What Would You Do?

[Zadok001]

Let's say you're a nerd. Ok, probably no stretch there. Step two, let's say you're graduating from high school. So far, so good. Let's say that, as a part of graduation, you're getting a new computer - Budget? $2000. What would you buy?

(I know that's about as open-ended as you can get. Try me. Any recommendations for specific devices? What's the most important part?)

(Of course, it should be accounted for that I'll probably get my parts tomorrow. I already have my scheme fairly polished, but I'm curious what others would make.)

 

[Hetemti]

Visitors: Be not discouraged by his saying he wants to know for tomorrow...I want to know what to get with my $2k as well...but I have till end of summer.

 

[Namielus]

Already answered

But in any case,

Why not, just making a list of what you would get, then right down the parts and the prices and post them here (also a source on the prices would be good).

I've pretty much got his system down, he still needs to choose between a amd and intel chip. I don't know if I'm forgetting anything important so just add what you would try and get out of 2000 dollars.

 

[Namielus]

He is a rough list of what Zadok has alrighty figured, I have a feeling all of this can change at a moments notice.

Intel Pentium 4 1.4Ghz Boxed w/128 Meg
ASUS CUV266 Socket 370 with 128MB DDR Module
$551.50

or

AMD Thunderbird 1.3 Ghz 266mhz FSB - OEM
2 - 256 Meg 184 Pin DDR Dimm Module, 266mhz
ASUS A7M-266 Socket A DDR Motherboard
$566.00


Western Digital 40 GB ATA/100 7200 IDE Drive
$139.00
Creative Labs 12x IDE DVD, 40x CD-ROM Drive
$72.00
Sony 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive
$11.00
Sound Blaster X-Gamer 5.1 Sound Card
$92.50
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional - OEM
$153.00
Logitech Cordless Freedom Navigator
$75.00
3Com 3C905Ctx PCI 10/100 Network Card
38.50
Enlight ATX 300 Watt Mid Tower #7237
$65.00
gEForce 3 Card 349.00
---$1006


So for an Intel System at $1557.50 and an AMD at $1572.00

I know I'm forgeting something from the list but that is about where it stands.

 

[superguy]

If this is U.S. dude, I got mine three days ago for 2600 Canadian. 1400 Mhz, 128 ram, etc. etc. 19 inch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc. I assume you'll be playing games a lot, so a good video card wouldn't hurt. And if there's money left over, get cable modem for as long as you can.

 

[Gerode]

You need more than 128MB RAM. I have 192MB and I still run low sometimes.

 

[sageridder]

I agree about the ram,and would suggest a cd burner.

 

[TomB]

And I'd agree with the rest about the RAM. When I got my system a year and a half ago I doubled what Gateway offered and went with 128. I should have doubled it again and went with at least 256. Of course I'm using Windows 98 2E - if you'll be on Win2K maybe you'll have less memory leak.

 

[Spiderman]

What's the main focus of your use for the computer? I'm guessing games and Internet... any online game stuff? Are you buying the whole system or building it?

Computer gaming magazines like Computer Gaming World or Computer Games always have ads for good systems and they test 'em... AMD seems to be the preference. As much RAM as you can get... it's cheap! CD-R or CD-RW would be good if you like burning your CDs. Alienware and Falcon have a good rep for excellent gaming systems.

 

[rkoelsch]

I agree don't go below 128mb Ram and 256mb ram would be good

A CD burner would be good

Also get at least a 17"monitor but a 21" is excellent.

 

[Mundungu]

If I had 2000 USD to spend on a computer, I'd buy a 1200 USD computer and spend the rest of the money elsewhere !!!

2000 USD for a box that'll be outdated in less than 4 years is simply nuts !

 

[Hetemti]

1200 USD for a computer that will be outdated in 1½ years is even nuttier.

 

[Zadok001]

Hetemti has a point...

Here's the stats!

1.3 Ghz Athlon/Thunderbird AMD
ASUS A7A-266 DDR Motherboard
Enlight ATX 300 Watt tower
Sony 3.5" floppy drive (whoop-de-doo)
Creative Labs 12x DVD, 40x CD Drive (I have an external burner)
Sound Blaster X-Gamer 5.1
3Com 10/100 Network card
512 Megs RAM ( )
IR Logitech keyboard and mouse
GeForce 3 64 Meg Pure (ASUS)
Western Digital 5400 60 Gig hard disk
Altec Lansing Speakers
Extra CPU Coolant fan
Windows
19" CTL Monitor

Wheee...

 

[Spiderman]

Sounds like a lean, mean, gaming machine!

 

[Sleepy]

Im jealous...