Build for 150-200$ budget

[Isaac MM]

I need a pc just to browse the internet, use Word, Excel, Project and sometimes mess with Solid Edge or SolidWorks.

I would rather stick with Intel.

What i need is:

Cpu
Mobo
Ram
HD
Dvd burner

Suggestions?

[PhxProvost]

this is a joke thread right? :confused:

[Slovnaft]

I'm not so sure how any <$200 computer will do with CAD software, but here's my proposal with newegg pricing:

Intel E1200 : $50
Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H : $48.75 (open box) $68 (new)
OCZ Gold DDR2 800mhz 2x1GB : $23.99
Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM SATA WD800JD : $34.99
LG 20X DVD Burner : $21.99

Total (ex. S&H) : ~$181- $200

The CPU is the cheapest dual core available. I chose the board because it's easy to get shafted with crap components when shopping for a budget board, and gigbayte uses relatively quality manufacturing. I've used that IGP, and it actually does OK playing some games like Guild Wars (MMORPG). I'm afraid at $200 discrete graphics will be hard to do.

[demonkevy666]

this is a joke thread right? :confused:

I just put an AMD one that came up to $151 that was with 2gbs of ddr2 and an X2.(newegg)

but he wants an intel.

the AMD boards with onboard graphics would be better for some cad works
even the side port ones

[PhxProvost]

If not here goes :

CPU
Intel Celeron E1200 1.6GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116064)
MOBO
Foxconn G9657MA-8EKRS2H LGA 775 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186110)
Ram
mushkin 1GB PC2 6400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146117)
HDD
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822135106)
Dvd burner
LG Black 20X DVD+R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136149)
Total Cost = 171.95 + shipping

and maybe this? but it will take you up to 200~ without shipping
ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121259)

[Slovnaft]

stay away from that foxconn board; it's got more electrolytic caps and unshielded inductors, less pwm phase, the caps that are solid are shty Teapo caps.

[PhxProvost]

stay away from that foxconn board; it's got more electrolytic caps and unshielded inductors, less pwm phase, the caps that are solid are shty Teapo caps.
but isnt anything in that price range going to be bad? :shrug:

[ewitte]

What about case/psu/keyboard/mouse? And go with at least 2GB, someone showed 1GB. Fine for the internet but not really cad. Price shouldn't be much different.

[kevikev]

It sounds like you already have a case?

If so, then I'd substitute an Atom-based mobo and save ~$20:
$84.99 http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=208661725 (mobo+dual-core atom cpu)

[demonkevy666]

What about case/psu/keyboard/mouse? And go with at least 2GB, someone showed 1GB. Fine for the internet but not really cad. Price shouldn't be much different.

go AMD they have boards with side port memory for the on board GPU.

and the lowest Brisbane dual core is $34.99
80HD 34.99
2gb ram 19.99 (800mhz) dual channel
Jetway HA06 79.99 (ddr2 667 sideport)
or biostar TA790GX (ddr3 1333mhz side port)

[Isaac MM]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, i know it is asking too much for such build to use CAD software, but i thought it was worth a shot haha

Are the on board gpus from AMD better than those from Intel on this price range? If yes i think i could go with AMD

[ewitte]

I just got a $379 laptop for my wifes family that has onboard graphics with 64mb and its intel. I'm actually surprised it helps a lot compared to normal onboard graphics with shared memory.

[ToTTenTranz]

Are the on board gpus from AMD better than those from Intel on this price range? If yes i think i could go with AMD

Yes, by a large margin.

AMD Athlon X2 2.1Ghz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103647) 35$
Asus M3A78 Open Box (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324R) 50$
Asus Radeon 3450 256Mb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121259R) 21$
Kingston 2*1GB DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134181) 19$
WD 320GB 7200rpm hard drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098) 50$
Sony DVD+-R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118022) 20$


Total: 195$

With this you can crossfire the IGP with the 3450 and get some good results (for its price range). That could make quite a difference in solidworks.

[breakfromyou]

Yes, by a large margin.

AMD Athlon X2 2.1Ghz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103647) 35$
Asus M3A78 Open Box (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324R) 50$
Asus Radeon 3450 256Mb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121259R) 21$
Kingston 2*1GB DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134181) 19$
WD 320GB 7200rpm hard drive (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098) 50$
Sony DVD+-R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118022) 20$


Total: 195$

With this you can crossfire the IGP with the 3450 and get some good results (for its price range). That could make quite a difference in solidworks.

not bad, but you're forgetting a heatsink for the OEM processor :p

I have to say that AMD would be a much better option if working with such a ridiculous budget. At least you can get a decent system for little money from AMD. Intel...a celeron? Spend that $10 more and get a Pentium Dual core. That extra 512kb of L2 cache makes quite the difference.

[Bobsama]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, i know it is asking too much for such build to use CAD software, but i thought it was worth a shot haha

Are the on board gpus from AMD better than those from Intel on this price range? If yes i think i could go with AMD

Actually it's quite possible. It would be helpful to know what you plan to do with it though. You may want to look into softmodding a Radeon or GeForce into a CAD-accelerating equivalent.

Anyways--I'd recommend an AMD dual-core this time. Awesome prices on Brisbanes.

Athlon X2 5000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

Foxconn A74MX-K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186151

2x Crucial Rendition 2GB DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148235

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230

Lite-On 20x DVD Burner SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

Total comes to $208.94 before a $10 MIR.

[B.E.E.F.]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, i know it is asking too much for such build to use CAD software, but i thought it was worth a shot haha

Are the on board gpus from AMD better than those from Intel on this price range? If yes i think i could go with AMD

Look for the 740G, 760G or the 780G chipset from AMD. The onboard video is very good for onboard video.

[ToTTenTranz]

Look for the 740G, 760G or the 780G chipset from AMD. The onboard video is very good for onboard video.

Athough tha 780G is miles away from the other two. Especially the one with sideport.

[Locke]

does he need an OS?

[JayG30]

You may want to look into softmodding a Radeon or GeForce into a CAD-accelerating equivalent.

Hey. You think you could link me to some reading on this? I've never heard of this before and it sounds interesting. Might be a fun project for some of my old hardware.


does he need an OS?
Who buys an OS? :p:
If he doesn't want to get "creative" he could always just run Linux.


I've been running CAD and other intensive "design" software for many years now. Clearly the price won't allow for the fastest workstation on the block, but with the march of technology there is no reason to think a system (like those proposed) couldn't be built. I have a system here with CAD on it that is a good 10 years old and it runs pretty well actually. Couldn't be worth more than $100.