View Full Version : Cheap-a$$ computers
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 11:43 AM
So...... what's the best cheap computer deal going out there right now? I want processing power (photo editing mostly)... not so much interested in gaming or much of anything else. Would like to have a good number of expansion possibilities (3-4 slots open in back)...
Any screaming deals out there right now? Under $500 is my budget.
Build it if you want the ability to upgrade further...Just my experience. Most lower end computers come with mobos with 1 pci expansion slot, or tiny formfactors, or whatever. You have all the peripherals and a monitor? If so, no problem getting one together...
Dell always has some sale going on.
You could get something like this:
http://bensbargains.net/deal/45246/
Add the Core 2 Duo processor upgrade for $70, and the 20" monitor upgrade for another $20.
Probably not a whole lot in the way of expansion, but in another couple years you can just buy another faster one for the same price.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 01:10 PM
Dell always has some sale going on.
You could get something like this:
http://bensbargains.net/deal/45246/
Add the Core 2 Duo processor upgrade for $70, and the 20" monitor upgrade for another $20.
Probably not a whole lot in the way of expansion, but in another couple years you can just buy another faster one for the same price.
Why FFS won't it let me choose NO OPERATING SYSTEM? Goddam scam... :mad:
I want processing power (photo editing mostly)....<snip> Under $500 is my budget.
:disgust1:
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 01:16 PM
:disgust1:
What? Powerful motherboards appear to be dirt cheap.
Of course I'm comparing them to my PIII 900MHz. :D
PIII 900MHz. :D
OH.
In that case, anything out there since 2001 will be a screamer in comparison.
Do you have the huevos to DIY?
BTW - when you say "photo editing", what exactly do you mean? Lightweight everyday stuff or deep Photoshop work?
Why FFS won't it let me choose NO OPERATING SYSTEM? Goddam scam... :mad:
With the price that low they probably wouldn't be able to discount it any further without the OS.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 01:34 PM
BTW - when you say "photo editing", what exactly do you mean? Lightweight everyday stuff or deep Photoshop work?
I'm talking my wife opening 10 Nikon RAW files and doing a bunch of crazy $hit with Nikon Capture then opening them in Gimp and doing a bunch more crazy $hit.
The 900 will do it... but she gets pi$$ed waiting for it.
Oh - she does alot of batch processing too. That takes forever. I think she just needs some CPU to be honest.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 01:38 PM
With the price that low they probably wouldn't be able to discount it any further without the OS.
I know... still think it's a pi$$er, though. :D
Oh - she does alot of batch processing too. That takes forever. I think she just needs some CPU to be honest.
CPU + RAM = Happy Happy.
Go for a Core 2 Duo machine w/ at least 2gb ram and you will be stoked.
Go here:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/vostrodt?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb
Choose "Check availability" on the Vostro 400 then filter the selection to <$500
Nice.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 01:46 PM
CPU + RAM = Happy Happy.
Go for a Core 2 Duo machine w/ at least 2gb ram and you will be stoked.
That's kind of what I figured... maybe I'll just build the damn thing myself. Now if this was a rack mount server I'd have no problem building it... does anyone have any suggestions for DIY?
This will be utilitarian - I'm looking for solid stuff but am uninterested in sexy or any of that nonsense.
Help a :monkey: out... I've got too many kids to do much research on my own. :D
Help a :monkey: out... I've got too many kids to do much research on my own. :D
Look at the refurb Vostro above then.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 01:50 PM
Look at the refurb Vostro above then.
Yeah - sorry. I was composing that response when you posted that second one... I'll check 'em out.
narlus
10-22-2007, 02:34 PM
hey SS - send yr wife's website link over. i wanna check out her work.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 02:36 PM
hey SS - send yr wife's website link over. i wanna check out her work.
Huh? She doesn't have a website... :think:
Do you need a new monitor? If not, DIY. If you do, going with a prebuilt option is SOOO much cheaper.
But yeah, what H8R said. Core 2 Duo+2gb of RAM=happy .RAWing.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 02:43 PM
I don't really need a new monitor... although I'll probably get a decent one some time in the next couple years. I was looking at pre-builts *without* monitors.
narlus
10-22-2007, 02:52 PM
Huh? She doesn't have a website... :think:
so what's she use for marketing?
Westy
10-22-2007, 02:54 PM
so what's she use for marketing?
Probably hawks her goods while SS sells veggie burritos in the parking lots of jam band shows.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 02:56 PM
so what's she use for marketing?
