Custom built computer

Sami

These parts from NewEgg come to 445.95 minus $15 rebate = $430.95 + shipping costs. I can build it and configure for $395 + shipping. By default I will put in Ubuntu 9.10 64bit desktop with Mac4Lin theme so it will look and feel like iMac and I will add a few more themes in as well so you can try them out. As an option I will put in a Windows installation but either you provide me discs or pay for a retail version. Ubuntu (Linux) will be fully configured and you can let me know if there are any applications or activities you would like to do with this machine.

Hardware is not set in stone as I can easily add or replace items. Items are linked to NewEgg pages so if you need more info on them just click.

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS-500
PNY 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Western Digital Caviar 500GB

Sami

Forgot to mention I do have a retail version of Vista Ultimate 32bit. Other than that it is either a Linux distro or you provide OS discs (or add to the cost for me to purchase).

Serendipity

I'd be interested but is there anything you can build for under $300?

I'm buying one of the Dell machines for $299 (Vostro series), or the Optiplex 360 for $302 from Dell.com. Do you have a comparable PC available?

Sami

Serendipity wrote: »

I'd be interested but is there anything you can build for under $300?

I'm buying one of the Dell machines for $299 (Vostro series), or the Optiplex 360 for $302 from Dell.com. Do you have a comparable PC available?

Send me a link to the ones you are considering so I can look at specs. I will then see what I can do. On this one, I can save money just by replacing the case and power supply as those Cooler Masters are really nice pieces. A few bucks by going with smaller HD and 2GB of memory instead of 4.

With Dell you get warranty on the full computer and cheap Windows, with custom built the parts are usually better quality and nicer but you only get warranty on the parts and you will have to pay OEM or retail prices on Windows.

Serendipity

Dell Optiplex 360 for under $299:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/desktops/desktop-optiplex-360/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-optiplex-360&s=bsd&cs=04&~ck=mn

Serendipity

Dell Vostro 220 for $299

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/desktops/desktop-vostro-220mt/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-vostro-220mt&s=bsd&cs=04

Sami

Ok, should not be a problem as that is a fairly low spec computer:

Intel® Celeron® 450 (2.2GHz, 512K, 800MHz FSB)
1.0GB DDR2
160GB1 7200 RPM SATA
Integrated Video, Intel® GMA3100

Are you sure you want something with that low specs, especially when it comes with Windows Vista? If so, I will get back to you soon with something similar or better for the same or lower price.

[Deleted User]

Sami,

I have been wanting to build another computer for sometime now. I had my eyes on the AMD X4 940 processor. Actually almost picked it up on sale at Frys around 2 months ago but decided not to. I am interested in building another computer with quad cores. I have plenty sata hard drives already and do still have an ATI X1600 video card. I am primarily interested in using the pc for encoding and messing with High Definition stuff. So maybe I will need another video card. In sum, I could just use my old pc case, hard drive and maybe video card. If not I will need cpu, mobo, ram and video card. I already have Windows XP, Vista and 7. Dual boot with Ubuntu would be great, I especially want to know how you get the wireless networking to work on it. What do you suggest? I am tired of disabling everything to free up resources, so its a great time to have a newer pc. In my case, I could just stop by your place or meet up somewhere. Time frame would be around late January or February.

Halen

[Deleted User]

I will probably need a stronger power supply as well, forgot about this one.

Halen

Serendipity

Sami wrote: »

Ok, should not be a problem as that is a fairly low spec computer:

Intel® Celeron® 450 (2.2GHz, 512K, 800MHz FSB)
1.0GB DDR2
160GB1 7200 RPM SATA
Integrated Video, Intel® GMA3100

Are you sure you want something with that low specs, especially when it comes with Windows Vista? If so, I will get back to you soon with something similar or better for the same or lower price.

Yes, I want something with such low specs because I am tired of spending $1500+ on computers and they become obsolete so fast. So I'd rather get a basic PC every year instead of a nice PC every 5-6 years.

I have a LEGAL retail copy of XP Pro but would such a machine run Vista? And is it possible to build a machine for $229-$279 or so?

devani

it's certainly doable....i spent $600(built) in 2001 and my computer died last week. Spent $450 for a new one and it rocks windows 7

Serendipity

devani wrote: »

it's certainly doable....i spent $600(built) in 2001 and my computer died last week. Spent $450 for a new one and it rocks windows 7

I'm already satisfied with older technology. So Windows XP Pro, a gig of RAM, 80GB hard drive and a 2+GHz processor is all I need.

