Need help with buying a new system

[1cheater]

I have a Gateway with win98 and am in need of a big time upgrade...

I'm just looking at getting a new tower with everything dvd rw etc, I have a monitor keyboard etc...

I haven't shopped for a PC sence 98 so I'm not realy sure whats the best processor to go with Pent 4 or Athlon? I would like lots of speed and memory. a half way decent Video Card. I'm looking at getting somthing in the 500$ range. I realise I should get alot for that money nowwa days (without Monitor, etc)

Any help would be appreciated... I like to shop at Newegg because they have great deals... Not sure if you guys have another depenable site for this stuff..

Thanks for the help

 

[1cheater]

Have my eye on this 1, what you think?
$556.98


Specifications

General SpecBrandAcerSeriesAcerPower FEModelAPFE-U-P5161Form FactorMini towerProcessor1 x Intel Pentium 4 516 (2.93GHz)Cache Per Processor1MB L2 CacheMemory512MB DDRHard Drive80GBOptical Drive 1CD-RW / DVD-ROM Combo DriveGraphicsIntegrated Intel GMA 900AudioSound card - stereoEthernetNetwork adapter - Ethernet, Fast EthernetPower Supply300 WattKeyboardPS/2-style keyboardMousePS/2-style mouseOperating SystemWindows XP ProSoftware IncludedAdobe Acrobat Reader, Acer System Recovery, Norton AntiVirus (OEM), CyberLink PowerDVD (OEM), NTI CD-Maker Gold (OEM)Manufacturer WarrantyLimited warranty - 1 year - on-siteMotherboardChipsetIntel 915GLCPUCPU TypePentium 4Installed Qty1Max Supported Qty1CPU FSB533MHzCPU Speed2.93GHzL2 Cache Per CPU1MBCPU Socket TypeLGA 775GraphicsGPU/VPU TypeIntel GMA 900MemoryMemory Capacity512MB DDRForm FactorDIMM 184-pinMaximum Memory Supported2GBHard DriveHD Capacity80GB(SATA)Optical DriveOptical Drive TypeDVD/CD-RW ComboOptical Drive Spec-Read - 12X DVD-ROM, 32X CD-ROM
-Write - 24X CD-R, 16X CD-RWAudioAudio ChipsetIntegratedCommunicationsLAN ChipsetIntegratedLAN Speed10/100MbpsFront Panel PortsFront USB2Front Audio Ports2Back Panel PortsCOM1LPT1PS/22VGA1Rear USB6Rear Audio PortsMicrophone, Headphones JackExpansionExternal Bays2x 5.25", 1x 3.5"Internal Bays2x 3.5"PCI Slots (Available/Total)1x PCI-E x16, 3x PCIMouseMouse TypePS/2-style MouseKeyboardKeyboard TypePS/2-style keyboardPhysical SpecDimensions7.1" x 16.5" x 14.2" (WxHxD)WarrantyManufacturer Warranty1-Year limited warranty​

 

[quantumleap]

cheater:

Go to www.computers.com. It's a cnet web site. Click on the "reviews" tab and check out some reviews of computers. They list prices as well so you can shop for price.

www.tigerdirect.com and www.newegg.com have good prices on computers and components.

 

[TTinCO]

Nope---Acer is TRASH!!! Complete & total garbage.

The basics that you definitely want: Win XP PRO (not home), P4 processor, and 1gb or memory.

Check out Dell's site. I think they have "build your own" type of interface. I'm a big fan of HP workstations.....have over 100 at the office, and they have been very reliable. There are also a lot of "white box" computers that will get you more for your money, but if you have issues, you're much worse off.

Also check out CDW-they have freakin hundreds if not thousands of pc's. Anywhere from 400 to $4k

 

[1cheater]

Thanks guys, I will post my top 5 choices and maybe we can vote? I will buy the PC that everyone votes on...


I marked all 3 sites, very helpfull, may be a few days before I get it to 5...

 

[hellah10]

cheater - If your willing to spend between 550 and 600...your better off buying a built computer that uses good parts.

