New PC Advice

[The Key]

This is my parts list. It's the first PC that I will have built before, so constructive critiscm about my hardware choices would be appreciated. Also, if you know of a place that's cheaper, do tell. I don't have any local PC places around me so I have to order pretty much everything online.

I think this is all of the shtuff.

Guillemot 32MB Ge2 MX Hercules - $90
Modem - $13
CD ROM - $32
Intel Pentium III 933 - $200
ASUS CUSL2-C - $130
IBM 30.0GB 7200RPM - $130
Black Aluminum - $140 black mouse, speakers, KB too
SB Live! Value - $50
Monitor - $100 (getting from a friend)
256 MB PC133 SDRAM - $68
Some cheap NIC

- Total.. around $955.. premiersystem.com [site I'm getting MOST stuff from (does anyone have any prior experience with this place?)] has free shipping if you have so many items. Taxes may up it more.

------------------

Interesting enough.

[mjc]

Looks pretty good but I would consider a better modem (hardware based) it'll be in the $50 - $100 range....unless it is for being a backup to a highspeed internet connection (cable, DSL)....

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[bassvax]

I agree with MJC on the modem issue. If you are sticking with dial-up and don't plan on a home network, I would leave the NIC in the box and install it later when you need it. The monitor has me a little concerned...how old is it? Is it gonna make your experiences enjoyable? I'd hate to see you get a beefy system then throw in a 3D game and be disappointed. I picked up a new (actually 2 bought one for the kids also) Samsung Syncmaster 753DF 17" Flat Display for $230. I am very pleased with the performance.

------------------
savoire faire ist everywhere...

[The Key]

Actually, I do plan on having a home network with the computer I'm typing on right now. I didn't think that modems really differed in performance if they were all v.90 56k.

Actually, I don't know much about the screen.. a friend I know bought a 21 inch from a guy who was selling some monitors, and said he could hook me up too.

If I have more money than expected, the monitor would be the first thing that I'd upgrade on the list.

------------------
And thanks for listening.

[AwARe]

Hello KEY http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Monitor Recommendation, if you get to the point of buying one.......

Viewsonic A70f 17" Perfect Flat

The color and clearity on this monitor is awesome......

If you want higher resolutions then 1024x768 stay away from this one however........The refresh rates at higher then 1024x768 start to lag behind some other monitors a little..............

But its one of the best "looking" monitors Ive ever seen under $300
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/productdetail.cfm?productID=0008E1E0-B8A6-1 A64-A76180C4C7BE0000 (http://www.viewsonic.com/products/productdetail.cfm?productID=0008E1E0-B8A6-1A64-A76180C4C7BE0000)
I got mine for about $230 after a rebate........

As far as the vid card goes http://ocie.safeshopper.com/38/579.htm?3
that card is 64mb has TV out and runs at the same 200mhz that the hercules MX does $93 - you can get 32mb cards much less even the hercules cards if your heart is stuck on hercules.......unless there is some other difference between those cards Im not aware of, but I dont think there is..........They're both MX 400's and spec out the same except for the 32/64 difference........

Also Ive seen PIII's much less then $200 but Im kinda wondering why you wouldnt want to build an AMD system, concidering the current performance of AMD and the great prices?

I'd also recommend putting out the extra $20 for the SB 5.1

and Lastly, Id recommend getting a DVD player instead of some "cheap" CDROM you can get a great DVD Player for about $60 and it will also play all your normal CD's........some of the better DVD Players are the pioneer 116 and the Toshiba M1502....Currently I have a post asking for someone to tell me if they know which is better lmao, but those 2 are supposed to be the best choices as far as Quality and Price......A friend of mine has the Toshiba, he says its great, but I dont personally know anyone with the Pioneer......

Hope you find my "Opinions" helpful!

I wont touch much on the modem issue because I think its already been said, but there is quite a bit of differences between one modem to another depending on which modems you are comparing......$13 modem has to be a POS heh

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-26-2001).]

[psabi]

Just to add about the modem:

Since you are most likely getting a POS winmodem (like the isa winmodem I'm on now), don't even spend the $13 - just buy a "free after rebate" one. Not that $13 will cause you to go hungry but I would rather see you put the $13 toward a better modem...

If you have a circuit city near you, they have a modem on sale tomorrow that's "free" (minus taz and postage) after rebate. It's just a winmodem with a pcTel chipset I believe...

look for a controller based modem, one that says it works with DOS and/or linux, and one that has really low system requirements (like only need a 486!)

