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Q: Build own PC ( No Answer,   5 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Build own PC
Category: Computers > Hardware
Asked by: vama-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 06 Aug 2006 04:21 PDT
Expires: 09 Aug 2006 09:02 PDT
Question ID: 753085
I would like to build a cheap windows PC that will be used only for
internet communications (mainly MSN Messenger use). The PC should
accept an Ethernet connection and a web cam.
I would like to get the list of components required to build such a PC
and if possible possible recommendations and approximate costs.
I would also like to know which components I should care about for good performance.

Request for Question Clarification by endo-ga on 06 Aug 2006 04:47 PDT
Hi,

Whatis your budget and what is your country of residence?

If you've never built a PC before, it might be easier and cheaper to
buy one prebuilt, unless you're in it for the adventure?

Thanks.
endo

Clarification of Question by vama-ga on 06 Aug 2006 07:28 PDT
My country of residence is Canada. The bugdet is around CAD 350.
I have never build a PC before but I'm willing to try. The rationale
of my request thatI assume there are several things in a PC which are
not relevant for internet use only. Therefore, some savings could be
done on these.

Request for Question Clarification by tisme-ga on 06 Aug 2006 21:09 PDT
Hello vama,

To be quite honest with you, you would be better off buying a cheap
computer. If you want me to recommend one for you, let me know.

tisme-ga

Clarification of Question by vama-ga on 07 Aug 2006 01:16 PDT
Dear Tisme,

Thanks for your honesty. Please send me your recommendation.

Regards,
Vama.
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Build own PC
From: sycophant-ga on 07 Aug 2006 03:01 PDT
 
Hi Vama, 

Tisme's suggestion is probably correct, but if you are still
interested in building it yourself, for the learning experience, you
could look to TigerDirect which seems to be a well priced and
respectable computer retailer in Canada.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/

They sell a variety of 'barebones' kits which generally include a
Case, Power Supply, Motherboard and CPU.

Most modern motherboards offer onboard LAN, Video and Sound, so not
extra hardware is required for those parts. But check the
specifications of the motherboard to be sure.

You also need RAM (512MB is sufficent), a Hard Drive (best value
generally around 200GB mark), Keyboard and Mouse (they are cheap) and
a monitor (CRT is cheaper, 15" is okay, 17" is better).

For what you want to do, you can't really make a computer that is
underpowered with current parts. They are all more than sufficent.

Good luck.

Sycophant
Subject: Re: Build own PC
From: livioflores-ga on 07 Aug 2006 06:55 PDT
 
The main problem resides on the operative system, if you want to use
MSN Messenger you will need a Windows operative system, and it is not
cheap, my suggestion in this case is to use a Linux distribution and
an online version of the MSN.
Subject: Re: Build own PC
From: boxtavious-ga on 07 Aug 2006 10:30 PDT
 
On the suggestion by sycophant I would have to agree that a barebones
system would have you running at the best for the cheapest price. If I
remember correctly tigerdirect is a refurbished online distribution so
the alternative I would suggest if you like new parts would be from
the list below:

http://www.newegg.com
http://www.mwave.com

Also, another website you might want to check out

http://www.spoofee.com

It is an online deals site which occasionally posts deals on Dell
computers which have coupons for bargain desktop computers sometimes
being about $400 with an included lcd monitor and a decent computer.
Also with the Dell's the add on options of a webcam for $20 dollar is
usually within the customization options.

As for if you want to build it yourself then the operating system does
become one of the most expensive parts of this system, as the windows
operating system by itself is expensive, which is why I still would
recommend a prebuilt system, the plug and play capabilities of those
are unparalled for the work in building your own if you have never
done it.

Windows OEM XP Home is running about $90 on newegg.com

The motherboard should be too much of a concern, it really depends on
which processor line you are more comfortable with. Both the athlon
lines and pentium's are dropping in price right now due to a new
release by intel of the core 2 duo chips, so now is the time to buy a
new processor. Some of the older product lines are at deep %50 cuts
and this is something you won't see reflected in prebuilt machines for
a few months.

My personal recommendation is to go with an athlon 64, socket 939,
probably about a 3500+ which is running about $89.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533
The motherboard itself is something you might have to decide on, look
for socket 939 and any other classifications you want and read the
reviews on them, usually newegg reviews are fairly accurate
descriptions of the product. Here is a board for about $60 which is of
the newer technology so it leaves room for upgrades if you ever decide
to go the route of windows vista. Can support up to 4GB of ram, has
SATA (faster hard drive transfer), and can be upgraded with a video
card which vista is requiring.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135177
512MB of Ram runs between $40 and $50, I have posted links to a $40
512MB stick, which is more budget ram although I have to admit the 1GB
stick I have in my gaming system even performs well, and then a $50
512MB stick which has faster CAS latency and a heatspreader, so that
you won't have to worry about any ram modules going out on you.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820223009
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146846

Hard drives, look for something in the SATA (serial ATA) variety, this
will give you good transfer rates and I have noticed the increase
speeds of these drives over IDE even with simple web surfing tasks.
Capacity is up to you, but check out newegg to see what you might
want. Here's an 80GB for about $45.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

Optical drives, go with 16x dvd-rw which is running under $40 for a
decent drive, this way you'll have dvd viewing and burning in case you
need to back up your system at any point in time.

Cases are best bought directly on sale at your local electronics
stores, the shipping on one of these things can totally blow away any
savings you may get from an online store. Also this way you can see
the case before you buy it.

Keyboard and mouse, under $20 on newegg for a basic set, wireless
under $40 I believe.

Webcams can be bought for as cheap as $10, or you could go as expensive as $100. 
Here is one that I think would suffice for $40, and is logitech which
I have known them to be quality.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830108128

Monitor, 15 inch lcd's are really available to the point where they
are cheap anymore, its almost just easier to take the plung into a 17
inch lcd. For $130 you can get a 15 inch lcd, for $150 you can get a
17 inch, for the upgrade from 1024x768 to 1280x1024, its worth the $20
in the amount of screen real estate while web browsing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009081

If I forgot anything let me know.
Subject: Re: Build own PC
From: sparkysko-ga on 07 Aug 2006 12:45 PDT
 
Unless you're going to steal a copy of windows, or use a free
operating system, it's cheaper to buy one. Windows alone costs at
least 115$.

http://www.dealspl.us/Desktops_deals

This site has some nice prices on systems.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&kc=&oc=S50803f

Here's a Dell w/ a 17" LCD for $329. I'd upgrade the RAM to 512
instead of the 256. You can get better systems for less price if you
already have your own monitor.
Subject: Re: Build own PC
From: vama-ga on 09 Aug 2006 09:02 PDT
 
Many thanks to all for your useful comments and advice.

Regards,
Vama.

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