Budget system

[zaz]

A mate wants a machine with monitor for around 250 quid, 300 tops, for him to learn to use as hes never had one before. May be used for occasional gaming, but needs ability to play films/vidz with little problem.

I told him he may be better off with 2nd hand, more bang for buck, but just as an exercise, what would you fine folks spec ?

Total build including kb/mouse/monitor/writer, but not OS as i will supply that.

[sibeer]

Sometimes dell have some super deals. Otherwise the cheapest I can build is this:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4462655678_c366e9e91f_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sscbeer/4462655678/

[sibeer]

If I was buying though I would spend a little more and go for this:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4461900439_4968eb01da_o.jpg

[sibeer]

Much more modern and upgradable. Potential changes would be swapping the motherboard for the cheapest AM2+ one (£33 Inc but lose quality, functionality and graphics power), upgrading the motherboard for a AM3/DDR3 version (£64 Inc + more expensive memory), adding a separate GPU (can be done later if gaming is wanted), bigger hard disk, downgrading the CPU to a Sempron 140 (£30 Inc and might unlock to Dual Core) and buying a decent PSU (£25 for a 400W OCZ).

[DoubleTop]

that's second hand money really :(

DT.

[El Wayneo]

that's second hand money really :(

DT.

I have been looking at bits i have lying around and don't think i could sell something for £200.

[DoubleTop]

I have been looking at bits i have lying around and don't think i could sell something for £200.

I've just sold a dual core 939 system AGP, 2Gb ram and 500Gb HD for £100 all in, mates rates :) Just the ram, the x1950 and the HD would have gone for that on eBlag, but far easier to sell in one :)

DT.

[mac124]

Having to include a monitor basically cripples this budget. See if he can stretch to £300 then it becomes more workable as shown by Sibeer.

[sibeer]

Having to include a monitor basically cripples this budget. See if he can stretch to £300 then it becomes more workable as shown by Sibeer.

Most definitely, luckily the monitors here are pretty cheap. I would probably save a little longer myself, or find someone with a CRT to pinch in the mean time :thumb:

[Gunslinger]

your all considering the monitor as being the crippler.... what about an older CRT monitor? decent size can be had at second hand places for pennys these days

Keyboard is easy ... aria are doing one for £1 and some loose change :lol:

[mac124]

Either way an extra £50 makes a world of difference :D

[zaz]

Thank you chaps, all usefull info as always, sadly it will go to waste as he went out and paid pcworld a wedge for one of their boxes. Some people just never listen !

[Gunslinger]

:rolleyes: :crash:

[mac124]

Thank you chaps, all usefull info as always, sadly it will go to waste as he went out and paid pcworld a wedge for one of their boxes. Some people just never listen !

Think of it this way, when it plays up you can just tell him to take it back there to get it sorted out, less hassle for you ;)

[Gunslinger]

:P :thumb:

[sibeer]

Think of it this way, when it plays up you can just tell him to take it back there to get it sorted out, less hassle for you ;)

This was the main reason I stopped building PC's for people.

Build PC for numpty = lifetime free technical support

I think if I was doing it now I would setup a premium rate number

[Iaink]

I advise friends which PC to get, and do simple upgrades for them but it ends there, once or twice i've helped people select components for their own build, and helped with things that require a bit of experience like fitting heatsinks and cable management etc


actually i did do a complete build for my dad for xmas, but that was because i'm his personal technical support anyway :P and I managed to build a bloomin' powerful PC for the money, 4GB OCZ gold, PII 940 OCZ 400W 500GB WD+ W7 pro etc for £300 :)

[RDRUNR]

I would AVOID the AMD 64 3600+, I'm currently using the AMD 64 4000+ and it's ok, but nothing great. I know that even the most BUDGET AMD cpu out there will beat it.

Go for the cheapest AMD cpu that is an AM3.

[RDRUNR]

I should also add go for a mother board that has builtin graphics as well. Maybe the new AM3 890X.