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Author Topic: Best computer under $500  (Read 344 times)

Offline alskahawk

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Best computer under $500
« on: February 26, 2008, 11:27:12 AM »
There are always people in this forum looking to build a inexpensive game computer. So lets see who can build the best computer(on paper) for less than $500.
  Here are the rules;
1.Must have an Operating System, Separate Video Card, Separate Sound Card and a PC Case.
2.All new parts.
3. You must tell where the parts come from. IE; Newegg, Tiger direct ect.
4.No EBay(Ebay depends on winning a bid at a certain price)
5. Shipping not factored in
6. Components should be able to work together.

Here is my entry. All from newegg.com
  Foxconn TLA+787K-CN350-HS Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: TLA+787K-CN350-HS
Item #: N82E16811153092
Mail-in Rebate  -$10
  $49.99  -$10.00 Instant    $39.99  
   
 ASUS M2N-MX SE Plus AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: M2N-MX SE Plus
Item #: N82E16813131249
  $52.99     $52.99  
   
  XFX PVT84JYAJG GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT84JYAJG
Item #: N82E16814150247
Mail-in Rebate  -$10
  $99.99     $99.99  
   
  AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADA4600CUBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA4600CUBOX
Item #: N82E16819103751
  $79.99  -$8.00 Instant    $71.99  
   
  G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Model #: F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231098
  $84.99  -$40.00 Instant    $44.99  
   
 Western Digital Caviar SE WD400JD 40GB 7200 RPM SATA-150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD400JD
Item #: N82E16822144173
  $39.99     $39.99  
   
  SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
Model #: SH-S203B
Item #: N82E16827151153
  $29.99     $29.99  
   
 Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM
Model #: 30SB057000000
Item #: N82E16829102003
  $27.99     $27.99  
   
Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: N09-01991
Item #: N82E16832116056
  $89.99     $89.99  

 
Model #: Freezer 64 Pro Cpu cooler
Item #: N82E16835185125

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $29.99  -$10.00 Instant    $19.99  
Subtotal: $19.99

        Subtotal: $517.9
Mail in Rebates;-   20.00

              Total     $477.90

High points of this system. 2.4 MHz Dual core Sata equipped computer and cheap. :aok
« Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 11:34:33 AM by alskahawk »
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Offline Fulmar

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Best computer under $500
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2008, 12:33:21 PM »
I'll quickly reply now and hopefully post different products in a different post.

I'd avoid that Motherboard, spend $20 and get a full size ATX board.  Spend $20 more and get a 250gb HD compared to your 40gb.  For your needs, I'd skip that low end SB card and stick with onboard audio for now (save cost).  Stick with the Stock HSF unless you plan on overclocking.
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Offline Krusty

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Best computer under $500
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2008, 12:44:34 PM »
If your CPU is fast enough to run AH without problems, it's fast enough to run an onboard sound card without problems.

I've done this on a few motherboards so far. Newer CPUs and newer motherboards minimize the footprint of any integrated sound. Unless you're going with an audigy or xi-fi, stick with the onboard (unless you need the gameport!!)
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Offline BaldEagl

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Best computer under $500
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2008, 01:51:21 PM »
Update  Rosewill R230-P-BK Black 0.5mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: R230-P-BK
Item #: N82E16811147075

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $29.99  -$5.00 Instant    $24.99  
   
Update  GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-P35-DS3L
Item #: N82E16813128059

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $99.99  -$10.00 Instant    $89.99  
   
Update  EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N615-TX
Item #: N82E16814130062

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
 
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate  
  $89.99  -$5.00 Instant    $84.99  
   
Update  LOGISYS Computer PS480D2 ATX12V 480W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: PS480D2
Item #: N82E16817170016

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $14.99     $14.99  
   
Update  Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E4500 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E4500
Item #: N82E16819115031

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $124.99     $124.99  
   
Update  Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5/1G - Retail
Model #: KVR800D2N5/1G
Item #: N82E16820134114

Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $23.99     $47.98  
   
Update  Western Digital Caviar WD800BB 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800BB
Item #: N82E16822144102

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $40.99     $40.99  
   
Update  Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: N09-01991
Item #: N82E16832116056

Return Policy: Software Return Policy
 
In Stock  
  $89.99     $89.99  
Subtotal: $518.91

- $20 mail-in rebate on vid card = $498.91

Sorry, had to stay with on-board sound for that price.
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Offline alskahawk

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$500
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2008, 02:37:45 PM »
Fulmar, Krusty submit a entry then comment. This is a design competition. What would you build if you only had $500 and you wanted to play Ace's High?

