New PC

[KoolDrew]

I am a 16 year old kid that is currently stuck sharing the family PC. Because of this I want a PC of my own. Since my budget is very limited and I need everything (monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) I think a prebuilt is my best option. The computer will be used for web browsing, playing older games (maybe new ones at low settings), some video encoding, etc. The PC MUST be quiet. It is going to be in the same room that I sleep in and it will always be running 100% load (F@H). Also, the current PC I have is 30GB and it is extremely annoying. So I want this PC to have as much hardrive space as possible. I want the PC to also be as upgradeable as possible and maybe have a video card that is good enough to play some newer games (I won't mind low settings).

The only thing I have looked at so far is Dell. I have been looking at some of their refurbished PCs to save some money and some of them have caught my eye. One in particular that I liked was the Dimension E510. I have heard that these thing are really quiet. Also, its specs are not bad: Intel Pentium 4 630 @ 3GHz, 512MB of RAM, 160GB HD, and a DVD Burner. However, do these refurbished ones have monitors? It is not mentioned anywhere.

If anybody could recommend something that fits my criteria (doesn't have to perectly) it would be appreciated.

Edit - I forgot my budget. I definitely would prefer it to be under $500, but the cheaper the better.

 

[ValuedCustomer]

for that budget I'd say Dell would be your best bet.. - try posing the question here and you'd prolly get more detailed answers

 

[cheesehead]

Do it yourself. I personally despise Dell.
A quick layout of the stuff that would go in it:

Cheap ATX case: Look on the curbside. I have four.
Fortron 380w PSU: 25$
AMD64 3200+ s939: 150$
Biostar 6100-chipset motherboard: 60$
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138269)
nVidia 6600/128mb graphics card: 100$
80GB SATA HDD: 60$
1GB DDR400: 70$
DVD/CDRW drive: 25$
Total: 500$.
NOTE: You could cut the cost down to 400$ by using the integrated video on the motherboard, which would likely outperform that on the Dell anyway.

First, I'm well aware that this system would also require a monitor. You can get a good CRT for 60$ if you know where to look, and mice/keyboards are A. cheap, and B. with a Dell, you'll likely replace them anyway.
This setup might cost a bit more than the Dell, but it will entirely blow it away in terms of performance. The 6600 video card is far superior to anything found on a Dell under 800$, the CPU is a good step up in almost all applications from the 3 ghz P4, and the hard drive is far, far faster (useful for video editing.) It's also got a gigabyte of dual-channel DDR400, which allows you to edit much larger files with ease. You can even upgrade this setup to a dual-core processor, add another SATA hard drive, and double the RAM with no trouble.
For an additional 50$, you can upgrade to the x800GTO, a much nicer video card that can be unlocked into an x800XT in many cases. 25$ will let you get a 120GB hard drive instead of the 80GB drive.

EDIT:
Chances are, that computer does NOT include a monitor.

 

[Ionizer86]

Search around some bargain sites and pick up a Sempron box for $300 or so. Add some ram. If you're gaming, make sure the computer has an AGP or PCI-E card and put in a decent video card.

 

[piasabird]

Well if you had a part time job with a regular paycheck you might be able to buy a computer on credit. You would be surprised who they will give credit to now a days. If you had a debit card you could buy parts at online stores. There are some deals on used computers out there. I still use an Athlon XP computer with an Asus A7N8X motherboard. The video card is acutally more important than the acutal motherboard and processor. You might find some used computers for sale somewhere for about $100.00 or so if they are not too old. My community college has a used computer sell every year. Typically the computers are 3 years old or older. If some business is buying new computers all the time they have to sell these old computers to someone.

 

[giraff3]

YGPM bud

 

[piasabird]

Avoid PCCHIPS and ASROCK as motherboard options if you can. I have seen a lot of problems with these motherboards. Most people if they are building a computer put a list of parts together and then ask for comments in the General Hardware forum. In fact they should have probably just moved this thread there.

You might find some usable CDROM in old junky computers that will work along with a case and a keyboard. Recommend an Optical Wheel Mouse. You might find some used monitors also at computer shows or second hand somewhere along with some junky speakers that will work for a while until you decide what you want. Might find stuff at yard sales. Just stick to P4 or AMD Athlon XP or newer preferably at least 1 gig processor or higher. I still have a working PIII 1.2 gig Tulatin Core Celeron that works pretty well. I might use it as a Router.

 

[IlllI]

if you can manage 250 in rebates, you might take a look at this one Text or check out dell. they tend to have some deals ever once in a while