Help poor college student build cheap PC?

> Yeah I wasn't sure of that either so that's why I'm
> asking you guys for advice. <G>
>
> I may have to spend just a bit more..... as my
> "parameters" are pretty tight

Got Fry's? http://shop3.outpost.com/ac/storelocator/index.jsp
They regularly have CPU / Motherboard combo deals where
you essentially get an motherboard for free. Last week they had
an Intel E2200 (2.2 GHz Dual Core) plus an ECS 945GCT-M
motherboard for $80. You could easily come in under budget
since you don't need to purchase operating system software.
E4500 with the same motherboard was $119 a few weeks ago,
as I recall.
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

<me RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote:
> "Jon Danniken" wrote:
>
>>That is only a 19" monitor, and a widescreen 19" monitor is pretty small.
>>If you want widescreen, buy a 22" widescreen monitor and a TV tuner card
>>for
>>your computer. Should cost less than $250.00 for the monitor, and less
>>than
>>$50.00 for the tuner card that way, depending on which brand and model you
>>get.
>
> OK but wont I have to have the computer on to "watch"
> the TV.... and wont that consume a lot of power just
> for TV watching?

Yes, you will have to have the computer on to watch TV.

> And..... can I have the convenience of a TV "remote
> control" with the internal TV tuner card?

Yes, some TV cards do indeed come with a remote control.

Jon
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On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:33:28 -0600, me wrote:

> My budget is tight... very tight..... as I'm a full time college
> student.
>
> Having said that I'm wanting to build a solid desktop PC for general
> Internet and school use...something that is cheap to build now but has
> enough room to upgrade later when I get back to work.

The first thing I'd probably do is forget about the upgrading. Get a cheap
system that'll do what you want today. Many people will tell you that they
had to buy a new power supply when they changed the plugins, a new
motherboard when they changed the socket or pinning on the cpu, a new....
the list goes on.

As far as cheap, low budget, it's hard to beat a used computer.

IBM Pentium 4 2.4GHz 256MB 40GB CD-ROM - B $136.50
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=IBMNVPIV24-3B&cat=SYS

I have heard of people buying refurbs from the Dell outlet for even less,
if you don't mind sitting by a computer waiting for Dell's drop times.

eBay is a good place to check. Yes, you have to be careful but there are
deals to be had if you can find them.

For general Internet you don't really need a super fast machine. It's fun,
but not really needed.

If you want to play the rebate game you can pick items up very cheaply.

http://www.freeafterrebate.info/

I actually have an extra case/power supply sitting here that was something
like $14 delivered from newegg. I have obtained several free items also.

You're on a campus and students are always short of money. I wouldn't be
surprised if someone there wasn't pawning a computer as you're reading
this. As around there are bound to be good used systems for little money
right where you are.

Whether you decide to build, or buy a complete system, keep an eye on the
deal sites. There are hundreds.

Anandtech Hot Deals
http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.aspx?catid=40&forumid=1

http://www.edealinfo.com/

http://www.edealinfo.com/

http://www.fatwallet.com/

http://www.techbargains.com/

http://slickdeals.net/

http://www.gotapex.com/

http://www.resellerratings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16

http://www.dealcatcher.com/

http://www.secret-coupons.com/

http://www.dealzconnection.com/

Don't underestimate clearance items at local stores. At a local Wal-Mart I
bought this TV for $350. I was sooo lucky. Good luck.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/487214-REG/Sony_KDL_32S3000_KDL_...3000_32

$.02
Steve
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"Fishface" <invalid.DeleteThis@ddress.ok?> wrote:

>> I may have to spend just a bit more..... as my
>> "parameters" are pretty tight
>
>Got Fry's? http://shop3.outpost.com/ac/storelocator/index.jsp
>They regularly have CPU / Motherboard combo deals where
>you essentially get an motherboard for free. Last week they had
>an Intel E2200 (2.2 GHz Dual Core) plus an ECS 945GCT-M
>motherboard for $80. You could easily come in under budget
>since you don't need to purchase operating system software.
>E4500 with the same motherboard was $119 a few weeks ago,
>as I recall.

