Choosing a Computer

[nshresth]

Hello,
I need help in choosing parts for a computer.
I am trying to built a computer--
Please help me choose the following parts--
Please mention the brands, and model, and other details


I use computer for internet, recording music using "Cakewalk Software", Photoshop, along with other basic stuff.
My budget is $550.
Also I am looking for at least 4 USB ports.

i)Motherboard
ii)Processor--has to be either P4 1.7 GHz or AMD XP 1700+
iii)Memory--has to be 512mb DDR
iv)Network Card--Prefer 3com
v)Hard Drive--around 30-40 gigs--7200 rpm
vi)Modem
viii)Operating System--
ix)Case
x)Fans
xi)Sound Card
x)video Card--medium
xi)DVD combo(both CDr and DVd)

Thank you..

 

[Duvie]

Well if it has to be between those 2 proessors then go 1700+ xp....The 1.7 willamette p4 with the lower 256kb l2 cache is slower then the 1.6a northwood in most apps so therefore the 1700+ is a better processor....

If you can get a 1.8a I would go with that....

 

[sniperruff]

$550 won't get you all that...
OS costs around $100
processor + CPU at least $150 (athlon)
512 DDR around $130 cheapest

that leaves $170 for a 3-com ethernet card, HD, modem, case, sound/vid card, and optical drives... quite impossible
try to shave off the cost for OS, ethernet card, case and optical devices

i built my athlon 1700+ and it costed me $460... and i bought my stuff on sale
just look for stuff on sale (like this week's maxtor 80 gig for $80) and pile them up in about a month

here's what i got for $460...
athlon xp 1700+
soltek mobo
maxtor 80gig 7200rpm
MSI GF3 Ti500
antec sx830 case w/PS
kingston pc2100 256 DDR

if you're in a tight budget look for a dell sale you can get a p4 1.8 for under $400

btw not to mention shipping/tax... i got them shipped/ taxed for $460...

look onto these sites for parts:
newegg
compgeeks
googlegear

good luck

 

[Mardeth]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
$550 won't get you all that...
processor + CPU at least $150 (athlon)

Lol . If I were you would buy either 1800+ cos its probaly a few dollars more than 1700+ but still a bit faster or the 1.6 Northwood which would probably OC to 2.26 stabely and without tweak.

 

[sniperruff]

haha i meant mobo+ CPU... brain is shot after reading 30 pages of boring materials...
whoa don't go out and buy an athlon and a p4 and put them together nshresth

 

[CaptnKirk]

I'll take a stab at prescribing a performance system for you as a best bang for the buck. Be advised as there will be a whole bunch of enthusiasts steering you to what they think they would like to have. The only things I will list are things I have, and have experience with - unless otherwise noted. Some items you will find to be the 'Loss Leaders' that Fry's, CompUSA, and BestBuy use to bring you into their store - and then try to tempt you into buying a more expensive item, and these will be stated.
All oher equipment will be shown on this link NewEgg There will be flexibility to upgrade in the future.

1) Case w/300W power supply - CODEGEN # 6055L-C10, $ 38 + $10 freight = $ 48 @ NewEgg (Check local stores for loss leaders)
2) Motherboard - ABIT KX7-333 w/VIA Chipset (Refurb), $ 62 Free Freight @ NewEgg
3) CPU - AMD Athlon XP1600+, $ 54.99 Free Freight @ NewEgg (They are shipping AROIA-Y's, which are performing as well as the XP2000+'s) Read the posts!
4) Heatsink & Fan - the ThermalTake VOLCANO 6Cu+ A 38CFM fan will do the job @ $12 + $ 6 freight = $ 18, AVOID THE ORBS ! THEY KILL CPU's, Be carefull with the clip.
5) Every thing posts through, and depends on memory, ONLY Samsung or Crucial. This Mobo has 166 capability, so the PC2700 (DDR333) will work great.
Samsung and Crucial are both $ 86 per stick of 256MB at NewEgg, but Crucial sells direct, with a 10% discount.
The price of memory is always changing, so you can get more later when price goes down. 2 sticks of 256MB are faster than 1 stick of 512MB, and cheaper.
6) NIC Cards (10/100 LAN) are a loss leader at BestBuy ans CompUSA, $ 4.99 (you get discount AND rebate) Look for a LinkSys or a D-Link, same chipset.
7) Can't beat the Western Digitals, and the 40GB is $ 74 Free Freight @ NewEgg.
8) Creative Labs V.92 Modem w/V.44 compression (Broadxent) P/N# DI5633, is $ 19 plus $ 5 freight = $24 @ NewEgg.
9) Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 is $ 32 plus $ 4 freight = $ 34 @ NewEgg.
10) ATI Radeon 8500LE W/TV out is $89, Free Freight @ NewEgg, but you could get by with the ATI XPERT 2000 for $ 31 + $4 freight, and upgrade later. Flip a coin.
11) Hard to find a better DVD-CDROM than Lite-On's LTD-163, they are $ 37 plus $2 freight = $39 @ NewEgg.
12) Look for 80MM Panaflo 46.9 CFM Intake Fan and 39.6 CFM Exhaust Fan, NewEgg wants $ 12 Each plus $ 5 Freight, but you can find them cheaper. Very Quiet.
13) Lucky #13 - Microsoft's XP HOME from NewEgg @ $ 90 plus $ 4 freight = $ 94.
14) Option A, add the Lite-On CD-RW for $ 59, or wait it out and add it later.

Total price of this system comes to about $ 656 without the CD Burner, and you can drop the price to $600 with the lesser video card. Add stuff later.
This should outperform the TV Hype Box-Factory stuff that they try to push at $ 1,400, for less than half the price - and it's all top quality, NO generic junk.