-Pete

[The Key]

Thanks for the advice.

About the Intel.. some friends I know who have made computers a lot warned me about heating issues with AMD, and said that I would just have trouble.

Is this Intel fan bias or truth?

------------------
And thanks for listening.

[Adam Pintar]

The fan that came with my PIII 733mhz worked just fine but would heat up to about 46degrees so I threw on a thermaltake golden orb and now it runs at 27 degrees sitting and about 38 degrees while playing such games like UT.

The fan only cost me $27 canadian.

Ans if you want to have a better one get an alpha sink there probably one of the best in my opinion and are great for overclocking.

hope this helps

Adam http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Bailey]

I would agree with the advice on getting a better modem. I recently bought a modem blaster for around $40 US. It seems to be a good performer and has worked in several machines i have tried it in.

I've had the best luck with the 3com internal pci faxmodem (not the winmodem). A little expensive, but is solid and will give you good service and is very easy to setup.

As far as a dvd player goes. Unless you are going to spend a lot of time watching dvd's on your puter, i would stick with just the cdrom or maybe spring for a cdrw for storage and/or backup. Not too many programs coming out on dvd yet, and you can always add one later.

You might want to check out the prices @ Directron (http://www.directron.com) and Tccomputers (http://www.tccomputers.com)

Adamant (http://www,adamant.com) has the CUSL2-C for $119

Good luck



------------------
"Ooooh, They have the
internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

[This message has been edited by Bailey (edited 05-28-2001).]

[The Key]

Er, I should've clarified.. I meant Intel fan as in Intel enthusiast.

------------------
And thanks for listening.

[AwARe]

KEY,

If someone has you scared that an AMD is going to catch on fire or something along those lines lmao hahaha http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif <- get my meaning?

There are those among us that have some kind of fear of anything not intel or microsoft......but those fears are "Greatly" misplaced..........

Not a thing wrong with AMD, in fact at this point they have "Intel" a bit scared......(May change soon who knows)

*Maybe the person telling you to stay away from AMD works for Intel? and hes worried about his job? hahaha*

Want to add, as far as Bailey's post about sticking with a CDROM......
(Nothing personal Bailey, Please dont take this that way)
True enough you may not use the DVD aspect of your DVD player very often, but "my point" was , Dont buy a cheap CDROM because they dont last long, and its kind of a waste of money buying a "cheap" CDROM......."Good" DVD Players go for about the same price as a "Good" CDROM (Somewhere around $60)...... So why anyone would "short themselves" the "ability" of playing DVD's, "since it would cost them the "same" amount of money" I have no idea. Also as far as using a CD Burner is its place, I never use, or recommend to anyone that asks, that they use a CD Burner as thier "Primary" CD Reader. CD Burners cost about twice as much as a reader and using them as your primary CD Reader is kinda stupid (Sorry for the bluntness) You can "buy and burn up" 2 CD Readers for the cost of 1 CD Burner. Only makes sence to only use it for what you need it for, and not waste money this way........ If you want a CD Burner buy one and "add" it along side your Reader..........

Well those are my "Opinions" anyways
Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-28-2001).]

[Bailey]

Aware,

I was gathering from Key, that he hasn't got a lot of money to throw around and was suggesting that he upgrade his modem, stick with the $32 cdrom for now and consider upgrading to the more useful cdrw at a later time. If he would like to sit at his puter and watch movies, the DVD would be a fine choice, but if you simply need a cdrom then take the other $30-40 and upgrade the modem.

Just because HP puts DVD on every pc they sell doesn't mean that the guys that build their own have to buy into it.

Just my opinion



------------------
"Ooooh, They have the
internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

[The Key]

I really wouldn't enjoy watching movies unless it was on a TV.. but anyhow..

Man, why do you enclose everything in " "? Just a question.. it's sort of annoying http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif no offense or anything

------------------
And thanks for listening.

[AwARe]

Well Bailey,

I asked you not to take it personally, but it appears you cant help yourself..............

1st, my original statement in my last post still stands, and I wish you would try to understand this is "My Opinion", and you personally I promise are not going to change it..........I base this opinion on the 35 CDROMS I have in my shop that dont work and alot of them are less then 1 year old, not even worth the freight to send them back to the mfg. If you pay the freight and pay me $5 ea. for them, Id be glad to send them to your house, so that you can examine them yourself http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

"Dont buy a cheap CDROM because they dont last long, and its kind of a waste of money"

If you would like to recommend that someone buy one, go ahead I wont stop you, but I will express my opinion that you are wasting your money by doing so..........and this applies "especially" in the case you mentioned where as Key may not have alot of $$$ to spare......

