the cheapest skeleton configuration

[fastc0der]

My friend has an unlimited but 256kbps connection and he is hardly around his new system. He wants to put it to use and now wants to buy a second hand system so that he can use it download for almost 24/7.He and I after scavenging around found the lowest price for a second system around 7k. Now we thought instead of buying an old system why not buy basic barebone new parts for a low price.
Can anyone mention the reliable,minimum cost for

-cpu(lowest priced)
-mobo(preferably with onboard lan)
-ram(as minimum as possible)

He already has an old cabinet and harddisk, so thats all we need, no keyboard,no mouse.....you get the picture..
Intended software to run are:
-xp (nlited version with shedded weight)
-utorrent( well it'll be a torrent box)

[utsav]

at least 512MB ram is must

[QwertyManiac]

^^
HUH!? LOL!

128 MB RAM would suffice for XP with everything stripped and unwanted services stopped - Rs. (500-750)
An AMD Sempron or an Intel Celeron low end processor (Old stuff, might be hard to find in the market) - Rs. (1-2k)
Dont know about AMD motherboards but its got to be 845 for Intel. - Rs. (2-2.5k)

This would pretty damn sure come in below 7k. And would run uTorrent smoothly enough, provided you don't load up a HUGE list of torrents into its queue.

[shady_inc]

http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66140

My suggestion::neither 128 nor 512.Go for 256 mb RAM!!:p

CPU: Celeron maybe.

[utsav]

when u gonna use it for internet 128MB will slow down the pc

[Hackattack]

As you will be running it 24/7 go for a Branded RAM 128/256 (only 100-200 Rs. Diff)-Transcend would be a good choice. ~700/900

Same goes for the Mobo- get a Reputed one, Umm, low end i see only MSI-via mobo, if its available, else go for Asrock. ~2500

CPU -Celeron would be a good choice. ~1200

[ashnik]

AMD AM2 config

mobo
Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 2300

CPU
Sempron 3000+ 1400
Athlon 64 X2 4000+ 3050

RAM
TranscendDDR 2 512 MB Rs.850

with this u might need a new SMPS, due to 24-pin power cable to mobo. abt 500-650 bucks..
But u can try ur old 20 pinned..most systems run...
u decide