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Thread: Question for the Hardware Geeks

  1. #1
    God/dess MojoJojo's Avatar
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    Default Question for the Hardware Geeks

    I do fine with handling my software and configurations, but I'm still a novice when it comes to obtaining appropriately priced hardware.

    I see that there are currently a lot of deals going on with new computer systems. Just looked at a P4 system from Dell for $530. But...I don't need a full system, nor do I need any software, including the OS.

    Here's what I need:
    P4 (or equivalent)
    500+ (whatever the number is) megs of RAM
    Good video card that can support gaming

    I have a CD Burner
    I have a DVD Burner
    I have a network card

    SO....how do I go about obtaining the pieces I need in such a way that I can actually save money? Where is the best place to shop? Do I do this online or go to Microcenter and take it in the ass? Do I try to get a stripped down computer with the case, or is it better to pick up a motherboard, chip, RAM and video card and throw it into my current Gateway case?
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
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    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
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  2. #2
    Featured Member The_Oceans's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    Mojo, my own experience in buying computers is that the whole tends to cost less than the sum of its parts.

    Just did a quickie search on http://www.compusa.com and found the following:

    Motherboard (compatible with a Pentium 4) - around $150
    Pentium 4 processor - $250-300
    512MB memory SIMM/DIMM - $100
    128MB video card - $150

    So right there, minimum you're at about $650. Some places you can get the kit & caboodle for that much or less. I guess it depends on whether you feel comfortable doing your own upgrades and/or don't want to have extra computer parts lying around (as I will, having bought a new laptop to replace my 6-year old Pentium II).
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    God/dess MojoJojo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    Quote Originally Posted by The_Oceans
    and/or don't want to have extra computer parts lying around
    Hahahhaha....I should tell my wife someone said that to me. I still have PI's in my basement, half a dozen HD's and A Drives, etc. The list goes on.

    What you said about parts costs, however, is what I have been finding....I'm just hoping someone around here knows something I don't. Which happens a lot, so I figured my chances were decent.
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

  4. #4
    Featured Member polecat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    Be ready for a bunch of confusing crap when it comes to P4's, motherboards, videocard, memory, etc.etc.

    There are two types of P4 sockets now- Socket 478 and 775. Also, there are two types of P4's- Northwood and Prescott cores. The Northwoods are a bit better, Prescotts are newer, a little bit cheaper and run a bit hotter.

    Memory- just go with DDR400 and buy it in pairs. So if ya want 512MB total, get a pair of 256mb's. This is because some motherboards now offer "Dual Channel" mode for memory that can run memory at 2x speed, but only if you add memory in pairs.

    Graphics card? More confusion- a new type of video slot is out called PCI-Express. Older and more commonly seen are videocards/motherboards with AGP slots. PCI-E is superior, but you also would then need to be sure to get a videocard in PCI-E and not AGP. So you have to pay close attention to the motherboard/videocard combo you are getting.

    Don't bother upgrading your Gateway. Those cases usually suck, have weak power supplies and new cases are cheap.

    I'd highly recommend Newegg for ordering parts. They have the lowest prices and superior support + fast shipping. http://www.newegg.com

    Want a good system assembled for you?
    1GB/DDR400 (pair of 512s, on sale) - $129
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...146-299&DEPA=0

    Asus Socket 775 Mainboard with AGP, LAN, Soundcard - $95
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...131-511&DEPA=0

    P4 3.0ghz, Prescott, 775 - $181
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...116-184&DEPA=1

    Antec Case + 350W power - $76
    http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...129-119&DEPA=1

    Radeon 9600XT AGP videocard w/ 128MB - $142
    http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-288&depa=1

    -----------
    Roughly $650 for a P4-3.0ghz, 1 gigabyte of dual-channel/ddr400 ram, spiffy new case with a 350w power supply and a fully DirectX 9.0 ATI 9600XT 3d videocard.

    Other peeps interested- just add a dvd-rom drive (like $40) and a hard drive ($80-$120) and you have a completely brand new P4 system... and one that will stomp all over any Dell or Gateway.
    It doesn't matter if you're somebody in this world, it rather matters you mean the whole world to somebody.

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    Veteran Member urnemesis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    mojo
    http://www.tigerdirect.com/

    has everything you need at very good prices its the place i shop for anything and everything i need.
    The only Bush i like is between your legs.


  6. #6
    God/dess Pryce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    I LOVE newegg. They get me everything I need for a decent price and it all arrives in two days (I'm in the same state as them).
    We all imagine ourselves the agents of our destiny, capable of determining our own fate. But have we truly any choice in when we rise, or when we fall, or does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction. Is it evolution that takes us by the hand, does Science point our way, or is it God who intervenes keeping us safe.

    So much struggle for meaning, for purpose. And in the end, we find it only in each other. Our shared experience of the fantastic. And the mundane. The simple human need to find a kindred, to connect. And to know in our hearts... that we are not alone.
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    i would reccomend getting an AMD Athlon Processor and mother board, same performance of pentium, but cheaper

  8. #8
    God/dess MojoJojo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Question for the Hardware Geeks

    I appreciate all the info. I feel relatively certain that if I get these parts, the system I have will be considerably better than these $529 deals I see going on...but if anyone thinks I am incorrect, let me know.
    "The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind."
    -Humphrey Bogart

    "Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your drink."
    -Lady Astor to Winston Churchill
    "Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it."
    -His reply

    "If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
    -David Daye

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