I was looking through other posts on here and there seem to be some people who can create builds for others just based on some specifics given by the poster.
I have been thinking of using tek's $375 and $400 builds as models, but reading the other threads it was apparent that those may be outdated now for the same price.
Here is what I am needing/wanting:
Mainly use for school work, various applications (I'm currently an MIS major, so something that can handle using databases and visual basic at a fast speed).
Streaming video: I watch netflix on my laptop and such all of the time. I also browse youtube a lot.
Playing Games: I don't currently play any PC games, but would like to start. Something that can play simple games like TF2, CS:S, minecraft and other "lower end" games.
I'd like to only spend around 400 dollars. I don't have a lot of money at the moment.
Basically, I just need help designing a simple computer. All of the people in the IT world that I've talked to have suggested building one to gain some experience because hearing things like that shows that I have a passion for technology, which I'd like to say that I do.
what you are saying is quite true. keep believing.
i just went a head and put together something, for $270. you might want to change around some of it. replace gpu with 5870 if you can find one ar a reasonable price.
When I got accepted into college, I bought myself a cheap-ass ACER laptop which lasted the full 5 years I needed it (I upgraded the RAM and got an external HDD as time went by, I also got an extended battery because I carried it with me to class). Also, after 5 years, that poor bastard looked like it had been to hell and back, but it never missed a beat.
If you live in a dorm room (like I did), it will be reassuring to know that your roommate(s) won't be looking through all your stuff on the computer (or taking pictures from when you got drunk last night and you got your underwear on your head and posting them on your facebook wall while you're at class trying to fight through your hangover) and won't try to open the PC to see what it looks like inside.
It's fair to say you won't be doing much gaming on that notebook but it should be enough for your work.
Here is something that would meet your needs and is right on budget - though it doesn't include an OS which I hope you have or can get from school or something.
Deathrune - I really like the price. How do you think that that will perform streaming video and such? Do you think that that is a build that I can upgrade easily? Swap better parts in? Thanks!
Hootis - Do you mean Deathrune is missing it? I'll add it in. Thanks!
Zeus - I'm a senior in college and almost done. I live in an apartment so I feel the computer will be safe. Thanks for looking out though (this is being typed from a 6 year old Dell laptop)!
Spittis - Thanks! I'll definitely check it out! Do you think it is an easy upgrade for parts if I wanted to?
Sure you can definitely do some upgrades in the future - though swap the mobo for this then: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157291
It has 4 RAM slots meaning you can add another 4GB later, it's AM3+ so you can get a piledriver CPU, and the PSU can handle better GPUs. Getting a SSD is also a good idea if you want to speed things up later on though it requires a format.
do you or a relitive have a old computer case or non working computer, doesn't matter how old, all cases within the last 20 years have followed the ATX case standard