Budget Computer...

[[JiF]Sly Gambit]

If you're building a budget computer this thread is a great source of info:

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread ... 0&t=553826

The site itself is a great place to scan daily for deals on computers. There's usually 3 or 4 deals a day. Just look for 5 thumbs up deals for computers that match some specs you consider important (2 gig+ memory, 22" widescreen, etc.).

Here's a decent one although I don't know if the deal is still active:

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread ... ht=desktop

Customize this HP Pavilion Media Center m8100y series PC with Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz to reach $1000 - $400 off code DT1055 = $600 with free shipping.
# Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz, 1GB DDR2, GeForce 7500LE Video, 250GB SATA Hard Drive
# LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW, 15-in-1 memory card reader, TV Tuner, No Monitor
# 7.1 channel sound, Works 8.0, HP Keyboard/Mouse, Vista Home Premium

You'd need a monitor but with the $400 you got off the price you could get a great one.

[[JiF]Batman]

Thanks for all the ideas. I am still a bit leary of putting a computer together from scratch though--is there soldering involved?

Would it be better to avoid the Dell outlet stuff? With either one of the gaming PCs from Tiger Direct or building something from scratch being a better option? It would be more upgradable I suppose...
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSale ... 0410&s=dfh

Here is another one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=114

Do I want to get something with core duo? Is AMD better now? Do I need more than 2G RAM?

I'm lost...

Thanks again for the help.

[[JiF]Sly Gambit]

Do I need more than 2G RAM?

You don't 'need' it. In some cases having 4G can slow down the computer in some applications similar to the way bigger hard drives can slow down your ability to read data. I recently upped from 2 to 4 because my memory went on sale. I could only get 3G out of it (Windows XP limitation) but aside from slightly improved load times there isn't much gain.

There are engines that are coming out now that are starting to take advantage of more memory but with so much memory being dedicated to graphics cards it's rare they have to grab the memory from those and excess of 2G from your desktop.

Just make sure when you buy your 2G you're getting 2 1G sticks so that it's easy to upgrade.

[[JiF]Lonewolf]

Thanks for all the ideas. I am still a bit leary of putting a computer together from scratch though--is there soldering involved?

Would it be better to avoid the Dell outlet stuff? With either one of the gaming PCs from Tiger Direct or building something from scratch being a better option? It would be more upgradable I suppose...
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSale ... 0410&s=dfh

Here is another one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=114

Do I want to get something with core duo? Is AMD better now? Do I need more than 2G RAM?

I'm lost...

Thanks again for the help.

There is no soldering involved.

As for one that is already put together like those is that most of the time you can build it yourself cheaper or get better parts for the same price.

Building a PC is mostly just putting screws in place and locking things into their proper slots. The ole is Intel or AMD better is an old argument as in it depends on who you ask. If you ask me I'll tell you to wait till after the first of the year and then get the new MSI board that is coming out as it will accept all of AM2 socket CPUs as well as all FX CPUs and then it will also accept single, dual, triple and quad core CPUs being made by AMD. I have seen the board and its wicked as its suppose to use DDR2 or DDR3 memory which DDR3 isn't out yet.

I am a hardcore AMD guy so I'll you AMD every time but that is also just my opinion and the same with ATI or Nvidia as I'll tell you Nvidia even tho AMD owns ATI. But I will still tell you to build your own PC no matter what way you go as its cheaper and you will get what you want.

[[JiF]Sly Gambit]

I am a hardcore AMD guy so I'll you AMD every time but that is also just my opinion and the same with ATI or Nvidia as I'll tell you Nvidia even tho AMD owns ATI. But I will still tell you to build your own PC no matter what way you go as its cheaper and you will get what you want.

I agree with Lonewolf. It's not really that hard - the trickiest part is making sure you get the correct parts that fit together but that's easy enough when you've got people like Dandy and Lonewolf around here. I think it took me all of an hour to build my computer and it was the first time I ever put one together. The hardest part was making sure all the wires looked neat at the end so if I showed off my computer it wouldn't look like a crazy person's knitting.

You feel better about it too because -you- put it together. Plus if you build it smart it's going to be a lot easier to upgrade. I built mine off of Dandy's specs and have had no problems upgrading.

