I'm piecing together a super budget (<$500) build for a friend who just needs a snappy general use computer w/ some solid CPU power (for compiling). Gaming isn't really a concern. This is what I've come with so far ... does anyone possibly have any suggestions on how to cut costs more (without sacrificing too much quality)?


Case
Sugo SG-02
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163112
69.99
PSU
Antec Earthwatts 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
69.99
Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H (Has onboard HD4200 for video)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397
89.99
Proc
Athlon II X3 435
(alternatively: AII X4 620 for $10 more)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
89.99
HDD
WD Black 640GB (AALS)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
74.99
RAM
G.SKILL 4GB 1333 9-9-9-24 (No heat spreaders)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
68.99
DVD
Samsung Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187
29.99
Total


$487.93


(In case you're wondering, it's mATX because I have a fondness for mATX and plus semi-space-saving / portability is a plus for my friend, but if ATX will make it cheaper then that is okay)



Thanks in advance!

You can probably save some on the PSU. Even 300W would be plenty unless you want sufficent overhead for possible future upgrades.

You can probably go a lot cheaper on the case.

I thought you could go cheaper on a DVDRW too, but I just checked...apparently the days of $20 burners have gone with the days of $2.50/Gb DDR2.

Keep an eye on slickdeals, too.

This post coming to you from Palm Centro™

I got my Antec300 for 50 bux, I bet a MicroATX can be even cheaper.

Someone linked me to this, might be useful to you.

http://www.pcper.com/hwlb.php?guide2=y&guide1=y&guide3=y&guide4=y

Might be useful for finding some better value parts or finding a good base for a system. Seems you can't use their "budget" system as-is as it's over budget, unless your friend is interested in the additional power (you'd still need to get a monitor, dvd drive, case, keyboard, mouse, speakers).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130241
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

I just bought this mobo and processor for $120, including shipping.

I would think you could get a smaller PSU for cheaper. What happened to Lite-On? Used to you could get a burner for like $12.99... Granted they weren't that long lived, but good enough for $13.

I just bought an hec power supply for $30 and if you're willing to sacrifice the number of SATA connectors you can go cheaper.