Time to build a new rig...

[{CLR}geneSW]

Ok, so it's time to build the wife a desktop, but i've only got about $500 or so to spend, including shiping.... Any ideas?

[Hammy]

My idea is that you buy a mobo and a processor, and then skimp on Memory until you can buy that.

Recycle everything else.

I cant see you doing it for $500 otherwise.

[Donziboy2]

What do you have lying around and what is she currently using???

2gb pc 6400 ram.. a 5200+ amd x2 chip... and a low/mid range mobo would set you back about 200-300$

200 of you go cheap on mobo and more if you go for all the bells.

If she is into gaming all bets are off.

[WalkinTarget]

AMD build:

Board: Asus M2A 690G mATX board - $65:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131172

CPU: AMD X2 6000+ 3.1ghz 65nm AM2 CPU - $92:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103272

Vid card: XFX 9800GT 512mb - $110 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150316

RAM: OCZ Platinum 2gb kit - $14 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227139

Hard drive: Hitachi 500gb 16mb 7200 rpm SATA - $65:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145215

DVD: Samsung 22x DVD/RW - $25:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 430 80+ PSU - $60: (or check Hot Deals thread for the OCZ 600)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371006

That's $431 after rebates. Add a case, Operating System and keyboard and mouse and you are good to go.

[BigTwinky]

what does your wife do with the pc?

knowing usage helps determine build

[Duke{CLR}]

Here are two threads about cheep builds. There is one of a build I made for my stepdaughter and another about a Crysis PC. The Pink monster that I put together is an amazing machine that works great for general use.

http://www.cainslair.org/showthread.php?t=4510

http://www.cainslair.org/showthread.php?t=7916

[{CLR}geneSW]

what does your wife do with the pc?

knowing usage helps determine build

Some gaming and research. Nothing more then UT2k4 and The Sims 3 when it's released. If she wants to play anything more powerful then she can play it on my rig when i'm off at work.

BTW, I already have the O.S., picking up a keyboard and mouse will be easy, and I already have the monitor (A CRT, but it's a monitor to get her up and running). BTW, it's $500 just for the rig (Including case and HD).

[Dead...Again]

This article is about building an $800 rig. YOu might be able to adjust it down a bit.
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/budget_pc

[Gimmie2]

Well for $500 i suggest buying a cheap case+PSU combo($50-$100), a $200ish mobo with integrated graphics, a VERY cheap CPU like a Pentium 3 or 4 about 1.5-3.2Ghz($50-$150ish ), 256mB-1gB ram ($20-$50), reformat and reuse a new Hard Drive and if you need to buy a new OS, just get linux.
either that or wait a while until you get a couple hundred more dollars and build a nicer machine with like 2+gb ram and a cheap GPU (Nvidia 6800-9600)

[{CLR}geneSW]

I think i've found a solution..... get a barebones case for about $300, and add a video card. Most come with a HD and PSU in them, and they average around $300 or so for a decent MoBo+CPU+HD+Case+PSU...

[WalkinTarget]

get a barebones case for about $300, and add a video card. Most come with a HD and PSU in them

Umm, the quality of that PSU had better be good, or adding even a 9800GT will make things problematic. It is NEVER as easy as dropping in a discrete video card and calling it a day.

They design those bare bones units to function with little hardware overhead in mind, and you NEED to verify at least the strength of the +12 rail on it to determine what video upgrades that will allow you to do.

[{CLR}geneSW]

Umm, the quality of that PSU had better be good, or adding even a 9800GT will make things problematic. It is NEVER as easy as dropping in a discrete video card and calling it a day.

They design those bare bones units to function with little hardware overhead in mind, and you NEED to verify at least the strength of the +12 rail on it to determine what video upgrades that will allow you to do.

not even adding a 9800, going with a 8800 if I can find one cheap enough. It's overkill for what she needs actually.

[WalkinTarget]

not even adding a 9800, going with a 8800

Same difference, actually. 9800 is essentially a re-badged 8800. There's more to it then that, but you get the idea. You may have issues with anything over a 9600 !! These cheap PSUs are usually around 16-18a on the +12 rail, and I wouldn't recommend ANYTHING under 24.

[{CLR}geneSW]

Same difference, actually. 9800 is essentially a re-badged 8800. There's more to it then that, but you get the idea. You may have issues with anything over a 9600 !! These cheap PSUs are usually around 16-18a on the +12 rail, and I wouldn't recommend ANYTHING under 24.

I'll have to keep an eye then. Didn't realize they pulled almost 20a on the 12v rail. Thought it was around 15a or so...

[WalkinTarget]

I may be wrong on the budget cards .. I know my higher end cards tho. The GTX260 needs 36 and the GTX280 needs 40 !!!

My 9600GSOs require 22a on the +12 rail, but I'm running two, so I surely don't need 44a, or do I ?? Nvidia grossly overestimates their cards power needs, but I am a firm believer in overkill on the power supply.