Need some help with a new computer purchase

[Black Yaris]

So I am not as computer savvy as I once was and know nothing of AMD processors.

we are upgrading from our Celron 2.4gig over clocked POS with gig of RAM with an ASUS board we have a 120gig and a 80 gig drives that work perfectly as well 2 DVD burners

I was thinking of getting this "bare bones" system
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370120481075

we would transfer the good parts of our current computer to this one with out having to swap any data over

looks like a killer deal...... any advise is welcome

[Kaotic Lazagna]

As far as I know, AMD processors are better for gamers, but will start to lag quicker compared with Intel when multiple apps/programs are running at the same time. My gf and her sister bought Toshiba's with AMD Duo Core processors, and I can see the difference of lag when comparing my friend's HP with an Intel Duo Core processor.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

You can find additional RAM over at dealnews.com. If you can deal with mail-in rebates, some deals basically give you the RAM for free. That tower can be expanded to 16GB, supposedly.

[Black Yaris]

I was thinking of running it as is, maybe upgrade the RAM if needed


I also found this one from the same company
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-P4-3-4GHZ-BAREBONE-COMPUTER-2GB-RAM_W0QQitemZ250332839666QQihZ015QQcategoryZ179QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

[Black Yaris]

we are looking for an economic unit that will handle Titan Quest better for the wife...... it lags our computer bad

I just play on the internet and play with photoshop....

[Black Yaris]

so what do you think would be better the Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000 or the P4 3.4GHZ?

[Black Yaris]

you have any other suggestions of where to get a bare bones for under $200?

[Black Yaris]

$200 USD so about $250 CAD

[Kaotic Lazagna]

How about this, Joe:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4329711&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB55bETCjCVqHCjCdwwp

[Phaeton]

NEWEGG!

[YarisSedan]

So I am not as computer savvy as I once was and know nothing of AMD processors.

we are upgrading from our Celron 2.4gig over clocked POS with gig of RAM with an ASUS board we have a 120gig and a 80 gig drives that work perfectly as well 2 DVD burners

I was thinking of getting this "bare bones" system
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370120481075

we would transfer the good parts of our current computer to this one with out having to swap any data over

looks like a killer deal...... any advise is welcome


Dell had a sale last night i cant remember if it was 229 or 329. But it came with a pretty fast computer with 2 gigs ram and a 19 inch flatscreen monitor keyboard an dmouse. Everything you needed. They are sold out prettty much on it already now. You have to pay the normal price which i think its 389. But isnt a bad deal if you figure out everything that comes iwth it. You could probally sell the monitor on craigs list fo rlike 150

[Shroomster]

So, if I were to buy this "bare bones" setup I would have to assemble it meaning solder and screws? (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4319067&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs) ^<^<^<^<^<link

[Black Yaris]

this is a pretty nice one for the money as well
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4219441&CatId=333
Intel PD 940 3.20GHz
XFX MG-63MI-7109 with Integrated GeForce 7100
3GB DDR2-667
450-Watt PSU

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Better specs than the one I posted. :smile:

[Revsson]

So, if I were to buy this "bare bones" setup I would have to assemble it meaning solder and screws? (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4319067&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs) ^<^<^<^<^<link

You won't have to solder. Just screw down the motherboard and other
parts such as the hard drive, etc. Then connect the cables. It's pretty
simple, but you do have to make sure you have all the right cables going to
the right connectors.

[Black Yaris]

this is a pretty nice one for the money as well
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4219441&CatId=333
Intel PD 940 3.20GHz
XFX MG-63MI-7109 with Integrated GeForce 7100
3GB DDR2-667
450-Watt PSU

anymore input? I think the one above looks like the best bang for the buck

[eTiMaGo]

The truth is, computers these days are exceedingly powerful for the price, compared to what most people do with them. For casual gaming and normal (web, word processing, etc) usage, pretty much any computer manufactured in the past 3 years will be more than good enough :laugh: Just make sure you have plenty of RAM, and might as well get the biggest hard drive you can, they always do eventually run out of space, and the price per megabyte is always better for bigger ones.

That tigerdirect one your posted will do a fine job, but I am sure that for a similar price you could get a Core2 Duo-based machine. The Pentium D is fine, but a rather old and HOT architecture, and there should be a sensible improvement in the responsiveness of the computer, while saving a little power.

[nsmitchell]

My advice is stick with ASUS motherboards.

Newegg has these prices as of right now:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+
Rosewill R103A Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply
ASUS M3A78-EM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103210 $63.00 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147010 $35.00 $15.00 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324 $66.00 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 $35.00 free shipping

Total = $214.00 total shipped.

[nsmitchell]

The motherboard has only one IDE (ATA) connector, so make sure to use a SATA hard drive. I would get a SATA DVD burner as well. Lite-On or LG are the only ones I will consider. Western Digital hard drives are the only hard drives I use.

Just my opinions though, but I build a lot of PCs and my customers are always impressed by the low cost and stability and longevity of my systems.

[ChinoCharles]

I always built my systems until I bought this AMD Phenom box from HP. This thing is so badass it isn't even funny. 6 gigs of ram and a quad-core 64 bit chip for around a grand. Just do yourself a favor, go to Best Buy and buy something you don't have to build. It isn't worth the trouble. Any time you build a system, there is a risk of something stupid happening.

Raise your hand if you ground yourself for everything, use static pads and check compatibility for every little component you put in your systems. Didn't think so. :laugh:

[ChinoCharles]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107705

There you go dude. They've got it on sale for $800. ROFL are you kidding me? I'm pissed now. Seriously, the stuff these manufacturers cram in these boxes at these prices... I wouldn't build a system anymore. Too easy and painless to just buy it.

[nsmitchell]

I would never buy a premade system. They make me wanna hurl. HP, Dell, Gateways are all awful. Business class PCs are fine. I buy IBMs (Lenovo) for my company. But for home use it's AMD Retail CPUs, ASUS motherboards, Crucial or G-Skill RAM, Western Digital hard drives, with LG or Lite-On DVD burners with OEM Windows XP. Cases are the wildcard. I do however use Antec Eathwatts power supplies.

The biggest problem I have with "Store Bought" PCs is the proprietary bullshit they do with cases and card readers, etc. If something breaks, you usually need to buy their parts, which can be pricey. With a custom built PC, everything is easily and cheaply replaced. I say usually because CPUs RAM and the basics are generic enough to work even in proprietary systems.

I don't think any store bought PCs ccome with XP anymore. Vista pretty much sux.

[Black Yaris]

ok I think this is it
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4283251&sku=MCM-M2NSLI-5400

[nsmitchell]

That looks like a sweet deal. Not much warranty probably. Get Antec Earthwatts PS 500W.

Also get a good surge suppressor/power cleaner. It will protect your system and make it run optimally.

[ChinoCharles]

I built an AMD system with an ASUS board and it lasted 2 years before the chip fried. Make sure you buy lots of fans.

[Shroomster]

hey be sure to show pics of when you get it and/or maybe a DIY that way I'll know what I'm in for ...