computer brand advice

[jdavis]

Building you own computer is easy and fun, uless you don't want to do it or don't want to take the time to study up a little beforehand, then it is hell on earth. Sometimes it's easier to spend a little more money and save yourself the hassle. I love building them but before I built the first one I did a couple of weeks worth of research and studying (to make sure I got all the right lego bits and didn't get ripped off). I also fried a computer due to the fact that I had my hand in it but forgot to unplug it from the wall (it was turned off but not unplugged, zap- dead). Of course I built the computer for under $300 (Thunderbird 750 with a 32 meg geforce 2 card, no big loss). I've got a AMD 550 computer (e-machine) sitting in the floor right now that I only paid $60 for too. I didn't need it but it's sort of a addictive hobby. If you feel comfortable building one then it is the only way to go, if you don't feel comfortable building one, or you really don't care about how a computer works, then don't try it.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

"Bragging"? Not sure where that came from. How about advice. Also note I pointed the poster to a very good site where he could look at reviews, and get advice on what to get. Granted, he bought a best buy bargin, and the people at that site are laughing their collective behinds off right now. But that is beside the point.
S

It comes from having too many tech friends, including some that reccomend overclocking the processor to such a point that it self destructs within six months. I have even seen one who literally thumps his chest while explaining what he has done with (to) his system or someone elses. Taking the view that it is worth having to plunk down the money for a new CPU every few months.

And yes, he also gives the advice to make your own system, and yes, he was the one who made that sugestion to the fellow who fried his CPU and Motherboard.

Also note your addendum of mockery about KenM buying the system, and people laughing at him. So yes, you were also bragging.

Personally I just went through all the things that I wanted to replace on my old system and realized that all I was left with was the sound card and the DVD drive. (Case - too small, too hot, replace. Video Card - Too slow, not enough memory, replace. Motherboard - Too old, too slow, replace. etc...) Plus I would have needed to upgrade to Windows XP anyway. (I was still using Win 95) Since that would have run me almost 200 dollars the sysem itself was only about $500 of the price. I also ened up getting 5 months of free ISP with it, which knocks off another $125.

Plus I still have my old system to network with.

The Auld Grump, still very happy with his VPR Matrix.

 

[Henry]

I used to recommend other people building systems... until they started coming to ME for tech support.

If you want to build your own, there is never a greater feeling than putting your own dream system together. However, you should be warned that you need to research your product's warranties carefully, on the off chance you accidentally burn something out.

The only reason I know as much as I do comes from working in a University Computer Lab, and spending several years assembling PC's for a Mom-and-Pop Computer Business.

 

[KenM]

The Auld Grump, still very happy with his VPR Matrix.

I just found out that I will be able to afford the VPR I want with my taxes, hopefully in a month.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Keep an eye on the flyers by Best Buy, you can often get about $100 - $200 off. It may be worth waiting for a sale. (I didn't but I wanted it right then after waiting three weeks...) The week before I went looking for the computer (Summer job paycheck, much bigger than normal paycheck...) it would have come with a free printer (which I don't need) and a free monitor ( Which I don't need, but would have been nice.) Of course, it would also have been slightly slower than the machine I did get, but oh well...

I already had software my old computer (more specifically its video card) couldn't handle.

The Auld Grump, Morrowind and Sea Dogs

 

[KenM]

Well I just found out that the VPR matrix I wanted is discontinued, I won't be able to get it. But I did see an HP for $749.00, only real difference is the CPU is an athalon 2400, instead of a P4 2.66. It also has a better video card then the VPR. But I'm still putting in a better one.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I will join the bandwagon of don't build your own unless you have a friend who knows what he is doing and is willing to help. Buying the right components and sticking them together is no big deal. It is like lego's just like they said above. Configuring the operating system, partitioning the hard drive etc is where you can get yourself into trouble.

I have built my last 2.5 computers (.5 is from upgrading much of it) and once put it together at my friends house and he double checked everything for me. The second one, I worked for an IT company and the techs had to partition my drive and set up the OS for me, I made a mess of it.

Every generation is easier to install, I know nothing about XP, it may make these software pieces easy. Anyway for $800-1000 with XP and Office, it is a no brainer, buy it from a store. Just make sure the MotherBoard will support your dream video card.

I will make one suggestion. Don't buy a new video card unless you need it. New video cards come out every year. Wait a year and buy the next one, or buy this one at a much cheaper price.

 

[drothgery]

I will make one suggestion. Don't buy a new video card unless you need it. New video cards come out every year. Wait a year and buy the next one, or buy this one at a much cheaper price.

The one exception to this rule is if you see a really good deal for a otherwise good complete system with a crappy video card (note: actual crappy video card required, not crappy integrated graphics without an AGP slot). This isn't uncommon with retail PCs, or the default configurations of some online vendors.

At that point, it may very well be worth spending $100-$150 to get a new video card right away if you're a semi-serious gamer. Still, spending more than $150 US on a video card is silly unless you're made of money, or willing to divert an exorbiant portion of your income to your PC.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Well I just found out that the VPR matrix I wanted is discontinued, I won't be able to get it. But I did see an HP for $749.00, only real difference is the CPU is an athalon 2400, instead of a P4 2.66. It also has a better video card then the VPR. But I'm still putting in a better one.

Still, keep your eyes open. The system that got me looking at the VPR Matrix (the one with free monitor and printer) was one that they were disontinuing and wanted to dump.

I am sure that this applies to all makes and models of box. Plus, you are buying it after enough time that XP will most likely have the right drivers. (A friend of mine bought his machine at a discounters shortly after XP came out and had all sorts of problems. The discounters had used Windows ME drivers instead of trying to find the right ones... My friend kept blaming XP, but it was amazing how many of his problems went away when he got a new video card - with the right drivers...)

The Auld Grump, good luck with your new machine!

 

[KenM]

Well I should be getting the HP next week. It has athlon 2400 (runs at 2.0) 512 DDR RAM, gforce "4" 64 MB mx 420. I have a 64 MB mx 440 in the system I have now. I can afford to get a better card (TI 4400 or TI 4600 128 MB), or put another 512 RAM in, what do you guys think i should put in first?