Under 400

Under 400

by Brionlaken92 Jul 4, 2006 2:59PM PDT

I am trying to buy a desktop for under 400... My main use for the computer is editing videos for youtube so something with "pretty good" graphics might be nice. I can go up to 500 if I have to but I am hoping I don't ( I also don't care is it is mac or windows)

Discussion is locked

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Are you willing to build a computer?

by nathanpsz2 Jul 4, 2006 9:04PM PDT

Because for $400, you'll be buying the low-end Dell with like 512MB of RAM, a Celeron processor, and integrated graphics. You can get much better value for the money if you build. If you're up to it, I can make you a list of parts from newegg.

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Just sharing.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 5, 2006 1:54AM PDT

One of one coop video edit machines has an 8 buck video card. It's not a bottleneck item for video editing so you can skimp on video for editing. This gives you a few more bucks for CPU (very important part for video editing), RAM and disk space.

You can do this if you have a display good to go.

Bob

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Too tight

by Willy Jul 5, 2006 2:27AM PDT

At your $ amount don't expect too much for that. Surprising you may find a decent system but will it fit your needs? In other words, check all those already build OEM systems and what thier specs are. This past week, Best Buy had a eMachine for $349(sale) and compared to systems of 1yr. ago is a baragin and does offer something to build on, but again for video needs its open. If you like the MS Media OS, then that may add to cost or at least be part of the system, thus check those specs. Expect to find build-in video as the norm with few slots to add increase video capabilites if needed with an upgrade video card. In the long run, you may need to fine tune to your needs and that adds cost. Storage is a must so any large HDs capacity is a plus in the 200gb range, but most low end systems offer 100gb-120gb, so take that into account.

tada -----Willy

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Not if you build

by nathanpsz2 Jul 5, 2006 7:21AM PDT

Here's an example: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Shopping/shoppingcart.asp?submit=view
All for $455 before shipping. I hope the link works. If it doesn't, I'll post again with a link to every individual product.

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Not displayed

by Willy Jul 5, 2006 8:51PM PDT

Error page from NewEgg only displayed...

I hope you included the OS and any ram in the pricing plus NewEgg doesn't always s/h for free, that's adds to the cost. Though, you mentioned before s/h. Let's not forget that the orginal poster wanted a system under $400, maybe willing to go $500 but it seems for a system already build, if I understood right. NewEgg "barebone" systems are a start but they do add up once you figure in all the items required. Very probable to replace the psu unit as it usually underpowered with basic case setup. -----Willy

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Then here are the specs

by nathanpsz2 Jul 6, 2006 11:39AM PDT

Mobo: ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice

RAM: Patriot 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400

Video card: connect3D Radeon X300SE 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3Gb/s ST3160812AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Case/PSU: Rosewill TU-155 Black 0.8mm SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Compucter Case 400W(20+4 pin) Power Supply - Retail

DVD Burner: NEC 16X DVD

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OK, but...

by Willy Jul 7, 2006 12:21AM PDT

Come on, you got to include Windoze. Really, what's the purpose if no OS. You can't exclude that even if the end-user uses Linux, some OS has to be gotten. That's not being realistic and the cheapest is roughly $89(MS upgrade). An OEM version may or may not work if gotten from an older system. Also, new OEM versions maybe later handicapped if MS has its way, big IF. Anyways, that's nice to know on those componets, the pricing.

tada -----Willy

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Windoze brings the total to about $530...

by nathanpsz2 Jul 7, 2006 1:20AM PDT

...which is $30 over the budget, but the PC will pwn ANYTHING that Dell has available for that price. Imagine if you overclocked that 3000+ to 2.4GHz; it's like having a 3800+ because they have the same core and cache. The video card is crap, but it's much better than onboard graphics. And for another $50, you could change it to THIS X1600Pro, which is essentially an X1600XT because it has GDDR3 memory at the XT speed.

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many discounts right now in...............

by logger99 Jul 7, 2006 4:30AM PDT

Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Check your local retailers (plus you can actually get to try them out in the store. For slightly over $500:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7874133&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01172&id=1149040474010

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RE:

by damasta55r Jul 5, 2006 8:34AM PDT

Case with psu-50
1 GB RAM-80
AMD X2 3800+ AM2 Processor-300
intel pentium d 940-200
arctic silver 5 thermal compound-8
160GB Sata II Hard Drive- 80
NEC 3550A DVD-Burner-40
AM2 motherboard with integrated graphics Motherboard-70
Windows xp home edition-90

total $720. If you skimp on the processor and get intel, you save 100 to get around $620. If you get a non-dual core processor, save more. Basically $500 is not much.

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CALL A LOCAL

by Scrotes4Life Jul 5, 2006 2:54PM PDT

You need to (simply) call your local PC guru. You won't get too much - new - for that price.
Maybe he's got one that he resurrected for sale.

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