Lowest Budget Computer?

[richieuk]

Hi guys,

My missus wants a new PC to use with her TV and I was wondering whats the cheapest reasonable price we could get one for?

Looking for Dual core 2Ghz+ witha good Mobo and Psu to last a while and enough memory and a GFX card to run a computer game or two for me *Nothing fancy*. Just need a base unit and a SFF PSU and GFX would be ideal tbh but don't wanna risk pushing up the price.

We would buy a prebuilt one, or even better, one of your second hand builds *if you plan on selling next month in for sale forum*, but I personally would enjoy making one for her if it works out cheap enough, but I don't build computers regularly so I'm a bit out of the loop as to what to stick in.

Budget is a big priority because we don't have a great deal of money, we'd probably need a wireless card in there and a wireless keyboard and mouse, and if possible a cheap graphics card (A 36* series ATI or 8500 NVid maybe?)

I'd say budget 250/300 but if we can get it cheaper as she seems to think her friend got a PC new last year for £150 that'd be great I suppose.

[Phage]

What about a laptop ?
http://outlet.euro.dell.com/topics/g...fh1&l=en&s=dfh
They have 1545s starting from £215

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Do you have a copy of Windows to hand or would you be prepared to use Ubuntu for example??

[scaryjim]

My missus wants a new PC to use with her TV ...

First, and most important, question: What kind of TV? This will be very important in terms of what components (particularly graphics) to recommend.

Second, and almost as important a question: Why? You've mentioned maybe a couple of games - which ones? What else will it be used for?

[The_Wheelhouse]

Do you have a copy of Windows to hand or would you be prepared to use Ubuntu for example??

If he still wants to play games then i guess Ubuntu is out of the question ...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If he still wants to play games then i guess Ubuntu is out of the question ...

Tux Racer FTW!!

[nibbler]

I thought ubuntu was fine with games?

[TAKTAK]

I thought ubuntu was fine with games?

Aslong as they're not heavily dependant on Win API's then there are ways round alot of them, it's not as easy as 'Doze to get them running though...

edit: Then again, if it is going to be a HTPC then maybe something like Mythbuntu would be in order (just not as poorly implemented as mythbuntu...), and should take precedent over games.

edit2: Then again, MediaPortal on top of 'Doze...

[richieuk]

I can get Vista Business or Windows 7 for free through University, and the TV is a 22" Cheapo HDTV 720p (although im told it works on 1080p regardless of what the manual says) but only has HDMI or VGA input.

Laptops out of the question tbh, we have 2 in the house already and were sick of chargers breaking on us when we dont even move them >.<

I say games at most like COD4 or WoW, not needing full res or full graphics settings either. Nothing new or fancy schmancy.

Also, its nice to see you still rocking the boat here Taktak, you helped me to design my own PC *which is still blazing fast and hadnles everything I can throw at it* so your input is highly regarded.

[TAKTAK]

I do very much remember, you've been gone a long time

Good to see you back again

You never know you might win another competition by putting loads of clothes on

[TAKTAK]

This for £130: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/167153 it's not amazing by any stretch of the imagination, and it would probably struggle on the gaming front, but as an over network media streamer to the TV, it should be fine

[TAKTAK]

Mobo (there will be very mixed opinions on my suggestions i think...):

DFI JR 790GX-M2RS - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/DFI-J...A-II-Micro-ATX - £60

OR

Sapphire 52023-00-40R - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Sapph...-RAID-uATX-VGA - £50

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Proccy:

Athlon 240 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-A...che-65W-Retail - £45

OR

Athlon 250 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-A...MHz-65W-Retail - £50

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PSU:

Corsair CX400 - http://www.scan.co.uk/product.aspx?ProductId=26958 - £40

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HDD (i'm a sucker for WD):

WD 320AAJs - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/320-G...8MB-Cache-9-ms - £33

OR

Samsung F1 320GB - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/320-G...MB-Cache-89-ms - £33

---------------------------------------------

RAM:

2GB Corsair 800MHz - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/2GB-%...d-CAS-4-4-4-12 - £45

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ODD:

Samsung SH-S223C - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Samsu...SATA-Black-OEM - £16

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Case:

RC-360 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...r-Case-w-o-PSU - £27

OR

RC-330 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...Scan-Exclusive - £26

OR

Akasa Midas - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Akasa...io-eSata-Ports - £28

OR

RC-331 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...r-Case-w-o-PSU - £30

OR

RC-335 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...r-Case-w-o-PSU - £30

OR

Xiggy Asgard - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Xigma...0mm-Fan-No-PSU - £30


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If you pick all of the cheapest then it comes to £251 (without taking today only into account )

If you pick all of the dearer ones then it comes to £276 (again not taking TO into account)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would also consider the following motherboard too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ASRoc...SATA-RAID-mATX

It has 128MB of dedicated RAM for the IGP.

The Asus M3A78-T was available for just under £50 last weekend on Today Only too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus-...A-RAID-ATX-VGA

I would also consider the X2 425 too:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-A...MHz-95W-Retail

I would also look at the Samsung F3 500GB:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500Gb...-Cache-8ms-OEM

Anyway TBH, any of the bits that the me or TakTak have suggested would do the job well.