College Computer Advice - urgent help please, I'm ordering tomorrow :)

[erub]

Well its getting around time for me to order my parts for my college computer. My grandmother is paying for it, as its a graduation present, so I have a little bit more money that I can spend if need be. I don't want anything outrageous though, just very good price/performance. The stuff marked $0 is stuff that I already own from my current computer; I don't play games or burn CDs enough to justify upgrading the video card or burner, I don't think.

Here's my current list:
Intel 2.26A Pentium 4 $233
Epox 4G4A+ $120
Corsair XMS3200 512MB Platinum $218
WD 120 GB 8 MB Cache $170
Pioneer Slot Load 106S $45
Soundblaster Audigy $0
TDK 12X CDR $0
Maxtor 5400 RPM 27 GB $0
IBM 75GXP 7200 RPM 30 GB $0
Visiontek GeForce3 Ti200 $0
Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro $34
Floppy $13
Logitech Z560s $151
Arctic Silver 3 $5
Antec TRUE480 with BLUELED $100
Raidmax A288 Case with Neon Stick $100
Sony G420 $400
3 Rounded ATA133 Cables & Floppy Cable $30
HP 960Cxi $190
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer $28

What changes would you guys recommend? TIA.

First Edit: Oops, I forgot the video card I already have. I have a Visiontek GeForce3 Ti200 that I will be using in this system.
I got the prices from pricewatch, and a little looking around at newegg..I will do some more shopping.

 

[brunswickite]

i think u could get z560's for ~ 130 at buy.com with coupons and such
if money is not htat much of concern i would get corsiar xms RAM for ~20-30 bucks more
and u could also wait to end of hte month like i am and get the 2.53 for ~240 bucks

otherwise it looks simliar(80) percent of what my sytem is gonna be

 

[GT1999]

I'd drop the Sony 19" and get a Samsung 900NF instead, but a monitor is a very personal decision

 

[Deeko]

It appears to me that you aren't getting a video card. Or are planning on using integrated video. Either way, you need a video card If you pair a 2.26 P4 with integrated video(HP likes to do that), you should be shot Other than that, looks pretty good...thought about RAID?

 

[Pothead]

I don't want anything outrageous though

and you're getting a P4 2.26? Those are some expensive round cables!
AS3 for 10 bucks? LOL...

I would suggest maybe an aluminum case. I owned 2 Antecs but not anymore. It was not fun lugging the thing up and down several flights of stairs. It was huge, heavy, and bulky.

 

[SerraYX]

Sony G420 $400

Since you're going to a dorm, more space is always good. Check out Best Buy's VPR Matrix 17" monitor, flat (I believe Shadow Mask tube) does 1280x1024 at 85Hz and 1600x1200 at 75Hz. Only $300, plus I think there's still a $50 MIR.

 

[Jeff H]

erub, I second the post of - where's the vid card? Go w/ Corsair or Samsung (original) PC2700.

 

[Mavrick007]

Where are you getting the stuff for those prices? Some are pretty good but others.. hmmm not so good.

 

[erub]

I would suggest maybe an aluminum case. I owned 2 Antecs but not anymore. It was not fun lugging the thing up and down several flights of stairs. It was huge, heavy, and bulky.

Well, luckily for me, the posh place I'm living in has an elevator, hehe. I will look at getting an aluminum case though.

 

[erub]

ttt - any last minute advice guys?

 

[Rhombuss]

You could probably save yourself a decent $75 or so and get normal Samsung or KingMAX DDR RAM, instead of that Corsair RAM. Since you're getting a 2.26A P4, chances are you won't be doing any overclocking, so you don't really need such extreme RAM.

 

[babah]

wow nice one erub, if i were you i'll wait till sept cuz intel will cut price down (for sure)
you have excellent system there. I also planning to build a system but i'll wait for a month and wait for sis648.
also if you have spare money at least try to get gforce 4 ti4200 it will looks good in your system.

Thanks

 

[Vinny N]

; I don't play games or burn CDs enough to justify upgrading the video card or burner, I don't think.

