Looking for a CHEAP computer

jeffy777 · December 8th, 2005, 6:45 PM

Hey guys,

Was wondering if you could help me find a cheap computer for a friend of mine. He only wants a PC for surfing and downloading vids, so it doesn't need to be a gaming monster. In fact, it can't be since he only wants to spend $500 total for everything. So basically, he just wants one of those cheap-o pre-built deals. So if you could help me find the best value for the buck, that would be great.

bigfoot1942 · December 8th, 2005, 6:52 PM

dell has some good cheap pc's:
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs

They are good and cheap, but dell upgrades are expensive, and non-dell upgrades arent guaranteed to work...

bone · December 8th, 2005, 6:52 PM

i started like that as well

bought all types of white brand products, and had my complete pc for...370€

i know a site...a belgian one images/smilies/sad.gif

jeffy777 · December 8th, 2005, 6:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfoot1942

dell has some good cheap pc's:

They are good and cheap, but dell upgrades are expensive, and non-dell upgrades arent guaranteed to work...

Thanks, I forgot about Dell!

Which would you choose:

The Basic Mid-Range on this page ($499)
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...c=DB110C&s=dhs

OR

This Compaq:
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutio...OID=1611303618

Lesser of two evils it seems, huh? images/smilies/lol.gif

bigfoot1942 · December 8th, 2005, 7:02 PM

actually im a AMD fanboy, but a slightly faster processor doesnt outweight an 15" TFT in my opinion...

jayjaya29 · December 8th, 2005, 7:06 PM

Hehe, they are just about the same, I think I would go with the Dell and get the flat panel display. But if your friend wants the bigger monitor than go with the compaq. They are both good systems, the compaq seems to have more features actually. I dunno, they are both good systems, but I would lean towards the compaq at this point.

jeffy777 · December 8th, 2005, 7:10 PM

Best Buy has this for just a little more

jayjaya29 · December 8th, 2005, 7:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy777

Best Buy has this for just a little more

Not a bad machine, but it only has 256MB of RAM, not enough for anything these days.

jeffy777 · December 8th, 2005, 7:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjaya29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy777

Best Buy has this for just a little more

Not a bad machine, but it only has 256MB of RAM, not enough for anything these days.

oops, yeah missed that, I thought it had 512 MB. 256 with shared video would suck big balls images/smilies/lol.gif

jensked · December 8th, 2005, 7:40 PM

What about Fujitsu Siemens? I always see ads of those PC's and there usually quite cheap for a lot bang for the buck...but I don't know if you can buy Fujitsu Siemens there...

jeffy777 · December 8th, 2005, 7:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jensked

What about Fujitsu Siemens? I always see ads of those PC's and there usually quite cheap for a lot bang for the buck...but I don't know if you can buy Fujitsu Siemens there...

If you know of a US store link, post away images/smilies/smile.gif

Kip_6666 · December 9th, 2005, 5:26 AM

$387 not including shipping or a monitor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883102810

Seems ok, 512mb, nice cpu, video card is a bit meh. But the rest adds up.

jeffy777 · December 9th, 2005, 5:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kip_6666

$387 not including shipping or a monitor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883102810

Seems ok, 512mb, nice cpu, video card is a bit meh. But the rest adds up.

That's pretty dirt cheap, which is what he wants. Thanks!

Any other cheapos out there? I guess getting a bundle deal with everythign included would be easier for him, although I think the mouse/keyboard is usually not that great, but still a alright for starters.

haha604 · December 9th, 2005, 11:25 PM

You can get a Geforce 6100 or 6150 series motherboard for around US$80, which comes with a Geforce 6200TC video card built in. The 6150 even has component video out for TV.

Then u just add:
a sempron 2500 ($55)
512mb ram ($40)
80gb sata2 hard drive ($55)
speakers ($40)
keyboard mice combo ($20)
PC case ($50)
DVD writer (40)

$380 without monitor

Not as cheap as the Acer (its gonna be hard to beat that I reckon), but you get a better video card.

jeffy777 · December 9th, 2005, 11:30 PM

Where are you getting the prices, newegg?

BerserkerCatSplat · December 9th, 2005, 11:37 PM

How about this one?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...472&CatId=1881

eMachines C3060
AMD Sempron 3000+
512MB DDR
160GB HDD
DVD±RW Dual-Layer
CD-ROM
Flash Media Reader
NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX Video
10/100Mbps LAN
Windows XP Home

$400 w/o monitor

jeffy777 · December 9th, 2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerserkerCatSplat

How about this one?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...472&CatId=1881

eMachines C3060
AMD Sempron 3000+
512MB DDR
160GB HDD
DVD±RW Dual-Layer
CD-ROM
Flash Media Reader
NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX Video
10/100Mbps LAN
Windows XP Home

$400 w/o monitor

Good find, but I think the Acer would be better, especially since the eMachines is refurbished. But that 160GB hard drive would be nice.

BerserkerCatSplat · December 9th, 2005, 11:48 PM

True, the advantage of the Emachine is 2X the HDD space and the better video card. The warranty is 3 months, I'm not sure what it is on the Acer. That Acer is a heck of a deal, though.

jeffy777 · December 9th, 2005, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerserkerCatSplat

True, the advantage of the Emachine is 2X the HDD space and the better video card. The warranty is 3 months, I'm not sure what it is on the Acer. That Acer is a heck of a deal, though.

On the eMachines: is it still using shared memory for the graphics. If you click on "Detailed Specs" it says nVIDIA GeForce 4 MX, but right above that it says "Integrated Graphics"

BerserkerCatSplat · December 10th, 2005, 12:30 AM

Yeah, it's got a Geforce 4 MX built-in, while the Acer has some sort of no-name chip, probably an Intel. They both have AGP slots, so upgrading the video card shouldn't be a problem in either.

