I've recently been wondering how cheap of a build I could design that would still be a usable modern computer for anything from gaming (to a certain extent such as Minecraft, TF2, or other games on low settings at around 60 FPS, no Battlefield 3 or anything) to high definition video.
I'm pretty sure I could build one for $250. Because AMD has really nice new APUs. They're the Trinity series, using Radeon 6000 series graphics and dual or quad core processors. APUs are just a combination of the CPU and the GPU into one unit.
Here's a sweet deal I found on a case and an APU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1337562I've decided on a small case because I want this PC to be compact and portable. The APU comes with a fan and a heatsink, as well as the case coming with a fan, so it should run at a reasonable heat. Another fan might be doable.
I've chosen to use a micro ATX motherboard mainly because they're cheap and compact. One will run you around $50 if you know where to look (spoiler alert, it's Newegg)
Newegg has fantastic bundle deals, as well, such as this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1241558As for RAM, I'd probably go with 4-8 GB. Since the Micro ATX motherboards only usually have 2 RAM slots, you'd either go with 2 x 2 GB or 2 x 4 GB, depending on your budget. My budget is nonexistent, and this is just a guide to how one might build a $250 computer if they had $250 to spend which I don't.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130661^ That is an OK motherboard, and it has onboard audio and LAN, so you don't need to buy those separate. I mean, the audio probably sucks, but that doesn't matter too much. I've used integrated sound for the last 5 years without a problem. It doesn't have a DVI output, but there's adapters for that.
Hard drives are tricky to buy. This build only needs a 500 GB one (my opinion), but I can't seem to find any that are much cheaper than $50. Which unfortunately adds to our cost.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148416^This one is only around $30, but it's on sale. It's also only 400 GB. I have a lot of hard drives laying around, but not a lot of people are so lucky.
Back to RAM, 4 GB is fairly cheap on Newegg, so it shouldn't cut into your budget too much.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820814006^ Just one card, though. We probably want 2 x 2 GB but it's got to do because 2 cards is more expensive. Or just buy two of those for 8 GB.
Now all we have left, if my memory serves me, is the PSU. We probably don't need a high wattage, maybe 400-500. This is where you have to be really careful not to screw up, because it could kill you or worse, break your computer.
You don't want to be killed by a generic PSU. Go out with style. Or just make sure you don't plug it in until you've fully assembled it. That's honestly the best solution.
I don't really care to look up PSUs. See you 'round!
-EDIT-
Here's a good brand name PSU with a good wattage for this type of build (I think.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026Total cost for this build with no OS or disk drive:
80
+45
+28
+27
+40
=220, which gives you 30 dollars for shipping, and if stuff stops being on sale, or just $30 to up the RAM/HDD. I'd like to say that I succeeded with this design. Unless I forgot a crucial part, which is likely.
