Is this a good Computer to get (Please Help)

[sillycrown]

Hello im new to this site. I come here for help. I hope that in thew near
future i can contribute to this site. As of now im very computer illiterate
as far as the building of comps goes.

I can get this computer right here:

Mobo - Asus P4S8X-X
CPU - Intel 2.0 GHZ
RAM - OCZ Technology PC2700 256MB
Graphics Card - ATI Powered Radeon 8500 LE
Sound - SoundBlaster Real Sound
NIC Card - RealTEK 10/100 MBPS Fast Ethernet
Hard Drive - Western Digital 60 GB 7200 RPM (says 40 GB suppose to be 80 GB he is gonna send the 80 GB hard drive and i just have to have it installed)
Power Supply - 300 Watts
DVD BURNER - DVD-R 4x DVD+R 8X DVD-RW 2.4X DVD+RW 2.4X
CD BURNER - 52X Read 24X Burn 16X RE-Write (burners suppose to be a Sony)
Floppy - 3.5" Floppy Drive w/ custom Case Cover
Fan Controller - 4 Fan controller knobs to keep case cool & quiet
Case - Great Looking ATX Case w/ Window and Colored Fans and a light
(Comes with Windows XP)

1. Is this computer any good?

What i would be doing with this computer is Downloading, Email, Instant
Messenger, Surfing the Net, Ebay, and playing a select few games. I want to
get into gaming online more and havent had a good enough comp to.

This comp is cable ready so i will have cable. The guy im gettin it from
says its only 2 months old. He builds computers.

What would a computer like this be worth? Is there better deals out there
than this if so let me know please im willing to get something different if
i can get a better deal. This computer does not come with mouse,keyboard, monitor just the case with everyting in it. Also my comp is like 6 years old with a 56 k modem and the only thing ive upgraded on it is to a 80 GB hardrive and the Cdrom drives over the years. Not much has gone wrong with my comp Knock on Wood. Oh and i added a cdburner of course.

thanks very much

sillycrown

 

[Harvey]

Is this a used system you're buying from someone? Price checks aren't usually allowed, but you can get a good idea of what the new components are worth by checking a few sources such as pricewatch.com. You should also check the current best prices for specials in your Sunday flyer, office stores like Office Depot, Office Max, Fry's, Best Buy, Staples, etc. Don't overlook the Hot Deals forums, here, and on other sites, like fatwallet.

Do your homework. Check the reviews on AT's main site and other good review sites. Then, check the forums to see what real users have to say about the strong points and problems with the components that interest you.

Some of your specs make me wonder about the accuracy of your list. For example, what DVD burner is 4x +R and 8x -R? My Lite-On LDW 851S is the other way around. There are so many good deals on hard drives from week to week. I just picked up some 80 GB drives for $50 eact, and that's not the best there is. I'm seeing 120's for well under $100.

The motherboard sounds like it's older if it doesn't have a built in NIC. Sometimes, Office Max offers them FAR (Free After Rebate).

The bottom line is, instead of saying you're a noob, slow down, and take the time to do your homework. The only things you need to assemble a good system is a phillips screwdriver and the patience to read the manuals carefully when you assemble them. It really is easy, even the first time, if you take your time. A good local friend with some computer experience is also a good thing.

Hope that helps.

 

[Budmantom]

$300, the only thing that's really worth anything is the dvd burner.

2.0 cellery or p4? I guess it realy doesn't matter they are both pretty slow.

The cpu is rather outdated for only being 2 months old, unless he builds low end systems, my rig is over a year old and it has a 2.66 p4 and it wasn't the fastest thing when I bought it.

BTW, it should work fine on everything ecxept gaming.

Good luck,

Tom

 

[sillycrown]

Harvey thanks for the info. Yes i know taking my time is a thing ill have to learn. But im not really looking to get into building computers not at this moment. Right now im more concerned with getting a good reliable computer with windows xp that will be great for downloading mp3's and movies, surfing the web, atleast 80 GB hardrive, using ebay, and maybe start playing games online if i find a game that interests me.

The guy swears this computer is 3 months old. But im starting to think hell tell me anything to sell this comp.

budmantom yes the burner he says is a sony worth 150 bucks. i know they have come down in price over the years. i paid 400 for my 8200 hewlett packard cd burner. my comp is old like 6 years as i stated. so i guess im just anxious to get a new comp to learn the new stuff out there and to upgrade with the times. the guy is wanting $450.00 for this computer plus shipping. Compared to what i paid for my comp 6 years ago that is cheap. As i dont need a monitor, mouse or printer, or keyboard i have all that. I have decent speakers as well.

My question is this since this computer isnt anything special can someone steer me in the right direction on a good computer to get?