I always recommend to people that they either buy the parts from newegg.com and build the PC or go to ebay and buy a computer from the eBay user: eCollegePC

he has fast computers for a GREAT price - check out his eBay store

http://stores.ebay.com/eCollegePC

 

[1cheater]

Hellah, looks like U hit the nail on the head, thanks!

This looks like what I'm looking for..., Have you dealt with this seller?

 

[hellah10]

i havent personally (cuz i buy my own stuff)...but i have referred between 15-20 people to this guy...and they are all happy with the results

if you do decide to buy from this guy...make sure you post here what computer your considering just to make sure you have everything that you`ll need

 

[1cheater]

HP or custom seems to be the way to go... I've narrow it down between a HP, or a custom model, not sure yet... Custom seems to be more expensive after add-ons and such.. I would like a 9-1 reader.. I have yet to contact the builder that Hellah suggested, just think HP may have more of what I want included already...

Anyone else have any good computer sales sites?

 

[BaseballGuy]

i havent personally (cuz i buy my own stuff)...but i have referred between 15-20 people to this guy...and they are all happy with the results

if you do decide to buy from this guy...make sure you post here what computer your considering just to make sure you have everything that you`ll need

That E-college place sells garbage. Those systems don't even come with operating systems. Most have integrated video as well.


Might as well have recomended he get a computer at walmart.

 

[hellah10]

That E-college place sells garbage. Those systems don't even come with operating systems. Most have integrated video as well.


Might as well have recomended he get a computer at walmart.

i always give people a copy of XP...and if your not playing computer games, u dont need a video card. The guy doesnt plan on playing Doom 3

 

[BaseballGuy]

i always give people a copy of XP...and if your not playing computer games, u dont need a video card. The guy doesnt plan on playing Doom 3

I was not talking bad for games. I was talking bad in general.

Integrated video causes huge problems down the line. Especially if you ever plan on adding a decent card. Good Luck trying to totally disable it..

 

[hellah10]

ive never had issues disabling anything thats integrated to the board...

 

[jasin4000]

Hellah, looks like U hit the nail on the head, thanks!

This looks like what I'm looking for..., Have you dealt with this seller?

I bought my tower from ecollege pc, and its going great, you ca get whatever you want in it...and there customer service is great...i also go a 2 year warranty for a good deal so if something happens i can just send it back for free and they will take care of it.


I def. would take a strong look at ecollege.


hope this helps

 

[jasin4000]

and i got all my software and programs from my one buddy thats real big into computers.

 

[hellah10]

glad that its worked out for ya jasin :toast:

this guy seems to be solid...i always refer people to him

 

[yellowman]

www.pricewatch.com -- nuff said.

 

[1cheater]

Thanks Yellowman, looks like some good deals there also...

You or anyone have any feedback on the brand X-Technology?

 

[1cheater]

After many hours of research and consideration I made a choice on a PC..

I got the HP Pav a1310n It's quite a nice PC for the money I paid $540.

I bought a HP All in one Printer last week and had a hell of a time trying to install onto my dinosaur of a computer.. Anyway, the tech was a great guy (spoke english) 2nd teir tech support, got my problem solved in a hour where the others had no clue.. Sooooo the tech identifies that I have a ancient PC and makes me a offer for some special discounts because of my misfortune with hooking up the printer... He recomended this PC for my price range and I think it's gonna work out great, Got everything I wanted except a TV tuner, but I'll just get that later...

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ Processor with Enhanced Virus Protection; 2.2GHz

Windows XP Media Center Edition

1.0GB DDR PC3200 SDRAM memory (2x512 for ultimate performance); expandable to 4GB

ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Graphics with up to 256MB shared video memory<-Will probably get a better GC down the road..

200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive [gigabyte is defined as 1,000,000,000 bytes, accessible capacity may vary]

LightScrible 16x DVD+/-R/RW drive with CD Writer capabilities and Double Layer support

4 DIMM (two available

9-in-1 memory card reader, 3 USB ports, 1 FireWire (IEEE 1394) port, microphone/line-in/line-out

10/100BaseT Network Interface

Integrated audio, 6 speaker configurable<--Already have nice Boston speakers, will stick with them


Want to thank you guys for all the help in my frugal persuit, I realy appreciate all the help...