Pardon? She doesn't do any marketing... she only does photography for the entertainment.
hey SS - send yr wife's website link over. i wanna check out her junk.
Fixed.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 02:56 PM
Probably hawks her goods while SS sells veggie burritos in the parking lots of jam band shows.
Naw - burritos are better with chorizo. :drool:
... she only does photography for the entertainment.
Oh COME ON.
Don't make this so easy.
SS sells veggie burritos in the parking lots of jam band shows.
Where the money is.
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 02:58 PM
Fixed.
There has recently been both a bike and bikini photo floating around the monkey... :D
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 02:59 PM
Oh COME ON.
Don't make this so easy.
Batter up. :plthumbsdown:
Secret Squirrel
10-22-2007, 03:15 PM
Who doesn't need a good keyboard squeegee...
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e385/secretsquirrelz/squeegee.gif
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 03:17 PM
So any case/PS/motherboard recommendations?
So any case/PS/motherboard recommendations?
$500 makes it hard to build your own and make it not ugly and slow.
$700 is the golden amount for a low end build that won't be useless in a year.
Case: Antec. Any.
Solid and simple. Get one with an Antec PS.
Mobo - I love my MSI (for Athlon anyway)
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 04:17 PM
$500 makes it hard to build your own and make it not ugly and slow.
$700 is the golden amount for a low end build that won't be useless in a year.
Well, then... that's a useless endeavor. I'm not trying to play like Don Quixote here. :p
Nevermind - prices are better these days. I mean really good. Speedy build, this took me a couple minutes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822145127
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813121052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 05:01 PM
Nevermind - prices are better these days. I mean really good. Speedy build, this took me a couple minutes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822145127
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813121052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005
Funny thing about technology. Thanks, man! :thumb:
Funny thing about technology. Thanks, man! :thumb:
Double check all that crap I posted BTW. I didn't do a thorough combing of the specs.
In fact, make BV sign off on it.
:D
SkaredShtles
10-22-2007, 05:28 PM
Double check all that crap I posted BTW. I didn't do a thorough combing of the specs.
In fact, make BV sign off on it.
:D
I already figured I'd put together a spec and have BV proof it. :monkey:
binary visions
10-23-2007, 11:53 AM
That spec looks pretty good. I'd be inclined to add a second drive to it, a bigger storage drive. ~250gb or more. If your storage needs are small, it'll allow you to keep a copy of important data on both drives which should help protect against drive failure. Plus, storage needs will go up fast with RAW files so it'll give you some room to grow.
Only thing that I see sorely lacking in that build is a decent video card but you won't need it if all you do is photo editing.
SkaredShtles
10-23-2007, 12:03 PM
That spec looks pretty good. I'd be inclined to add a second drive to it, a bigger storage drive. ~250gb or more. If your storage needs are small, it'll allow you to keep a copy of important data on both drives which should help protect against drive failure. Plus, storage needs will go up fast with RAW files so it'll give you some room to grow.
I've got data security covered with backups. I'm still probably going to go with a small OS drive and a larger data drive. Although I'm going to turn the old PC into a NAS-type storage device... it'll run Linux with software RAID...
And I've already got a 1/2 terrabyte drive I picked up a few months ago, so maybe I'll throw that in...
Hmmm...
binary visions
10-23-2007, 12:12 PM
BTW, if you tell me you're going to install Windows 2000 on this, I'm going to slap you silly.
douglas
10-23-2007, 12:16 PM
check out
tigerdirect.com
crazy cheap if you have enough useful parts from your old box to just go w/a bare bones kit (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3333226&Sku=I69-2154%20C)
SkaredShtles
10-23-2007, 12:19 PM
BTW, if you tell me you're going to install Windows 2000 on this, I'm going to slap you silly.
Naw - I've upgraded to XP. :p
binary visions
10-23-2007, 12:21 PM
TigerDirect has some good prices but I have received and seen a HUGE amount of dead hardware from them.
They're good for the ultra budget specs but their dead hardware issues coupled with their bottom-of-the-barrel hardware (which allows their cheap prices, but still) means that if you can spring for more, it's worth it.
SkaredShtles
10-23-2007, 12:23 PM
TigerDirect has some good prices but I have received and seen a HUGE amount of dead hardware from them.
Yeah - I've not heard many good reports from that outfit.
binary visions
10-23-2007, 12:27 PM
Yeah - I've not heard many good reports from that outfit.
A place I interned at ordered 6 prebuilt PCs from them. 4 of them (!!) were DOA. One of the replacements for the 4 was also DOA. One more developed severe hardware problems within 2 weeks. I've experienced a couple similar things since and heard of many more.
