1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

picking out a comp

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by fba34, Sep 11, 2003.

  1. fba34

    fba34 Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2001
    Messages:
    2,361
    Likes Received:
    405
    need help from all you computer gurus and DoD

    Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz System
    CPU Intel Pentium 4 2.4G FSB533 Retail
    Case 350W Pentium 4 w/ Side USB/AUD
    Motherboard Biostar U8668 Motherboard
    Memory 256M DDRAM PC 2100
    Hard Drive 80GB Seagate 7200RPM Ultra
    CDROM LG 8523 52X24X52 CDBurner
    Floppy 3.5" Mitsumi Floppy Drive
    Video On Board
    Sound On Board
    Network 100/10 Network Card
    Keyboard Etitech Windows Keyboard
    Mouse PS/2 Scroll Mouse
    Speakers 180W PMPO Multimedia HI-FI
    Software Norton 2003 Package, All Drivers
    Price US$550
    Warranty One Year Peace of Mind

    is this fair?
     
    #1 fba34, Sep 11, 2003
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2003
  2. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 1999
    Messages:
    36,288
    Likes Received:
    26,645
    It doesn't appear to have a CD burner which you may regret not getting. I assume it comes with an operating system, but you never know with some of the machines not coming from a major manufacturer.

    Otherwise, it seems reasonable, but what you ought to do is go to various computer manufacturer web sites and configure machine similar to what you are getting. You'll quickly see if it is a reasonable price.

    www.dell.com
    www.sony.com
    www.hp.com
     
  3. JPM0016

    JPM0016 Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2003
    Messages:
    4,470
    Likes Received:
    43
    i would recommend more RAM, at least 512
     
  4. fba34

    fba34 Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2001
    Messages:
    2,361
    Likes Received:
    405
    but it does have a cd burner.
     
  5. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 1999
    Messages:
    36,288
    Likes Received:
    26,645
    Whoops, I stopped after seeing CDROM.
     
  6. Buck88

    Buck88 Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2001
    Messages:
    938
    Likes Received:
    20
    Hey fba34,

    I'm in the market as well, where are you getting this deal from?
     
  7. fba34

    fba34 Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2001
    Messages:
    2,361
    Likes Received:
    405
    from a shop in canada.
    the selling price is $650 can. 15% tax puts it about $750 can.
    which is about US$550.
     
  8. JPM0016

    JPM0016 Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2003
    Messages:
    4,470
    Likes Received:
    43
    that's pretty cheap. I got a HP about 2 years ago that was similar to that except twice the price. The only difference is the amount of RAM really. One of my friends has a computer with 256 RAM that has been running slow, that's why i recommended an upgrade to 512.
     
  9. fba34

    fba34 Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2001
    Messages:
    2,361
    Likes Received:
    405
    yeah.

    buck.
    another 256 memory costs can$ 58.

    waiting for DoD's approval......
     
  10. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 1999
    Messages:
    36,288
    Likes Received:
    26,645
    I just got the following from HP:

    2.4 Ghz with 800 mhz front side bus.
    120 GB hard drive
    512 MB Ram upgradeable to 4 GB (PC 2700)
    DVD-ROM
    DVD+RW(4x)/CD-RW
    Personal Video Recorder
    GeForce 5200 128MB video card
    6 card memory card reader
    6 USB 2.0 ports
    2 firewire ports
    Usual network stuff (modem, NIC)
    17" Flat panel LCD monitor
    HP 5150 printer

    $1500 after $200 rebate.
     
  11. fba34

    fba34 Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2001
    Messages:
    2,361
    Likes Received:
    405
    cool bobrek. thanks for looking around for me.

    but too fancy. i'm studying, so on a budget. therefore can't indulge in the dvd drives and the super sexy flat moniters.

    this is strictly for engineering programs and asia carrera clips off kazaa.
     
  12. Buck88

    Buck88 Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2001
    Messages:
    938
    Likes Received:
    20
    I know I'm trying to find a decent system for around $800 and its tough....that and I'm knida picky.
     
  13. codell

    codell Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2002
    Messages:
    19,312
    Likes Received:
    715
    Man, thats a pretty decent price.

    I remember back a few years ago when you couldn't even get a 128K mem stick for less than $120.
     
  14. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 1999
    Messages:
    36,288
    Likes Received:
    26,645
    Actually, that's just what I bought myself. You ought to check out Dell. I believe they have student discounts.
     
  15. fba34

    fba34 Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2001
    Messages:
    2,361
    Likes Received:
    405
    i still gotta plunk some money down for a monitor.

    intel p4, celeron and AMDs.
    anybody wanna give me a quick crash course on the difference in performance and cost? also which is best for value?
     
  16. Supermac34

    Supermac34 President, Von Wafer Fan Club

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2000
    Messages:
    7,110
    Likes Received:
    2,457
  17. ipaman

    ipaman Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2002
    Messages:
    13,208
    Likes Received:
    8,046
    not a bad price. but i personally would never buy a motherboard with on board everything. just my 2 cents.
     
  18. 3d-homer

    3d-homer Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2003
    Messages:
    53
    Likes Received:
    1
    I wouldn't recommend anything with video onboard. It will use the resources on you motherboard to power the video, so you'd want to go with more RAM for sure.

    Also if you're ordering this thing online, check out www.resellerratings.com. They allow people to rate online resellers, you'll get some good horror stories, but also some good info about the company you're ordering from.

    I build my own machines now, but the my first one I got through Dell. Thier customer service has been great. I've had 2 things go out on my PC and they have replaced them with no questions asked.
     
  19. Supermac34

    Supermac34 President, Von Wafer Fan Club

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2000
    Messages:
    7,110
    Likes Received:
    2,457
    Did you know that Dell has started outsourcing all of their customer service to India? I thought that was a big competitive advantage for them (cust. service) but now they are just throwing it away. I guess the cost savings is worth it.
     
  20. StupidMoniker

    StupidMoniker I lost a bet

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2001
    Messages:
    16,172
    Likes Received:
    2,825
    Intel has the most cutting edge stuff, but you have to pay for it.
    AMD Athlon gives you more bang for your buck, but generally tails a little in performance.
    Celeron (Intel) and Duron (AMD) are lowest in cost, but also are lacking in functionality (most glaringly in cache).
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now