Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

I was thinking about just going this route too. I don't care about building it myself or for amusement. Just want something and if it would save a lot, I'll build it, if not, I'll just buy it prebuilt. Any opinions on brand? I've always had dell but heard good things about hp and compaqs.

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking about just going this route too. I don't care about building it myself or for amusement. Just want something and if it would save a lot, I'll build it, if not, I'll just buy it prebuilt. Any opinions on brand? I've always had dell but heard good things about hp and compaqs.

[/ QUOTE ]

the big savings for building computers generally comes in when you're building top quality machines.

I was super cheap when I built mine (buying some used (but good) parts, signing up for store credit cards, etc), and spent about $275. now my motherboard (bought new) is physically busted, and I have an 90% working PC that is very tempremental.

the best route - if you don't mind doing a little reselling - is to buy a monitor/PC package from Dell when a good coupon comes along, and sell the monitor. I just picked up a nice Dimension 9100 (160gd, dvd burner, pentium D, 1GB ram, basic video card, windows MC) for about $400 this way.

re: brands, theres not much difference between those that you mention.

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

methinks I remember this Red Rain fellow awhile back posting an offer of $25 for whomever helped him put together a good system for his needs. Numerous posters (including myself) took our time and knowledge to research various components and offer suggestions in the thread, via email and via PM, and I don't believe anyone ever saw the $25.

If I'm mistaken Red, I apologize, but I'm pretty certain it was you. I believe it might be in the archive somewhere, it was too long ago to show up under your most recent posts.

"Where's my two dollars!" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

Yes that was me, but I then decided I didn't want the computer yet. I didn't have the monitors and didn't see them coming anytime soon.

Now that I have them, I'm looking for an updated copy of stuff.

I'll throw out the same $25.

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yes that was me, but I then decided I didn't want the computer yet. I didn't have the monitors and didn't see them coming anytime soon.

Now that I have them, I'm looking for an updated copy of stuff.

I'll throw out the same $25.

[/ QUOTE ]

But that doesn't negate that many people did lots of research on your behalf under the assumption they'd be eligible for the $25. Because you changed your mind doesn't nullify the work that was done.

Well, I'll trust that you're honest enough to admit to it here, so hopefully whomever finds the right setup for you will be rewarded justly. Right now it would be -EV for me to do the research, these Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo tables "sure be juicy!"

Best of luck finding the right system for you (goes back to his lone Dell 20" 2001FP)

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

I assumed you didn't want to overclock.

1. Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice (Socket 939) $190
2. Motherboard: Chaintech VNF4/Ultra ATX mobo $76
3. RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB PC 3200 RAM $84.50
4. Video card: eVGA 6800GT Dual DVI PCI-e card $289
5. Hard drive: WD 74GB 10K Raptor $169
6. Case: Antec Life Style SONATA Case w/ 380W PSU $100

Total: $908.50 (before shipping)

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I assumed you didn't want to overclock.

1. Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice (Socket 939) $190
2. Motherboard: Chaintech VNF4/Ultra ATX mobo $76
3. RAM: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB PC 3200 RAM $84.50
4. Video card: eVGA 6800GT Dual DVI PCI-e card $289
5. Hard drive #1: WD 36.7GB 10K Raptor $116
6. Hard drive #2: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200RPM HD $108
7. Case: Antec Life Style SONATA Case w/ 380W PSU $100

Total: $963.50

[/ QUOTE ]

Before shipping.

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

This does look interesting. Do I really need two harddrives or were you putting in as options? How much would the 10k RPM really help me out in giving up space? Will the AMD fare well against a P4 setup?

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

[ QUOTE ]
This does look interesting. Do I really need two harddrives or were you putting in as options? How much would the 10k RPM really help me out in giving up space? Will the AMD fare well against a P4 setup?

[/ QUOTE ]

the Western Digital Raptor runs at 10,000 rpm's and as your primary drive you should see some performance boost because of it (a lot of heavy gamers will utilize two Raptors in a RAID configuration for optimal performance)

The 2nd drive is mentioned because the Raptors are expensive per GB compared with a standard 7,200rpm hard drive.

Many people have good things to say about Western Digital, but I stick with Seagate. While they can't match the performance of the Raptor drives, they still perform just fine, and their reliability beats out crappy Maxtor and not-always consistant Western Digital.

AMD cpu's have been besting Intel lately, especially for gaming. Intel does well in multi-tasking applications though, so you might consider them if you'll be running Poker Tracker and various other intensive applications at the same time (or better yet, get the AMD 3800+ dual-core processor instead)

I have an Intel right now, but my future rig will be AMD.

Re: I have 2-2001FP and NO computer - Help me buy/build one $?
 

Final computer line up, any objections?

Building off of the comments here is what I got and almost ready to buy unless anyone tells me good reason not to:

NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM $39.98

Antec Solution SLK3000-B Black Computer Case - Retail $49.00

SAMSUNG Black Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LBL1 - OEM $7.99

Western Digital Caviar SE 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $115.00

CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $76.00

CHAINTECH Geforce 6600 SA6600 Video Card - Retail $122.00

ENERMAX EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0 420W Power Supply - Retail $64.99

ASPIRE CF12S 120mm Cooling Fan - Retail $5.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail $84.50

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor - Retail $190.00

Total with shipping: $799.31

Anyone know of any coupons I can add?