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

[Psionicist]

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.

Abit NF7-S rev 2.0 (onboard LAN, sound with excellent quality) ... $100
Athlon XP 2000+ ... $50
Geforce 4 TI4200 (or ti4280, doesn't matter) ... $100

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

Abit NF7-S rev 2.0 (onboard LAN, sound with excellent quality) ... $100
Athlon XP 2000+ ... $50
Geforce 4 TI4200 (or ti4280, doesn't matter) ... $100

Thank you. Thats what I was looking for. Now I need to decide between getting the Optorite DVD burner for $150 this week or get the motherboard and processor. Hmmm... Decisions, decisions. Anyways, thanks.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I've done a bit of looking into that motherboard and it looks like it only supports SATA (Serial ATA) drivers. Which I don't know enough about to know if it will also be able to handle standard drives or not.

 

[Deadlar]

Yup that A-bit board still has an IDE controller on it. SO you'll be able to use whatever drives you like.

 

[drothgery]

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

I'd strongly recommend against sticking with Win98, if you're planning on getting any new software after next year. Every software company on earth hates supporting Win9x, so as soon as Microsoft drops Win98 support (which happens on Jan 16, 2004), they will too; it's already becoming common to see "Windows 2000 or Windows XP only" restrictions. Office 97's in pretty much the same boat, considering it's now four versions old (Office 2003 just launched).

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I'd strongly recommend against sticking with Win98, if you're planning on getting any new software after next year. Every software company on earth hates supporting Win9x, so as soon as Microsoft drops Win98 support (which happens on Jan 16, 2004), they will too; it's already becoming common to see "Windows 2000 or Windows XP only" restrictions. Office 97's in pretty much the same boat, considering it's now four versions old (Office 2003 just launched).

Well in general, both do what I need them to do still. I really don't want to have to spend $100+ on a new OS and even more on a new Office Suite. I really don't buy much in the way of new software since most of it is so damn expensive. I don't buy a lot of games and things of that nature. I have an old copy of Photoshop 5 for graphics work, office '97 still works just fine for what I need to do as far as typing stuff up. So thanks for the advice, but I don't plan on moving up to XP anytime soon. Besides the price I'm just not a huge fan of XP and too a lesser degree 2000.

 

[Psionicist]

Thank you. Thats what I was looking for. Now I need to decide between getting the Optorite DVD burner for $150 this week or get the motherboard and processor. Hmmm... Decisions, decisions. Anyways, thanks.

No problems. It is a great motherboard, I use it in one of my computers.

Please do not forget to buy a good heatsink/fan for the processor. The Spire Whisperrock IV is a really good heatsink, and very quite. Cools my overclocked XP 2500+ more than enough.