Putting together a new computer and looking for advice...

[Psychotic Dreamer]

So I'm starting to consider putting together a new computer. I'm looking to go for low price, but decent quality. It's been a while since I've really built a computer. Last one is a Celeron 450Mhz on a Intel CA810E Motherboard. That was easily 3 or 4 years ago. What I'm looking for is suggestions on good low cost motherboards, something that will support a Duron 1.2Ghz or higher, something without on board video, but has on board LAN and Sound. Any suggestions are welcome, as are suggestions for good places to purchase from online. Thanks.

 

[KnowTheToe]

Are you upgrading with new a new OS, or are you staying with what ever version you currently have. Are you interested in getting newer MS office products?

I ask because some preconfigured boxes can be cheaper if you are getting a bunch of new software.

Here is a link with recommendations for me.
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57017

All said and done with XP home version, I was just shy of $700. I used my old case, sound card, Video card, cd, cdr, floppy and monitor.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

For software I'm sticking with what I own, an old copy of Win98SE and Office 97. They're old, but they work.

Also I just have a thing against preconfigured machines. There is something relaxing about putting the parts together. Plus on my current budget this is something I'm going to have to do over time.

I'm looking at getting a case (spending no more than $100), motherboard (AMD Duron or Athlon if cheap enough), memory, hard drive, low end GeForce2, cheap CD burner and the other basic stuff I'll need.

I will check out your other thread. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

How much you willing to spend total?

 

[gariig]

what is your overall budget? What is the primary and seconday uses for your computer? Like Dell has a good deal on computers like this One

Gariig

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I'm looking at the 500-600 dollar range. I'm looking to spend less than $150 on the motherboard and processor combo. The rest of the stuff will be as cheap as possible.

This is just something I will be doing over the next month or so. This week I want to get the motherboard and processor. Basically I'm looking to find out what are some of the decent low end motherboard manufacturers.

Basically I'm just looking to put together a low end computer that I can play DVD's on (my current Celeron 400Mhz plays them choppy, plus it doesn't have an AGP port), play some low end games (I'm not looking for a machine to play the latest and greatest games) and just for general web browsing. I generally know what I need to build the machine, I just haven't built a machine in 3 years and wasn't sure what was considered good, but cheap in the motherboard department.

 

[Macbeth]

RAM is your best investment. RAM is cheaper then almost any other component, and lots of RAM will give you greatly improved performance.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

Yeah I know memory is fairly cheap, but I'm not looking to upgrade my current machine. The current computer is going to be given to my sister once I finish building my new one.

 

[jdavis]

a good place to find inexpensive parts.
http://compgeeks.com/

 

[Deadlar]

http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=420286

Just add your vid card of choice.