OK, I built a computer for myself last year and my mother wants me to build her one now as well. So she gave me her card and said order what I need. I remember asking you guys about motherboard issues. I upgraded mine because I use my computer for everything. My question is, can I just buy her a house brand (cheaper) motherboard combo since she's just going to be using it for Word and Excel programs and maybe the Internet? What do I risk if I do purchase her one of these? Also, does anybody know any other Crucial.com coupon codes because bbshare doesn't work anymore.
I've built every computer I've had since 1994, and I've built most of the ones for my family and friends. That being said, I have to agree with Dada........I stopped building entry level systems. I can still save money if I'm building a screamer for myself, but I just can't beat the economies of scale of the big guys anymore--not for the entry level systems.......and not when I'm using non-pirated software.
Dell Outlet has these coupon codes for refurbished Dimension Desktops and Inspiron Notebooks, expiring 10/18. Select a category and sort by price to find the best deals. The question marks are parts of the code. Subject to change without notice. Dimension Desktop Coupon Codes $50 Off $450 Dimension Desktop code FJC?Q774108H0J $100 Off $700 Dimension Desktop code 14DZV5BFC$82CR $150 Off $1200 Dimension Desktop code 5QGDRF3TH6$FVR Inspiron Notebook Coupon Codes $75 Off $800 Inspiron Notebook code JX?94BZXMZGNMP $150 Off $1200 Inspiron Notebook code MJJHX40VN6RJ20 $200 Off $2000 Inspiron Notebook code M8H7PFQ1XGPQ35
Have had 2 Refurbished systems and didn't like them. I can beat their prices with all new equipment anyway.
if you're going to build it yourself, get a mobo from a company with a good reputation. you can find some of these cheaply. stay away from PCCHIPS and anyone else that gives you a bunch of integrated stuff. otherwise, if you go with a good chipset, you should be fine. (everyone follows the same reference chipsent anyhow). Do NOT get a PCChips or SiS chipset. Nvidia, Via, and Intel only. Bad chipsets tend to give you headaches with drivers, stability issues and bad performance. i've built a lot of cheap systems with a biostar kt400 chipset. I think they run ~50. For the proc, durons are nice and cheap but AMD 2500s have dropped to a really affordable ~60-70.
You can do well either buying or building. Stay away from PC Chips motherboards and anything SiS, as huypham said. ECS is a crapshoot. I have one that I bought just because I'd heard a lot of good things about their boards, and I like it well enough, but I have also heard bad things. Fry's has those motherboard-processor deals every week and they are usually very good, but they either come with an ECS mobo or PC Chips. PC Chips is evil. ECS probably would do okay. But if you want to spend a bit more money and get an MSI or Shuttle or something like that, it's not bad. Newegg is your best friend for this stuff, but also check directron and axiontech as they are both in Houston. I just threw together a machine for my father using the Shuttle SK41G small form factor machine. I've built about 35 of that model and they are awesome. You'll pay a bit more, but they are so cool and work so well that the money is often worth it. Plus they're coming down in price. Asus makes a small form factor machine that's pretty cheap -- the Terminator. They also make one called the Terminator 2, which I haven't built. The Terminator is a fine machine, but it's almost as evil as PC Chips. It's a freaking b**** to put it together and take apart. Plus it's got a whole other mess of oddities which just piss me off to no end. I'd stick away from them. How much are you looking to spend?
For a motherboard combo? Really, I wanted to spend less than what I spent on mine. My mobo combo cost about $150.00 and that's because I upgraded to an ASRock mobo (poor man's ASUS) and I love it, haven't had one problem yet. She doesn't need a great motherboard, just a reliable one. So I'm looking to spend less on her's than mine.
axiontech burned down? really? I been there lately, it's still at the same place. Lil Pun, you should be fine with a ~50 kt400 or nforce2 motherboard and a ~60-70 processor. That should get your mom a AMD 2500 + mobo and well under your budget. I also suggest you visit: amamax.com . They're right next to directron, and i like them for cases. Cases aren't really worth mail-ordering cause of shipping, but amamax has a nice, cheap selection.
One of the buildings did, but now that area's a parking lot and they moved into the building behind that.
NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP NOW! My computer, after I just said good things about has began to act up. Everytime I turn it on it shuts COMPLETELY OFF after a few minutes. Why the hell would it do that? I hope it doesn't shut down while typing this message. I can't figure out what it is, I've been using Firefox and I even tried Spybot and Adware and found nothing. Overheating, I know some mobo will automatically shut off your PC if your processor gets too hot? That's all I can think of? Any suggestions, help, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
open that baby up and make sure you have all your fans running... if that's a go, i'm betting software
Does it say anything before powering off or does it just *zap* off? First instinct is power supply . . .
I'll just be in the middle of something and then BAM!!!! Everything except my monitor goes off. Doesn't restart, it powers off! It's getting really frustrating, especially writing these reports and programs for school classes.
Do you have any spare power supplies you can try there? Also (obvious), make certain that all of your power cords are not in danger of being shaken loose or anything. Sometimes it's the most obvious things.
I'm going to shut down and and crack this baby open and see what I can find out. If I don't find anything I'll post again. In the meantime, is this a good mobo: Asrock K7VT6-RAID (6USB 2.0DDR400 - SATA150 RAID & ATA133 ) # Specification Mfr Part Number: K7VT6-RAID # CPU: Socket A (462) for AMD Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron processor ,FSB 400/333/266 MHz # Chipset: North bridge: VIA KT600 , South bridge: VIA 8237 # Memory: Supports DDR400/333/266 ,DIMM slots: 2 ,Max. capacity: 2GB # Expansion Slot: 1 x AGP8X/4X slot , 1.5V / 5 x PCI slots # Audio: Cmedia CMI9761 6 channel AC97 audio codec # LAN: VIA 6103 10/100 Ethernet LAN PHY ,802.3u, WOL supported # Connector: 2 x SeialATA 1.5Gb/s connectors ,2 x ATA 133/100/66 IDE connectors , 1 x Floppy connector ,CPU/Chassis FAN connectors ,20 pin ATX power connector ,IDE LED connector ,CD/AUX audio in header ,Front panel audio connector ,1 x USB 2.0 port pin header ,1 x Gameport header # Rear Panel I/O: 6 x USB2.0 ports # Form Factor: ATX, 305mm x 178mm
Looks quite good. Gets good reviews, and it's got nice specs. Plus, at $42 from Newegg, you can't go wrong. The only negative is that you'll have to but a separate video card. A couple other suggestions: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-473&depa=1 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-135-156&depa=1 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-030&depa=1 The ECS is the same one I have.
looks like a really nice mobo. but remember, to do dual channel (unless i'm completely mistaken) you need 2 memory modules. so 2x256 for 512 and maximizing dual channel memory. you don't HAVE to, but it seems like a waste to have it on a motherboard and not use it.
