What single computer part would you spend $800 on?

[zCypher]

I'm posting this here cause it's a "general" computer hardware question.. so anyways, what would you buy for about $800? A monitor? Super large hard drive? Latest high end video card?

Personally I'm thinking about getting a nice flat panel and a nice sound system for my comp, cause at the moment I'm running an old Yamaha 2.1 with a 15" Optiquest CRT ... not very flattering to say the least. Since I'm still living at home I can salvage most of my money for wasteful purposes - so I'd like to get these luxuries out of the way before I move out and can't afford them.

What are your suggestions? what kind of LCD would you get for 800 bucks? What about sound? Would you buy a $500-600 LCD and $200 worth of speakers? TIA

 

[Ronin]

A new monitor, based on your setup, would be first on my list. I'd skip on an LCD, however, and go CRT. Speakers aren't a bad idea, but consider upgrading something IN your box if you need to (CPU, RAM, Video card, etc).

 

[SithSolo1]

Personally spending $800 on any one thing other than a monitor is just stupid.

That said, I'd find a nice LCD or two.

 

[dullard]

For home: nothing. The average computer now (including monitor) is selling for just under $800. You are proposing spending more money on one part than the majority of people spend on the whole thing. To me, nothing I do at home is worth spening $800 on a computer part for. I don't even spend $800 on the whole computer (hot deals) and can run anything I want.

For work: I bought a $600 21" monitor since it was needed, I bought a $600 video card since it was needed, I bought dual Xeon CPUs for about $600 each, I also once bought $1000 worth of memory for one computer.

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Personally spending $800 on any one thing other than a monitor is just stupid.

That said, I'd find a nice LCD or two.

I realize this but i'm curious nonetheless. My specs right now :

Nice black/silver case + 350W psu
AMD Athlon 1.3GHz
MSI KT4VL mobo (KT400)
1GB DDR333
LG DVD/CDRW 16x48x24x48x
HP 8x4x32x
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 128MB

 

[zCypher]

My computer is fast enough... the only thing that would improve it right now is a faster processor, maybe a barton - and ddr 400 or a better chipset or something. Maybe faster HDs, but I have two 80GB drives, both recent, one 2MB and one 8MB... so i don't think so.

i don't really care about the performance right now as it does what I want - but having a big or nice monitor is not about performance.

 

[Spicedaddy]

dual 17/18" LCDs

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy
dual 17/18" LCDs

brand/model preference? My 9000 pro supports dual..

 

[dmw16]

awesome LCD. Or if you can spend it on a few items, an Athlon64(when they come out), Nvidia nForce3 board, and lots of RAM

 

[Alkali]

I spent 1,074.48 USD on my monitor.

 

[Gravity]

Vapochill.

nuff said,

Gravity

 

[Budmantom]

I would pay $800 for the "box" and I would hope eveything would be included.

 

[lazybum131]

if you don't care about improving performance to your box, then I say upgrade your monitor and speakers.
A nice monitor and quality set of speakers will last longer then any component in the box.

Current high-quality multimedia speakers will probably be good enough for computers for a really long time.
For higher quality sound, you'll be looking at 'real' speakers.

 

[Budman]

800 ?? never, the most I paid & are will to pay for 1 part is 400$cdn.

 

[illuminati]

I'd get dual LCDs... just use any stereo system you have as your PC Speakers.... that's what the AUX line is for

 

[Theslowone]

If i was in your shoes i would buy a 19" lcd, new speakers, and a dvd burner.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Super-uber-large TFT - with a bunch of coupons and some Ferengism, I bet I could nab a 20"+ for that.

- M4H

 

[nycdude]

Nice LCD monitor

 

[Nebor]

That sweet water blocked gainward 5900 Ultra... But it's more than $800

 

[Tab]

LCD or Flat HDTV for my moniter

 

[Ionizer86]

800? Uber duper LCD. Even then I wouldn't buy one due to cost.

<--most expensive modern part = $79 8rda+ (also have a 40GB $100 HDD from long ago).

 

[0roo0roo]

kinda depends on your salary doesn't it.

 

[50]

A new A64+mobo!

 

[SpeedFreak03]

haha $800 on one computer part? wooooo i wouldnt be able to spend that much on the whole thing (due to budget lol)! But if you want a niiiiiiiice 17'' CRT, I would highly recommend the HP Pavilion MX70 17''. I paid $80 after MIR at Best Buy about a month ago. I love this monitor! I think you should get a Barton 2500, Abit NF7-S, and use your current ram, that will cost about $200. Then, buy the MX70 monitor, which costs $130 before rebate. Then, buy either a nice set of speakers, or a new reciever and speakers (receiver+speakers would sound better IMO). So you should have $200~$250 left. So go get the 4X DVD-R/+R that is like $130 (forget manufacterer and store). Then spend the rest of your $$$ on some nice Panaflos, and a new HSF.

 

[wetcat007]

Killer LCD display