Help me build my new system

[Rocket34]

Hey all,

It's finally time for me to get a brand new system, but have been hesitating as to what to get.

I have already decided on the K7T Pro 2A, but have yet to find a vendor.

I have also purchased memory (256 RAM) from UpgradePlanet.com.

Other things I want (vendor also, if possible...I don't know much in terms of the reliable ones):

1) Best deal for a processor which fits with the mobo.

2) Video Card for games and web development (graphic intensive). I also want a TV Tuner, but I'm not sure whether its best to purchase an add-on or an all-in-one.

3)DVD Drive

4) Sound Card

5) Hard Rive (7200 RPM).

 

[Rocket34]

Sorry.

 

[Rocket34]

One more thing.

I don't want to have a huge hard drive. 40 GB should be enough.

I have about $750-800 to spend on these items alone.

All help is greatly appreciated. I am moving to England soon, and this is my last chance to get some good stuff from the USA.

I only have a PO BOX available, though.

 

[Shu8]

you won't get anything sent to your po box

 

[Rocket34]

I know I am severely limited by having a PO BOX, but I have already received many things at great prices.

Compusa.com, for example, is a great vendor that ships to PO Boxes.

Too bad staples does not.

 

[Shu8]

"one more thing" [quoting you]

want a kickass system...just comp no speakers and monitor, go build my system...check my sig.

you probably don't really need the sblive platinum 5.1, extra 64mb ram [got for 2 bucks], and instead of the 1.1, maybe opt for the 1ghz instead to save yourself some money.

you should have it sent to a friend or family close by

 

[Shu8]

try using pricewatch.com, techbargains.pricegrabber.com, and ibuyer.net for best prices. look the vendors up at resellerratings.com

 

[nortexoid]

best bang/buck is currently athlon 1ghz...295CDN

sound card of choice - Aureal SQ2500...60CDN (10 cheaper than Sblive value and 10 times better)..shtu up about their change of ownership and driver support...win2k drivers exists, all u need..

DVD ROM - i'd personally get a 6X Panasonic for 99CDN, otherwise, a 16X Pioneer for 175CDN...I currently have a 5X, and DVDs run 100% smooth...save 75, althought slot load is nice..

hdd - ibm 75GXP, any size...

video card - any geforce 2 mx using decent memory.

 

[Rocket34]

The problem is that I live abroad, with a PO BOX that ships it to my home address here.

I have been having huge problems finding vendors that ship to PO BOXES.

Do you guys know of a reliable vendor that ships to such addresses?

Kick ass comp, by the way. Where can I get the TBird 1 GHz?

One thing I have been wondering about...what is burnproof and why is is it so highly rated (in case the what is doesn't answer this automatically)?

I apologise for what may seem to be bonehead questions, but we must all start somewhere.

 

[nortexoid]

burnproof allows the drive to compensate for lack fo data when its buffer is underfed...so u dno't make cd coasters...u can multitask etc., while burnign cds without having to worry about buffer underrun (that which makes coasters)...

 

[chiwawa626]

try to order to a friends house that way u can get better deals rather then with a po box.....but hmmm sounds like some illegal activity is goin on are u carding this stuff? wow if u are

 

[Rocket34]

Carding stuff?

 

[Rocket34]

I can guarantee that I don't deal in illegal activities (well, I might burn a disk or two every once in a while).

Anyway, what about the TV Tuner option? Is it better to find one that is incorporated or does it not make a difference?

 

[ltk007]

1) Tbird 1ghz- Its a great value right now and the price keeps dropping
2) Radeon 64mb AIW- Its great for gaming, good image quality, and comes with your TV tuner
3) Any basic DVD drive should do, you don't really need 16x or anything big, a 10x/32x should do fine
4) Soundblaster live- Any version will do. Its a great card, it has drivers for all major OSes, and is pretty cheap
5) IBM 75gxp 40gb- Hard drives are extremely cheap right now, and the 75gxp is pretty much the fastest 7200rpm drive available.

 

[Shu8]

aureal...you joking? canadians...hehe j/k. i have to admit it's a great card but the sb live! series are better. i would suggest the x-gamer if you're a gamer, or just get the old value. the card's better and all that software and support. w/ the x-gamer you get a $h!t load of games...well not really but you get unreal tournement, deus ex, theif 2, mdk2, and some other progs for musicians. the software is worth more than what you'll pay for. unfortunately you can only play the games on the comp the card's installed on. you can get it for...80 bucks? not sure. get an oem value for 40 bucks.

 

[Shu8]

you can get a 16x pioneer dvd for 100-110 bucks. i got mine for 108 from mwave.com. these things don't come w/ any dvd decoder or software because they're made specifically oem. you can get a toshiba 12x for 80 bucks i think...that's what my friend did off buy.com...it was oem too.

 

[Rocket34]

ltk007,

Thanks. Those sound great.

Is there someplace you recommend? I really would prefer something that people from this board have dealt with (and offer good prices).

 

[minus1972]

buy the Video card and TV tuner seperate. The voodoo TV 100 came out recently and for only 50$, it's a really good TV card. Also, try a GeForce 2 MX. Light on the budget with some decent power.

 

[Rocket34]

How much does the Radeon go for?

 

[ltk007]

I like www.mwave.com for most things. Onvia.com is supposed to be good too.

 

[Rocket34]

Thanks for the help.

However, I can't seem to find that IBM HD anywhere! Out of Stock at a bunch of places.

 

[Turin39789]

If you are really interested in gaming, and are going to be off the beaten path(england) for a while, i would suggest going higher than an mx. Get a gts, and if you really want an upgrade yo hold you go 64mb gts. (oh yea btw, i am selling a leadtek 64mb gts w/ tv out and hs/fan on gpu) if you want to spend the money, it is an awesome card (but i just had to get a pro) and i ship to po boxes. LMK