what would you get today? I know very little about computers, but I'm ready to buy a new one. No monitor or printer, just the computer. I will use it at home. I don't use it for games or anything, just basic internet stuff and of course mp3 files. My current computer is about 10 GB hard drive and 433 mHz. I don't know about the RAM. I have a CD writeable drive that I installed. What I want in my new computer: Around 1 gHz processor, doesn't even have to be that fast. 40 GB hard drive. Suitable RAM for running Adobe Illustrator and internet and an mp3 file at the same time. CD writing drive. I don't need a DVD drive. I don't really have any software requirements, but is it possible to keep Windows 98 instead of ME? I would like to spend around $500 on my new computer if possible. When it comes down to it, is there a way to easily custom build a computer that is dependable and runs well? If that's not the way to go, which is the most dependable brand and which stores are best to buy from. The computer that I have now is a Compaq and I bought it from Best Buy. I've been leaning towards getting an HP this time around. It's funny that I've been reading this board for so many years and I've gotten to the point where I trust so many of your opinions. When I was shopping the other day, I kept thinking about the what everybody on the Clutchcity.net BBS would suggest. Here it is. Thank you.
Yes, building your computer is the way to go, but on a 500 dollar budget, I don't know. Here is a good web site to get you started though, www.hardwareguys.com. Also, I highly recommend the book.
$500 is kind of limited if you want to build you own. I can understand not wanting ME, but I wouldn't want 98 either. If you can come up with another $100 for XP, here's a system I'd recommend: Evercase E4252WEF5, 10-Bay, 300W P4, ATX Mid-Tower Case with Front USB (NU=11127002) 1 Standard Lite On 40X12X48 RTL40125S CD-RW Drive - WHITE Linkskey LKF-5100 10/100 PCI Ethernet Card (NU=33117108) 1 Standard Ambient (Intel) 56K V.92 PCI Modem (NU=25123001) 1 Standard Dynatron DC1206BM-L615 High-End Cooler w/ 5300 RPM Fan (Support Upto 2100+) (NU=35114005) 1 Standard Mitsumi 1.44MB Floppy Drive - WHITE (NU=21103104) 1 Standard Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA133 Hard Drive (NU=22140129) 1 Standard KBTEK 104 Keys PS2 Keyboard with Hand Rest (NU=23119103) 1 Standard Logitech S48 Wheel Mouse - PS/2 (NU=26104119) 1 Standard Multimedia Microphone with Base (NU=36111104) 1 Standard Kingston 128MB DDR PC2100 RAM (NU=20140003) 1 Standard Gigabyte GA-7DX+ AMD 761, ATA100, AC97 Sound Motherboard (NU=13128133) 1 Standard AMD Athlon XP 1800+/266 FSB 256K Processor (NU=19103307) Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OEM (NU=37110003) 1 Standard ATI Radeon 32MB SDR 4X AGP Video Card (NU=14102163) 1 Standard price with options: $598.5 www.nutrend.com
Oh yeah.....I'd spend the extra $31 at nutrend to get 256 MB of Crucial memory instead of the 128 of Kingston.
Here is my suggestion with that budget in mind. ECS K7s5a Mainboard (53.00) with sound and LAN Athlon XP 1800 processor with heatsink, fan and 3 yr warranty (85.00) Lite-On 40x12x48 CDRW (62.00) Maxtop Case w 350W power supply (35.00) Crucial 256MB DDR (67.00) Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse (11.00) Logitech Keyboard (13.00) Seagate Barracuda 40GB (78.00) Diamond 56K modem (14.00) Mitsumi floppy (9.00) ATI Radeon 7500 (64Mb DDR) (51.00) Grand Total before OS: $478.00 + shipping Everything is available at www.newegg.com Hope it helps. This is assuming that you have a strict 500.00 budget and not a penny more. If you could go up to say 6 or 700 then you would be looking at a pentium 4 1.6A with a geforce 4 4200. But for what you are needing I think this system would do it.
