Want to Build a Cheap Ubuntu PC

[adityaparikh1]

Hello everyone!

I want to build a cheap(under $300) Ubuntu desktop PC for standard home usage like Google Chrome, LibreOffice, movie watching, flash-based internet games etc etc. Nothing too hard core. My multitasking needs include having upto 8 tabs open on Google Chrome with LibreOffice running as well. I also do not need a need a CD or DVD drive on the PC, I plan to install Ubuntu via USB. What specs and/or parts do you recommend for this PC I plan on building.

Thanks!

[adityaparikh1]

Also I would like to make sure that the specifications are good enough that my needs will be met for about 5 years of life on the PC and the PC's specs stays at a good speed for 5 years.

[kgarbutt]

Hey adity,

Check out Ubuntu on a dime. Look for it in your local library. He builds a computer for about $200 & puts Ubuntu on it.

http://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Dime-Path-Low-Cost-Computing/dp/1430219726

Best of luck.

[MAFoElffen]

Hello everyone!

I want to build a cheap(under $300) Ubuntu desktop PC for standard home usage like Google Chrome, LibreOffice, movie watching, flash-based internet games etc etc. Nothing too hard core. My multitasking needs include having upto 8 tabs open on Google Chrome with LibreOffice running as well. I also do not need a need a CD or DVD drive on the PC, I plan to install Ubuntu via USB. What specs and/or parts do you recommend for this PC I plan on building.

Thanks!Tip-- I volunteer at a Non-profit Computer Recycler. We breath new life into old PC's by selecting hardware that meets a certain specification, testing that hardware and making sure it will run Linux distributions and those distribution's opensource software suit. We usually get most of those PC's reconditioned and price them complete with installed software, tweaked and tuned, monitor, keyboard and mouse for $80 to $300... depending on the type & speed of the processor.

Maybe you could find a computer recycler in your area that is doing something similar?

[adityaparikh1]

What kind of performance will I get from the following parts?

Intel Celeron E3400 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116348)
Biostar G41D3C Micro ATX Motherboard with with Intel GMA X4500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138315)
Wintec 4GB DDR3 RAM 1333MHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161456)
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800AAJS 80GB 7200RPM 3GB/s HDD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136195)
Athena Power CA-1015CR30 Micro ATX Computer Case 300W Power Supply w/ 2 Fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811192089)

Click on links to go to full details

Am I forgetting any parts?

[adityaparikh1]

Also, I am considering a better Hard Drive that has 32MB of cache and am also considering a Core 2 Duo processor, the E7500 processor?

[Frogs Hair]

What kind of performance will I get from the following parts?

Intel Celeron E3400 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116348)
Biostar G41D3C Micro ATX Motherboard with with Intel GMA X4500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138315)
Wintec 4GB DDR3 RAM 1333MHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161456)
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800AAJS 80GB 7200RPM 3GB/s HDD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136195)
Athena Power CA-1015CR30 Micro ATX Computer Case 300W Power Supply w/ 2 Fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811192089)

Click on links to go to full details

Am I forgetting any parts?

A 300W power supply will severely limit what graphics cards you could use if you choose to add one.

[adityaparikh1]

A 300W power supply will severely limit what graphics cards you could use if you choose to add one.

What kind of performance would I get with the onboard graphics? And how much wattage do you recommend for w/ graphics card?