400$ computer

**Slitha** · 01-04-2005, 04:35 PM

K, i have $400 MAX to spend on a computer. I have had a working carputer for about 4 months. My inverter died just now...my computer is enormous in the trunk and slow as hell. I want to upgrade. I have 400 dollar budget. I need a case, mobo, psu (hopefully opus, but i know that takes a huge chunk of change). i have harddrive. i woudl like a mobo with good built in soudn and video, but i could use the cards i hav enow. the cards i have now were good back in 1997, so they arent exactly good now...

Here is what i need from this computer: I want it to play mp3s, videos. I want it to be powerful enough that i can upgrade to navi if i want to. Thats it... As long as mediacar/frodoplayer works on it i should be happy.

Ive never built a comp before, so i need help. Thank you.

First id like to knwo if this is even possible. is 400 too little for a good small comp? I will keep my old screen.

EDIT: Here are the specs for the computer im lookin at...please tell me what you think and if it will work or not...

BOX AND MOBO: $138
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...110-026&DEPA=1

PROCESSOR: $66.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...112-196&depa=1

RAM: $39.56
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...141-002&depa=1

POWER SUPPLY: $59.99
http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...products_id=40

SHUTDOWN CONTROLLER: $37.99
http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...products_id=28

SOUND CARD: $36.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...118-101&depa=1

TOTAL: $378.53

WILL REUSE HARDDRIVE, CABLES, AND DVD-ROM

**EBFoxbat** · 01-04-2005, 04:57 PM

Motherboard + AMD 2500 CPU $130
Generic 256MB PC2100 RAM $50
GeForce MX 4000 Video Card $40
Generic Case with PSU $35
Generic Heatsink/Fan $15

Assuming you reuse drives, that leaves you $130 for a new inverter.

**Scouse Monkey** · 01-04-2005, 05:00 PM

use foxbats list but build your own case from bits of the old one and put the $165 towards an Opus. Or on second thoughts get a motherboard with nForce 2 (Geforce MX440) and put what you save on that towards the Opus too. Eg the ASUS uATX that some people use on here with mobile athlons

**EBFoxbat** · 01-04-2005, 05:03 PM

I think that it may be better to have a video card because it would be easy to replace. If you get a motherboard with onboard video make sure it also has a AGP port. Most onboard video stinks though.

Definately reuse your case if you can. Anything reused it $$ saved. I picture an old non-ATX Pentium 166Mhz with cutting edge MMX

**Scouse Monkey** · 01-04-2005, 05:18 PM

He's keeping the cost down so i would say an nForce2 graphics would be fine (same as chip as the one you recommended and i would have recommended the same as any more graphics is a waste). May need 512mb of ram though which would offset the saving. I think the Asus board that Matrix has also has an AGP so it can always be uprgraded but i am not fully sure on that.

**EBFoxbat** · 01-04-2005, 05:21 PM

512 Wouldn't hurt except hibernate times.

**Bangster** · 01-04-2005, 05:22 PM

nForce2 onboard grapics are great for non 3d gaming. A bonus is that it is one less card to become unseated in the harsh environment of a car. 400 bucks reusing your existing monitor should be very do-able.

**toadster123** · 01-04-2005, 05:27 PM

u can def build a good comp for $400... check out newegg.com for parts.. (or if u want them even cheaper you can buy them used ..or go to a computer show)
search google to learn a lil something on how to build computers... i think its easy...
after thats its just choosing your parts and putting them together.. if u want to keep the size as small as possible you probably want to make your own case (out of acrylic, wood, etc.)

also in order to keep the size down you'll want a small motherboard (itx, mirco-ATX, or just a small ATX) with onboard sound and vid and stuff (so u dont need extra pci cards)

**god_of_cpu** · 01-04-2005, 05:33 PM

SHUTTLE XPC!!!!!!!!!!!
This is from new egg.
19-103-440 CPU MOBLE AMD|2200+/266 ATHLON XP%
(Serial#: 4.536821) 1 $79.25 $79.25

20-223-006 DDRAM RSWLL|512MB PC2700 RET
(Serial#: 0c1g660400001xi) 1 $61.27 $61.27

56-101-428 BRBN PC SHUTTLE SN41G2V2B BLACK RET
(Serial#: 0XEG50030000008) 1 $254.50 $254.50

You can skimp on the processor and ram and get it even cheaper. Includes dual GeForce 4 MX VGA ports and optical in and outputs as well as a very cool and quiet heatpipe / fan and nice case.