Their retail stuff is usually fine, it just seems like if any of their internal techs touch anything, it turns to crap.
Only thing that I see sorely lacking in that build is a decent video card but you won't need it if all you do is photo editing.
He said no games so on-board vid seemed fine.
A place I interned at ordered 6 prebuilt PCs from them. 4 of them (!!) were DOA. One of the replacements for the 4 was also DOA. One more developed severe hardware problems within 2 weeks.
I think you broke them.
SkaredShtles
10-23-2007, 12:45 PM
He said no games so on-board vid seemed fine.
Yup. No gaming for me. That $hit is like meth-crack-ganja for me and I must avoid it all costs. :busted:
SkaredShtles
11-01-2007, 09:30 AM
Goddammit this is tempting... :mad:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=206228125&adid=17654&dcaid=17653
syadasti
11-01-2007, 09:48 AM
Goddammit this is tempting... :mad:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=206228125&adid=17654&dcaid=17653
I would rather these (or find another www.delloutlet ) :
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventoryDetails?systemId=EED03G1W&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfb&cs=28
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventoryDetails?systemId=ZR96YPVW&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfb&cs=28
binary visions
11-01-2007, 09:49 AM
Um. I just put together a faster computer, for less money, and it's not refurbished so you'll get a real warranty. Not a great deal.
syadasti
11-01-2007, 09:50 AM
Um. I just put together a faster computer, for less money, and it's not refurbished so you'll get a real warranty.
Dell refurbs have the same coverage as new systems. Business systems have north american based support too.
SkaredShtles
11-01-2007, 09:51 AM
Um. I just put together a faster computer, for less money, and it's not refurbished so you'll get a real warranty.
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=6229791
Link no workee...
binary visions
11-01-2007, 09:54 AM
Link no workee...
I know, but regardless, the point is that the system was faster, for $360 shipped, w/ a $25 mail-in rebate - so $335 shipped for a higher quality system with a new warranty.
SkaredShtles
11-01-2007, 09:56 AM
I know, but regardless, the point is that the system was faster, for $360 shipped, w/ a $25 mail-in rebate - so $335 shipped for a higher quality system with a new warranty.
Hook a bruthah up, man! :D
binary visions
11-01-2007, 10:11 AM
I can't get it to share my wishlist. It (and this) were just a quick spec, if you're really interested I'll double check everything. I modified the spec a little and it's now $389 shipped with a little better motherboard and no rebates to deal with.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129031
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128034
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103747
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820141224
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148261
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
SkaredShtles
11-01-2007, 10:44 AM
I can't get it to share my wishlist. It (and this) were just a quick spec, if you're really interested I'll double check everything. I modified the spec a little and it's now $389 shipped with a little better motherboard and no rebates to deal with.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129031
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128034
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103747
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820141224
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148261
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
Sweet. I gotta get my wife a computer. She's gonna kill me soon. :D
narlus
11-01-2007, 10:52 AM
maybe she's on ukjason's payroll...
SkaredShtles
11-01-2007, 10:55 AM
maybe she's on ukjason's payroll...
:rofl: :rofl:
$tinkle
11-01-2007, 02:36 PM
anybody here every buy corporate throw-aways? i just got my desktop (gx270 optiplex (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1543478,00.asp)) for $72, incl mouse, keyboard, & 15" crt, w/ a windoze install key (also get free OS's through work). seems stupid to have 3 pcs & 4 laptops, but when they're nearly free, it seems stupider to walk away.
syadasti
11-01-2007, 02:37 PM
Our throwaways are from 1999 - GX1's - we still have about 3 dozen in production. You would have to pay me a raise to use them.
SkaredShtles
11-14-2007, 04:16 PM
My cheap-a$$ computer parts just arrived! :monkeydance:
binary visions
11-14-2007, 04:40 PM
You ordered that stuff? :shocked:
Crap, I thought you were joking. None of that sh*t will work together.
SkaredShtles
11-14-2007, 05:43 PM
You ordered that stuff? :shocked:
Crap, I thought you were joking. None of that sh*t will work together.
:rofl: :rofl:
You better be kidding now. :mad:
berkshire_rider
11-14-2007, 08:54 PM
You ordered that stuff? :shocked:
Crap, I thought you were joking. None of that sh*t will work together.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/smilies/rofl.gif
SkaredShtles
11-15-2007, 09:09 AM
Is it supposed to smoke like that? :think:
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