Cheapest system with these specs:

freightgod

Confused and Bewildered
Joined
12 Feb 2002
Messages
561
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?
 
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.

cool.gif
 
If you want to save some $$ and you don't mind doing it, buy refurbished. Then tweak it the way you want it.
 
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 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
 
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...
 
Take a little time to look around. There are always deals out there. ;)
 
i could do that with a intel p4 board for under $300 prob........
 
Well, here's what I bought for $225.00 including shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...8761&ed=1041485594&ssPageName=ADME: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?
 

Members online

No members online now.

Latest profile posts

Also Hi EP and people. I found this place again while looking through a oooollllllldddd backup. I have filled over 10TB and was looking at my collection of antiques. Any bids on the 500Mhz Win 95 fix?
Any of the SP crew still out there?
Xie wrote on Electronic Punk's profile.
Impressed you have kept this alive this long EP! So many sites have come and gone. :(

Just did some crude math and I apparently joined almost 18yrs ago, how is that possible???
hello peeps... is been some time since i last came here.
Electronic Punk wrote on Sazar's profile.
Rest in peace my friend, been trying to find you and finally did in the worst way imaginable.

Forum statistics

Threads
62,015
Messages
673,494
Members
5,621
Latest member
naeemsafi
Back