Is it reasonable to build a pc with $300 AUD? first time builder!?

Question

i am going to build a pc but i have a budget of $300 Australian dollars. is this reasonable, is this possible?? (without monitor keyboard etc. only pc)

also any computer building tips for a first timer??

Answer 1

YES it is possible but it would be quite an anemic PC. It would only be good for internet, light office apps, MP3 and some old games.

First build is very challenging, 2nd build is more interesting and 3rd build onwards would be like a walk in the park. I'm about to do my 6th build.
Follow the motherboard manual.
Take note that you can test your build halfway through. Even without a hard drive, CD drive, FDD and w/ just 1 stick RAM, you can check if your set up will power up, POST and manage to get to BIOS menu. If you are able to get to BIOS menu screen, then everything is OK and putting in the rest would be easy. Also after an OS installation, IMMEDIATELY install the motherboard chipset driver plus the drivers of all onboard devices. Drivers of devices on the PCI slot, graphics slot and USB ports come next. Then install your favorite programs. Worked for me flawlessly in all my builds.

Answer 2

couples things i recommand. One 300 dollars is 2 low for a good pc. What are you going to be doing with the pc is the most importent thing? i also recommand not custimizing it if you only have 300 dollars, i suggest buying a premade one. some good places to look for Cheap premade computers (with 300 dollars you can only probaily get a good pent 4) are www.Frys.com or www.hp.com, Gateway has some good stuff as well but well probaily be a little more expansive

Answer 3

I think it's plausible (this is $255.00 US dollars) But this would be a very basic system. I think that shipping to Australia will kill most of your cash unless you have some really inexpensive vendors there. I can point you to a place in the US for really cheap components. Check out these links I'll try to get it built right here.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=A-BEIGE-S754-K1&cat=BBK
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=SDA3400AI03BX&cat=CPU
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=512DDR3200-MICSYS
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CK8-8JD2B-0L
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ST3100011AS-R

So there it is. A case, Motherboard, Power supply, CPU, RAM, Hard drive, CPU Heatsink and Fan, CD burner. Keyboard and mouse are included in the package.

$ 246.07 AU dollars. This does not include the operating system. But there's always something to be said for Linux.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Depends on the configuration you want; you're not going to be able to get the latest and greatest for that price. The best prices I've found for parts was at http://www.msy.com.au

If you're in Sydney, another good place is the North Rocks computer markets which on every Sunday.

Answer 5

Based on our current prices, it may be feasible, but it would depend on your specs, at that price you would need to use older spec'd devices incl processors etc.
A more reasonable figure is around $500 for which you will get a more current system.