need help building a decent comp.

[any1care]

hi guys, i need to build a new comp for around 1200 bucks.

lookin for a athlon machine for games and basic word processing.

Can you guys suggest parts for a good comp?

btw it would be helpful to info on where i could buy those parts too...
and i already have a harddive so i don't need one.

thanks for any help.

 

[jeffrey]

Do you already have a monitor? The parts will hugely vary if that $1200 needs to buy a screen or not. If you need one do you want a crt or lcd display?

 

[any1care]

don't need monitor already got a nec 17 lcd.

 

[Zlash]

Should list everything you don't need or have already first.

 

[jeffrey]

If your looking for an Athlon machine for games go for an Athlon XP 1800+ or higher. The XP2000+ might have a nice price drop soon since the 2100+ is coming out. Get either a KT266A or a KT333 motherboard. Since you already have a hard drive the next most important thing is the video card. Go to the hot deals forum and find the thread on the GeForce 4's on sale with $50 off coupons. You can squeeze a GF4 TI4400 for $230 or a GF4 TI460 for $330 in your budget. They are on preorder, so you might have to wait until mid to late March, but if I was building new, that's what I would do FIRST.

 

[Nessism]

Good heavens man, for $1200 the world is your oster!

One of the most popular on-line hardware stores right now is newegg.com.

And make sure you keep an eye on the Hot Deals forum. You will save MAJOR money.

Good luck.

Ed