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Which (if either) of these computers for use in a University

L

lastig21

Platinum Member
I have to put together a spec sheet for my school for some computer builds. The computers must include a monitor, keyboard, and mouse as well - speakers are a plus. We have to order the computers from a place that accepts University Purchase Orders, which makes it difficult to find a good deal on all the parts we need. Which (if either) of these computers would you pick? Can you recomend another company with good prices that accepts Purchase Orders? These computers were spec'd from Directron.com

Directron Builds

P4 System
Epox EP-4SDA - $84
P4 1.6A - $152
DDR 256meg PC2100 - $72
ATI Radeon VE - $57
Maxtor 40gig 7200rpm - $89
Intel Pro 100+ Management - $18
Enlight 7237 w/300w - $53
Mitsumi Floppy - $10
Toshiba 16/48 DVD - $54
Mitsumi Internet Multimedia KB - $14
Microsoft Wheelmouse Optical - $24
Midiland FP21 Speakers - $28
Viewsonic E90F 19" monitor - $279

TOTAL with 19" = $934

or
Viewsonic E75F 17" monitor - $209

TOTAL with 17" = $864


AMD System
Epox 8KHA+ - $99
Athlon XP 1800+ (1.53ghz) - $134
Cooler Master DP5-7H53F - $8
DDR 256meg PC2100 - $72
ATI Radeon VE - $57
Maxtor 40gig 7200rpm - $89
Intel Pro 100+ Management - $18
Enlight 7237 w/300w - $53
Mitsumi Floppy - $10
Toshiba 16/48 DVD - $54
Mitsumi Internet Multimedia KB - $14
Microsoft Wheelmouse Optical - $24
Midiland FP21 Speakers - $28
Viewsonic E90F 19" monitor - $279

TOTAL with 19" = $939

or
Viewsonic E75F 17" Monitor - $209

TOTAL with 17" = $869
 
Are you willing to build the computers yourself or does it have to be prebuilt?

You could make some nice computers for the money if you had cash and could shop at different places.
 
I will be building the computers. I should have made that clear. The parts would "probably" have to be ordered from the same place. We might could order the monitors and cases locally to save on shipping.
 
Are these personal computers to use while attending a university? Or are computers the university will use in computer labs/for facutly/for staff?

Does the university provide free software (many do)?

How long are these computers suppose to be in use?

How many of these computers will be needed?

Can you wait 1 week for the 1.8A price to drop to the 1.6A level? If so then both systems will have nearly identical price and performance.
 
Ingram Micro gives fairly good University discounts. Go to http://www.ingrammicro.com/.

As for which system to choose, what exactly are these systems going to be used for? Web surfing? CAD? You gotta give us more info.

If you just want to get a fast and low cost system that'll do most anything you want trouble free, I'd get a Duron CPU and an ASUS motherboard. Sticking with a solid mainboard manufacturer like ASUS or Tyan is a good idea if you want to have as little trouble with this system as possible. Personally, I'd get an ASUS A7N266-C motherboard. It's $100 at most online retailers.
 
The computers will be for faculty. Most of the faculty don't do much on them (word, outlook, netscape), but they tend to keep numerous apps open at one time. The director does not like Dell, and the campus computer services is switching to Dell. The Dell base rate is a hair over a thousand including a 17" monitor. They come with 1.6ghz P4's and 256megs of ram (I have no idea what kind). The director wants us to build the computers instead of getting the Dells, so I have about $1000 to spend on each machine. I'm just trying to maximize the performance for the price that will be spent anyway.
 


<< The computers will be for faculty. Most of the faculty don't do much on them (word, outlook, netscape), but they tend to keep numerous apps open at one time. The director does not like Dell, and the campus computer services is switching to Dell. The Dell base rate is a hair over a thousand including a 17" monitor. They come with 1.6ghz P4's and 256megs of ram (I have no idea what kind). The director wants us to build the computers instead of getting the Dells, so I have about $1000 to spend on each machine. I'm just trying to maximize the performance for the price that will be spent anyway. >>



Dell or other major manufacturer will have SDRAM at the $1000 level, DDR at a $1200 level, and RDRAM at a $1250 level - give or take $50 on each. The faculty probably won't be doing much memory intensive work (unless some do simulations). Thus SDRAM will suit them just fine if you want to save a few bucks. I can't believe I just recommened SDRAM for a P4, but faculty doing Word and Netscape is the best use for SDRAM.

If you have to pay for the software, the Dell/Gateway/HP $1200 is probably the same price you would pay to build it yourself (plus you get free repairs under warranty).

One note, Dell would give you the 1.6 part, not the 1.6A.

For their use, either computer will be just fine.
 
I forgot to mention that we will not need any software. We have university licenses for all the software we use. Sdram would probably be suitable for most faculty, but three of the computers are going to computer tech department, including me 🙂

I will call Ingram Micro tomorrow and see what their rates are.
 
A stick of 128mbpc133 cost $36 at newegg, a 128mb pc2100 stick cost $37, wow your really saving a huge amount of money.😉 The campus can buy jumbo jacks for 99cents with the amount saved.😀
 


<< why should we try to suit your needs why dont you research it yourself! >>

I see you did update your post for a better response! LOL😉
 
I have a hard time imaging you could go wrong with either computer.

I would buy AMD because it's what i've been using more often of late, and i've loved it thus far.

Assuming you're not overclocking (and i wouldn't overclock a cpu that you won't be using) the AMD system will be faster (though not fast enough for many of the consumers to notice).

 
i would say go w/ the 17" monitor.. faculty don't need 19"... but hey, it's the university.. and if their budget is 1k/ea.. then go for it.. unless they are giving you some bonus for keeping it well under budget 😀
 
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