As for the AMD v. Intel if you're going budget it probably doesn't make any difference.

[[JiF]Lonewolf]

When I got into JiF back in 99 I had bought a Gateway for my first PC like a couple of years before. I had listened to the ones around here and a few other people I know and the in the fall of 99 I built my first PC. Since that time I stand at over 350 PCs built and I have been averaging around 20 PCs a year for the last few years.

Once you build your first one and find out how easy it is it can become a contagious disease if you let it. I usually build 3 to 5 a year just for me depending on how fast I have to upgrade for my review sites.

[[JiF]Batman]

OK

I am starting to lean towards buidling one. It sounds like it might be fun. Thanks again for all the input.

[[JiF]rIot]

OK

I am starting to lean towards buidling one. It sounds like it might be fun. Thanks again for all the input.

It's fun...until you get carried away and realize what you have done after you've already hit "checkout"

[[JiF]Batman]

Just for kicks, I am putting together a list. I know next to nothing, so i don't even know if this stuff will work together...

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131219

Memory:
Hmm don't know what kind of RAM is needed--DDR, DDR2 etc. school me!

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115003

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139004

Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148262

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119137

CD/DVD Drives:
What's good?

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102703

Sound Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829102002

OS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832116202

So now I am at $897 without any DVD drives amd without RAM.

What would you change? Will this all work together? What RAM and drives would you get?

If it is overkill and I could still have a solid system and save some money, that's fine with me too

Do I need cables of some sort? Something to mount the hard drive on etc.? What about USB ports? Are they on the mother board?

Thanks again, I am totally clueless.

[[JiF]Batman]

Also, I am fine with and AMD mother board and CPU combo, I just don't know what any of their numbers mean.

Cheaper is better, I just took a shot in the dark putting together that list--if there places to save money that's fine with me.

If I am totally out to lunch, maybe we could tweak Mikes list of parts with a target of $800 to $900...

[[JiF]rIot]

Id recommend this video card over the ATI

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130290

[[JiF]KellysHero]

Although it isn't available yet, the nVidia 8800 GT might be a better option at around $200. I've linked a review of the card, I'd skip to page 17 to get the conclusions, but they really like the card.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/468/

Also, I haven't looked at motherboards much lately, but you maybe able to find a really good one for a lot less and put the savings into the video card.

[[JiF]Lonewolf]

Although it isn't available yet, the nVidia 8800 GT might be a better option at around $200. I've linked a review of the card, I'd skip to page 17 to get the conclusions, but they really like the card.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/468/

Also, I haven't looked at motherboards much lately, but you maybe able to find a really good one for a lot less and put the savings into the video card.

The card is available at a price from $269 to $299 depending on where you look. Right now it is the card on the market to beat as it passed the 8800GTS and is almost equal to its big brother the 8800GTX and around half the price of the 8800GTX. I for one would spend the money on that card as it is more then well worth its price.

[[JiF]Sly Gambit]

Although it isn't available yet, the nVidia 8800 GT might be a better option at around $200. I've linked a review of the card, I'd skip to page 17 to get the conclusions, but they really like the card.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/468/

Also, I haven't looked at motherboards much lately, but you maybe able to find a really good one for a lot less and put the savings into the video card.

The card is available at a price from $269 to $299 depending on where you look. Right now it is the card on the market to beat as it passed the 8800GTS and is almost equal to its big brother the 8800GTX and around half the price of the 8800GTX. I for one would spend the money on that card as it is more then well worth its price.

Ummm... He's talking about a budget computer. Emphasis on the budget.

I run a 7800GT and can run any game out there. He can buy something along those lines, run it for a year, sell it on Ebay, and then buy the latest 8800 model for $100 less than he would spend today on the same thing. And it's going to take almost that long before games require it.

The last thing you want to do on a budget is go cheap on the MB. That's the one thing you can't just replace on the fly. Remember you want to set him up with something that is going to last a while on a budget and since the main reason you want to build your own is so you know how to upgrade your own make sure that the decisions made emphasize flexibility.

[[JiF]Batman]

Thanks for bringing that up--that is another question I had.

So, when allocating funds, is the priority mother board, CPU, RAM, graphics card?

Do some motherboards come with integrated sound? Would I want one of those?

Thanks again for the help...