How can I build a budget priced computer from scratch?

Question

I would like to build a budget priced computer that will be fast enough for heavy graphics computer games. But still be usefull for my home maintenance utilities. What would you put into a system that meets these requirements but still costs less than $800.00 (I have a case to use)

I'm only talking about the CPU I allready have the periferals (monitor, speakers, even memory sticks) All I require is motherboard and disc drive.

Answer 1

The new Intel Core Duo 2 processor looks like it will be the top CPU performance wise in the near future, and projected prices look very good. You will need to switch to DDR2 RAM though.
For gaming your graphics card is the most important component.
Gaming takes the most "horsepower" of anything you will do on your computer (right up there with video editing and photo editing), If your system can handle cutting edge games it can do anything else you throw at it with ease.

The Next generation of CPU's is being introduced in the next couple of months. The Core Duo 2 looks like it will be the performance and price leader. Right now the Athlon64's and X2's are king.

Athlon64 X2 3800 (or in the near future the Core Duo 2)
Socket AM2 motherboard
Geforce 7900GT
1 GB DDR2 667

Newegg is cheap and has a great return (RMA) policy

Answer 2

For a box that will play heavy graphics games you will need a couple of things that might get you near or over that $800 threshold. The most important things you will be looking for is a GREAT graphics card, a fast processor, and more RAM. You could probably get by with onboard sound to save some money and a smaller hard drive also.

Check out sites like CNET.com or buy a book on how to do it at your local bookstore. You will want to compare prices on different graphics cards and motherboards w/ processors.

Essentially, all you will be doing is installing a Power Supply, Motherboard and Processor, Memory (RAM and permanent memory) and a graphics card. I don't know if you already have a monitor but if not, I don't see how you can possibly keep it under 8 yards unless you go used.

Answer 3

DON'T buy a Dell. I worked there. You are better off buying your hard drives, CD/DVD burners locally at a discount store.

I bought a 1500 mghz AMD Athlon motherboard on eBay for $20. It came with an owners manual describing different configurations, or I could leave most things on auto. The only hard part was plugging in the wires that make the box speaker beep and the hard drive light come on.

Own a full, legal box copy of XP.

Now, for the reason why Dell is bad. They have OEM software. Especially OEM XP. If a part like the DVD burner goes bad it can get crazy. Nobody makes the DVD burner any more or the Dell OEM XP won't take a new namebrand.

There are several web sites devoted out there to build your own "white box" computer. Go for it. It's not hard.

start with

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_box_(computer_hardware)

If you really want to learn Linux and have $250, check out the Sun hardware sites. You can get a used Sun workstation preloaded with Linux.

Answer 4

All you need is a motherboard and disk drives? I don't completely think thats all you will need. You should need a

motherboard,
hard drive,
graphics card,
RAM,
Proccesor,
disk drives,
case, powersupply, ands fans :)

You can easily do this for under 800 dollars and build a fairly brand spanking new system.

Try out the saphire x850 xt as a really nice 150 budget graphics card. It out preforms upto the x1600, and the 6800. Or if you an nvidia fan check out the 7600 gt.

Try to go amd w/ a nice proccesor, 1 gig of ddr ram, one of the stated graphics cards above, Go asus for motherboard :) Atleast a 160 gig hard drive (300 gigs are very cheap right now).


Check out newegg.

Answer 5

I spent several weeks getting the prices on the motherboards, CPU's memory and new case, and I could not build what I wanted nearly as cheaply as I could purchase ready built. HP is good about letting you get a custom computer and excellent support.

Answer 6

i have no idea of computer prices in your area...
in my experience.. i just buy:
Processor w/ 1.6Gghrz you dont need highest processor unless you are hosting a Site or a Game server..
RAm 512or 1gb you need this to Load your Game faster
Video Card 256mb GForce5900 .

Answer 7

go to Dell online. You can build your own computer.