What Can I Make W/ $500

[xJPx]

OK, I want to see what I can build w/ only $500... including the monitor (19 inch)

I just want a system that is fast (1.5GHz+) with mediocre graphics and sound cards. 40G+ hard drive, 256k+ ddr ram, 16x DVD and a CDRW drive...

can anyone give me some ideas? thanks a lot.

[Klashe]

If you want to do it, your gonna have to get cheap parts.

Here's what I'd do:

1.6a P4 = ~$120
Some cheap mobo with Onboard sound = ~$50
Geforce 4mx 420= ~$60
Cheap 256 Meg PC2700 RAM = ~$60
40 Gig Maxtor = ~$70
Floppy Drive = ~$15
Case w/Power SUpply = MAYBE if lucky $40 w/Power Supply
16x Toshiba DVD/CD-R combo = ~$80

Now, here's the thing, you COULD get some cheap 19" monitor that strains the hell outta your eyes whenever you stare at it for a while, OR you could get a Nice 17" monitor.

The Samsung 753DF is a great buy @ ~$150 or less.

You take some major hits though, if you mobo and RAM are cheap most likely you won't be able to overclock very well.

You come in at around $550 w/o shipping. It don't get much cheaper than that.

[LAG]

I think you should cut some costs by getting an xp1600 w/ and ecs kt333 chipset (onboard sound/lan). That pair alone would shave $100 or so off the above system. Then put that cash into a ti4200 card for far better video. Then instead of a dvd/cd combo drive, spend $60 on a 40x12x48x liteon burner. The 1600+ is pretty o/cable and is hard to beat for value. Don't skimp on the ram though, that is something I did, and am now paying for it.

ps: Don't forget to o/c that puppy!

[TAZTG]

Originally posted by LAG
I think you should cut some costs by getting an xp1600 w/ and ecs kt333 chipset (onboard sound/lan). That pair alone would shave $100 or so off the above system. Then put that cash into a ti4200 card for far better video. Then instead of a dvd/cd combo drive, spend $60 on a 40x12x48x liteon burner. The 1600+ is pretty o/cable and is hard to beat for value. Don't skimp on the ram though, that is something I did, and am now paying for it.

ps: Don't forget to o/c that puppy!

Sounds like a plan but his expectations are to high. Wants both DVD & CDRW, and a Nice 19" Monitor.
Sounds like he needs to check out the diffrent Barebone Systems and add to it when he can.

[LAG]

Yeah, I agree. I don't know why anyone would really want a dvd player for their pc, but to each their own. You might as well forget about a 19 incher though. Even the cheap ones are roughly 200 bucks, and believe me, you get what you pay for. You'd be better off getting a slightly higher quality 17 incher. You might want to think about a refurb one, just make sure that it is a manufacture refurb, and comes with some sort of warrenty.

[speed freak]

The AMD 1600XP is a great choice (beats 1.6 P4 stock), and you can get a cheap board for that too

[Mark Larson]

Hehe, you oughta see this thread!!

And i thought i had high expectations!

[c0nfig]

a 19inch monitor costs 500 alone.

[Chicken]

no, you can pick one up from newegg for like 290... i got my G90Ffor 315 at axiontech...

[medunaweb]

Originally posted by c0nfig
a 19inch monitor costs 500 alone.

No you can get a nice sony one with a flat screen (not panel) for $400 shipped but that is a VERY nice monitor.


I say go for the athlon CPU and save on both cpu and mobo plus the performance will be better. I also say go for a better vid card. I asume you want to use this system for more then spread sheets. For the case check out ebay (America's underground economy).

[mellojoe]

I agree:
AMD Athlon XP 1600+
ECS KT333 mobo
but instead of the GeForce4 Ti4200, I'd get an ATI Radeon8500 LE. Its a very inexpensive card (sub $100) and you get a GREAT package. Its the best "value" on the market today. And since the release of the 9700, the 8500 had dropped a few more dollars.

For a monitor:
http://www.merkortech.com/
They have some fantastic deal on refurbished and used monitors. Most are just 1 year old and come from end - of - lease. Some have minor scratches from everyday use, others are practically brand new / open box.
May I suggest a 19" Sony for $169: http://www.merkortech.com/details.asp?iid=232

Dump it all into just about any case you can find locally (save serious $$$ on shipping) so you can find one with decent sice and a decent powersupply.

You can find decent memory prices at www.Crucial.com, though I don't know how well their DDR2700 overclocks. They usually have some of the best prices in RAM, excellent service, and most times free shipping.

Harddrives will be tricky to find a good deal on. Lots of times places like Staples, Office Depot, etc will have rebate deals on their drives. Look for a Maxtor or Western Digital, because they are very reliable and have the most frequent rebate offers.

From Dell.com (under the Software & Periferals) you can find a 16x Lite-On DVD drive and a 40X Lite-On CD-RW for approx $35 each if you time it right and catch a free shipping on $25 orders with a 10% to 15% savings coupon. Great prices for even better drives.

Don't skimp, just save. You don't want a trash box, you want an econo-box.

[c0nfig]

well geesh, i stand corrected on the whole monitor thing. i'm off to buy a 19 inch monitor!! LOL!!