yep. the computer runs better and is more stable with the Win2K core. ive never had any problems with generic memory. i dont think ive ever bought anything high end. the low end stuff runs just as fine...but then again im not one of those guys who counts the frame rate when im playing CS
Wow, thanks a lot for the help. I have to admit, that I'm a little nervous to build it myself, but I'll study up on it. For those of you that have built your own computers, is there any common problem that I should look to avoid? I am using the $500 as a guide, because I don't even have that much yet. I am willing to pay more, but not too much more. From the suggestions so far, in what ways should I spend more money if I can? Should I buy a better processor or should I focus on something else? Also, how much would it cost to take either Pole's or Scary's suggestion and have some one else put it together for me. Are there any web sites that I could basically cut and paste those recommendations and they would put it together? Again, I appreciate the help and I enjoying learning something new.
Firecat....the suggestion that I gave you is already built. nutrend builds semi-custom PC's.....they just go about it differently in that they use name brand components, so if you get something from them, you don't have to worry about building it. Plus you get free shipping and a three year warranty.....they're also highly rated on www.pcworld.com I tend to spend less money on things that drop in price quickly....like I'll buy a slower processor or a cheaper video card (not too cheap though) because I know that badass one that I really want will be half the price in just a few months. I tend to spend more on things that will last a long time.....also I put a bigger value on the interface items. Therefore, I'll buy a really nice monitor or nice speakers and a good mouse and keyboard. A really good case is nice because you can keep it for a while, but if you're on a strict budget, that would be the last thing I'd worry about now. Although I don't buy the "best" in anything (except maybe speakers), I try to get better quality motherboards and hard drives as those are things that typically crap out quicker than the other things.
Dell consistently runs promos for good machines meet your requirements for less than $500 delivered. Plus, you'll get minimum 1yr dial up support with next day at home support if you need it. I would not recommend building your own unless you you think you will NEVER need tech support. Plus, if you're not really confident about BYO, chances are you will need extra tech support.
I built my own computer a couple of months ago...here's what I got for $700: Intel P4 - 1.6GHz 256MB RAM 20 GB hard drive Nicest case I've ever had. 32X CD-RW DVD ROM drive You can probably build the same system minus the DVD for $600 or so. That would include the Windows XP operating system.
I would buy a good power supply, if I were you. Go to www.pcpowerandcooling.com. Even their standard power supplies are better than most. The problem is a poor power supply is the cause of so many system crashes. Many attribute the crashes to microsoft, but a power supply is likely to blame. With your budget, I would spend no more no less than 50.00 on one. You could, of course, buy a case that already has a power supply, but normally you won't get even a decent one. In fact, you can have shotty components and a good power supply and your system will be pretty stable. But the best components in the world will crash with a poor power supply. P.S. take this advice.
First of all, if you're not comfortable building one, I'd get someone else to do it - especially if you're on a budget. I remember when I built my first PC, I blew up a mobo and had no idea what was wrong and nearly flung the thing through the window. I've always thought the best way to learn to build a PC is to have one built for you and then upgrade one component at a time as needed. For example, buy your PC, then when you want to buy a hard drive, install that yourself - now you know how to install a hard drive. When you want a better video card, install that - now you know how to install that, etc. Common mistakes : 1) Motherboard jumpers placed wrong or backwards (like the drive lights, switch wires, etc.) 2) Buying a board that has jumpers or is jumperless and have the bus frequencies and clock multipliers all mucked up. The PC may actually boot, but is running slower than it should or, on the other end of the rainbow, you just fried your CPU and it won't boot. 3) Connecting drive cables backwards. (Red line is pin 1. ) 4) Not discharging yourself (ewww) before handling memory and frying it right from the start. 5) Hooking up some of these monster heat sinks to the cpu and breaking the cpu or the motherboard because you exert too much force or buy the wrong heatsink for the job. AMD and Intel just both announced/released their latest CPU offerings and prices have already dropped. This isn't a bad time to buy CPU's. Fast ones are dirt cheap. Oh, and get AMD.
Thanks DOD. I am interested in eventually building a computer, but I want to wait until I have the budget if I screw up. So far, I've only installed CD ROMs and modems on my computers, but I like the idea of doing more. Just not now. Again, I feel like I know much more now about getting a computer than I did two days again. Thanks a lot everyone!
