Considering an upgrade ... tips needed

[elnomadkvn]

Ok, Right now I'm really considering an upgrade.

Old system is a Pentium 2/300 (yes, yes, it's 5 years old...) - only thing that keeps it running 'fine' is 160mb of ram (running at pc66 only though...).

So since now looks like a good time to upgrade. I'm not looking for a gaming machine (some games are ok, but not the 'high-tech' ones yknow) but more towards the general use type ('family' type?). Mainly this computer is used for broadband access.

Since it's a Pentium, and my relatives won't take anything outside of Intel, so I'm now looking at the Pentium 4s, maybe the lower/older range that does NOT use rambus. Expecting to upgrade once to last the coming 4-6 years.

Tips anyone? Something in the upper 1.x ghz range? What's a good (more or less) balanced motherboard for my kind of usage? (oh yeah, something less power hungry might be nice 😀 )

 

[NeoMadHatter]

are you building a new system completely or are you going to order a complete system say from dell?
btw welcome to the forums.
get at least a p4 2.0gzh those are around the mid-range prices now.

 

[randumb]

You should search and read posts from other ppl about new rigs they're making. If you want a Pentium route, do an IS7 or P4P800 with a 2.4C. If you want an AMD setup do a 2500+ and a A7N8X or 8RDA+. Hard drive - raptor(s, in raid 0), Graphics Card - 9700 Non Pro or 9700 Pro. Basic outline.

 

[newuser]

Look at Dell's $500-600 computers, they are pretty nice for the price. You could always get one of these and add on more RAM, DVD drive, and CDRW for about $100 form www.newegg.com or something

If building your own the 8RDA+ and 2500+ or 2600+ is a good inexpensive combo

I don't know too much about the intel stuff

*edit: something like this: http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers/specials_3x_special61.htm