A Budget PC Under Rs 25,000

Since the last time we did this article, the shift to dual-core processors has been near-complete. Single core processors have become virtually extinct, and with prices of powerful dual-core processors dropping below Rs 3,500, you don't need to consider anything else.

Another trend is that AMD is being replaced by a series of cheaper Intel C2D budget processors offering very good value for money. Keeping all this in mind, we present to you our latest iteration of the Rs 25,000 machine. As usual, wherever prices/specs have remained unchanged, we have simply carried the products forward.


CPU: Intel E2140

The E2140 is a very good CPU at its price point. This scaled-down C2D offers 1 MB L2 cache, runs at a FSB of 800 MHz, and has a clock speed of 1.6 GHz. Compared to a standard C2D these specs may seem rather cut-down, but this allows the processor to run much cooler. Those who like to tweak their systems can easily overclock the processor by pushing the FSB higher. Since it’s based on the Intel C2D system, it supports 64-bit processing and runs on the same 65nm core. We recommend this highly as the base of any budget system.


Motherboard: Biostar GF7050V-M7

Biostar is a no-nonsense motherboard maker and while its products don’t enjoy the same popularity as (say) an Asus or an Intel original, the company still manages to offer some excellent VFM products. The GF7050V-M7 is one such. Based on Nvidia’s GeForce 7050 / nForce 610i chipset, it offers full support for Intel’s C2D processor and comes with a single PCIe 16x slot, 1 PCIe x1 slot, 8 USB slots, 2 PCI slots, and 4 SATA 2 (3.0 GB) slots along with the token IDE connector. For further details, see this page.

RAM: Kingston DDR2 800 MHz (2 sticks of 1 GB RAM Each)


RAM prices have been going further south and it's time to take advantage of this. At least 2 GB of system memory is absolutely vital nowadays with the increased size and requirements of software. Kingston has been making quality RAM sticks for a long time. Now available with a 5-year warranty, it’s perfect for our machine.





Graphics: Onboard (GeForce 7050 Chipset)

The GeForce 7050 chipset, introduced last year, is currently among the fastest available onboard graphical solutions for Intel-based systems. It's Vista-compatible, can scale up to 512 MB of VRAM (taken from system memory) and easily allows for low-level gaming. For further details on the different types of variations in this chipset, see here.

Sound: Onboard (5.1 Realtek ALC662 Audio Codec)Onboard audio has, over the years, rapidly increased in its quality of output and standard support. The codec used here is the ALC662, which is 7.1 capable and even supports S/PDIF output. This makes this chipset a great bargain as it offers excellent audio quality output and does it for free.

LAN: Onboard 10/100/1000 This is the standard Gigabit onboard 10/100/1000 LAN that gives a maximum transfer speed of 1000 Mbps. It's fast enough to take care of your broadband internet (most users have a connection speed of 256 Kbps or 512 Kbps).







HDD: Seagate 160 GB SATA II

Built on the SATA II platform, this drive has adequate storage. With its price now under Rs 2,500 the drive is not only affordable but can also easily hold all your movies and songs.

Optical Drive: Lite-On LH-20A1P

The market for ODDs has become totally VFM, with prices of blanks dropping to an all-time low. This is one segment where a single company’s lead has remained unchallenged for quite a while. The brand is Liteon, whose products have come to define and set the standards for others to follow. The LH20A1P is Liteon's first 20x DVD-RAM drive. It supports 20x for DVD±R, 8x for DVD±R DL, 8x for DVD+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 12x for DVD-RAM and 48x for CD-R.






Monitor: Viewsonic VA1930WM

This is a 19-inch widescreen monitor that has a native resolution of 1440x900, offers an excellent response time of 5ms, and has a great 700:1 contrast ratio. It is among the cheapest widescreens available and is just right for our machine.


Keyboard & Mouse: Microsoft Optical Keyboard and Mouse Set

Microsoft makes excellent keyboard and mice that are sturdy and can be used for long hours. At just Rs 695, this is an excellent buy.Cabinet: Zebronics Bijli With 400W SMPS

Zebronics is an Indian company that offers a variety of PC components such as PSU/cabinets, co-branded motherboards, and graphic cards. The products are a cut above the normal budget range, and far more reliable. The cabinet we have chosen comes with a 400W PSU and offers adequate cooling, all in a sturdy design.

Speakers: Creative SBS 370

This has been our favorite for a long time. The best part, it comes with a woofer for that thumping bass and gives you good sound quality for the price. The satellites are powered at 5 watts RMS each and the subwoofer is powered at 11 watts RMS.





Specification Components Model Price (Rupees)
Processor Intel E2140 2,975
Motherboard Biostar GF7050V-M7 3,350
RAM Kingston DDR2 800 MHz 2,200
Sound Onboard 5.1 Realtek ALC662 audio codec N/A
LAN Onboard, 10/100/1000 N/A
Graphics Onboard Nvidia GeForce 7050 N/A
Optical Drive Lite-On LH-20A1P 1,275
Hard Disk Seagate 160 GB 2,275
Monitor Viewsonic VA1930WM 9,450
Keyboard/Mouse Microsoft Keyboard and Optical Mouse Set 695
Case Zebronics Bijli i648 (400W PSU) 1,550
Speakers Creative SBS 370 1,200
Total Rs. 24,970


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