December 8th, 2005, 6:45 PM	#1
jeffy777 Joined: Feb 8th, 2005 Last Online: 12:51 AM Location: US Age: 28 Posts: 6,295 Car: '04 Toyota Sienna, crippled people like vans.... Rep Power: 91	Looking for a CHEAP computer Hey guys, Was wondering if you could help me find a cheap computer for a friend of mine. He only wants a PC for surfing and downloading vids, so it doesn't need to be a gaming monster. In fact, it can't be since he only wants to spend $500 total for everything. So basically, he just wants one of those cheap-o pre-built deals. So if you could help me find the best value for the buck, that would be great.

December 8th, 2005, 6:52 PM	#2
bigfoot1942 Joined: Sep 15th, 2004 Last Online: October 17th, 2007 Location: Holland Posts: 864 Rep Power: 0	dell has some good cheap pc's: http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs They are good and cheap, but dell upgrades are expensive, and non-dell upgrades arent guaranteed to work... __________________ thnx viper... youre being very helpful

December 8th, 2005, 7:02 PM	#5
bigfoot1942 Joined: Sep 15th, 2004 Last Online: October 17th, 2007 Location: Holland Posts: 864 Rep Power: 0	actually im a AMD fanboy, but a slightly faster processor doesnt outweight an 15" TFT in my opinion... __________________ thnx viper... youre being very helpful

December 8th, 2005, 7:06 PM	#6
jayjaya29 Joined: Mar 18th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Lindenhurst, NY Age: 21 Posts: 5,241 Car: 2000 Nissan Altima Rep Power: 36	Hehe, they are just about the same, I think I would go with the Dell and get the flat panel display. But if your friend wants the bigger monitor than go with the compaq. They are both good systems, the compaq seems to have more features actually. I dunno, they are both good systems, but I would lean towards the compaq at this point. __________________ Check out my Gallery. Check out my Car.

December 8th, 2005, 7:40 PM	#10
jensked Joined: Mar 31st, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Flanders, Belgium Age: 26 Posts: 4,056 Car: RIP Opel Astra -> 2006 Toyota Corolla Wagon Rep Power: 49	What about Fujitsu Siemens? I always see ads of those PC's and there usually quite cheap for a lot bang for the buck...but I don't know if you can buy Fujitsu Siemens there... __________________

December 8th, 2005, 6:52 PM	#3
bone "bangle for president" Joined: Jan 14th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: belgium!! Age: 25 Posts: 6,506 Car: yamaha banshee (and an opel astra from work) Rep Power: 40	i started like that as well bought all types of white brand products, and had my complete pc for...370€ i know a site...a belgian one

December 8th, 2005, 7:10 PM	#7
jeffy777 Joined: Feb 8th, 2005 Last Online: 12:51 AM Location: US Age: 28 Posts: 6,295 Car: '04 Toyota Sienna, crippled people like vans.... Rep Power: 91	Best Buy has this for just a little more

December 9th, 2005, 5:26 AM	#12
Kip_6666 I Bought This Title :o Joined: May 17th, 2004 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: The Netherlands Age: 23 Posts: 3,041 Car: Saab 9-3 2.0t @ stage 3 now & Saab Viggen Rep Power: 53	$387 not including shipping or a monitor. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883102810 Seems ok, 512mb, nice cpu, video card is a bit meh. But the rest adds up. __________________ http://www.internet-memes.com Now with 50% less database error My Flickr

December 9th, 2005, 11:25 PM	#14
haha604 Joined: Dec 28th, 2003 Last Online: February 13th, 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,051 Rep Power: 25	You can get a Geforce 6100 or 6150 series motherboard for around US$80, which comes with a Geforce 6200TC video card built in. The 6150 even has component video out for TV. Then u just add: a sempron 2500 ($55) 512mb ram ($40) 80gb sata2 hard drive ($55) speakers ($40) keyboard mice combo ($20) PC case ($50) DVD writer (40) $380 without monitor Not as cheap as the Acer (its gonna be hard to beat that I reckon), but you get a better video card.

December 9th, 2005, 11:30 PM	#15
jeffy777 Joined: Feb 8th, 2005 Last Online: 12:51 AM Location: US Age: 28 Posts: 6,295 Car: '04 Toyota Sienna, crippled people like vans.... Rep Power: 91	Where are you getting the prices, newegg? __________________ A man named Jeffy once said, "If laziness is craziness, then I've lost my marbles...and I don't feel like trying to find them."

December 9th, 2005, 11:37 PM	#16
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 12:55 AM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,890 Car: ZJ 4X4X5 Rep Power: 168	How about this one? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...472&CatId=1881 eMachines C3060 AMD Sempron 3000+ 512MB DDR 160GB HDD DVD±RW Dual-Layer CD-ROM Flash Media Reader NVIDIA GeForce 4 MX Video 10/100Mbps LAN Windows XP Home $400 w/o monitor __________________ OSPhoto

December 9th, 2005, 11:48 PM	#18
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 12:55 AM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,890 Car: ZJ 4X4X5 Rep Power: 168	True, the advantage of the Emachine is 2X the HDD space and the better video card. The warranty is 3 months, I'm not sure what it is on the Acer. That Acer is a heck of a deal, though. __________________ OSPhoto

December 10th, 2005, 12:30 AM	#20
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 12:55 AM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,890 Car: ZJ 4X4X5 Rep Power: 168	Yeah, it's got a Geforce 4 MX built-in, while the Acer has some sort of no-name chip, probably an Intel. They both have AGP slots, so upgrading the video card shouldn't be a problem in either. __________________ OSPhoto

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