Low cost build

[DigitalHermit]

Hi guys, as you may or may not know, I have this old P4 system... I'm thinking of retiring her as warm storage or decorative piece for my nerd cave... Now, the family that she's helping now needs something a bit faster... They only use the computer for light web surfing, flash games, and word processing...

 

Unfortunately budget is tight, but a second-hand system is out of the question since the market for refurbished PCs here is swindling people big time (not that we can sue them because of the weak, expensive, and long-winded legal processes and the weak law on this)...

 

I need suggestions from the community for the cheapest build that I can get...

 

Conditions are as follows:

• basic PC for word processing, spreadsheets, and web surfing
• can be of any form factor but must stay below 250USD (if this is even possible)
• must make use of at least DDR3 1333 MHz RAM
• must have VGA (D-Sub) out and PS/2 in

 

Thanks in advance.

[KPZ211997]

Here you are

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($48.37 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($40.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.91 @ OutletPC) 

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($19.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($27.99 @ Micro Center) 

Total: $245.24

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-02 22:45 EDT-0400

[BrandedUpontheGrave]

Austin Evans recently did a build for gaming at 300 bucks, so a non gaming build should most definitely be possible.

 

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Lv3KK8

 

It should be noted that no OS is included, can be had off of G2A for 20 bucks.

 

 

Edit: I forgot a damn PSU, so do disregard this.

[DigitalHermit]

 

-snip-

 

Thanks for the quick response... Now the problem will be looking for the parts in the local shops (which I will have to do when I'm buying something)...

 

 

Austin Evans recently did a build for gaming at 300 bucks, so a non gaming build should most definitely be possible.

 

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Lv3KK8

 

It should be noted that no OS is included, can be had off of G2A for 20 bucks.

 

I've seen his vid and I was impressed at the base system... Unfortunately it doesn't fit my needs...

 

I'm planning on running Elementary OS or Linux Mint Cinnamon by the way...

[DigitalHermit]

UPDATE:
I forgot that I have a case and PSU laying around so I can cut costs some more... Maybe reinvest the money for a 15" monitor...

[BrandedUpontheGrave]

UPDATE:

I forgot that I have a case and PSU laying around so I can cut costs some more... Maybe reinvest the money for a 15" monitor...

That'll certainly take some pressure off, 250 is a pretty hard number to work with.

[DigitalHermit]

I'll be sure to post the build log if this build becomes reality... I still need to get the funds together...

[DigitalHermit]

UPDATE: I just got confirmation of the budget for the rig... Build will most likely be in December and will recycle parts from Mutsuki (upgrading her to Mutsuki Kai)...