Computer check list?

[run2jeepn]

Ok here's the deal. I'm losing my computer. ( it's really not mine anyway) Ok I have another computer but it's only 7GB. I have a Screen, Keyboard, mouse, Speakers printer and scanner. What else do I need.

Here's what I'm thinking I want to buy.

MSI PM8M2-V Socket 775 Barebone kit
Intel Celeron D 341
512MB DDR PC3200
CPU Fan
ATX Mid Tower case
V-Series 350 Watts PS
Keyboard/Mouse Really don't need this but it's in the kit. $239.99
Seagate 300GB / 7200 / 8MB / ATA-100 / EIDE / OEM / Hard drive $99.99
XFX GeForce FX 5500 / 256MB DDR / AGP 8X / VGA / DVI / TV Out / Video Card $44.99

Did I miss anything? Since I have a monitor, Keyboard, Speakers, and a mouse. I even have a mouse pad. Ha Ha. Is there anything that needs to be bought.

All that above added up comes to. $385.00 Befoe shipping.

[RodyRazorBackc5]

Don't use celeron! Go get a AMD Athlon.

[run2jeepn]

Originally Posted by RodyRazorBackc5

Don't use celeron! Go get a AMD Athlon.

Whats wrong with celeron? Thats what comes in that kit. All this is from TigerDirect.com.

[run2jeepn]

Well I think I came arcoss a good deal. What you guys think. It's 6months old. Never had the Net on it. It's a Compaq. Here are the spec and a PIc of it. Only paying 200 bucks for it. Comes with everything. 60GB and 256MB. I only have one question. Can it be upgraded for more MB and more GB like 300GB?



http://www.reviewfocus.com/cat301/prod31282/info.html

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Hewlett_P...ay_~full_specs

[badger]

Don't get a celeron, the main difference is speed and you will be able to tell the difference.

http://www.infopackets.com/channels/...processors.htm

[BUBBA069]

I'm currently running that MSI board with an 3.6 P4, its ok as long as you leave it stock. you go messing with it to overclock the cpu it gets unstable real quick.

and for best upgrading ability later, get a set up that is PCIe you can get a GF6200 turbo for cheap and lets you grow to the higher end PCIe cards.

something like this -> http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...T=Motherboards

with -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130224

and I cant stress enough to people not to skimp on the power supply, get 2g's worth of hardware and put a $40 PSU in it and well its not pretty..

get something like ->http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103930

now for the mobo I listed that is if you want to go the intel route, but with that you can get the cely now and up it to a p4 later as the wallet allows.

but if/when you go to the bigger CPU look into a good after market cooler. for the intel I like the THERMALRIGHT XP-90C good bang for buck.

now as for the off the shelf one, make sure it has a exspantion slot on it for the vid either agp or pic-e, with out it you will be sol if you want to up the vid card later. and if I had to bet the onboard vid may not play any current games worth a darn

[Will]

ok time to super nerd it:

What are the purposes that you want the computer to serve?
What is your price range?
Laptop or desktop?
-Will
But yea I would go with the the AMD 64 bit technology it is superior

[badger]

Originally Posted by Will

But yea I would go with the the AMD 64 bit technology it is superior

64 bit is a waste of money for the home computer. You will not install one 64 bit application that will take advantage of the technology, so why spend the extra $$ on it?

It's like your grandmother buying a sports car. :?

[Will]

Originally Posted by badger

64 bit is a waste of money for the home computer. You will not install one 64 bit application that will take advantage of the technology, so why spend the extra $$ on it?

It's like your grandmother buying a sports car. :?

yea your right

[run2jeepn]

The only thing I need one for is the Net and to run PhotoShop. And maybe some other little programs. itunes, LimeWire, etc...I'm notmuch of playing games online or on the computer to that fact. So will this Compaq do the Job. When I was in College I took Graphic Design for 3.5 yrs and We had G3's with only 40G. And this Compaw is 60G with 256MB. But can I update this to more MB and up the Gig's.....?

[BUBBA069]

if all you are doing is photoshop and the net then, yes the compaq will run photoshop, as will the stuff you listed in your first post. You will want to up the ram from 256 to 512 at the min. (1gig would be best). I ran autocad and photoshop on a AMD 1900+ system and it worked just fine for me.

as for the hard drive, 60 gig will most likely be fine for you, but as your iTunes collection gets bigger you may want a second hard drive but that is a snap to add in.

[badger]

Originally Posted by BUBBA069

if all you are doing is photoshop and the net then, yes the compaq will run photoshop, as will the stuff you listed in your first post. You will want to up the ram from 256 to 512 at the min. (1gig would be best). I ran autocad and photoshop on a AMD 1900+ system and it worked just fine for me.

as for the hard drive, 60 gig will most likely be fine for you, but as your iTunes collection gets bigger you may want a second hard drive but that is a snap to add in.

I agree with Bubba. The more RAM you can afford the better. Windows will max out any CPU to 100% regardless of how fast it is while starting/running tasks, but when it runs out of memory is when you will see serious slow downs or even crashes.

I would get at least 512MB of RAM and if you can splurge get 1GB.

[run2jeepn]

Thanks man.

[CronusTRD]

I run 2gb of PC-3200 RAM in dual channel mode in my PC at home. 2.8 P4 with HT, boots to the desktop in 6 seconds. I friggin love it. No more getting up and going to the bathroom while I wait for it to boot.

RAM is your friend. I would never run less that 512, especially with Windows XP.

Skip Celeron and get an AMD or P4. I've never had good luck with AMD chips, so I tend to pay more for the Pentium.

I would opt for two separate hard drives, rather than putting your music and OS on the same drive. This way, when the hard drive crashes or gets corrupted (it will), you won't lose all your tunes. Also install the OS in a separate partion.

[run2jeepn]

It as a 3000+ AMD Sempron processor.