need a new computer, any online favorite shops?

[~Patrick~]

OK It has had it. I thought I could nurse it a while longer but I cant. What is a good web site to look at computers. I dont want Dell or Gateway for the simple fact that if I want to later add a drive or something I want more choices than just their brand. Most cases being only their stuff will fit in their cases. I need something with some power. I will be running Photoshop 7 and AutoCad 2004. Any suggestions from those in the know? www.autodesk.com (http://www.autodesk.com) Says it needs 256mb ram and Pentium III or 800Mhz min.

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[This message was edited by Pat(wheelinarcher) on 09-09-03 at 09:07 PM.]

Dell and Gateway don't limit you with proprietary add ons if you get the right tower. I just bought a remanufactured Gateway(same warranty as new) for my grandmother. I didn't need a monitor, but I got a P4 2.4 Ghz with 256 MB of RAM for a little over $400. It also came with a 40 gig hard drive and a combo drive - DVD and CD burner.

[krstofer]

Build your own.
Or pick up a dual capable xenon on E-bay- I've gotten 2 of them so far, pIII for $250, add another processor, boost the ram, throw in another drive or 3... You've got a rocket on the cheap. Sure the mhz only adds to 1.1ghz, but speed isn't always power.

http://krstofer.org

[PN]

(show notes from TechTV)

In a dual CPU configuration, a computer has two processors. The processes that are usually done by one processor are instead done by two, boosting the performance of the computer. To take advantage of this setup, the software must be written for dual CPUs.

Hyper-Threading is an Intel technology that allows a single processor to have two data threads to the CPU. Traditionally, a CPU has a single data thread. Just like a dual-CPU setup, the software needs to be written to use Hyper-Threading.

we haven't seen benchmarks that compare the two technologies. If you do a lot of media creation that involves large files, you should go with a dual CPU configuration. In fact, instead of going with a single Hyper-Threaded CPU, you might get better performance from a dual CPU setup where the CPUs are actually cheaper than the Intel chip.

PN

[Kaprikorn1]

Pat...just go to your local "little guy" store and tell him to build what you want...It's cheaper and better stuff...plus you can upgrade easily

Kap

[Kaprikorn1]

Go for RAM-Bussing....It's 10 times the pipe!!!!

Kap

[Raven]

Pat

My son built two computers for us about a couple of years ago. When I got my new one, he got the one I had been using and only added what he wanted on to it. He has built it so it is even better than the one I presently use. He went to those places that sell computers and also sell parts, new or used, for a pretty good price. I wouldn't mind trading this one for his. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif His is faster and has more room.

So I also think that you would do better by building your own or have it built for you.

Raven.

[Cappy]

Pat,

My suggestion is to NOT go with any dual processing.

Based on what you are running, I suggest getting either an AMD XP or Intel P4 2.5-3.0+ with about 1G PC2700 or better of RAM. You should be able to find a pretty good setup for about $500-600.
128M or 64M Video card should be a must, but most machines come standard with a 64M card.
Another thing.. make sure the motherboard has a decent amount of cache (512 should be the minimum).

Also do not wait around for the AMD or Intel 64bit processor. These will be way to expensive and will most likely have problems running any of the current software.

[Carl R]

I agree with CJO, most of the towers are fairly standard among all the majors nowadays. I currently have IBM and Sony, and both have basically the same tower and its easy to change the part. This day and age, I wouldn't fool around with building a machine for the simple fact that it just doesn't save any money since prices have come down so much.

I have learned that memory makes all the difference. I started running 1gb ddram about a year ago and it made a huge difference for applications like Photoshop and my voice software.

Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com/) is the best place I have found to compare prices on parts.

I have also had good luck with www.tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com)

[mattblan]

I like www.alienware.com (http://www.alienware.com) and www.overdrivepc.com (http://www.overdrivepc.com) . If you want to get a really good deal and don't mind doing some installation go to www.motherboards.com (http://www.motherboards.com) or www.rjtech.com (http://www.rjtech.com) and get a barebones combo. No offense, but don't listen to anyone telling you to buy a rambus motherboard; rambus is dead. Get a motherboard that supports dual ddr (pc3200+). There are both Intel and AMD supported solutions.

[~Patrick~]

Here is a system I am thinking of building. Let me know what you think and any not to expensive changes I should make.

