Please help vote for the best computer!

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crazygal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
469
0
0
My dad needs an upgrade from his p1 133 crap machine. I have found these 7 computers and was hoping you guys could help decide what's best for him. He wants something that won't crash and that he can just surf, type and do other basic type stuff. Not upgrading for a while would be good though. His budget was $300, but less is always a plus.

He already has software so that's really not an issue.

Anyway, any input would be great!

COMPUTER 1

The machine is a Compaq Presario 5000. There is a missing 3.5" bay

cover and a missing 5.25" bay cover.

1.5 GHz P4
OEM P4 Board
256 MB PC133
Elsa Gladiac GF2 Ultra
Maxtor 60 GB HDD
Aopen 12x10x32x CD-RW drive
Firewire card with 2 ports
56k Modem
Onboard stuff:
2 serial ports
1 parallel port
3 port standard onboard sound
LAN
2 USB ports

Asking $250 + shipping

*************************
COMPUTER 2

750MHz duron
512MB of ram
20GB hard drive
ATI rage 128 video card (32MB of ram on it i believe but am not sure ..

positive it has at least 16MB however)
32X CD Rom
on board sound
network card
and modem (no O/S)
needs a heat sink/fan for the chip

$175 + shipping

**************************
COMPUTER 3

800mhz(lot1) AMD athlon
256mb pc-100 -kingston
20gig hdd (7200rpm) western digital
Geforce 2 MX video card - Nvidia
onboard sound -
32 or 40x cd rom

$200

***************************
COMPUTER 4

P3 733 retail coppermine cpu
gigabyte mobo
384 meg PC133 (Crucial, I think)
8 meg Nvidia agp video card
3 1/2 floppy
case, PSU
Yamaha sound card
56k modem
12 gig WD ATA66 hard drive
ISA NIC card
Teac 24x CDROM
It is loaded with a corporate version of WinXP Pro
This is an AT board and needs an AT keyboard which I will include.
The only thing you would need to provide is a monitor and a mouse.

$200 shipped


********************************
COMPUTER 5

IWill KK266+ mobo w/ latest bios (integrated sound)
Athlon 1.4 Ghz
40 Gig HD 7200 RPM
256MB PC 133 memory
Matrox dual head video card (G45)
CDROM (NEC?)
NIC card (probably can find a modem to put in there too)
Floppy
Case w/ Temperature monitor
Volcano Heatsink
300W Delta PSU
Win2k and Office 2000 installed (fresh install of everything)

$270 + shipping (or pick up in San Francisco & check it out before you

buy)

I'd add 256mb more memory and/or a 48x CD burner for a few dollars

more.

**********************************
COMPUTER 6

IBM Aptiva E Series 240........

K62/350-512Kb L2 pipeline burst cache
ALI 1542/1543C chipset
64Mb sdram
6Gb HDD
32X max Samsung cd rom
3.5 floppy drive
2x usb
56k V90 data/fax modem
onboard video 3D Rage Pro Turbo AGP(up to 8Mb) and sound
Will come with all original cd software

$70 + shipping

*************************************
COMPUTER 7

celeron 1.0 ghz system
CPU: celeron 1.0 ghz
Motherboard: intel D815EEA2
Memory: 512 meg pc133
Video Card: winfast Geforce 2 mx64
Case: generic beige
Power supply: generic, 250 Watt
CDRW drive: liteon (rebadged cendyne) 32x (upgradeable to 40x by

firmware update) or 48x khypermedia cdrw or cendyne 52x cdrw
Hard Drive: maxtor 8.4 gig HD
Cooling: standard intel hs/f
PCI cards:2 port usb 2.0 card

I would like $220 shipped for this one.

 
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crazygal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
469
0
0
No it's ok, they already built it. Thanks though, I'll let you know if he needs another one in the future!
 
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manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
13,590
4,239
136
Although price is a factor, computer 5 is probably the best business PC if the bundled software is licensed. You can check it out to see if you like the case, internal assembly, and operating condition.

Computer 1 is a better gaming rig, but it is a Presario. I'd avoid the Presario, the Aptiva, and the AT rig (computer 4).

I think most of us would either wait for a Dell SB deal, which could come in close to $300 if you part out one of the promotional components (i.e. DVD+R/W, LCD, or Radeon 9800). Or build a cheap Athlon XP 1800+ rig if you already have a few parts lying about.

Edit:
$270 is pushing it for computer 5, but assuming it's well-built from quailty components, it's probably the best overall PC of the lot. But like I said, most of us would hold out for the next Dell loss-leader deal. :)
 
B

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
2
81
I was going to say, number 5 hands down...it's as fast (if not faster than) #1 and has liscensed software. If he doesn't need a burner or firewire connectivity, go for it!
 
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crazygal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
469
0
0
He has all the software so that's not an issue. Gaming is also not an issue with him.

Although computer 1 is the best for you guys, he wouldn't really use all of its potential. No games or anything I think.
 
A

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
You can do a LOT better by waiting for a deal from Dell.

I got my g/f a 2Ghz system with tons of extras for $350 after rebate. I've seen the prices go lower, too.
 
F

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
4,043
0
0
Originally posted by: crazygal
Eh, I don't like dells really. 2ghz means nothing with pos motherboard and no ram
Click to expand...

Thats what I was about to say with all the computers you listed...:)
 
X

Xenon

Senior member
Oct 16, 1999
774
16
81
I'd say number 1. Sure, its not as fast as number 5, but who needs a jet engine in a box for websurfing? Install openoffice on it and you're all set.
 
dullard

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
26,201
4,871
126
If you looked at bencharks, you'll see the 1.5 GHz P4 wins in the majority of tests over the 1.4 GHz Athlon (especially office work) - but it is quite close. If it were the 1.4 GHz Athlon XP (1600+), then the tables would turn and I'd say get the Athlon hands down. But computer #1 comes with a lot more things and has a slightly lower price. For those reasons I'd go with #1.

What I don't understand is why you are interested in more than 256 MB of memory. It will most likely go to waste - especially for the uses you mentioned.
 
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crazygal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
469
0
0
From what I have heard, computer 1 isn't very fast with that ram. I would probably throw windows xp on there and I've been told to get 512 megs or ram if possible.

I'm starting to narrow it down a bit. Are there any disadvantages with Computer 2 or 4 in particular?
 
secretanchitman

secretanchitman

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
9,353
23
91
computer 1 for sure... crazygal is right, it isnt very fast with that much ram. upgrade to 512, and get XP.
 
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crazygal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
469
0
0
He already has that exact same set up EyeMWing, I don't think he needs to spend another $99,000 ;)

I'm starting to lean towards #5
 
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