Basically, I want to build an extremely cheap computer. I don't want a case, and I plan to play no games on it except perhaps starcraft. I want an ok soundcard and a rather large HDD. I'm lookin on newegg atm, but please post some suggestions.
Edit: I'll be using some form of linux ( a good suggestion would be appreciated ) with pretty much only freeware.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Aug 27 2008, 1:14 am by Anonymous.

You don't want a case because you're just going to lay down all the hardware on a table or something, or do you already have one?

http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2007-06/72-pc
Take a pic when you're done, so we can see it.

Roger that. One SC only, large storage, super sound PC coming up. Stand by....
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078 Usually I stay away from microATX but this things got the reviews to back it.
Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052 Can get a decent OC on the stock cooling, or so I am told.
GFX Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261022 8600GTS for 42$? Cant go wrong.
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118 Figured you'd want a decent amount of RAM, can always go lower.
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145129 320GB. Could always go 2x of em. Or if you want to spend more, hit up the 1TBs.
Sound Card:
--Two options.
---Cheap and good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002
---Spluuurge: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271003
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151040 Good PSU, have one myself. Price is nice and low.
DVDDrive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106100 Doubles as burner, could switch it down to a lower one.

+Tax and shipping: $509.01 (This is with the cheaper soundcard.)
I can shave it down some moar if youd like.

Why on earth do you want a sound card in a barebones cheap PC? They are one of the most unneeded pieces of hardware out there.

Hes probably going to just play SC and listen to music.

If you're looking for EVERYTHING, barebones kits at globalcomputer (same as tigerdirect, but no tax) are typically very nice. I realize you don't want a case, but hey, it's a free case.

http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4113874&CatId=2405
Grab a cooler and a sound card. Enjoy mediocrity. Grab a couple more HDDs if 300 GB isn't enough.

You might snoop around to find a better one/non nFail, but at $280, it's a damn good deal.

Apparently nvidia mainboards suck, but I'm 1 for 1 on them, unlike 1 for 4 on cards.

Also, the 8500 won't play 3d games well. It will give decent rates on source, but don't expect to play oblivion at all.

Bad RAM and HDD interface on that one rockz. GFXCard is worse than useless and has GDDR2. Also not a fan of nvidia chipsets, especially the 610i. 650i is as low as I'd go. I wouldn't touch that PC for web browsing.

Then better spec some nice speaker system. A sound card is more or less useless if you have cheap speakers.

I have integrated sound and $7 speakers. FTW

Well if he wants I can continue to shave the price down and offer good speakers. Maybe he has a nice set already.

It's not hard to find a friend in a computer store/vendor/whatever and get him to sell you a cheap system that someone else sold.

Got my p4 2.6 overclocked AMD computer, 160g HDD, 128 video card, 512mb RAM + external sound card + 15'' LCD for 80$.
You can buy yourself a new, powerful computer with 550$ bucks. Sheesh...

I would appreciate shaving it down, Ex and yes, I have a fucking awesome speaker system.

I suggest onboard video then. That leaves just PSU, CPU, Mobo, RAM, HDD. Got any spare parts lying around?

Nope D:
Though I might be able to rip off one of my friend's extremely old computer, i guess. It could play SC...

Onboard video is for chumps.

Got you down to $409.85

Any less and I'll have to move you down to 1GB of RAM and possibly even less of a GFX and PSU.

Proccessor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078
GFX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261022
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151040
Soundcard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002
Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106038
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145129

You could save $40 by dropping the graphics card. You'd be left with shitty integrated, which will be able to play SC and not to much else.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104953&Tpk=fsp%20saga%20400w
Cheaper PSU. 500w is overkill.

An ATX mobo might be cheaper, I don't know.

Man, integrated sucks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELDQvJo3mos

µATX is almost always cheaper. Unless you run a high end cpu with dual GPUs, you won't ever use 500 W.

oops

Nononononono shitty mobo is shiiiiiiitty. Also AMD is for people who are better suited to using a mac.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157125 $45 - my motherboard, excellent!
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103637 $23 - Cheapest of the cheap
Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170014 $13
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134115 $11
Use the hard drive from your old computer.

Total: $95

No, that mobo the one i use, and it is fine. Also, Intel's cheap processors are shit.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Aug 29 2008, 2:22 pm by Doodle77.