Building a cheap PC

[Mr. Peabody]

$5 for a 1.3 GHz processor with motherboard. Integrated NIC, USB, Sound. Interesting option for upgrading some older outdated PCs

[skroo]

$5 for a 1.3 GHz processor with motherboard. Integrated NIC, USB, Sound. Interesting option for upgrading some older outdated PCs

My only concern with this would be the non-Intel/AMD processor, specifically if you intend to do optimised builds on it. I can't say I'm at all familiar with the processor they're bundling it with, but having bad memories of AMD/Intel-compatible code not working correctly on Cyrix (specifically the Media/GX series) and NatSemi processors has left me wary of using anything for an x86 box that's not from the Big Two. I kinda suspect there's a reason it's going for $15 after rebates.

As they say in the ad: "This motherboard features an integrated Socket 370 design. Integration binds the processor to the board. You will not be able to upgrade the processor."

Of course, someone could get adventurous and try desoldering all 370 pins from the (probably) surface-mount CPU, then replace it with a PPGA-370 ZIF socket and insert whatever CPU they want, but that's a *lot* of work.

[bascule]

That's an awesome deal except for the fact that you may never get a rebate check... and the fact that you need to buy DDR RAM for it...

[skroo]

That's an awesome deal except for the fact that you may never get a rebate check... and the fact that you need to buy DDR RAM for it...

What's scary is that 168-pin is actually going for *more* than DDR around here.

[bascule]

What's scary is that 168-pin is actually going for *more* than DDR around here.

Well, I'd think the average person who frequents these boards is probably up to their wazoo in spare SDRAM DIMMs. I have a bag with 1GB of 128MB PC133 DIMMs, over half of which actually work!

[Floydr47]

Well, I'd think the average person who frequents these boards is probably up to their wazoo in spare SDRAM DIMMs. I have a bag with 1GB of 128MB PC133 DIMMs, over half of which actually work!

I know what you mean, I just bought 256MB SDRAM about 3 weeks ago and after rebate and store rebate I think I ended up paying around $15.00.

[shanker]

cheep computer

I have actually built a machine for $160 it was an 655mhz machine and a really shitty case with a 20 gig hard drive. it really didnt like to work because all of the parts were oem. but it can be done cheep computesrs. i just had to look on pricewatch for a little wile. well i would like to read some replies to this. laterzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Floydr47]

I have actually built a machine for $160 it was an 655mhz machine and a really shitty case with a 20 gig hard drive. it really didnt like to work because all of the parts were oem. but it can be done cheep computesrs. i just had to look on pricewatch for a little wile. well i would like to read some replies to this. laterzzzzzzzzzzzz

Shanker,

I got an old 75 mhz, w/2 gig hard drive, AT&T Globalyst in the bedroom closet, what can I do with that?

[shanker]

hummm 75mhz damn and a 2 gig hard drive shit i would say that you could install a form of unix on that. i woulnd let that machine go to wast. and at least run somthing on it ? that is what i would do.

[LiteHedded]

think i'll pick one up.
could use it for a file server or firewall.
why wouldn't you get a rebate check?
tigerdirect has always come through in the past?

[Mr. Peabody]

Yeah there shouldn't be a big issue with a tiger direct rebate. I thought that it's definately a good idea for an appliance box. Not quite enough umph or upgradability for a desktop, but definately some good uses for it.

[LiteHedded]

Yeah there shouldn't be a big issue with a tiger direct rebate. I thought that it's definately a good idea for an appliance box. Not quite enough umph or upgradability for a desktop, but definately some good uses for it.

and watching divx movies on it shouldn't be an issue. could make a home theater pc.
and its about 10"x8" could fit it in about anything.