-Black mid tower with 350 watt power
-.25mm Black Proview monitor
-AMD Duron 1.3MHz
-1024Mb PC 133 SDRAM
-GeForce4 Mx 420 AGP with tv out
-Creative Sound blaster 128 sound card
-Hiro 56k V.92 Modem
-IBM/Hitachi 80GB/7200rpm/2mb/8.5ms/ATA-100 EIDE
-Sony 52X cd
-Artec 52X24X52 cdrw
-HP Illuminate USB keyboard
-Compaq cordless mouse ps2
-Benwin S91 # piece speaker

and cooling fans and other stuff.

after rebates it is $642. I built as close to the same one as I could at icustompc and it came to $2300!!!

so whats the verdict? If I do this would someone like to talk me through start up when the first time comes? BIOS and setting up the hdd I am not comfortable with. I have done it in the past but not with this much of a powerhouse.

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[Steven Edwards]

I would suggest checking out GotApex? (http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php) for some deals on computers and pretty much anything else.

-Steven

[PN]

Pat:

I would strongly recommend that you purchase the CPU, motherboard, and RAM from the same vendor. If something goes wrong, no one can start pointing fingers.

PN

[~Patrick~]

PN- I am buying everything from one vendor. Has anybody had any dealings with www.cyberpowersystems.com? (http://www.cyberpowersystems.com?) I think they are the cheapest so far and they assemble the system.

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[Stiggy]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

"The Meaning of things lies not in things themselves,but in our attitude towards them"

[Carl R]

I found a few IBM on ebay P4 1.8-2.4 for $500-$700 if anyone is looking for a off-the-shelf machines. Click Here (http://www.stores.ebay.com/ibmauthorizedauctions/plistings/list/all/dept4/index.html?col=2&dir=-1)

[jimnms]

Originally posted by Pat(wheelinarcher):

PN- I am buying everything from one vendor. Has anybody had any dealings with http://www.cyberpowersystems.com? I think they are the cheapest so far and they assemble the system.

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I checked the link you posted, and the only thing I see them selling are UPS, and surge protectors. If you ment www.cyberpowersystem.com (http://www.cyberpowersystem.com) (no "s"), they don't have a very good of a review at resellerratings.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2120.html

If you're buying parts, you cant beat NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/). I don't know if they'll assemble a system for you, but their prices are comparable to what you'll find on Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com), but fedex 2-3day shipping is free on most items. I spent $1500 on parts to build a system from them a few months ago, and overnight shipping was only $30.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

[~Patrick~]

I ordered my computer last night. I talked to a local guy and this is where he has all his stuff shipped in from with good results. I got all black with Athlon XP 2400+, cd, cdrw 52X24X52, 512 PC3200, GeForce MX440 Video, and a bunch of fans and cooling stuff, 19" Aquaview monitor.
$818 to the door. With all the different sites I went to I thought this was the best complete system for the money. THanks for everyones input.

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[Cris]

I reccommend 1 gig DDR and at least 128meg on your video card, especially running AutoCad 2004.

[~Patrick~]

I talked to someone and he said there was no difference when he upgraded. If it gets too bogged down I will upgrade.

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[jimnms]

Originally posted by Pat(wheelinarcher):

I ordered my computer last night. I talked to a local guy and this is where he has all his stuff shipped in from with good results. I got all black with Athlon XP 2400+, cd, cdrw 52X24X52, 512 PC3200, GeForce MX440 Video, and a bunch of fans and cooling stuff, 19" Aquaview monitor.
$818 to the door. With all the different sites I went to I thought this was the best complete system for the money. THanks for everyones input.

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I would have recommended staying away from the MX line of Geforce Cards.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

[~Patrick~]

Then why didn't you? thats why I posted here, to find out what others have discovered and liked/disliked. Its a little late now but why dont you like them?

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[PN]

Pat:

Congratulations on building your own PC!

PN

[mattblan]

That's a great setup for a good price Pat. I'm sure you will be happy with it. Do you know what motherboard you are getting?

[~Patrick~]

ABit NF7 nForce2 ULTRA Chipset 400 FSB AGP 8X w/LAN, USB2.0, and Audio


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[Steven Edwards]

Pat, the MX chipset is the "lite" version of the regular card. If you're not worried about playing video games, it'll be fine. Even if you do play games, it should be a noticeable improvement.

-Steven

[mattblan]

The nforce2 chipset is great. I have an asus a7n8x deluxe and I'm ordering a Gigabyte GA-7NNXP. Both of those are nforce2 with the mcp-t chip.

If you have a 5.1 stereo system you can rip all of your cd's on to your computer and listen to them in dolby 5.1 through the soundstorm audio encoder on your motherboard. Nice choice man.