If you don't need that much power, don't spend that much.

I would get maybe a 1.8A, some Crucial 512mb, a fairly small but nice case, and put the rest into a sweet 18" LCD.

it's about space, and not having to lug a huge system and monitor between home and college.

But its not up to me. Oh well.

 

[babah]

hey erub, i'm curious where did you order the component from??

thanks

 

[podingX]

rounded cables from svcompucycle.com and i think you should get a cheaper power supply with less watts...

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: Rhombuss
You could probably save yourself a decent $75 or so and get normal Samsung or KingMAX DDR RAM, instead of that Corsair RAM. Since you're getting a 2.26A P4, chances are you won't be doing any overclocking, so you don't really need such extreme RAM.

How does it follow that since he's getting a 2.26B (Yes, I know he said 2.26A, but there ARE no 2.26As), that he isn't going to overclock? However, I agree that if he isn't going to overclock, he could save about $50 and get some Samsung PC2700 since there's no way he's gonna run his RAM at anything above PC2700 on that board with a 133MHz FSB.

 

[gsaldivar]

If you are still open to the idea...

I'd highly recommend a laptop instead of a desktop system. I'd get one that's reasonably lightweight (5-6 lbs. maximum). Don't get too fancy with the options - keep it cheap -if its dropped or stolen, you'll want to be out as little money as possible.

I think you'll find the freedom of taking your work on the road, library, starbucks, etc. well worth the tradeoffs. No waiting in line to use the campus computer labs, no carrying floppies back and forth...

good luck!

 

[mchammer187]

don't want anything outrageous though, just very good price/performance.

you dont play games but than whats the point of getting a fast rig?

2.26 Ghz to surf the web?

120 GB? I have 2 but i can tell you they are not necessary unless you do video editing/divx encoding
i would get an 80GB SEAGATE CUDA IV for $90 (check hot deals today is the last day but it will prolly be back in a week or so)


drop to a 1.8A

I wouldnt buy XMS memory unless you want to overclock i would try to get in on one of the PC2100 memory deals from hot deals
and try to handpick some samsung chips

i have a friend that got 2x256 PNYs that he handpicked some samsung that did 200 mhz @ 166 FSB and 4/5 mem ratio for $19 a stick
IMO XMS is good but way overpriced samsung original used to be good but i read in the later batches they restricted O/C ing

also I would suggest a laser printer IMO they are much much better than inkjet unless you absolutely need color
i got my brother hl-1440 from about $200 they go on sale from office depot

I like the Abit BG7 over the 4G4A+ but i guess thats personal preferance

dont get rounded cables they are a waste of money i can get the same effect by just folding them w/ plastic ties granted its not as pretty but who cares?

get a regular antec 350W and save $50 or better yet one of those aluminum version of the antec 1040 with a 420 W PSU for a about $120 if you want Aluminum, 480 will not get you a better O/C since northwoods are less power hungry than AXPs or Tbirds

everything you list above is not good price/performance at all i hope you understand

also the laptop option is also a good one esp since you are not a gamer

and option 3:
get a cheap dell < $400
4500

comes with:
1.8A
128 MB PC2100
20 GB HD
GF4 MX
DVD-ROM

and upgrade as needed you will save the most money doing this

I am telling you this because they extra $500 or so you save will definitely be better spent at college :
food, clothes, dates, parties, beer
if your grandmother is only paying for the comp then by all means get the best

sure you can have a l33735T comp around but what good is that if you have no friends cuz you are on the comp all day

BTW i am a junior in college and luvin it

 

[Miramonti]

College computer advice

Don't drop 150k on your education when you can get the same thing for $1.50 in late charges at the public library.

[thus no computer needed.]

(Will Hunting, Good Will Hunting )

 

[gsaldivar]

om... yea I saw the movie too

 

[DanFungus]

if you can, get a cold cathode over a neon light...they're much better.

 

[jaydee]

You can get a WD 80GB 8MB cache for $109 shipped at Newegg, you probably don't need 120GB unless you're doing some massive video editing.