Cheap- Build

raptorkid · 09-29-2008, 02:20 PM

Cutting a long and dull story short, im building a pc for my sister, using my old parts. My budget is as little as possible (since my dad is paying) but probably around 70 quid to start. Ideally, this build (i feel dirty calling it that) should be as upgradable as possible. So far i've put this together:

Case: generic black thing - £0
PSU: Jeantech 350w (i forget the model) - £0
RAM: 512mb DDR2 generic i have lying around - £0
CPU: AMD AM2 Semprom @ 1.6GHz - £0
Motherboard: Abit A-N86SV - £37
HDD: 80GB SATA (whatever i can get, probably hitachi or WD) - £25
Thermal Paste: Arctic siler 5 - £7

I heard that AM3 is out later this year, so when would be the best time to buy these, price - wise? and are the any better suited parts for this 'build'?

PS: How do i go about installing XP on a SATA drive, since i thought it didn't have built in drivers?

thanks,

Raptorkid

**wrench97** · 09-29-2008, 03:29 PM

Are you looking to build integrated video or use a video card?
XP on Sata isn't an issue just set the sata controller to IDE mode.

raptorkid · 09-30-2008, 09:23 AM

I'll be using the intergratd video when i first build it, then ill throw in my current card (x550) when i upgrade. How does one go about setting sata controllers to IDE mode?

Thanks, Raptorkid

**wrench97** · 09-30-2008, 11:32 AM

In the Bios, The manual will list the controller options in the Bios section.
Even for the 550 you'll need a better power supply and if you ever want to upgrade to a newer card you might as well spend a couple of extra dollars now to get a good one.

raptorkid · 09-30-2008, 12:24 PM

Ah right, thanks.

And that PSU was powering the exact same rig as above (bar motherboard and HDD) when i bought it, so for light usage it should do, right?

Any ideas as to when the next price drop will be?

Thanks,

Raptorkid

**wrench97** · 09-30-2008, 12:32 PM

On my opinion I wouldn't use it on an old P4 AGP board, I got away from cheap PSU they are more trouble than they are worth. Pcie cards need 26 amps on the 12v rail you can't get that with a 350w for very long.

Price drops happen all the time usually right after I buy something:(

raptorkid · 09-30-2008, 01:00 PM

ok, so ill find another PSU when i add the x550 then.

i'll wait till the end of November, then - should be able to pick up some better parts hopefully.

Thanks,

Raptorkid

raptorkid · 09-30-2008, 01:03 PM

ok, so ill find another PSU when i add the x550 then.

i'll wait till the end of November, then - should be able to pick up some better parts hopefully.

Thanks,

Raptorkid

09-29-2008, 02:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
raptorkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Biddulph, UK Posts: 91 OS: xp sp2 My System	Cheap- Build Cutting a long and dull story short, im building a pc for my sister, using my old parts. My budget is as little as possible (since my dad is paying) but probably around 70 quid to start. Ideally, this build (i feel dirty calling it that) should be as upgradable as possible. So far i've put this together: Case: generic black thing - £0 PSU: Jeantech 350w (i forget the model) - £0 RAM: 512mb DDR2 generic i have lying around - £0 CPU: AMD AM2 Semprom @ 1.6GHz - £0 Motherboard: Abit A-N86SV - £37 HDD: 80GB SATA (whatever i can get, probably hitachi or WD) - £25 Thermal Paste: Arctic siler 5 - £7 I heard that AM3 is out later this year, so when would be the best time to buy these, price - wise? and are the any better suited parts for this 'build'? PS: How do i go about installing XP on a SATA drive, since i thought it didn't have built in drivers? thanks, Raptorkid Last edited by raptorkid; 09-29-2008 at 02:23 PM.

09-29-2008, 03:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,786 OS: Win7	Re: Cheap- Build Are you looking to build integrated video or use a video card? XP on Sata isn't an issue just set the sata controller to IDE mode. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-30-2008, 09:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
raptorkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Biddulph, UK Posts: 91 OS: xp sp2 My System	Re: Cheap- Build I'll be using the intergratd video when i first build it, then ill throw in my current card (x550) when i upgrade. How does one go about setting sata controllers to IDE mode? Thanks, Raptorkid

09-30-2008, 11:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,786 OS: Win7	Re: Cheap- Build In the Bios, The manual will list the controller options in the Bios section. Even for the 550 you'll need a better power supply and if you ever want to upgrade to a newer card you might as well spend a couple of extra dollars now to get a good one. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-30-2008, 12:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
raptorkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Biddulph, UK Posts: 91 OS: xp sp2 My System	Re: Cheap- Build Ah right, thanks. And that PSU was powering the exact same rig as above (bar motherboard and HDD) when i bought it, so for light usage it should do, right? Any ideas as to when the next price drop will be? Thanks, Raptorkid

09-30-2008, 12:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,786 OS: Win7	Re: Cheap- Build On my opinion I wouldn't use it on an old P4 AGP board, I got away from cheap PSU they are more trouble than they are worth. Pcie cards need 26 amps on the 12v rail you can't get that with a 350w for very long. Price drops happen all the time usually right after I buy something:( __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-30-2008, 01:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
raptorkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Biddulph, UK Posts: 91 OS: xp sp2 My System	Re: Cheap- Build ok, so ill find another PSU when i add the x550 then. i'll wait till the end of November, then - should be able to pick up some better parts hopefully. Thanks, Raptorkid

09-30-2008, 01:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
raptorkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Biddulph, UK Posts: 91 OS: xp sp2 My System	Re: Cheap- Build ok, so ill find another PSU when i add the x550 then. i'll wait till the end of November, then - should be able to pick up some better parts hopefully. Thanks, Raptorkid