building a new system for my brother: comments?

[Unbornchicken]

I am building a new computer system for my brother for graduation from high school.

I plan on using the following components: (price cap of 2000 total)
=========================================
Samsung 30.7GB IDE drive (already bought, paid for, and in use by him in another computer)
two 60GXP 40GB IBM drives striped with a promise ata100 RAID controller
Epox 8k7a mainboard
1.330MHz Athalon 266fsb
256MB (2-128MB) PC2100 DDR DIMMS
GF2 Ultra 64MB
Turle Beach Santa Cruz sound
Samsung 19" 900NF monitor
16X Toshiba DVDROM
12X Plexwriter
Intel Etherexpress Pro 10/100
Samsung floppy
all contained in an Antec SX840
Klipsch 4.1 Promedia speakers

I figured out that i can get this for JUST OVER 2000 dollars shipped, and i figured that i could
probably save a little bit when ordering items together or from hot deals here

Let me know what you all think, and/or if changes should be made to make it a more pleasureable
system for him.

-egg

 

[Unbornchicken]

umm, btw: that should read "512MB (2-256MB) PC2100 DDR DIMMS"

 

[Rainguy]

Most of it looks fine but, I think the Samsung monitors suck big time. Lots of complaints and returns by my customers. Go Viewsonic instead.

 

[Unbornchicken]

viewsonic PF790?

 

[Unbornchicken]

too much money.. i really dont want to spend much (if anything) over 400 shipped. the other two (samsung/viewsonic) fall within that..

on the other hand, yes, i agree, and if it were my system, i would probably skimp on something lik the memory and get the sony.. (of course, you know i would just end up overspending and making up for it later.. )

 

[RossMAN]

The Samsung 900NF is a fine monitor, stick with it or get a Dell P991/Sony G400 or G420. The best bang for your buck is the Samsung 955DF for $202 after rebate.

 

[Rainguy]

Sony is overpriced by far and their RMA rate is higher than Viewsonics. Yes, PF790, PF795 or AF95F, are all good.

Rossman..I repeat Samsung monitors are by far not the best option, nowhere near the monitor the Viewsonics are. I have my own stats and it is not even close between the two.

 

[Unbornchicken]

dunno, its either a samsung or viewsonic.. still have to decide.

Ill probably pull up thier specs side-by-side and do a comparison..

wee..

 

[Rainguy]

Don't judge the specs but, actually view the two side by side and you will see all kinds of blurryness with the Samsungs on the outer edges of the screen, especially with text. If you adjust the monitor focus for one area...then another area gets blurry. Some people don't notice it or are not picky so, be your own judge.

 

[RossMAN]

I agree don't judge by specs alone try and find a local computer/office retailer which has both monitors on display. Also read reviews and check our own Hardware and Video forums for feedback as well.

 

[Unbornchicken]

Yea, ill probably do my final comparison in a computer shop with them side-by-side.

---edit---

wee, Senior Member now..

 

[Unbornchicken]

Thanks to all who commented, i decided to go with a Hitachi CM771