Ah, NO, it is not a freakin DELL.
Made by a local computer store.
Was built for college in mind.
I've added 1 gb ram on top of its 1 gb and a dvd burner. And a 300 ext hd. That's about it.

I just received the Samsung SyncMaster 2232GW Wide-Screen for christmas. So nice!
I still need to tinker around with the settings though.

I was too. I had actually intended to get myself another one until I found lack of supply with a wait period (darn post-Christmas shoppers!). Wally world still got $50 back when I bought GOTY edition for PC. So, their gift card didn't completely disappear.

20gtp02, some good sites for hardware reviews and info are:
http://www.tomshardware.com/us/
http://hardocp.com/
http://www.pcper.com/

A lot has changed since I built my first desktop back in '02 with an Athlon XP 1700. It's hard to keep up with new tech and what works best.

that is a nice monitor i might get one after the 19" the ram and a new video and sound card ill just make sure my video card will support dual monitors i just got my friends old one for $500 its only 2 years old and runs really well since he spent $1500 then for it but it wont run Crysis so he built a new one for $2000 and it still barely runs Crysis on high. hes already contemplating a new processor, video card, and more ram.

a good place to find hardware and such is:

Pricewatch.com

Newegg.com

MySimon.com

Frys.com

and AKO/DKO. If you have access to those military sites, you can navigate your way around and find Slick Deals, Hot Deals, or something like that.

so whats all needed to build a computer ... im kinda intrested .. it would be nice ... you know just to say that ive done it

Well, do you want to reuse an old components or start fresh?

Typically the case be reused as well as your optical drives, and in some cases the hard drive. It's best that everything else is replaced for compatibility and performance, except in rare cases. Such as, building a system with a motherboard that has enough cpus in the socket design to allow faster upgrades.

What do you want to use it for?

If you want a gaming system, it will cost more than say something for watching HD movies or just surfing the internet and office apps.

movies... surfing the net music office programs.

i have seen they have computers that you can use like a tivo that would be pretty BA it would be starting fresh

You can get away with a basic build with onboard graphics then. Most motherboards even include built in audio that would probably suffice for your music concerns.

So, a full system build with the basics:
CPU: AMD or Intel around $70
Motherboard w/ graphics/sound/ethernet: $60+
Memory: 1gb $30
Hard drive: 160gb is $50, you can go from there based on how much space you want.
OS: Win XP/Vista $90+
DVD-RW: $30
TV Tuner: For 'Tivo' you mentioned. $30+

If you're running something this basic, you can get away with a light PSU around 350w. $40~

So, around $400 total, you can have a PC that does what you require. You can probably cut corners, but I'd get a decent CPU since it does a lot of work with movie and music files. If you already have an OS to install, you can whack off the $90.

If you want a new case, I won't even mention prices or options. The sky is the limit. However, if you go with a micro ATX motherboard (a small layout), you can stuff it in those small LAN box cases that promote portability.

now is the time to buy memory 2GB on newegg.com for under $40.

If you have any questions about compatibility newegg has a 1-800 number you can call for live support to find out what kind of stuff is compatible with what you want to buy such as what kind of memory will work with this processor. they also have alot of compatibility walk throughs on their site.


they also sell prebuilt Pc's that you can match the specs with what you need it to do.

RooK, I gotta admit I'm pretty impressed...is there anything you ARE afraid to tackle?

Wow the prices are cheap Rook!
Is that all from one place and are those prices for decent name brands?

I have been trying to get my hands into welding, but I don't have the cash for a decent mig welder right now. I also handload ammo and have done some gunsmitthing, installing a beavertail on a 1911. That still isn't quite finished, but it's amazing what you can do with a homemade jig, a dremel, and a file. I'll try almost anything as long as I can find the info on how-to.

20gtp02: It's all at Newegg.com and all of it is decent name brands as far as I can remember. Note that those aren't 'top of the line' prices. If you want the best of the best, you'll pay, even from Newegg.

i should look into that .. it would be nice to say ive done it

I'm now surfing on a 19" LCD courtesy of Dell. Widescreen, 5ms response, 1000:1 contrast, for $180ish. Yummy. I also ordered the 500w Thermaltake PSU I posted a link to for Richard in another thread.

Now I'm broke.

Rook, after meeting you and seeing everything you had done to the Pink Panther ... I would have NEVER thought you were a geek.

Hmmm ... maybe I ought to make another trip over your way and bring my old system so you can build it for me.

Don