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Discussion: General Forums / Hardware & Software Discussion - Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming) - Well my old laptop finally kicked the bucket. I need something to replace it so
  1. 07-23-2009, 07:28 PM #1
    machowner
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    Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    Well my old laptop finally kicked the bucket. I need something to replace it so that my wife will have a pc to use. Between finding a good performance/price ratio and dealing with AMD stuff, I've found it harder to put together a cheap build than finding parts for my gaming pc. If you could give me suggestions that would be great.
    What do I need the computer to do? Run windows 7 well. Have a decent ability to look over pictures/hd vid, but not needed for editing. Has to run firefox/ie well.

    This is what I'm thinking so far:
    AMD Phenom II X3 705e Heka 2.5GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 65W Triple-Core Processor
    $124
    ASUS M4A78-E AM2+/AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
    $110
    OCZ Blade Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model OCZ2B800C44GK
    $41
    Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
    $60
    CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
    $60
    SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
    $26
    COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
    $55
    Hanns·G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers
    $120
    Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit/with upgrade to win 7 coupon
    $110

    With some discounts, shipping, and tax I'm looking at around $742 to the door. I don't want to cut too many corners, but really this doesn't have to be a powerful computer to surf the net and look at family pics/vids.



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  2. 07-23-2009, 11:33 PM #2
    =DdogG=
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    dell outlet - studio 540. you can get a core2quad 8200 w/ 4gigs / 640gig hdd / hdmi / vista hp (no monitor) for 450... even dropping the 120 and 50 for an upgrade to vista (if you had to - dunno if it is included or not) for the lcd puts you in a sweet place over your build. I got something close to that and added a few parts for a machine that outpaces an i7 on everything but encoding tasks for under 800.
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  3. 07-24-2009, 12:12 AM #3
    Sir-Nerd
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    I think the RAM, CPU, and Motherboard are slight over what i would do.

    I'd cut the RAM down to 2 gigs, but thats hardly a difference in price.

    I would switch to Intel. A decent Dual Core comes around 75$, same with the 775 socket motherboard. You could shave 100 dollars or more off by changing those two things without a hit in performance. The school has machines with 2.2 ghz Dual and they are fine.

    You have a GPU selected?

    If not http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130485

    That'll do fine.
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  4. 07-24-2009, 12:58 PM #4
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    Look into Antec's cases with included power supplies. The Earthwatts series is very, very solid, and it'll save you a bit of cash.
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  5. 07-24-2009, 01:39 PM #5
    Buckets
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    I will agree with what Dictate said above (Antec case with an included PSU will save you money) and suggest a different CPU (dual core, not quite as fast but almost half the price).

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103687

    The suggestion above to switch to Intel on a budget build was a bad one. You can get an AMD dual core and motherboard for a lot less than a similar Intel setup and with essentially the same performance. Also, since you selected the 790GX motherboard, you won't have to buy a separate GPU.
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  6. 07-24-2009, 02:16 PM #6
    Spulat
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    something like the Eee box, or something similar that's a small desktop with the DUAL core Atom processor, may be right up your alley.

    Usually they cost somewhere around the $350 price mark.
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  7. 07-24-2009, 02:44 PM #7
    Buckets
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    Quote Originally Posted by Spulat View Post
    something like the Eee box, or something similar that's a small desktop with the DUAL core Atom processor, may be right up your alley.

    Usually they cost somewhere around the $350 price mark.
    Also a good suggestion, although I don't think the dual core Atoms are out yet. (I could be wrong, though.)
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  8. 07-24-2009, 03:37 PM #8
    Spulat
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    Quote Originally Posted by Buckets View Post
    Also a good suggestion, although I don't think the dual core Atoms are out yet. (I could be wrong, though.)
    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...012&CatId=4356

    That is just an example. I'm sure one of them is a standard desktop.

    Just look under TigerDirect->Desktop Computers->New Desktops->Intel Based PCs->Atom
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  9. 07-25-2009, 02:08 PM #9
    machowner
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    Re: Cheap build for everyday use (not gaming)

    Thanks for the suggestions, i was able to get the pc down to 605. I'm also going to look into some of those atom pcs.



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