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Super Cheap PC Options [SOLVED]
Lindsay Lohan
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've been thinking a lot lately about trying to get a desktop pc back up and running for our house. My wife has a good laptop, but I'm using a Netbook and my son is using the Google Chrome beta machine so we really can't do any pc gaming. We have an old Althon 1.8, 512gb ram desktop in the gameroom I occasionally use for retro gaming, but it can't do anything current (and it has no monitor, I use my LCD TV.
I'd really like to be able to give WoW another try, maybe try a few of the free to play online games, play Magic Online (my Netbook resolution gets in the way of that), let my kid try Minecraft, and maybe play the last few Civ/Sims/Simcity games on it. I'm thinking at this point I could probably take people's leftover crap on Ebay/Craigslist/yard sales and still end up significantly updated. Hell, I'm willing to bet there are computers left on the curb more capable than mine.
Is there a cheaper way to do this than I'm thinking - like a barebones pc kit somewhere? If not, is there a guide somewhere of the past few years of cpu or video card generations so I know what to look for? I've built my own pc's in the past, but I've been out of the loop as primarily a console gamer for the past few years so I'm not familiar with what the current standards are for video cards, ram, harddrive interfaces, etc.
I'd really like to be able to give WoW another try, maybe try a few of the free to play online games, play Magic Online (my Netbook resolution gets in the way of that), let my kid try Minecraft, and maybe play the last few Civ/Sims/Simcity games on it. I'm thinking at this point I could probably take people's leftover crap on Ebay/Craigslist/yard sales and still end up significantly updated. Hell, I'm willing to bet there are computers left on the curb more capable than mine.
Is there a cheaper way to do this than I'm thinking - like a barebones pc kit somewhere? If not, is there a guide somewhere of the past few years of cpu or video card generations so I know what to look for? I've built my own pc's in the past, but I've been out of the loop as primarily a console gamer for the past few years so I'm not familiar with what the current standards are for video cards, ram, harddrive interfaces, etc.
Lindsay Lohan on
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in the meantime, one of my favorite ways to score cheap electronics is to buy refurbished items... daily deal sites like woot.com and refurb resellers like geeks.com, not to mention the manufacturers sites (dell.com/outlet or the apple store) b/c they're significantly cheaper than new but at the same time are in good shape and have a warranty - which is something you won't get buying used off craigslist/ebay, etc.
you can typically find a pretty decent core i5 desktop for <$500 and core i7 for <$700 with decent video cards, etc.
if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, there are lots of "build a gaming PC on a budget" type articles around - just make sure you find one from 2012 as that info gets outdated rapidly:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/building-a-barebones-budget-gaming-pc-for-under-550/13363
that's just one example
Swing by the PC Build Thread here on PA.
Tom's Hardware will frequently do a gaming build article, this one is a $600 build that is very nice.
Another source I would suggest to check out is the DIY Combos on Newegg. It will usually only save you between $30 and $50 but it can take a lot of the work out of finding parts that should be brought together.
Another note, if you do decide you want to build from scratch and don't want to go the bundle route. I would recommend buying your parts on Amazon. I built my current PC about 2 years ago and got most of the parts from Newegg and a few from Amazon. I had to return a few parts because of poor research on my part as far as compatibility. Amazon's return policies are far and away better than Newegg. Newegg has a restocking fee and makes you pay for return shipping, Amazon does neither. Also if you're an Amazon Prime member (which I would recommend anyway because it's awesome) most of your parts should qualify for free 3-day shipping.
per the article i linked, and some customizations, you're looking at:
~$80 for an AMD mobo with decent onboard video (that's really the price floor here)
~$40 for 8GB of DDR3
~$80-100 for a usable AM3 processor in the 3.5GHz range
~$40-50 for a power supply
Intel would set you back more since the Core i3 processors start at ~$120 and Core i5s start at ~$200...
If the desk you gonna use with the computer has the sufficient size then you can find a nice CRT monitor for 0$. It will take up some space but old top end monitors are actually very good just not in fashion (fx. I have been trying to give away what was once the Sony top model computer monitor and found no takers - it cost me $2500 back then and is as good as new).
Also it may be all you need to get stuff like WOW to run is more memory and maybe a better graphics card. Start by finding out what your motherboard can support and go from there. Also look into overclocking, some AMD CPU's can be made to run 50% faster or more with virtually no effort and risk.
That would be awesome!!! I'll PM you my address. I wouldn't need a DVD burner anyways - I have a CD burner from my old PC and a DVD Rom drive, I really only burn CDs for my wife's commute so I'm set that way. The whole socket confusion and the various video card iterations was what was confusing the crud out of me - it seemed much simpler when I built my last one!
On the monitor thing - I'm not terribly worried about that either - I see them on sale alot and frankly I don't mind using my TV as a monitor until I can find one. I think the move for most families to laptops has really made prices sink on that stuff.
I guess the next question is what do I look for in a motherboard nowadays?
I may have a working 775 mobo as well I just ripped apart two old pc's I had in storage and will see what I have. I am at work but will update tonight.
VGA vs DVI - what's that all about? Differences?
I'm guess IDE = old, SATA = new - is that it for flavors of drives at the moment or do I need to know more?
Power supply - how can I tell what I have in my current case and what (if anything) it's good for? Obviously I think I could find on it how powerful it is, but are there different types of connectors now?
VGA vs DVI, well VGA is analog, and DVI is Digital. Thats the difference. http://www.thesmallest.com/lessonettes/dviandvga.html
Your different types of connectors
You have the 20+4 pin, that goes to the motherboard
a 4(+4) pin that also goes to the motherboard
a 6(+2) pin connector for PCI cards
a 4 pin, mulex (or LP4) connector for old ide drives and are pretty much used now a days to power fans.
a sata power connector for Optical drives and hard drives.
