New cheap PC

Some advice needed

from JoeUser Forums
Hi,

Since my old PC died on me Link I need to buy some new hardware to replace the old. But it is a djungle out there and I haven't bought any motherboard since 98.

I would like to get some advice. The things I need are:
1) Motherboard (built in graphics, built in sound, built in networking, SATA, Ultra ATA (I have two old disks that I want to use) and PCI Express)
2) CPU (everything faster than a Pentium II is nice)
3) Memory (256MB or 512MB)

I want some really cheap hardware since I have little needs of great performance. Typically a budget system built using hardware from reliable companies. If it is upgradeable it is a bonus.

What do you suggest? AMD or Intel? What platform?

Thank you in advance!

Best regards


Andreas
5,407 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
And, yeah, forgot, it must work under Linux, but then again I am not aiming for top end hardware so it should not pose a problem.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Frankly, I'm partial to AMD. But your needs are probably different than mine, so my opinion might not be worth a whole lot. But I thought I'd offer it anyway.
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well I always like the underdog. That is one of the reasons for using Linux. I have read a bit about AMD systems but there seems to be different sockets. Is the socket 939 the latest and greatest?
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
AMD Sempron 2800+ 64Bit 1.6ghz Skt 754 boxed
Asus K8S-MX SKT754 SIS760 MATX , Vga, Sound, Lan, Usb2, Fsb800, Sata
Crucial 512MB DDR 400MHz PC3200 CL=3 Memory

Hard to get cheaper, but lookout for Socket 754 processors, you might get some Athlon 64's on special in your area. The motherboard is pretty cheap but packed with goodies, it does lack PCI-X though. I'd recommend crucial every time as far as memory goes. All the above is budget priced but should give you some future proofing also. You can add another stick of ram when the time comes and the processor is cheap enough to upgrade when the better Athlon 64's drop more in price.

I'd also recommend a 19" CRT monitor, not an LCD one. If you're on a budget, LCD is not the way to go, you'll get much better bang for your buck in the 19" CRT arena and your eyes will thank you. Just add a case, HD and Power supply and off you go. I'd also suggest the CRT screens are better quality compared to "cheap" LCD's

As far as mouse and keyboard go, I will attack anyone that disagrees that the Microsoft Intellimouse is the best mouse on earth for its tiny price. They just keep on going. Microsoft keyboard is also necessary to avoid my wrath.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
From TigerDirect:

Barebones system:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1204990&CatId=332

512 RAM (Yeah there's a rebate...) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=586829

AMD Sempron Processor: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1035188&sku=CP2-SEM2400%20C

80GB Maxtor HDD-7200rpm w/8MB cache: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=121092

Total cost, counting the rebate: $230 USD ($270 before rebate), and the mobo supports upgrades to the Athlon CPUs. You could recycle your current CD/DVD drive, monitor, and other peripherals.

From Newegg: (Intel build this time)

Barebones system: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856110007

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112196

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144233

RAM: (512x1 Mushkin) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146217

Total cost: $266 USD, and no rabates to hassle with. The socket 478 is also upgradable to a P4.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That's an awfuly old motherboard, pretty nasty graphics now, out of date chipset by a long chalk and really a bad choice to serve as the basis for a new budget box I'd say.

My thinking when it comes to computers is get three parts first and the rest can be compromised. The motherboard, the chair and the screen
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you guys! Well, actually I do not even need a monitor, mouse or keyboard since I already have that. They are lousy but still it doesn't matter since the computer is locked up in the closet and I SSH to it remotely from my laptop (or any other computer for that matter).
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The PCI express and SATA controllers will narrow the options, though both are good for solid future upgrades.

ASUS boards are reliable, and are available for both Intel and AMD chips.

I use Intel chipsets and processors, so a cheap (around $200) recommendation would be to opt for an ASUS board with the 845 chipset (533 FSB) including both an AGP slot and onboard graphics (model P4GE-MX - about $60), and then throw in an Intel P4 - 2.4 GHZ (533 Mhz 1 MB L2 cache) - about $129 - $149.

512 MB RAM should be about $50 - $60, and a 40 GB Ultra ATA 133 - Seagate or Maxtor hard drive should be available for about $50 on sale.

About $320 - $350 to give you a fairly solid base to work with.