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Pre-Built PC Recommendations?

K

KoolDrew

Lifer
I am a 16 year old kid that is currently stuck sharing the family PC. After dealing with this for years I think it is time to have a PC of my own. Since my budget is very limited and I need everything (monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.) I think a pre-built 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 has a 30GB HD 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 upgradable as possible and maybe have a video card that is good enough to play some newer games (I won't mind low settings).

I was looking at the HP a1200e and here is what the specs are for a total of $408.99 (w/ $180 MIR):

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
AMD Sempron(TM) 3000+ (1.8GHz / 128KB L2 cache)
512MB DDR-400MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x256)
80GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
FREE UPGRADE from CD-ROM to 16x max. DVD-ROM
2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire IEEE 1394 ports
HP Stereo Speakers
Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress HyperMemory
Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ front audio ports
HP Multimedia Keyboard, HP Optical Mouse
Microsoft(R) Works 8.0/Money 2006/MSN Encarta Plus
Free HP Deskjet Printer
HP v75c 17" CRT Monitor

What do you guys think? Will the PC be quiet? I will just add a larger HD later if I find that I need to. I'll also add a new video card or more memory if I need too.
 
If you NEED everything and budget is the ONLY concern, you won't be able to beat dell or possibly emachines.

If you want to invest a few extra bucks, you'll be able to get a much better system if you build it yourself.
 
Building my own is really not an option since I need everything and am on a very strict budget. Also, that HP looks like a good system to me. The specs are not bad and it is only $408. If you can show me a Dell or emachines that will offer me better bang for my buck then please do so.
 
Actually, I think I changed my mind. I just realized that shipping is $99 for that HP. With it being over $500 I think I'll be better off building it myself.
 
That system looks fine for doing general tasks and such. I'm really not sure about playing games though. Hp's are usually quiet, so you shouldn't have a problem with noise. Considering that the system includes a monitor, its a pretty good price.

By the way, Check this out
 
I'd say go ahead and build it yourself.It seems you dont really have your heart set on that HP.I think you're better off spending a lil extra on something you will enjoy better. Goodluck on finding the best prices for your build.
 
the only reason you might need a pre-built is if you're clueless when it comes to components and installing everything. If you're a smart kid, and you know how to build, it would definately save you money by building your own.
 
Originally posted by: VERTIGGO
the only reason you might need a pre-built is if you're clueless when it comes to components and installing everything. If you're a smart kid, and you know how to build, it would definately save you money by building your own.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know how to build it so that is the way I am going to go. Somebody else on another forum recommended the following:

InWin Z720
Biostar GF 6100 board
Sempron 2600
WD 80gb sata
512mb pc3200
WinXP
Key/Mouse
BenQ dvdrw
AOC 17" crt

The total for that came to $530.60, shipping included. However, I do not need the DVD burner since I already have a NEC 3550A. I am looking at alternatives and deciding on the parts now, but if anybody else has any comments on the parts listed above it would be appreciated.
 
Oh, Lord....

First of all, HP charges $99 shipping for that PC; I hope you took that into account.

Try this instead (all prices NewEgg unless otherwise mentioned):

$99 17" CRT display (cmicomputer.com)
$95 Windows XP Home SP2 OEM
$80 160GB Maxtor DiamondMax 10 PATA/133
$69 Sempron 64 2600+
$65 Biostar GeForce 6100-M7
$40 NEC ND-3550A
$38 512MB PC3200 RAM
$29 case/PSU combo (supergooddeal.com)
$16 keyboard/mouse/speakers combo
total: $531

If you need a printer, this one is nice:
$49 HP DeskJet 3745
total: $580
 
Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Originally posted by: VERTIGGO
the only reason you might need a pre-built is if you're clueless when it comes to components and installing everything. If you're a smart kid, and you know how to build, it would definately save you money by building your own.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know how to build it so that is the way I am going to go. Somebody else on another forum recommended the following:

InWin Z720
Biostar GF 6100 board
Sempron 2600
WD 80gb sata
512mb pc3200
WinXP
Key/Mouse
BenQ dvdrw
AOC 17" crt

The total for that came to $530.60, shipping included. However, I do not need the DVD burner since I already have a NEC 3550A. I am looking at alternatives and deciding on the parts now, but if anybody else has any comments on the parts listed above it would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty good deal, yes. You can get a slightly cheaper monitor from cmicomputer.com. If you want a cheaper case, supergooddeal.com has one with psu for $29. At some point you'd definitely want to replace the combo psu, but it would do for a while at least. You should also consider two very low-cost upgrades...

1) It only costs $6-$7 more to get the Sempron 64 2800+ (it has twice the L2 cache).
2) It's not much more to get a 160GB hard disk--maybe $15 or so.
 
Well, here is what I came up with:

AMD Sempron 64 2800+ - $75.50
Biostar GeForce 6100-M7 - $63.99
Crucial Ballistix 512MB - $56.99
Hitachi Deskstar T7K250 160GB - $85.25
Antec Super Lanboy - $39.99
FSP AX400-PN - $39.99
AOC 17" CRT - $70
Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers - $33.98
Logitech Internet Pro Desktop (Keyboard & Mouse) - $16

Total - $481.69 w/o shipping

Remember, I want this PC to be as cheap as possible while being quiet and overclocks well. I can add a PCI-E later if I find that I need to. I will also add antother 512MB of RAM later.

If there is anything that you think I can go cheaper with while not really hurting performance then please tell me.
 
You could get a better deal on a HD if you don't mind rebates. I picked up a Seagate 160GB from OMax 2 weeks ago for $60 (without rebate) and another 120GB Seagate for $30 after rebates from Best Buy. They have rebates available all the time from one store or the other. If you can do that, spend the extra $30 you save on 1GB of memory, instead of 512...if you do video encoding, you will need everything you can get, and RAM is pretty cheap right now.
 
I will get 1GB of RAM, but I want to get the PC as fast as possible so I'll just add another 512MB stick later. I'll look at better deals on hard drives though.
 
Originally posted by: foodfightr
If you NEED everything and budget is the ONLY concern, you won't be able to beat dell or possibly emachines.
If you want to invest a few extra bucks, you'll be able to get a much better system if you build it yourself.
Click to expand...
Shizzle.
You can get a damn nice computer from eMachines for 550 bucks. All you need to do is slap in a PCIe card and you would have an excellent gaming rig.

 
If you don't go w/Crucial Ballistix memory and use 'plain vanilla' crucial or kingston ram you should be able to save some $ there.
 
Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I will get 1GB of RAM, but I want to get the PC as fast as possible so I'll just add another 512MB stick later. I'll look at better deals on hard drives though.
Click to expand...



What I'm saying is, if you DO get a better deal on an HD, then put the $$ you save toward another gig of RAM. It won't change how fast you can GET the PC, but how fast it IS.

I agree with above too...valueram will save $$. unless you plan to heavy OC in the future...
 
What about the operating system?

Also I don't really like Biostar, but I'm sure others love them.

And you can get away with an 80GB Hard Drive, beyond that I would go with a 250GB if you need storage, price/GB.

You could probably find a local CRT for dirt cheap
 
For the monitor, have you considered taking a trip down to the local thrift store. They often have tons of CRT's now days and most have a few day return policy if something on it doesn't work proper. Could save you some cash. Or ask around, and you could maybe even find one for free. It seems a lot of people now days have a crt just sitting in a closet from when they upgraded to an lcd.
 
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