For the more powerful machines you will need a 20+4 pin connector, 4+4 pin connector, and a 6 pin connector for your graphics card. However graphics card often come with an attachment where you can turn 2 mulex connectors into the 6 pin connector.
And you can convert that 4 pin mulex (LP4) into a sata connector as well, with an adaptor.
The main thing you need to know is what connectors you need, and the total watts you need. If your graphics card requires 400W, slapping a 350W power supply into the machine obviously is not going to work.
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138293
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148352 (2 of those)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
Basically same stats as what I'm currently using, and it runs BF3 on High no problem. The CPU can be unlocked to a 4th core (Not a guarantee that it'll be stable...the 4th core was disabled for a reason), and that'll give you 4GB of RAM which is enough to do what you're talking about doing. The total comes out to roughly $140 before shipping. You can bump up some of the items to hit the $200 limit, or you can save for a solid video card or a new case. The board is a micro-atx so it will fit in just about anything.
Alot of folks will tell you that Intel is the way to go, and I agree. But so far, I've had no issues from the AMD X3s and X4s. When I'm unable to run SWTOR, BF3, and other high-end games, then I'll consider going to intel. I'd be happy to recommend more parts, as building a system yourself is way more rewarding than buying one pre-built
Also...when you do get into Minecraft, give me a shout. This game is my LIFE.
I'll mail you that stuff - I just have to get around to it this week. The post office is closed on the weekend...
No rush - it's going to be awhile especially since once I have the parts in hand I still have to find at least a case/power supply and depending on R0land's finds, possibly a motherboard. I can't get anything locally to speak of (I'm in Maine, we don't really have any computer shows or good cheap shops around) so I'll be newegg/tigerdirecting anything I need. Even if my power supply would be strong enough, the fan has gotten noisy so it's probably time to put it to pasture.
The good thing is my wife is completely on board and my son is excited to learn how to build a computer. The last computer I built was before he was born so he's never really seen much beyond a keyboard swap on a laptop so that will be a ton of fun. He's looking forward to helping me pick out a case too (assuming I don't keep my current one).
EDIT: Let's assume I put together the Intel stuff with the video card - any ideas on how powerful a power supply I'd be needing?
LoL EU West nickname: Irridan
I checked out the boards I have and neither are compatible with the processor you are getting. Sorry for the delay in checking those out.
I'm starting to try to get the parts together - went out today and managed to find a monitor at a yard sale - a Samsung 19" LCD for $10. I'm struggling to find a motherboard that will take my old IDE harddrives and having 4 RAM slots - anyone have site options other than newegg/tigerdirect I should look at? I had found one but it went out of stock before I could jump on it.
I really do wish I lived in a major area that has real computer stores...
I've also got a GT 8800 card from XFX. Still handles new games fairly well. I've been able to play Mass Effect 3 without any huge problems, as well as Civ V. The system as a whole does start the chug the longer you've been playing Civ though, but thats normal for Civ (I'm told). Another link for that
There's some RAM in there too but I have NO Idea what brand/type it is, other than 2x 4GB.
Let me know what you'd like, and give me an address (PM of course). When I find my new gear to order, I'll PM you and see if you still want/need it.
Q6600 Core 2 Quad up for grabs too, for anyone interested.
Sell your proc on Ebay, people are still paying good money for them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.909859
Alternatively you can have a go with the AMD "APU" jazz, I built a HTPC with one and I don't have any complaints about it, you will need to understand though that it won't ever be as good as a dedicated graphics card or ever be as good as a dedicated processor but for your price point it might be worth looking into. I'd say just go for an i3 due to being able to upgrade the processor down the road but thats just me.
Also just as a note I can toss together a i3 build for $368 [after rebate] without a graphics card (less $10-$20 if you went with a non-modular PSU) and then toss in a GTX460 with the current tiger direct promo ($99 after rebate) and you've got a respectable computer that only needs an OS.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.915554
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.915233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231417
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2103079&CatId=3669
Total: $467.84
I know your getting parts, but you might be able to use one of those combos or if things fall through as a backup plan. I've started keeping better tabs on the combo offerings from newegg and its surprising how often two items I'm getting anyhow can be bundled and save me $10-$40.
First - I have a copy of Windows XP Pro on a now dead laptop with the serial so I can use that if needed, but what is the cheapest way to get a legit Win7 install instead? Is there a way to just buy a code and download the system files to flash drive or DVD or something and not deal with retail?
Typing "Cheap Windows 7" seems to come up with some fairly dubious sites and pricing that make me think I'd be buying something less than legal.
Second - What type of Ram is it these have? I'm seeing motherboards with 240 pin and 184 pin - I'm guessing 240 based on the fact that seems to be the most common but wanted to doublecheck...
I've actually got my old 1.8 amd system hooked up right now to the monitor I bought to make sure it worked, installed Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 and have been really hooked on having a desktop again. I pulled out a computer desk from storage (funny how we always have a few extra desks kicking around) and bought some cheapo speakers too.
My son is pretty psyched about the actual building process too - should be a good learning experience for him.
Best way to get a legit copy of windows 7 if you don't have access to student pricing or other such shenanigans is an OEM system builder's disc. They're ~100 dollars for a copy of home premium on most websites that stock this sort of thing.
184 pins were last used on DDR1 iirc. That's a really old standard that you'd have to try pretty hard to still need. Anything DDR3 on a desktop is 240 pins. Basically, if you buy a motherboard that supports DDR3, and you buy standard DDR3 DIMMs, you'll be fine.
Does she have a .edu email address? If so a $30 student copy of win7 might be a possibility
p sure that deal ended, like, a year ago.
Edit: or not.
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/gb/software/windows-7.aspx
Couldn't find that when JJJordan was making his PC, assumed it was dead.