The HeXus Cheapo PC Challenge

[0iD]

After reading this article http://www.popsci.com/popsci/how20/1...cbccdrcrd.html Where they built a $72 PC I thought it might be fun for HeXus to try something similar. Well can we do it better or what!

The Hexus Cheapo PC Challenge.

Objective: To build the cheapest possible fully functional web surfing PC from brand new bits (theoretically) This is for a level playing field as some have boxes of spares & others none. But feel free to prove your theory if you so wish & show us what you've built & what it can do

Rules of the game:
All parts must be new with the exception of cables & thermal paste as we all normally have shedloads spare.
Must be able to display @ 1024x768 32bit colour.
Must be able to surf the net, so connectivity people. How you achieve it is open.
Must be able to store 1gb of data not including the o/s.
Any functioning o/s is acceptable.
Does not include peripherals, (screen, kb, mouse etc).
Cheapness is imperitive so VAT & postage costs count in the end result.(Scan/Hexus free shipping can be used to your advantage)
Case - as long as you can prove (within reason) that it'd work safely, a convenional case is not necessary. Howerver the cost of the enclosure, whatever it is has to be factored in.
One optical drive, for realism.
At least one other method of transferring data on or off the computer, Floppy, USB, etc.

CLosing date is 1st August 2007 1:00pm
The winner will be the cheapest verified PC at that time. So links to sources would be hand thanks.
If I have the cash, and no one's tried it already I'll try @ Build the cheapest winner.
No prizes, just cudos & the love of a challenge.
Judges decision is final, so don't whinge, argue, bitch or gripe, it's supposed to be FUN!

Think you can hack it? Think you've got what it takes? Think we at HeXus pwn bigtime?! Well then, stop reading this & GO FOR IT!

[staffsMike]

Won't be easy to be $72 (£36) ..americans get stuff way too cheap lol.

However..challenge accepted lol

[Mithrandir]

Im sure freecycle and the gumtree are your friends in this situation.

[chuckskull]

Wow when I read the title I though £2-300

£36 is beyond me I think.

[Clunk]

Its not happening for me for £36 quid either Not for brand new stuff anyway.

[roorooroo]

Mmmm...well I did rummage through a skip outside a computer shop last month...hehe..no chance for brand new though methinks.

[staffsMike]

I imagine this will take a team effort and I most certainly do not want the prize if I win haha

so..seems like an ok start

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...=20083&_LOC=UK

[NightshadowUK]

Yeah lets do this part by part, by the looks of it the PSU is up first - can anyone beat £5.99 + delivery?

EDIT: Scan's cheapest offering is the 400W EZ-Cool Silent for £10.52. Anyone know how much delivery is from ebuyer?

[staffsMike]

Probably 5 ot 6 quid so the scan one might be better..you can also get the one i found at novatech

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?NOV-PSU300

dunno if the delivery is any better

found some ram to

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...productId=1406

we can probably do better though

[tigerboyce]

I found a £5 processor but upon checking its used here

[Magnets]

cheapest case i can find is £10.98 @ ebuyer or 13.16 with a 300w PSU

[CrazyMonkey]

£36 dam thats a hard one in the UK. Looking at very very old gear off ebay id say :s

Scrap that, BRAND NEW- Even harder

[staffsMike]

I was going with mechano..lego...cardboard..errr..a draw..for the case lol

[staffsMike]

Hows about..we buy most of the parts that the americans bought apart from the psu to save weight and then ship them over here

[NightshadowUK]

Hahaha, that's no fun!

Cheapest new CPU I can find is:

- S754 Sempron 3000+ ~ £16.52

Cheapest S754 cooler will be one of these two:

- AKASA AK-860SF ~ £5.04

- Speeze (SP708S3) Budget ~ £4.29 + delivery

[Clunk]

Cheapest hard drive?