New Guy Needs Sage Advice!

[showhost]

Help!

Have been looking into building a system. If the Athlon 1700+ XP
might be a bit overkill for my purposes (word processing, internet
surfing, e-mail -- NOT a gamer) can anyone suggest a config that would
be a good combination of components (mobo, graphics card, memory, etc)
that still leaves room for expansion into further uses down the line?

I DO want some speed and power and good graphics but then I don't want
to just WASTE money on equip that I'll never realize the value of. How
'bout just an Athlon & not and Athlon XP? Sorry, just don't know
much about all this and there's a LOT to learn about putting together
a system. (BTW, I DON'T intend to actually build this myself. I will
have it built and burned in and tested based on the specs I glean from my research -- that's you guys!)

Also, anybody enlighten me as to what the difference between "Retail
Box" and "OEM" would be as I compare the various vendors quotes for
building a machine? Lastly, I have checked the web site
ResellerRratings.com for highest rated companies to have build my
machine but I'm confused as to the logic of having a company
2000 miles away build and ship a machine to my specs when it
seems everyone agrees that customer service is so vital when purchasing
a system. What do I do if I need help -- send the whole computer back to
where I got it? Should I only look locally (I live in L.A.) for the
best builder/retailer I can find? (anybody recommend one?) If so,
what's the sense of buying a computer from Mark One or CompuCheap or
IBuyPower (very high-rated stores) if I can't have them at my avail if
something goes wrong? Just their "phone service"?

Please any of your wisdom you can share on these topics is MORE than
appreciated!

Larry

 

[Mustanggt]

I can comment on getting a KT266a platform to build on, Radeon DDR Video card should do you well , a duron will give you all the power you need for your use. good luck

 

[rosco6912]

I would get a board with ONBAORD video (NVidia Motherboard like the Abit N7m) ~ gives very decent onboard LAN, Video, Sound all for 140 bux! -- search www.pricewatch.com ~ use the lists they have prepped for you or search for something more detailed if you wish...

Duron = FINE
256 DDR Ram = FINE
RADEON or any other GAMING videocard = waste.

n7m = best bet cuz you will want sound video and LAN (broadband internet & network...) and its all onboard... you can VERY easily disable any of these devices using the manual if you wish to upgrade any of them in the future IE buying a new AGP videocard or pci soundcard/lancard. good luck na dpm me if u need help.

 

[cleverhandle]

Well first, if you're going to go through the trouble of finding the components, you might as well build the darn thing yourself. The actual building and configuration takes much less time than doing the research, especially if you're not trying to use cutting-edge stuff.

As far as recommendations, if you don't game or need DVD, how about a Matrox G450 for the video card ? Best 2D quality in the biz for about $70. If you want DVD capability, I'd go with the Radeon as others suggested.

For a chipset, I'd stay away from Via - they're great if you don't mind spending time ironing out occasional bugs, but you sound like you want to stay pretty "hands-off". Maybe the new ECS K7S6 with the 1700 would be a good choice.