No... I live in small rural town but I guess I could
mail order stuff from Fry's yes?
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

Dave wrote:

> Subtotal: $285.92

How much for shipping and tax?

What expenses come up if it doesn't work the first time?
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

me DeleteThis @privacy.net wrote:
> My budget is tight... very tight..... as I'm a full
> time college student.
>
> Having said that I'm wanting to build a solid desktop
> PC for general Internet and school use...something that
> is cheap to build now but has enough room to upgrade
> later when I get back to work.
>
> I'm NOT a techie at all and haven't kept up on any
> parts and specs.... can someone recommend good cheap
> components that would give me a "box" that cost around
> $300 without monitor? Is that even possible?

It may be possible to build for $300, but you aren't likely to come up
with anything better than a turnkey system you could buy for the same
amount.

Also, don't forget about the cost of software ... Linux wouldn't cost
you anything and will be very popular ten years from now and might
easily serve your needs now, depending ...

A few years ago, I found a new Dell with a 17" LCD monitor at a good
price. I bought the system and then sold the monitor, so that the
computer, keyboard, mouse, and software cost around $180 including tax
and shipping, with a warranty. Definitely a low-end system, but
adequate for basic use.

If you enjoy building things, go ahead, but don't do it to save money.
Otherwise remember that you are a student, and do what students
do---study and have fun. It has been quite a few years since a person
could save much money building his own computer.

> Thanks in advance!
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

Dave wrote:

> Subtotal: $285.92

You didn't mention the OS.

I don't know whether it is practical for a student to be without Word
these days.
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

me.DeleteThis@privacy.net wrote:
> My budget is tight... very tight..... as I'm a full
> time college student.

Think about buying a used computer.
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

On Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:36:40 +0000, Matt wrote:

> Dave wrote:
>
>> Subtotal: $285.92
>
> You didn't mention the OS.
>
> I don't know whether it is practical for a student to be without Word
> these days.

Will do quite well with OpenOffice instead.
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

> No... I live in small rural town but I guess I could
> mail order stuff from Fry's yes?

No, those combos seem to be in-store only...
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

On 2008-02-02, Fishface <invalid.TakeThisOut@ddress.ok?> wrote:
>> No... I live in small rural town but I guess I could
>> mail order stuff from Fry's yes?
>
> No, those combos seem to be in-store only...
>
>

Fry's website prices is for web purchases only; the fine print says that it
is NOT the same as the instore prices & have found that whatever is
advert online is NOT the same as for the store.

If Fry's combo is priced right then "mail order" it online or check Newegg.
 >> Stay informed about: Help poor college student build cheap PC? 

<me.TakeThisOut@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:b3u1q3l1mlefpru6o37ebs5o2sao5a3l8t@4ax.com...
> "Dave" <noway.TakeThisOut@nohow.not> wrote:
>
>>Power supply is the hardest part to get "cheap".
>
> What abt this case?
>
> http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-nine-hundred-steel-atx-mid-tower-compute...ase/q/l

Nice, but expensive. -Dave Oh, and you'd still need a power supply,
unless I read the description wrong.
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<me.TakeThisOut@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:ess3q3htem403hu1ut8f7ef8jbgta0l2sq@4ax.com...
> "~AlicGinnis~" <alik.TakeThisOut@nowhere.com> wrote:
>
>>I don't think you can beat the price of low end systems by building your
>>own.
>
> OK point taken....
>
> Then maybe I should buy a ready made cheap "box" for
> abt $300 sans monitor.... then get a third part 22"
> monitor and install TV tuner as someone else suggested.
>
> Would a 22" monitor provide enough "real; estate" for
> decent TV watching when setting abt 7 feet back tho?

Yes. In fact, a 19" monitor would work fine also, as long as it's standard
4:3 aspect ratio. Or ~22" widescreen. They're about the same size, in
terms of viewable area. -Dave
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