Cheapest system with these specs:

freightgod · December 26th, 2002

I'm looking for the absolute cheapest box I can get for my sister which meets the following minimum specs. I'll be adding extras like a CD burner, DVD drive and larger second hard drive later and I own a second copy of XP Home which I'll give her if the box doesn't come pre-loaded. Personally I'd be happy to cobble together a system from scratch (I've built a few including her present one) but she wants a put-together system, preferably with a name she recognizes on it. So here's all it has to have:

256 mb memory (not fussy about type)
1 Gig processor (again, not fussy)
10 Gig HD (again, will only be used for OS)
56k modem
decent video card (brand---? Strictly 2D and DVD viewing)
Decent sound card (Audigy would be nice)...speakers optional
keyboard
mouse

Pretty basic, huh? What's my best deal on the net?

**Iceman** · December 26th, 2002

freightgod, I would build the system from scratch myself, have been doing that since 92 with all my computers, cheaper that way, plus it's fun.

**xsivforce** · December 26th, 2002

If you want to save some $$ and you don't mind doing it, buy refurbished. Then tweak it the way you want it.

**xsivforce** · December 26th, 2002

Here is an HP Pavilion 7950 / AMD Athlon 1.2GHz / 128MB / 40GB / CDRW / DVD / 56K / NIC / Windows ME / Refurbished Desktop Computer

$379.99

Link: Tiger Direct

Specifications:

AMD Athlon™ 1.2GHz Processor
128MB PC133 SDRAM Memory
40GB Hard Drive
16X DVD-ROM Drive
HP 12X8X32X CD-RW 9300 series Drive
3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive
nVidia Riva TNT2 M64 Video Card
Lucent 56k WinModem
Onboard Realtek Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbps
Crystal WDM Audio
Polk Audio "F" Stereo Speakers
PS/2 2-button Mouse
PS/2 HP Internet/Multimedia Keyboard
Microsoft® Windows® ME
90 Day Limited Warranty

Just add a extra stick of ram and a monitor.

There are other deals out there. This is just an example. Look around.

jkipk · December 26th, 2002

I just put together this:

amd duron 1.3/pc chips motherboard w/onboard 128bit 64mb (shared) memory/onboard ac97 sound
420w pwr sply
atx mini tower
384mb pc133 sdram
wd 60g 7200 ata 100
wd 40g 7200 ata 100
48-16-48 cdrw
all new for 302.50.
The barebones box was on eBay for 99 + 39 shipping, and I bought everything else new with rebates.

Granted, I'm using my old monitor/kbd/mouse, but you could spend the money I spent on hd for a monitor. All I had to do was plug everything together, it took about 2 1/2 hours. Easy.

Granted also theres 145 of my dollars floating around in rebate land for 2 months (what's up with that?)

OS and software are extra, not a problem for me but for you???

I haven't found anything close to what I got for what I paid, figure I saved $150 by plugging things in myself. Also saved on the onboard video/audio. My thought is that I can upgrade when I want, but spent the $ upfront on the hd, and so far the video is fine. Hard to imagine spending more for a video card than I did for the whole box!

have fun
kip

freightgod · December 26th, 2002

Yeah, upon reflection, she really only needs a mb/processor/case/ps combo...the definition of a barebones system. All her other hardware is up to snuff. Thanks guys, I'm going shopping now...

**xsivforce** · December 26th, 2002

Take a little time to look around. There are always deals out there.

spikemic · December 27th, 2002

i could do that with a intel p4 board for under $300 prob........

freightgod · December 27th, 2002

Well, here's what I bought for $225.00 including shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:EOT:US:3

I know I could have shaved some more off by buying everything seperately, but I really have to get her up and running in one afternoon so I didn't want to dick around with the "backbone" of the system

I know it's not the latest and greatest but believe me its more than she needs and will keep her happy for a long time.

Thanks for the advice, everybody! What do you think of my purchase?

December 26th, 2002	Top \| #1
freightgod Confused and Bewildered Joined: February 2002 Posts: 561 Reputation: 0 Power: 131	Cheapest system with these specs: I'm looking for the absolute cheapest box I can get for my sister which meets the following minimum specs. I'll be adding extras like a CD burner, DVD drive and larger second hard drive later and I own a second copy of XP Home which I'll give her if the box doesn't come pre-loaded. Personally I'd be happy to cobble together a system from scratch (I've built a few including her present one) but she wants a put-together system, preferably with a name she recognizes on it. So here's all it has to have: 256 mb memory (not fussy about type) 1 Gig processor (again, not fussy) 10 Gig HD (again, will only be used for OS) 56k modem decent video card (brand---? Strictly 2D and DVD viewing) Decent sound card (Audigy would be nice)...speakers optional keyboard mouse Pretty basic, huh? What's my best deal on the net?

