'm almost 100% sure it doesn't.

Pyrosurfer · Post by **Pyrosurfer** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:29 pm

LP-600 ATX Mid Tower Case with 235w Power Supply

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:49 pm

I am getting the case in my third post, let me update my first post to reflect that.

butters · Post by **butters** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:57 pm

A 235 watt PSU isn't going to enough power for a modern computer. Not only that, but it will be dirty fluctuating power. Find some money and go Antec!

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:35 am

Did you even see the one I am getting? 400w, not 235w. That 235w was from the older , $9.99 case.

The Alchemist · Post by **The Alchemist** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:53 pm

Case like that plus 400w PSU for $12? I smell a scam. Not saying it definitely is, just saying there's no way I'd trust it.

Also, spending a decent amount on a decent PSU is about the best thing you can do for system stability, which trust me will become more important than overall speed over time. Even if the PSU is rated at 400w, if it's running at 20% efficiency then all it'll be doing is creating lots of heat, costing lots of electricity, and not powering your system very well. Since you're getting a celeron and on-board VGA it'll probably do for now, but avoid using case fans unless they're absolutely necessary. In general though, you know the saying "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is"... it applies to new PC parts and ebay auctions more than to most other things in life.

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:03 pm

I checked his feedback, seems okay. And anyways, I will be replacing that psu with a spare I may pick up from a friend at the flea market.

The Alchemist · Post by **The Alchemist** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:50 pm

Fair enough, I didn't see his feedback rating. You should be ok, just don't expect wonders from the PSU

kenmasters8319 · Post by **kenmasters8319** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:44 pm

hmm i built a sempron based system a year ago for around $230 on newegg.com..

here is the specs on it.

1.sempron 2400+
2.333mhz 256 ddr
3.dvd+r dual-layer burner
4.foxconn motheroard onboard graphics
5.rosewill case
6.basic optical mouse
7.basic keyboard

things i didnt buy.

monitor
OS

about the PSU as long as you use common sense you should be fine.

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:58 pm

I saw reviews on the PSU, it is not too bad, and I wont be placing anything power heavy on it, so no worries.

Anyways, I am reviving this thread since tomorrow the mobo will come, but I dont have a heatsink/processor fan. Anyone know of any good stores, or should I just pick one up used at a computer shop? A link would be appreciated if the shipping is dirt cheap, as I am now reaching my upper limits. Lol.