ok $1000 now what????

[jjoel]

computer + monitor preferably a name brand (hp, compaq etc...)

i'd like either an athlon or a p4 1 gig + some.... 64 meg video card... atleast 20 gig hd.... and atleast a 17 inch monitor...

this computer will have a scanner and a printer on it. also it will be used for mild gaming. so if you guyz could give me any reccomendations i'd be very greatful. my dad just asked what we could get for $1000 so i'm gonna look around a bit.

[buck52]

Howdy

Everything I have read points to Dell if your going to buy and not build it yourself.
That said...I have an HP that I bought a couple of years ago that has not given me any trouble at all.

good luck

buck

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just hav'n fun

[hiredgoonz]

The problem with Dells in that price range is generally that the video is onboard with shared RAM, making it not the ideal solution for gaming...Compaq might be a better choice, check the ads in your local compusa or best buy.

Also, for that price, I recommend not going for a P4 system. If you do find one, it will be an sdram system with horrible performance compared to an Athlon or even P3. The P4 needs the high bandwidth of RDRAM to perform and with it comes added price...

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;rid;kbinfo)

Drivers (http://www.driverguide.com)

Google (http://www.google.com)

[andyswork@beci.net]

This will give you some ideas. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?id=06

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One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[Jumby]

Or try here...http://www.buyabs.com/index5.shtml

[rond36]

Micron PC (http://www.micronpc.com/) is another good company. It is the parent company of Micron RAM. They sell both AMD and Intel

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How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a Hard Disk (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q255867)
WindowsBBS.com (http://www.WindowsBBS.com/index.php?referrerid=115) Is back online, check it out

[Whyzman]

I would definitely go with an IBUILTIT system!

There are a couple of reasons: First, you have complete control over the components you decide you want to use. Secondly, if a problem does develop and you can readily isolate, e.g. RAM, Video Card etc. you can swap out and be back up and running.

I've purchased 2 systems in the past and when there was a problem I had to ship the whole computer back and was "computerless" for a little over 2 weeks at a shot. One I had to ship back twice.

Even if you could isolate a problem with a proprietary computer, you stand the chance of voiding the warranty if you go "messin'" under the hood. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

With an IBUILTIT system you have control over whether you want to purchase Retail and enjoy the benefit of dealing directly with a component's manufacturer for warranty and technical support. In the event of a problem, we're talking individual components that could move back and forth inexpensively through Priority Mail. The weight of a complete system almost necessitates ground shipping.

I would suggest that you change the query in this post to what individual components, i.e. Motherboard, Vid Card you would want for your gaming system and then price them out and see what you come up with. PRICEWATCH (http://www.pricewatch.com) is a handy place to compare prices. See what kind of "bang for the buck" you get with the {b]IBUILTIT[/b] and be in control of your own destiny! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[iisbob]

ok $1000 now what????

Well,....you could send it to me! LOL! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif




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iisbob

The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. -- Mark Twain.

[andyswork@beci.net]

iisbob, I loved your reply, short,sweet and too the point.

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One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[novicetoday]

jjoels' question is the samething I was thinking. I would like to put a machine together much like he asked. However I would like to use the monitor I already have that is the fixed frequency HP A1097C I am not sure if I would be limiting myself much by having to use the video card that came with the monitor.AGP card S3 savage4 Illusionist 3D.The reason I would like to use this monitor is its a 19inch screen. I would eventually like to use it to send vid's and pic's via the internet.
As of yet I do not own a digital camera, that is on the list for summer finds. I also would like to use this machine to burn/cd's pictures and audio.
I have been looking around the internet. I am not on the same level of understanding you people are at when it comes to the components. Bare bones systems and then add the extra cards. I have read alot yet am still confused as to what is compatable and what is going to flame out. Could I get some advice as to what components to make a decent machine. I don,t need the fastest. I am sure with the knowledge I have already gleaned from this site I can find out where to buy the parts.

[Whyzman]

I just finished building my Father a new computer. I built it around iisbob's highly recommended ECS K7S5 (http://www.ecs.com.tw/products/k7s5a.htm) a board that allows either DDR or SDRAM. Assembly went without a hitch. Board was easy to work with...and I especially liked the enclosed rear plate with the icons for the USB, Mouse, Keyboard etc., very classy!

I ordered everything through Newegg...it came well packaged and well, quickly. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

novicetoday, I would suggest rather than piggybacking on this thread that you begin one of your own with your questions and requirement. That way you'll get the attention your "quest" deserves! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[jjoel]

i really don't wanna build one myself cause i just don't have the confidence.. and if i screwed it up then my parents would be PO'd at me... i think that dell computer has the AGP 4X's with a Geforce 2 or 3.. i dunno.. but it's 64 mb video. and a 40 gig hd.. and i believe cdrw with a 17" monitor... so it looked like a good deal.... all for $999

[Whyzman]

jjoel,

Completely understandable, perhaps at another time! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif Do you have a link to the Dell unit that you are looking at?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!

[jjoel]

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/offers/specials_m_dimen4400.htm

ok... tis a little itty bit over $1000 but you get the picture... now tell me what the catch is! hehe i believe its ilke $1,060 or around there.

[hiredgoonz]

That one in the middle is a great deal as long as the video card is not built-in to the motherboard. That would be my only reservation...

------------------
When all else fails, read the instructions.

Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;rid;kbinfo)

Drivers (http://www.driverguide.com)

Google (http://www.google.com)