Sub 150 euro PC challenge

Giveaway

My trust raspberry pi has functioned well as a work laptop, and as a wall mounted entertainment unit for music and light browsing. Netflix performance is poor and requires a convoluted work around.
After seeing a new athlon is on the way i was wondering about putting together a small pc, mainly with old discounted components. I look forward to your recommendations
What is your budget? [€150

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Light browsing. music, netflix, 1080p tv attached. Some older games or turn based strategy such as Panzer Corps, unity of command or Order of Battle series



3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Yes/No]
no. will use Ubuntu

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? old DDR3 ram in older computer. may scavenge psu. absolutely hate the case. hard drives already salvaged and put in other computer


5. Do you need a monitor? No

5a. If yes, what size do you need. [19'/20'/22'/24'/etc.]



5b. If no, what resolution is your current monitor and do you plan to upgrade in the near future? [1920x1080/1440x900/etc.] 1920x1080. no upgrade plans

6. Do you need any of these peripherals?Good with usb mouse keyboards combo.. wireless usb network card or motherboard equivalent required

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? No

8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser]
All

9. When are you purchasing? [In x days]
no great rush

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? Midlands

K.O.Kiki

Go on adverts and look for machine with Core i3 or Core i5 CPU; you can get things like these in-budget:

https://www.adverts.ie/desktops/dell-optiplex-7010/16244446
https://www.adverts.ie/desktops/lenovo-thinkcentre-edge-72/16336950
https://www.adverts.ie/desktops/optiplex-3020/16096474
https://www.adverts.ie/desktops/lenovo-e73-4th-gen-i3-4170-8gb-500gb/16258664


Or look around for Lenovo M73 Tiny, which is much smaller but requires laptop SO-DIMM memory
https://www.adverts.ie/desktops/media-lenovo-m73-tiny-core-i3-1-tb/16284646
https://www.adverts.ie/desktops/media-lenovo-m73-tiny-core-i3-1-tb/16209518

Giveaway

thank you for your reply Kiki,
they are all very good suggestions, but more looking to assemble a pc for the first time

K.O.Kiki

Giveaway wrote: »

thank you for your reply Kiki,
they are all very good suggestions, but more looking to assemble a pc for the first time

You're not going to find enough parts to build for 150eur lol
*edit* ok, not easily anyway.

So just for fun, I tried to spec out the lowest-cost machine, with used parts, that I could.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (€38.00)
CPU Cooler: Scythe - BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B 45.5 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (€20.00)
Motherboard: Intel - DH61WWB3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard (€32.00)
Memory: Patriot - Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For €0.00)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (€12.00)
Case: Inwin - MANA136 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case
Other: Intel DH61WW
Other: 500Gb SATA Hard Drive
Other: Intel Core i5-3470 (3.2Ghz) LGA1155
Other: Scythe Big Shuriken 2B low profile CPU Cooler
Other: Zoostorm InWin Mana 136 Black Mid Tower Case, ATX, M-ATX, M-ITX (€33.00)
Other: FSP Group FSP300-60GHN 300W ATX Desktop Computer Power Supply 80/85 Plus (€22.00)
Total: €157.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-09-23 01:23 IST+0100

Problems with the above:

• The HDD is likely to be loud & slow
• CPU cooler unlikely to have thermal paste (additional expense)
• No idea how loud the PSU is
• Every part is used (apart from case)
• RAM not included in price

TerrorFirmer

It can be done but it's a huge pain in the ass as you'd have to search around pretty widely to get everything you need on that budget.

Way easier to just buy something like an i3-2120 based machine on Ebay for 80E and bang in a 2nd hand GTX750Ti or similar for around E60, job done and would play even the latest strategy games reasonably OK.

Inquitus

You need to go trawling through adverts and ebay for this, see whats out there, see what you can fit together compatibility wise, its certainly not something that can be done with new components. Advice above is good, as shown, adverts has some decent value old stuff you could jam a passable GPU into.