Updated 02-27-2010
$250 Computer Upgrade Parts List
If you already have a computer and would like to upgrade it, this is a great starting point.
This computer upgrade uses the same basic components as the $500 computer. The difference is that you don't have to buy the hard drive, DVD drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse. If you want to upgrade your computer, you already have these components as part of your current computer. The externals are universal and standard so your monitor, keyboard and mouse will work without any problems. The hard drive and DVD from your existing computer can be either IDE or SATA. Both the Intel and AMD motherboards have for 2 IDE controllers and 4 SATA II controllers.
The reason for replacing your case is that a lot of computers you buy pre-built come with a non standard case and power supply. Replacing the case and power supply get rids of any compatibility problems and gives you a fresh start, while saving you money vs building completely from scratch with new drives and externals.
|
The Processor (CPU)
|
|
Intel Socket 775
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Intel Pentium E5300 Wolfdale 2.6GHz |
$67.99 |
We have chosen a solid performing CPU. This CPU will keep your system speedy for years to come without braking the bank. It's a dual core which means you can have multiple things going on at once and it will split the load between the 2 CPU cores. It's like having 2 CPU's in 1 and it's a must going forward. Check out the CPU component lesson for more on CPU features and specifications to look for. |
AMD Socket AM3
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AMD Athlon X2 250 3GHz |
$64.00 |
For the AMD based system we have also chosen a solid performer. You may notice the speed in megahertz is faster than the Intel CPU. 3GHz vs 2.5GHz for the Intel. This will result in about equal performance to the Intel CPU, but slightly less. Check out the CPU component lesson for an explanation of this performance difference. This CPU is also dual core, like the Intel, so it's a solid performer for you every day tasks. |
The Motherboard
Choose your motherboard depending on if you want an Intel or AMD CPU.
Intel Socket 775
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L |
$64.99 |
This motherboard has a great reputation for being very stable. Supports a max of 8GB of RAM. Has on-board networking and sound. It's the perfect platform for building a basic, do pretty much anything very well, computer. |
AMD Socket AM2/AM2+
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ASRock K10N78M |
$54.99 |
For the AMD based system we've chosen a motherboard with better features than the Intel based motherboard above and yet it is slightly less expensive than the Intel option. This is the norm for Intel vs. AMD systems. The AMD specific motherboard is less expensive than the Intel. The reason for this is Intel CPUs have higher performance than AMD CPUs. So AMD CPUs and motherboards are priced less to make up for this performance gap. This motherboard supports 8GB of RAM and has on-board video. The on-board sound and networking are comparable to the Intel based motherboard. |
RAM (Memory)
The RAM Memory speed needs to match what the motherboard can handle. DDR2 800 or 1066
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| For both Intel and AMD based Systems | |||
|
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 |
$52.99 |
This RAM Memory is for both Intel and AMD based motherboards. | |
Video card: Optional for 3D gaming performance
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB |
$64.99 |
The AMD motherboard has an on-board video adapter that is all you need for web based games and other 2D games. You can add an optional video card to improve the performance of 3D games. The Intel motherboard doesn't have on board video so you will need a video card. This is the best bang for you buck video card under $75. See the video card component lesson for what a video card is with definitions of features. To turn this $500 computer into a gaming computer you can get one of the video cards listed in the $800 gaming computer list. |
Case and Power Supply
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-330-KKR1 |
$59.99 |
This case is very similar to the case we used in the 2007 videos and still recommend today. It cools extremely well and is very quiet. See the case and power supply video lesson for features and specifications to look for in a custom computer case. This case has room for 4 DVD drives, 5 hard drives and 1 extra, 120mm cooling fan. |
Cooling Fans
|
Description |
Where to Buy |
Price |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Scythe SY1225SL12M 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan |
$8.99 |
The case we recommend above has 1, 120mm fan and space for one more at the front of the case. To keep your hard drives cool and bring in cool air for all of your components we recommend this fan. This Scythe 120mm cooler is very quiet, which will help keep down the noise level of your computer. |
Sound and Network - included on the motherboard
The motherboard include sound and network adapters so you don't need to buy a separate add on card.
For a PCI computer sound card comparison see the computer sound card component video lesson.
For more on the Network card component see the Modem and Network card component video lesson.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
