Upgrade Time: What To Buy?

[Hideous_Hog]

It's been a while for this computer to get some fresh legs, and I'm not familiar on the latest stuff. What should I get? I'm looking to get a relatively cheap AMD processor, a mobo that has on-board sound/lan, and possibly on-board video if it is decent. The computer is for my wife, who is not a gamer, but she may be getting into DVD recording in the next year. I figure that 512M memory should be fine for now (DDR?).

I thinking of something like the old K7S5A mobo that was a good value, had the ability to run the latest AMD processors, and not too power hungry (my ps is only 350W). I'm the cheap type who doesn't like to spend over $100 for a processor or a video card. It will be running WinXP Pro.

What do you think?

TIA

 

[Psych]

If you want an all purpose good value machine, than you should consider E-machines. But their is limited (if existant) customizations will make it difficult for you to get a DVD-RW and XP Pro. HP actually has some pretty good deals with rebates, check out their website.

Sorry if you are the kind that builds computers, though.

 

[naddicott]

In your shoes, I would go for some of the bargains offered in the FS/FT forums from reputable traders over an e-machines rig, but I'm probably just bearing a grudge from a few years back when e-machines was not a particularly reliable brand.

 

[airfoil]

Start here and improvise as you go. If DVD quality video editing is what its going to be used for, a P4 is probably your best bet, which means you should go with the runner-up in this article.

 

[Hideous_Hog]

Bingo!

Thanks all for the assistance. This build, my 2 daughters are going to do it all, including installing the operating system. Its going to be a "Mother's Day" present.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Look for hot deals from Dell

 

[bluewall21]

Originally posted by: Psych
If you want an all purpose good value machine, than you should consider E-machines. But their is limited (if existant) customizations will make it difficult for you to get a DVD-RW and XP Pro. HP actually has some pretty good deals with rebates, check out their website.

Sorry if you are the kind that builds computers, though.

My emachines has a Lite-On DVD+-RW (and one of their machines comes with it stock). Not that I am really advocating emachines, just that they're not bad for a low price.

I would use an Athlon XP 2500+ with an Abit AN7, personally.