December 26th, 2002	Top \| #3
xsivforce Prodigal Son Joined: February 2002 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 8,542 Reputation: 1410 Power: 225	If you want to save some $$ and you don't mind doing it, buy refurbished. Then tweak it the way you want it. I miss you allllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 26th, 2002	Top \| #4
xsivforce Prodigal Son Joined: February 2002 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 8,542 Reputation: 1410 Power: 225	Here is an HP Pavilion 7950 / AMD Athlon 1.2GHz / 128MB / 40GB / CDRW / DVD / 56K / NIC / Windows ME / Refurbished Desktop Computer $379.99 Link: Tiger Direct Specifications: AMD Athlon™ 1.2GHz Processor 128MB PC133 SDRAM Memory 40GB Hard Drive 16X DVD-ROM Drive HP 12X8X32X CD-RW 9300 series Drive 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive nVidia Riva TNT2 M64 Video Card Lucent 56k WinModem Onboard Realtek Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbps Crystal WDM Audio Polk Audio "F" Stereo Speakers PS/2 2-button Mouse PS/2 HP Internet/Multimedia Keyboard Microsoft® Windows® ME 90 Day Limited Warranty Just add a extra stick of ram and a monitor. There are other deals out there. This is just an example. Look around. I miss you allllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 26th, 2002	Top \| #7
xsivforce Prodigal Son Joined: February 2002 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 8,542 Reputation: 1410 Power: 225	Take a little time to look around. There are always deals out there. I miss you allllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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December 26th, 2002	Top \| #2
Iceman OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,695 Reputation: 30 Power: 148	freightgod, I would build the system from scratch myself, have been doing that since 92 with all my computers, cheaper that way, plus it's fun.

December 26th, 2002	Top \| #5
jkipk OSNN Addict Joined: December 2002 Posts: 121 Reputation: 0 Power: 116	I just put together this: amd duron 1.3/pc chips motherboard w/onboard 128bit 64mb (shared) memory/onboard ac97 sound 420w pwr sply atx mini tower 384mb pc133 sdram wd 60g 7200 ata 100 wd 40g 7200 ata 100 48-16-48 cdrw all new for 302.50. The barebones box was on eBay for 99 + 39 shipping, and I bought everything else new with rebates. Granted, I'm using my old monitor/kbd/mouse, but you could spend the money I spent on hd for a monitor. All I had to do was plug everything together, it took about 2 1/2 hours. Easy. Granted also theres 145 of my dollars floating around in rebate land for 2 months (what's up with that?) OS and software are extra, not a problem for me but for you??? I haven't found anything close to what I got for what I paid, figure I saved $150 by plugging things in myself. Also saved on the onboard video/audio. My thought is that I can upgrade when I want, but spent the $ upfront on the hd, and so far the video is fine. Hard to imagine spending more for a video card than I did for the whole box! have fun kip

December 26th, 2002	Top \| #6
freightgod Confused and Bewildered Joined: February 2002 Posts: 561 Reputation: 0 Power: 131	Yeah, upon reflection, she really only needs a mb/processor/case/ps combo...the definition of a barebones system. All her other hardware is up to snuff. Thanks guys, I'm going shopping now...

December 27th, 2002	Top \| #8
spikemic OSNN Senior Addict Joined: March 2004 Location: pottstown pa usa northern hemisphere earth Posts: 609 Reputation: 0 Power: 106	i could do that with a intel p4 board for under $300 prob........

December 27th, 2002	Top \| #9
freightgod Confused and Bewildered Joined: February 2002 Posts: 561 Reputation: 0 Power: 131	Well, here's what I bought for $225.00 including shipping: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:EOT:US:3 I know I could have shaved some more off by buying everything seperately, but I really have to get her up and running in one afternoon so I didn't want to dick around with the "backbone" of the system I know it's not the latest and greatest but believe me its more than she needs and will keep her happy for a long time. Thanks for the advice, everybody! What do you think of my purchase?