New PC:Build it myself? What components?

[tekwrite]

Hi all,
I want a new desktop for Christmas! The kids will get the 450 Mhz clone with all the games on it. I need a PC for writing, some graphics, and some Flash work. Okay maybe a Star Wars game or two!

I'm not 100% sure I could do it all myself. I have replaced almost everything in the current PC except for PS and mobo. I DID upgrade the CPU myself which I am proud of. 😀
Just never run all the cabling and such.

If I buy somewhere does anyone have suggestions? I have looked at ABS, Atlas Micro, and Elite. There is also a local company which sells components on its website and will assemble for $40. Their main business though is just the components.

I'd like to get an AMD 1.0 to 1.4 (Duron? TB? Athlon? XP?) and have the mobo not maxed out as far as CPU. This is a PC I will keep for awhile.

Wish list includes:

-1.0 to 1.4 AMD chip
-mobo (open to suggestions)
-30 mg 7200 HD
-zip drive internal
-regular CD drive
-1.4 floppy
-soundcard (probably SB live)
-video card (open to suggestions)
-NIC card
-fax/modem card
-not sure about memory or type...PC100? PC133? DDR?


-I have speakers and monitor already


I could use recommendations on video cards (not many games BUT I like streaming video off the web.

Oh yeah and the budget says $750 or less without the monitor (I have a Mitsubishi 17 in)

I have ME or Win98 OS.

Thanks,

ken

 

[OpalFrost98GT]

You have more than enough money in your budget to build up a pretty sweet system.

Go to Pricewatch and check out the Motherboard cpu combination packages. You can also look up hard drives, cd/cdrw drives, video ...just about everything you'll need.

I suggest a good case and Power Supply....Antec is a favorite here.
You probably won't need a G-Force 3 for your purposes but a G-Force 2 card would be more than adequate.
You can probably score a 60 Gig hard drive for a few bucks more than a 30GB.
16x10x40 CDRW drives can be had for less than 100 bucks.
You definitely want a good heatsink/fan for the CPU.

I think I would go for the new XP CPU's from AMD and Windows Xp.

 

[DaveK]

I suggest you buy everything at Newegg with your American Express Blue card. They have great prices to begin with, and a good selection, plus they are a reputable store. Then, in 59 days, go find the cheapest price on everything and pricematch it with your Amex Blue card!

Good luck!

DaveK