The Best PCs for Under $1000: How Low Can They Go?

Building Blocks

If you're technically savvy, you can build a powerful new system for far less than a thousand bucks. And you may be able to save even more money by upgrading your current computer into the system of your dreams.

Building From Scratch

Building a PC isn't a task to undertake lightly. You're your own tech support, your computer's parts come with shorter warranties, and you can't blame anyone else if something goes wrong. That said, assembling your own system can be extremely satisfying: You decide which peripherals go in, you become very knowledgeable about your PC, and (best of all) you can save lots of cash.

If you opt to build a PC, you must first pick a processor. You can find versions of Intel's Celeron and AMD's K6-2 chips for around $100. Web sites such as PriceWatch let you compare the costs of all your components from various sources.

Beware the lowest-priced chips, though: OEM chips ship to PC makers first, who then build them into complete PCs. By the time you buy one, these chips are shop-worn and are more likely to fail than a brand-new unit in a shrink-wrapped box. Worse, many OEM chips carry a meager 15-day warranty.

You'll also need a motherboard, and it's a good idea to purchase the motherboard from the same company where you buy the processor. If you're building a Celeron system, using jumperless boards (such as those made by Abit) will allow you to configure all the settings through software. Otherwise, look for name brands like ASUS, Intel, or SuperMicro. And make sure you get a warranty of no less than one year.

When shopping for a motherboard, make sure the one you buy has enough expansion card slots--a pair of 16-bit ISA slots, at least three 32-bit PCI slots, and at least two RAM sockets. If you plan to install a new AGP graphics card, make sure the board has an Accelerated Graphics Port.

You'll also need to buy the right type of RAM. If your motherboard runs at 100 MHz, it requires PC-100 memory to function properly. A 64MB PC-100 memory DIMM costs about $60; a 128MB DIMM costs about twice that. (Memory prices can fluctuate daily, so if the price seems a bit high when you go shopping, wait a few days for prices to settle.)

With your PC's remaining components, you have a lot of leeway. Get the largest-capacity hard drive you can afford. CD-ROM and floppy drives (priced at around $40 and $15, respectively) are so inexpensive and reliable you needn't worry much about the brand you choose. The same goes for input devices such as keyboards and mice: Simple ones are cheap, but you can opt for ergonomic and wheeled species for a few bucks extra.

Sound and video card prices vary widely, depending on their abilities. If you get a kick out of multimedia or games, you'll want to splurge on more expensive units. But for general business, schoolwork, or Internet use, the low-cost stuff will get the job done.

Stripping Out an Old PC

If you've got a Pentium II system you're looking to overhaul, adding a speedier CPU, more RAM, or a faster video card can be cheap.

On the other hand, if you're starting with a Pentium 60 or slower system, just salvage your hard drive, CD-ROM and floppy drives, your monitor, and your input devices--and build around those pieces. Check out PC World Online's Upgrade Guide for detailed information on how to soup up your existing system.

Building or upgrading a PC is no trivial matter, but it's not brain surgery, either. And if you do it right, you can acquire maximum power for your PC at a minimal price.

--Joel Strauch