PLZ HELP....Buying a new PC

W

wkusigep460

New Member
:confused:
Hey everyone,

I hope your holidays were as enjoyable as mine. I got a little money and some gift cards, and now I wanna spend it on a new computer. I was originally going to upgrade, but figured I would get my money's worth out of buying a new one.

Ok, here is a list of some specs that I wish to have on my PC"

Flat screen monitor
Fast processor
At least 80 GB Hard drive
512 MB Ram or higher
Windows XP OS

So, that's some of the stuff I want to have on my new PC. I will mainly use it for music downloading, music playing, photo and video editing, and internet use. I am really unknowledgable in the field of buying a new pc. I need all the help I can get. PLEASE HELP ME. Money IS somewhat of an issue...I really don't want to spend more than $600, but if I must, not too much over.

So, where and WHAT should I buy. Please help me out on this one and do not skip over it. Happy Holidays!
 
for this sort of thread there can only be on reply... newegg.com! lol it basically features in every hardware thread on this site and for good reason too
 
well he doesnt have the knowledge to build his own, so a company like dell isnt a bad idea. He also doesnt need the computer to do alot.
 
A $300 machine (since the LCD and the OS chew out the rest really) is doable but it's gonna be crap ... you might consider the upgrade route rather than a new machine
 
Like Praetor said you not going to get a good comptuer for that price but if you really need a computer for that price here are the options. ( I leaving a little over $300 for OS and LCD I dont spec those things)

AMD Option

AMD Sempron 64 2600+ Palermo 800MHz $64
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104249
GIGABYTE GA-K8VM800M Socket 754 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX $54
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128262
Fujiplus FP-FX5200 Geforce FX5200 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X $30 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814168002
rosewill 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820223009
Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JB 80GB 7200 RPM $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144122
linkworld 431-10 C2228 Black & Silver Steel(18A 430watts) $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164063
LITE-ON White 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106007

Total: $283

Intel Option

Intel Celeron D 326 Prescott 533MHz LGA 775 EM64T $77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819112207
GIGABYTE GA-8I915ME-GL Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 915GL $66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128304
Video integrated but PCI-E 16X slot available when have money $0
rosewill 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820223009
Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JB 80GB 7200 RPM $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144122
linkworld 431-10 C2228 Black & Silver Steel(18A 430watts) $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164063
LITE-ON White 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106007

Total: $278

With Intel you stuck using the intergrated graphics for now GMA900 but you have a PCI-E 16X slot for future upgrade. With the AMD you only have a AGP slot so future upgrade not as doable. Also The intel uses a newer skt so there more upgrade options there.
 
OK, but what about...

Ok, so here's another thing I forgot to mention....
Along with my $600 budget, I have quite a bit of gift cards to Best Buy (so shopping there to get my computer is a highly considered option), I already have a DVD/CD burner, I installed more RAM on my old computer which I think I can transfer over to my new one (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong on that), and no, I do NOT know how to build my own, nor think I have the capacity to do so. Keep the replies coming please!!!!
 
I do NOT know how to build my own, nor think I have the capacity to do so.
Click to expand...
You dont have to do it yourself (even though its your own lack of confidence that keeps you from being able to do it ... just like driving exams ... they may seem daunting to some people who are about to take them but then we realize how many people on the road dont know how to drive :P) But my point is, you can also consider taking a specifcation like above and taking it to a small computer store and have them build it for you :)
 
Tigerdirect:
System:
Wintergreen Ariana
Intel Pentium 4 3GHz
512MB DDR
80GB HDD
DVD±RW Dual-Layer
10/100Mbps LAN
Windows XP Home

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1428269&Sku=N52-1296 $450

I don't know if you mean Flat screen crt or LCD

BestBuy:
CRT:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat56900050018&id=1125465741952 After rebate: $130

Total 450+130 = $580 US
__________________________________________________________

Bestbuy:
LCD:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...cat01013&type=product&cmp=++&id=1112808996987 $200

Total 450+200 = $650 US
 
Last edited:
compaq is the best i think beacause the come loaded
Click to expand...
Actually it's probably the opposite, they are one of the worst, usually they use not the best parts and last I checked they are all proprietary (they probably weened away from that now though).
 
Will you help me?

OK, so from what I gather, BUILDING your own computer is the cheapest route to go. Will you (the people replying to this post) PLEASE assist me in not only ordering EVERYTHING I need/want on my computer, but also in the building aspect of it too. THANKS, and keep the replies coming!
 
OK, but...

OK, first things first.

I was thinking about upping my budget to $800 and was wondering what would be the best route to go, or are they about the same. (AKA, how do I get my money's worth???)

There is a Dell that I am interested in:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DE51RF1&s=dhs

So, which is better, build my own (with your assistance of course) or opt for the Dell that practically comes in one piece???? Remember, I have just increased my budget to $800, and I still want everything mentioned before, including a flat panel monitor (and this Dell has a free 19" that comes with it). So, what's the verdict????? Again, thanks for the replies and keep them coming!
 
wkusigep460 said:
There is a Dell that I am interested in:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DE51RF1&s=dhs
Click to expand...

If you would perfer not to build your self then that decent but you could get a better computer building your self. here a example this is ment to show how dell not the best deal so dont go buy this. If you decide to build your self we should also look at the amd route before making final decisions.

Here a computer better then dell with windows and LCD 19"

Intel Pentium 4 630 Prescott 800MHz $172
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116198
ASUS P5LD2-VM Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945G Micro ATX $106
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131545
Intergrated with free pci-EX16 slot $0
G.SKILL Extreme 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231041
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L200S0 200GB 7200 RPM $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822140168
LITE-ON White 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106007
LOGISYS Computer Area 51 $34(450Watts 24A PSU) $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811148022
Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM $94
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16837102059
Fujiplus 19" 12ms LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 600:1 0.264mm $200 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005

Total $780

This computer would be much easier to upgrade and with the double ram and better harddrive it beats the dell in performance just like it is.
 
Last edited:
OK,

So, let's GET STARTED, shall we. I think I do want to build my own computer (as long as I can be assured nobody will leave me stranded). Just remember that I am a first time builder!! OK, what's the first step?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top