Looking for a dirt cheap build?

E

Endiment

Baron O'Beefdip
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
Messages
3,596
Times are tough, and not everyone can afford an 11000 dollar Maingear Ephex, or even a nice computer from iBuyPower or Velocity Micro. So I've assembled a compact, powerful, ROCK BOTTOM PRICED build just in case. Normally I'm not that proud of my builds that I cook up in my spare time, but I figured someone might actually be interested in this.

Cooler Master Elite 341: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4434994&Sku=C283-1207

Biostar mATX MCP6P and AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @2.6GHz: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362088&CatId=2417

Diablotek 550W PSU: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4252527&CatId=1079

Western Digital Caviar 500GB HDD: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4040008&CatId=139

Lite-On DVD Burner: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4412159&CatId=89

XFX GeForce 9600 GT: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4486366&CatId=1558

4GB OCZ Fatal1ty RAM @1066MHz: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4350425&CatId=2261

Thermaltake TR2-R1 CPU Fan (included because the mobo/CPU combo doesn't have one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2604150&CatId=493

Total cost: $405

for 400 dollars, this is a mighty tiny build that will do an awful lot. just thought I'd share :)
 
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You could skimp on the RAM, although that is cheap...especially for the Fatal1ty branded stuff.

Only problem I'd really see is the PSU...I've never heard of Diablotek.

Nice build :D

~Gooda~
 
I like your card, I think i might just get my self one while I'm at it, :)
 
DragonD said:
....a lot of us have windows XP or Vista laying around we can install on a new rig.
Click to expand...

dragond has a good point, I could install several operating systems on this computer just using leftover reinstall disks. given they will likely have some driver issues that would require remedy but it will save you the cash.
 
images


Best rock botton prices for a computer :P
 
Nice build. I have spent many a year with tigerdirect, but newegg does beat them hands down. I just had to do a rebuild on my main system and newegg beat them in every category.
Just a FYI.
 
Endiment said:
Times are tough, and not everyone can afford an 11000 dollar Maingear Ephex, or even a nice computer from iBuyPower or Velocity Micro. So I've assembled a compact, powerful, ROCK BOTTOM PRICED build just in case. Normally I'm not that proud of my builds that I cook up in my spare time, but I figured someone might actually be interested in this.

Cooler Master Elite 341: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4434994&Sku=C283-1207

Biostar mATX MCP6P and AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @2.6GHz: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362088&CatId=2417

Diablotek 500W PSU: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4365851&CatId=1079

Western Digital Caviar 500GB HDD: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4040008&CatId=139

Lite-On DVD Burner: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4412159&CatId=89

XFX GeForce 9600 GT: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4486366&CatId=1558

4GB OCZ Fatal1ty RAM @1066MHz: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4350425&CatId=2261

Thermaltake TR2-R1 CPU Fan (included because the mobo/CPU combo doesn't have one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2604150&CatId=493

Total cost: $405

for 400 dollars, this is a mighty tiny build that will do an awful lot. just thought I'd share :)
Click to expand...
PSU is crap, total crap. It only has 12A on the +12V rail when the 9600 GT needs 26A on the +12V rail. The CPU fan is crap, you want the hot air blowing back on your CPU?... Also the RAM is good but it would be more cost-efficient to get 800 MHz RAM, they have better timings too and are much cheaper.

The motherboard will work fine but you'll have trouble OC'ing since those boards don't OC well. Good CPU, I have the Black Edition of that model. Case is ok, nothing special, small though

Note: ATI is releasing a RV 740 chipset which will only draw 80W max TDP but will have the almost the performance of a HD 4850. That's because it's the first 40nm card and it has GDDR5 retailing for around $100 when it comes out.

http://vr-zone.com/articles/first-rv740-512mb-gddr5-card-tested/6642.html?doc=6642
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Vader said:
PSU is crap, total crap. It only has 12A on the +12V rail when the 9600 GT needs 26A on the +12V rail. The CPU fan is crap, you want the hot air blowing back on your CPU?... Also the RAM is good but it would be more cost-efficient to get 800 MHz RAM, they have better timings too and are much cheaper.

The motherboard will work fine but you'll have trouble OC'ing since those boards don't OC well. Good CPU, I have the Black Edition of that model. Case is ok, nothing special, small though. I'd say get a HD 4830 since it's only a couple dollars more and it will rape that 9600 GT.

Note: ATI is releasing a RV 740 chipset which will only draw 80W max TDP but will have the almost the performance of a HD 4850. That's because it's the first 40nm card and it has GDDR5 retailing for around $100 when it comes out.

http://vr-zone.com/articles/first-rv740-512mb-gddr5-card-tested/6642.html?doc=6642
Click to expand...

Did you not notice that its only $400? Also please do not use "rape" on the forums or in game.
 
i didn't check the amps on the psu, but if it is only 12A, then it will NOT run your card. always go quality with the PSU.
 
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