$400-$500 build for friend

I

ivandurago

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*This might be better suited for http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=40 , so if it needs to be moved feel free to do so*

My friends family wants me to build them a basic system for browsing the web/email, watching movies, looking at pictures/ect. Nothing too fancy, just needs to last them a while and be relatively quiet. I was think about something like this, but could definitely use input.
(They have a monitor or will get a new one separate from this budget, same with mouse/key. Also they could use a mobo with integrated graphics or get a cheap video card.)

Case - Cooler Master Centurion 5 - $68 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 - $120 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052
Ram - G.SKILL 2GB DDR2 - $45 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
PSU - Thermaltake Purepower 500W - $70 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 250gb - $60 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262
Burner - Lite-On DVD±R - DVD±R - $24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

That leaves ~$100 for the mobo choice. However I am not all that sure on the CPU choice... or really set in stone on anything. I just want to deliver the best performance I can at ~$500 and would love opinions!
Thanks for any help.
 
At a low budget, you really can't beat the deals that companies like Dell offer. I'd suggest looking into one of their desktops instead.
 
For a basic system, try looking for a deal on a Dell system first. Check out gotapex.com, bensbargains.net, or slickdeals.net.

For a DIY cheap system, you could go...

$76 - Antec NSK4480 case with EarthWatts 380W PSU (free shipping)
$60 - Foxconn M7PMX-S microATX motherboard ($15 mail-in rebate)
$120 - E7200
$40 - A-DATA 2x1GB DDR2 800 kit (free shipping)
$50 - Hitachi 320GB SATA HDD (free shipping)
$25 - Samsung SH-S223F (free shipping)
=====
$371 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)

You may also need a new OS license... an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium is available at Microcenter for around $80 (plus shipping, if you don't have one near you).
 
I agree, check out gotapex for some dell deals. For instance, I recently got in on this dell deal:

Dell Vostro 200 with Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E7200, 2GB DDR2-667, 250GB SATA300, SATA DVDRW, and 22" Widescreen LCD, Vista Home Basic, and 1yr warranty (+mouse/kb) for $499 with FREE Shipping!

Not a bad deal for an email/browsing system, and the best part is, its all ATX compliant, so you can upgrade if needed (its got one free 5.25" bay, and one free HDD spot). :) So, Dell is great if you just need a basic system with a monitor and OS. :)

If you do decide to do it yourself, tiraides build looks good, too.
 
If you're going to go with a custom build, might I suggest the E2xxx Pentium Dual Core series? They are good overclockers. I'm running an E2200 on a Gigabyte EP35-DS3L board with 2GB of Corsair and a Radeon 4850, does pretty decent in games. The chip and board can be had for around $160 at the 'Egg.

But yeah when you talk about needing a legit software license, the cheap deals from the OEM's start to look good.
 
Why not build an AMD system? If they want to go cheap, give em AMD
 
I'm waiting for someone to suggest a Quad-Core for this budget system. I need something to throw a brick at.
 
nej_k said:
Why not build an AMD system? If they want to go cheap, give em AMD
Click to expand...

I just followed the OP's lead and went from there. He could go AMD if he wanted to, but the E7200 will beat most any dual-core processor available in the AMD lineup (while still staying within his $500 limit).
 
At that price you might as well get a brand name pc already. Don't bother building one yourself. Since you want quiet, these brand name PCs are very quiet. I bought an Acer Quad core system mainly because it was cheap at $550 before at Best Buy. It's quiet and hasn't given me any issues whatsoever. Just get an E2180 or E2200 system for $400 - $500. This is plenty power already for just web/email, watching movies and looking at pictures Besides, unless you don't mind troubleshooting other peoples pcs, if you build it, they will come to you if somethings wrong with the PC.
 
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