Build a cheap Duron PC

**retrofade** · 10-04-2001, 05:39 PM

Hey guys, I'm putting together a Duron PC for someone. I need it to be of good quality, but as cheap as it can get. I'm probably gonna get a Duron 850 MHz. Need suggestions on motherboard. She's not gonna be gaming at all, so something with onbaord video might be an attractive option...as well as onbloard sound. I just need the motherboard to be capable of using an Athlon T-Bird 1.2/1.4. Doesn't matter much between DDR or SD RAM. Since they're both so cheap, DDR might be the best way to go. Suggestions on video cards and sound cards would also be helpful if the motherboard doesn't have onboard.

I don't want to hear why I should get an Athlon over a Duron or anything else like that. I'm just trying to build a decent system for word processing etc., that can be used for a while, and is a decent upgrade path. I'll probably go with a 10 GB HD...if I can find one that is...so no Patssle, I'm not getting the Seagate Baraccuda IV.

Thanks a lot guys.

------------------
God Bless America...thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

AMD Athlon T-Bird 1.2 GHz 266 FSB
256 MB PC2100 DDR
EpOX 8K7A+
Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 MX
NEC MultiSync FE700 17" monitor
2 Maxtor 40 GB 7200 ATA/100 HD's
TDK VeloCD 8/4/32
Pioneer 106S 16X Slot load DVD-ROM (on order)
SB Live! Value
3Com 3C905B-TX 10/100
Windows 2K/98SE Dual Boot

**jac857** · 10-04-2001, 05:46 PM

Case-Enlight 7237-50
mobo-ecs k7s5a-65
cpu-duron 850-45
fan-coolermaster-10
ram-256 megs ddr-35
hd-might want to look on e-bay for a used one, barely any retailers sell 10 gig drives anymore. you can get a 7200 rpm 20 gig for 80 bucks though.
cd-rom-name brand 52x-25
floppy-anything-5
video-GF2MX-50
sound-onboard
nic-onboard
modem-56k- 20 bucks(if she has broadband, obviously she wont need it)

total: 385 bucks, 365 w/ modem & could be less if you get something cheaper then the 20 gig. Keyboard,mouse, & speakers are personal preference, go to bestbuy or something & test them out, see which ones she likes.

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Wouldn't it be nice if all the worlds problems could be solved with updating drivers & rebooting.

My Gaming Rig

**retrofade** · 10-04-2001, 05:48 PM

Where did you price that out Jac? newegg or just at pricewatch? I'd like to try and keep all of it at the same retailer so I get some sort of break on shipping.

------------------
God Bless America...thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

AMD Athlon T-Bird 1.2 GHz 266 FSB
256 MB PC2100 DDR
EpOX 8K7A+
Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 MX
NEC MultiSync FE700 17" monitor
2 Maxtor 40 GB 7200 ATA/100 HD's
TDK VeloCD 8/4/32
Pioneer 106S 16X Slot load DVD-ROM (on order)
SB Live! Value
3Com 3C905B-TX 10/100
Windows 2K/98SE Dual Boot

**CadetLee** · 10-04-2001, 05:50 PM

An Athlon Thunderbird 850 is $6 more than a Duron..are you sure you don't want a tbird?

For the hard drive, sound, video, etc (since it's not being used for gaming), you may want to scan some classfieds fs/t forums..here's a couple for you:

http://forums.anandtech.com
http://www.hardforum.com
And of course, the one here at Sharky's (though it gets nowhere near the traffic of the other two listed).
I saw a SB128 a while back..$15 shipped, I think it was. Just a thought

-CadetLee

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System specs

Heatware

[This message has been edited by CadetLee (edited October 04, 2001).]

**jac857** · 10-04-2001, 05:54 PM

yeah that is all from newegg those prices. also like lee said, a t-bird 850 is only 6 bucks more & i think a 900 is like only 4 more then that. might wanna consider it.

------------------
Wouldn't it be nice if all the worlds problems could be solved with updating drivers & rebooting.

My Gaming Rig

**retrofade** · 10-04-2001, 05:57 PM

Thanks guys...I think I'll check into the T-Bird...it'll still work with the mobo correct? nevermind...stupid question. Alrighty...to newegg.com I go.

------------------
God Bless America...thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

AMD Athlon T-Bird 1.2 GHz 266 FSB
256 MB PC2100 DDR
EpOX 8K7A+
Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 MX
NEC MultiSync FE700 17" monitor
2 Maxtor 40 GB 7200 ATA/100 HD's
TDK VeloCD 8/4/32
Pioneer 106S 16X Slot load DVD-ROM (on order)
SB Live! Value
3Com 3C905B-TX 10/100
Windows 2K/98SE Dual Boot

**flyer1** · 10-04-2001, 06:23 PM

Look at ************.com. Prices are good, service good, Complete systems or barebones. I've had good luck with them.

**minus200** · 10-04-2001, 08:27 PM

RAM at www.crucial.com usually free shipping - very good RAM and good prices and top service. The above post were very good about the other products

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386-40 with a Hercules 1mb video - 28.8 IBM M-wave modem with the SB Vibra sound chipset. 212Mb Quantum HD 30ms 4X sony CD with Win95 1st edition

I told you a million times - dont exagerate

from the technical center of the universe - Mobile, Alabama USA

if it aint broke dont flash the BIOS

**MountainDew52** · 10-04-2001, 08:39 PM

$ 337
Complete sys - AMD Athlon 1.4GHz 266MHz 1Yr Warr, Win 98SE & LICENSE, Mid Twr, 20HD, 64 Mem, 50X CD, Flpy, Snd, 8M Video, 56K Mdm,2 USB, LAN, 120W Spk,KB/MS aka pricewatch.
Just get this baby and put in a 128 stick.

I see no reason to not add the extra $60 and go from the Duron 850 to an Athlon 1.4 (Almost double the power). If you're paying $250+ just the extra money makes no difference. No reason not to go for the 1.4 part... skimp on something else not the heart. And no, you cannot beat $337.

**jac857** · 10-05-2001, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by MountainDew52:
$ 337
Complete sys - AMD Athlon 1.4GHz 266MHz 1Yr Warr, Win 98SE & LICENSE, Mid Twr, 20HD, 64 Mem, 50X CD, Flpy, Snd, 8M Video, 56K Mdm,2 USB, LAN, 120W Spk,KB/MS aka pricewatch.
Just get this baby and put in a 128 stick.

I see no reason to not add the extra $60 and go from the Duron 850 to an Athlon 1.4 (Almost double the power). If you're paying $250+ just the extra money makes no difference. No reason not to go for the 1.4 part... skimp on something else not the heart. And no, you cannot beat $337.

all the parts in that system are problly generic pieces of **** & bet the hard drive is only like 4500 rpms. dont let those "amazing deals" fool you.

------------------
Wouldn't it be nice if all the worlds problems could be solved with updating drivers & rebooting.

My Gaming Rig

**retrofade** · 10-05-2001, 06:44 PM

hmm...sounds like an eMachine POS. I would never even consider buying such a machine. Never ever ever...well, never say never. But still...I prefer to build the machine myself. Espicially when its for someone else.

------------------
God Bless America...thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

AMD Athlon T-Bird 1.2 GHz 266 FSB
256 MB PC2100 DDR
EpOX 8K7A+
Elsa Gladiac GeForce2 MX
NEC MultiSync FE700 17" monitor
2 Maxtor 40 GB 7200 ATA/100 HD's
TDK VeloCD 8/4/32
Pioneer 106S 16X Slot load DVD-ROM (on order)
SB Live! Value
3Com 3C905B-TX 10/100
Windows 2K/98SE Dual Boot

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