Budget Computers

[Movie Junkie]

My son wants to purchase one of the so-called budget computers and I would like to know if anyone here has purchased one they would recomend or suggest he stay away from? I know I could do a search on the 'net but I would rather see if any of the users here have had experiences with these computers.

 

He won't be doing any "heavy" gaming except for gaming over the 'net (Final Fantasy). I'm sure he will also be making MP3s as well as some other good stuff.

[kevdriver]

MJ, from what I've heard budget comps aren't too too bad, depending on manufacturer. They're weak link a lot of times are the PSU and memory, meaning that it's under ramed or if it has good ram numbers the ram is usually value ram. Not at all a pro at these type of comps, but usually they're reasonably priced and might be good as a starter comp. They usually have a bit of room for upgrading at a later date.

 

 

 

One of the other guys probably will have more info to give you on this......

[cornholio7]

personally , i would steer clear of budget type p.c.'s . usually they have shared graphic cards and components that aren't up to much. you could probably assemble the p.c. with components you want in it for not too much more, dependant on you can assemble it yourself .

[Movie Junkie]

personally , i would steer clear of budget type p.c.'s . usually they have shared graphic cards and components that aren't up to much. you could probably assemble the p.c. with components you want in it for not too much more, dependant on you can assemble it yourself .

Thanks Corny. I don't know why I didn't think about that. Most of the time the cheap systems are not readily upgradable and since I built my computer in 2004 (and had NO problems with it) I should be able to build one for him at a reasonable cost.

[Kenadjian]

That would be the way to go.

[Shamus_McFartfinger]

MJ: Depending on what sort of system you're looking for, you might want to try something like an auction house or clearing house for ex-government PCs. I've bought loads of stuff over the years including PCs, printers, monitors, servers etc etc that's dirt cheap and works perfectly from places like this. With the start of the new financial year, many businesses offload their infrastructure/assets as part of their contract with hardware suppliers and vendors. It's a great time to go shopping.

[chewy]

sell/give him your old one?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...82E16813131541R

last years mobo/open box

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...82E16814102475R

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103533

[polopony]

have to agree with the steer clear of these systems for the above reasons .You can assemble a great computer if you dont want to use the latest and fastest processor and other components .If you use a cpu and other hardware thats a few steps down from the fastest the prices are reasonable and you have the option of upgrading parts when you feel like it .It wasn't mentioned but you dont get an actual OS with the budget systems only a recover/repair and in my opinion having the OS disc is a must.Since you built one yourself putting together another will be a snap or help him build one it would be a great learning experience.I know that lots of people dont like ebay but I built a comp for a friends mom for about $160 not the fastest by any means but all she uses it for is the net ,e mail and swapping photos of family and some card games

[Movie Junkie]

MJ: Depending on what sort of system you're looking for, you might want to try something like an auction house or clearing house for ex-government PCs. I've bought loads of stuff over the years including PCs, printers, monitors, servers etc etc that's dirt cheap and works perfectly from places like this.

Thanks Shamus. Are there places you would recommend?

[Movie Junkie]

sell/give him your old one?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...82E16813131541R

last years mobo/open box

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...82E16814102475R

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103533

I actually still use my old one. Plus I want to give him something quite a bit faster than 450MH. I want to give him something closer to the 3.4G that I built.

[chewy]

my 92$(was 145) amd64 3000 @ 2500 gives any single core P4 a run for it's money at far less power and heat in video encoding.

 

Temperatures:

Motherboard 35 ?C (95 ?F)

CPU 37 ?C (99 ?F)

 

wait a few weeks for the X2's to drop or get an 820 intel dual core

 

the new intel core duo are gonna turn the apple cart over, apple may have the fastest desktop once again

[Shamus_McFartfinger]

MJ: Depending on what sort of system you're looking for, you might want to try something like an auction house or clearing house

Thanks Shamus. Are there places you would recommend?

Not unless you're in Brisbane. Try Google. (city name + computer auction)

[Grain]

A buddy who's in the wholesale end of PC parts called on the weekend when I wasn't home, he had 2X 500GB HDD's he wanted to sell me for $150CAD, today was too late :sob:

[Movie Junkie]

MJ: Depending on what sort of system you're looking for, you might want to try something like an auction house or clearing house

Thanks Shamus. Are there places you would recommend?

Not unless you're in Brisbane. Try Google. (city name + computer auction)

I forgot about where you live. I'll give Google a try.

[Kenadjian]

Age is a terrible thing MJ.

[Movie Junkie]

I can't hear you, you young whippersnapper, could you please speak up?