Bald Eagle; -10 points no sound card
                   -1 points 1 Gig ram
                  -15 points no CPU fan
                   + 5 points for ATX MB
                   +5 points larger than 40gig HD
                   +5 points PSU
                   -0 slower CPU - Intel preferance
            Total -11 points
 
  Good try. Still missing the idea. Build a complete Aces High system under $500. Your system would be better in some areas but would pay a frame rate penalty with no sound card. No cpu fan- system might get a bit warm. I totally missed that HD should have included it in my mock build.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 02:41:34 PM by alskahawk »
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: $500
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2008, 02:52:20 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by alskahawk
Fulmar, Krusty submit a entry then comment. This is a design competition. What would you build if you only had $500 and you wanted to play Ace's High?

Bald Eagle; -10 points no sound card
                   -1 points 1 Gig ram
                  -15 points no CPU fan
                   + 5 points for ATX MB
                   +5 points larger than 40gig HD
                   +5 points PSU
                   -0 slower CPU - Intel preferance
            Total -11 points
 
  Good try. Still missing the idea. Build a complete Aces High system under $500. Your system would be better in some areas but would pay a frame rate penalty with no sound card. No cpu fan- system might get a bit warm. I totally missed that HD should have included it in my mock build.


Nope, sorry... look closely... 2 Gigs of RAM (In Stock
$23.99 $47.98)

[EDIT]  Plus a 120mm rear fan with a ported CPU duct on the side of the case.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2008, 02:58:01 PM by BaldEagl »
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Offline alskahawk

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Best computer under $500
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2008, 07:30:54 PM »
my bad. Add for case too. Mid tower cools better. Lack of a CPU heatsink fan still a hit.

 Going to see if I can come up with a midtower/atx combo as most people would prefer a mid tower over a mini. I think little of your ideas some of mine would be a good system. $550 would really open it up but challenge is $500. :)
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Offline Getback

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Best computer under $500
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2008, 09:22:39 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Krusty
If your CPU is fast enough to run AH without problems, it's fast enough to run an onboard sound card without problems.

I've done this on a few motherboards so far. Newer CPUs and newer motherboards minimize the footprint of any integrated sound. Unless you're going with an audigy or xi-fi, stick with the onboard (unless you need the gameport!!)


I run onboard sound Krusty, no issues whatsoever. I was pleasantly surprised. In fact it sounds better than my audigy 2.
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Offline alskahawk

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Mid Tower/ATX SLI Board/2.2 MHz Dual core
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2008, 09:29:11 PM »
Rosewill R5717 BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case+450W Power Supply withTool-Free kits - Retail
Model #: R5717 BK
Item #: N82E16811147054
  $64.99  -$15.00 Instant    $49.99  
   
  ASUS M2N-SLI AM2 NVIDIA nForce 560 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: M2N-SLI
Item #: N82E16813131246
  $89.99     $89.99  
   
  ZOGIS ZO86GT-E GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: ZO86GT-E
Item #: N82E16814136019
Mail-in Rebate  -$20
  $102.99  -$10.00 Instant    $92.99  
   
  AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Brisbane 2.2GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO42000IAA5DO - OEM
Model #: ADO42000IAA5DO
Item #: N82E16819103214

  $59.99     $59. 99
   
  mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
Model #: 996527
Item #: N82E16820146118
  $48.99     $48.99  
   
  Western Digital Caviar WD800BB 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800BB
Item #: N82E16822144102
  $40.99     $40.99  
   
  Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: N09-01991
Item #: N82E16832116056
  $89.99     $89.99  
   
  COOLER MASTER RR-KEE-L8E1-GP 80mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #: RR-KEE-L8E1-GP
Item #: N82E16835103012
  $9.99     $9.99  
 
Update  Creative Sound Blaster 16 Pre-Amp 3000473000003 2 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM
Model #: 3000473000003
Item #: N82E16829102182

  $18.99     $18.99  
 
      Subtotal:  $501.91
Mail in rebate;- $20.00

    Total           $481.91    

 Obviously a system like this is full of compromises. I had set it up with a Black box 2.6MHz dual core but I forgot to add the sound card. Add cheap sound card and a 2.2 MHz cpu and we're back on buget. A 450watt power supply should work for SLI with the selected video card. This system was bit of a surprise. Didn't think I could get a SLI capable system and stay within budget. And with a 8600 GT video card!
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