What i mean is what specs are good enough for what i want. Such as entry level gaming, downloading with a cable, ebay, surfing the net, email, windows xp,

Id like something fast andi want to be able to watch dvds on my comp and have good graphics and sound i guess. So any help in the right direction would be great. Also i dont have a ton of money to spend at the moment since i had eye surgery and cant work. So im looking to get a new comp and spend around 500 maybe just for the main case with everything in it.

Then what i plan to do is mess with my old comp which does have a 80 GB hardrive and upgrade it myself to see if i can do it.

thanks for your help and anymore would be great.

sillycrown

 

[Budmantom]

Here is a good deal.

 

[sillycrown]

I know im gettin to be a pest. But i had another offer for this comp right here.

Geforce 4 4200 TI VIDEO CARD
Gigabyte Motherboard
512 RAM
WESTERN DIGITAL 20 GB HD
HP CD-Writer PLus 8200 Series
DVD ROM
AMD ATHLON 1.2 GHZ
ETHERNET CARD & U.S. ROBOTICS 56K MODEM
WINDOWS XP
Blue case with Fans and Digital Tempature read out
Front USB Ports and Speaker/headpone port in total 8 usb ports

Many games UT2k4 BF Vietnam.. MOH AA GET ALL THESE GAMES AND SOME MORE WITH ORIGINAL DISCS

That is the specs of the other comp i can get. The computer is 4-6 months old. The guy is a regular gamer and goes to lan parties this is what he could afford. He gurantees it plays these games no problems. The price is like 450-500 he pays shipping

Let me know what you think of that one if you would i really appreciate your help

sillycrown

 

[Budmantom]

One other thing that burner is worth maybe $75.

Try Dell for a good chep computer.

For $500 you can buy a Dell 4600, 2.8ghz, 512mb, xp etc... Brand new shipped.

Tom

 

[sillycrown]

Plus it comes with Mcafee 2k4 Virus Free or something like that

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: sillycrown
I know im gettin to be a pest. But i had another offer for this comp right here.

Geforce 4 4200 TI VIDEO CARD
Gigabyte Motherboard
512 RAM
WESTERN DIGITAL 20 GB HD
HP CD-Writer PLus 8200 Series
DVD ROM
AMD ATHLON 1.2 GHZ
ETHERNET CARD & U.S. ROBOTICS 56K MODEM
WINDOWS XP
Blue case with Fans and Digital Tempature read out
Front USB Ports and Speaker/headpone port in total 8 usb ports

Many games UT2k4 BF Vietnam.. MOH AA GET ALL THESE GAMES AND SOME MORE WITH ORIGINAL DISCS

That is the specs of the other comp i can get. The computer is 4-6 months old. The guy is a regular gamer and goes to lan parties this is what he could afford. He gurantees it plays these games no problems. The price is like 450-500 he pays shipping

Let me know what you think of that one if you would i really appreciate your help

sillycrown

Nice videocard but the rest of the system is outdated.

Look on our for sale forum.

 

[Corporate Thug]

dude, your getting a dell!

 

[sillycrown]

Thats the thing Tom i really dont know what im looking for. You say Dell ive wanted a Dell for awhile actually. My brother has one and it seems pretty fast and does what he needs it for. What do you suggest on Dell if i want one to play games and do downloading and stuff like that. Can you link me to a site to check out what they got. That is the price im looking to spend around there.

I really appreciate your help

silly crown

 

[Varun]

First PC- Processor is a bit low, especially if it is a celeron (not specified)
Video card is WAY outdated, 8500LE was never a good gaming card even new a few years ago.

Second PC-Processor is once again quite slow by today's standards.

If you are not comfortable building a PC, you can get a decent Dell, or maybe check around for a local system builder.

If I was buying a new PC today I would be looking for around an AMD 2500+, 512Ram, and ATI 9600 (pro if in budget) video. Not sure what the price difference is between the 9600 and the Geforce FX 5200, but as long as the ATI isn't much more I would get it.

As far as a hard drive, if you are building a PC you can maybe find one on sale somewhere. Size is up to you depending on how much you need to store.

As far as motherboards, if you go Intel (more money for the same performance) be sure to get a motherboard with the 865 chipset, if you go AMD (better for a budget and great for gaming) try for an Nforce 2. A well equipped Nforce 2 will have most of the extras integrated to save you some cash (NIC, sound, etc)

Anyways, I'd be wary of buying a used PC. Most people have this crazy idea that thier old PC's are actually worth a lot more than they are. You can almost always get a brand new one for almost the same price.

 

[Budmantom]

I'll make this quick cuz I'm going to bed.

Go to Dell's main site and go to the there small business side stay away from the 2400's.

I like the 4600's, I pm'd you a link, you may want to check it out.

Good luck and goodnight.

Tom