Please in the future, try to refrain from answering a post and directing it towards "Me", unless I am the one that made the original post, or you have something "Positive" or "Constructive" to offer.....or need for some reason to clear up a misunderstanding. I "Only" mentioned your name previously, in an attempt to avoid this turning into a personal debate. It appears that attempt has failed.......

I refuse to debate this issue with you, and would appreciate it very much if you would try to stop yourself from further making this a personal matter...............

Thanks,
Have A Great Day!

PS at what point did HP come into this discussion?

Edit: My recommendation about buying a DVD instead of a CDROM is 100% based on the fact they both cost the same amount of money, and the DVD has the ability to play DVD's along with all the abilities that the CDROM has......soooooo

Good DVD = $60
Good CDROM = $60
POS Cheap CDROM = JUNK

.........and thats all I have to say on the matter

Key,

I "Try" to use punctuation, among other things in my posts, in an attempt to get my points across more clearly, and without misunderstanding....

Im sorry if you find it annoying.........

Perhaps if you find it offensive, I should refrain from trying to help you?
Just a question.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif No offence or anything

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-29-2001).]

[Bailey]

Aware,

If you would even bother to read my previous post, I never mentioned your name or made it personal. You did that:

Want to add, as far as Bailey's post about sticking with a CDROM......(Nothing personal Bailey, Please dont take this that way


and then berated me formy opinion:

using them as your primary CD Reader is kinda stupid

This was after you assumed that I wanted Key to buy a cdrw instead of the cdrom first.

I spent a lot of time looking at this site before I built my first PC and have spent a lot more time on this site while building several since.

One of the things that I really about the people here is that they don't get all wrapped up in trying to show off or try impart all the knowledge they have in one single post. If someone has a different opinion they don't take it as a personal attack. If they don't know something, they let someone else help rather than chiming in at every opportunity regardless of whether they have anything meaningful to add to the topic.

I am only here to learn and help others if I can. Not to get into arguments.

Over an Out


------------------
"Ooooh, They have the
internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

[AwARe]

Bailey,

If you can explain to me "why" after I post, "Please dont take this personal" I get a personal response back from you, if you can do that, then you will begin to make sence to me................Notice that my post was addressed to KEY but however yours seems to be addressed to me...........

I simply felt that after your post recommending why KEY should stick with a POS CDROM, I should add a little to "clearify" why I believe that is a bad idea............My responce was not meant to say you were wrong, only to clearify what my opinion is on the subject......and as I stated that is "exactly" why I said "Please dont take this personal" BECAUSE IT WASNT DIRECTED AT YOU!....But I Knew In Advance, It Was Going To Say Exactly The Oposite Of What You Said, and I saw your feathers russling as I typed it out........Next Time "Dont Take It Personal"

At any rate........
Please dont respond, I really dont care!

EDIT: Quote:"using them as your primary CD Reader is kinda stupid" <- This "is" pretty stupid, buy a Cd writer for twice the amount of money, and then burn it up installing software and playing games etc, yes that is pretty stupid!, but I never said "you" were stupid............ Quote: "stick with just the cdrom or maybe spring for a cdrw" <- and I really dont think I assumed it.....I think you suggested it!

And one more thing, as far as this statement goes, Quote:"If you would even bother to read my previous post, I never mentioned your name or made it personal. You did that:"

If "You" would read your original post, you will find, that it begins a short way down the page with Quote:"as far as the dvd player goes" which you promptly posted directly after my post recommending a dvd player...

Please explain to me the difference in that statement and any other statement I made that followed that one?.................

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-30-2001).]

[The Key]

Originally posted by AwARe:
Key,

I "Try" to use punctuation, among other things in my posts, in an attempt to get my points across more clearly, and without misunderstanding....

Im sorry if you find it annoying.........

Perhaps if you find it offensive, I should refrain from trying to help you?
Just a question.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif No offence or anything

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-29-2001).]


I didn't say it was offensive, I just said it was annoying. Honestly, I think bold emphasizes things more than quotes.

Anyhow, Aware, when comparing prices, a DVD is on average $20 more expensive than a CD-ROM of the same speed. Since I already have a DVD player on my TV, I'll probably just stick with the CD-ROM.

Thanks anyways. Sorry about the sort of late posting here.

------------------
And thanks for listening.