Kex

Sami wrote: »

Ok, should not be a problem as that is a fairly low spec computer:

Intel® Celeron® 450 (2.2GHz, 512K, 800MHz FSB)
1.0GB DDR2
160GB1 7200 RPM SATA
Integrated Video, Intel® GMA3100

Are you sure you want something with that low specs, especially when it comes with Windows Vista? If so, I will get back to you soon with something similar or better for the same or lower price.

I would worry a lot about the 1GB of RAM :eek:! For XP, after a few weeks of use, I would expect that computer to take five minutes to start up. RAM is cheap these days. I would add at least another 1GB, even for a low spec computer that is intended for very basic use.

Serendipity

Kex wrote: »

I would worry a lot about the 1GB of RAM :eek:! For XP, after a few weeks of use, I would expect that computer to take five minutes to start up. RAM is cheap these days. I would add at least another 1GB, even for a low spec computer that is intended for very basic use.

I just sold my laptop with 1GB of RAM and it starts up in less than 30 seconds. (Just ask treitz3)

Sami

This is way more powerful than the Dell's. Shipped price from NewEgg is $293.63. $30 in rebates which you might see, or not.

AMD Phenom 8750 Toliman 2.4GHz
BIOSTAR MCP6P M2+

WINTEC AMPX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

HITACHI 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

AZZA Orion 202 black/black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Sunbeam IC-PSU-US-2545-DW 450W white box Power Supply - OEM

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model TS-H663B/UOAH - OEM

Sami

If you really only want 1GB or RAM and 80GB HD, that lowers the price a little but not much.

Kex

Serendipity wrote: »

I just sold my laptop with 1GB of RAM and it starts up in less than 30 seconds. (Just ask treitz3)

When first installed, yes, they all do, but not after a few weeks of use and when all the usual software, including firewall and virus software (nothing fancy, by any means) are installed. You probably know what you're doing, and there's no doubt that Sami knows all about the possibility of these issues. All I would suggest would be to check this carefully with him first.

I'm just a regular user, not an expert by any means, and as Sami suggests, you won't save much money either, but it is your money, not mine!

Sami

Kex wrote: »

I'm just a regular user, not an expert by any means, and as Sami suggests, you won't save much money either, but it is your money, not mine!

Going from 2GB to 1GB and 500GB hard drive to 80GB brought the price down to $259.73 from 293.63. $40 difference. I would spend it myself, at least on the memory and I could throw in one of my 200-250GB hard drives for the same price as the 80GB drive.

Sherardp

For the price this isn't too shabby. A decent build for sure.

Serendipity

Kex wrote: »

When first installed, yes, they all do, but not after a few weeks of use and when all the usual software, including firewall and virus software (nothing fancy, by any means) are installed. You probably know what you're doing, and there's no doubt that Sami knows all about the possibility of these issues. All I would suggest would be to check this carefully with him first.

I'm just a regular user, not an expert by any means, and as Sami suggests, you won't save much money either, but it is your money, not mine!

I just keep the computer as "stock" as possible. Meaning just the OS with necessary drivers installed, and maybe an office suite. I don't browse unsafe sites, nor download anything that may contain malicious software.

Basically out of the box config (I remove the trialware/bloatware) and that's it.

Sami

Serendipity wrote: »

I just keep the computer as "stock" as possible. Meaning just the OS with necessary drivers installed, and maybe an office suite. I don't browse unsafe sites, nor download anything that may contain malicious software.

Basically out of the box config (I remove the trialware/bloatware) and that's it.

Ah, perfect candidate for a nice Linux install...

Serendipity

Sami wrote: »

Ah, perfect candidate for a nice Linux install...

If that makes it cheaper vs. loaded with Vista, then yes.

Sami

Serendipity wrote: »

If that makes it cheaper vs. loaded with Vista, then yes.

Then under $300 is definitely possible and with nice specs like the one posted above. PM me if you want to go ahead with something like that. For cheaper I would suggest looking at eMachines, you can have one of the AMD Athlon 2650e machines for around $200.

Serendipity

I'll send you a PM when I'm ready. I need to get some car problems fixed first

mshan242700

^

nguyendot

Ram *isn't* cheap these days. It's quite a bit higher lately than say... two years ago. 4 gigs of DDR2 800mhz used to be $40 (I bought quite a few of these 2 years ago). Now the going price is approximately $80...which is crazy. Did another plant get hit by an earthquake?