looking to build computer - parts recommendations/suggestions

[pogs]

Hello,

My computer is old at 5 years, is a P3/P4...can't remember, 2.53 GHz. However, it's gone in for repairs for the second time. So I am looking for a replacement. I am looking at putting together my own clone with parts that I can purchase during Boxing day and any other sales. Since it's been a while, I am not really up to date with what is out there. What I will be using it for mainly is surfing, email and word processing. I will play games occasionally. I have a LCD monitor with USB slots in the side...not quite sure what they are for. I am looking to spend a max of $550 after tax and it should be somewhat upgradeable.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

-processor
-motherboard
-ram(is DDR2 newest?)
-how much ram
-expandable space for ram
-graphics card
-sound card
-hard drive size and rpm's
-anything else

Thanks in advance,
pogs :cheesygri

[Evil Baby]

If you're looking to spend max 550 after taxes I'd consider looking into a socket 939 cpu and mobo. If you're lucky perhaps you can find a 3800 x2 939 chip cheap but probably more like a 3500/3600 +. With socket 939 you'll be looking at DDR ram, not DDR2 which is pretty costy these days.

[rdtx2002]

Hello,

My computer is old at 5 years, is a P3/P4...can't remember, 2.53 GHz. However, it's gone in for repairs for the second time. So I am looking for a replacement. I am looking at putting together my own clone with parts that I can purchase during Boxing day and any other sales. Since it's been a while, I am not really up to date with what is out there. What I will be using it for mainly is surfing, email and word processing. I will play games occasionally. I have a LCD monitor with USB slots in the side...not quite sure what they are for. I am looking to spend a max of $550 after tax and it should be somewhat upgradeable.

first off.. 5 years ago.. 2.53Ghz processors were not on the market.



Any recommendations are appreciated.

see below

-processor - get a dual core Pentium
-motherboard - Asus motherboard that is good for your needs
-ram(is DDR2 newest?) - DDR2
-how much ram - 1 gig minimum
-expandable space for ram - 2 or 4 max.. doesn't really matter
-graphics card - I'm not sure what kind of gaming you want.. but a x1650 is not too bad
-sound card - on board is enough unless you are really picky.
-hard drive size and rpm's - standard 200GB will be enough.. make sure it's SATA2 and 7200rpms
-anything else - depends what you want.

[rdtx2002]

just read that you want to spend 550 after taxes.. here is a system that i priced for a friend at CTY.

2.66 Dual Core CPU
512MB DDR2-400
Asus P5SD2-X
Sapphire X1300pro
WD 160GB
LG DVD Dual Layer Writer
floppy
Integrated Sound and network
Mid Tower Case with ATX power supply

now.. this is for BOX ONLY and it's $552.83 after taxes without haggling for a bottom line price... i'm sure you can get 1GB of ram or a better video card for 550 cash

[goofball]

see below

-processor - get a dual core Pentium
-hard drive size and rpm's - standard 200GB will be enough.. make sure it's SATA2 and 7200rpms


Not dual core Pentium. Core 2 Duo. Don't confuse the 2. Pentium name is no longer being used by Intel for their newer processors. The dual core Pentium's are not as good as the Core 2 Duo's.

Given the price, you may as well just end up with a 320GB SATA2 drive. They are around $100 and give enough room for now and probably for a while. 200GB is ok too but given the cost, you may as well maximize your investment.

You should list what you might want to keep out of your old system, and what you will need to buy new.

[pogs]

thanks for the responses...I'll get the specs from my friend who is diagnosing the problems. So far, he has eliminated the possibility of the problem being the power supply.

So I guess I can salvage the power supply. I may be able to salvage the hard-drive. He says the motherboard and possibly the cpu are toast.

cheers,
pogs :cheesygri

[board123]

Not dual core Pentium. Core 2 Duo. Don't confuse the 2. Pentium name is no longer being used by Intel for their newer processors. The dual core Pentium's are not as good as the Core 2 Duo's.
Actually I'm pretty sure he meant Pentium D, not C2D. There is no way you can build a C2D system for $550.

[pogs]

Hey Guyz,

It ended up being the motherboard. So I figure, that I could save a few bucks and get a new motherboard for $60 and last a little while longer with the old computer.

Thanks,
pogs

[danielmak]

first off.. 5 years ago.. 2.53Ghz processors were not on the market.



see below

-processor - get a dual core Pentium
-motherboard - Asus motherboard that is good for your needs
-ram(is DDR2 newest?) - DDR2
-how much ram - 1 gig minimum
-expandable space for ram - 2 or 4 max.. doesn't really matter
-graphics card - I'm not sure what kind of gaming you want.. but a x1650 is not too bad
-sound card - on board is enough unless you are really picky.
-hard drive size and rpm's - standard 200GB will be enough.. make sure it's SATA2 and 7200rpms
-anything else - depends what you want.

that would be a $1000 after tax deal... man

[rdtx2002]

that would be a $1000 after tax deal... man

not really... see the post after.. i priced a Pentium D for 550 after taxes with similar config

[jimmyzaas]

Not dual core Pentium. Core 2 Duo. Don't confuse the 2. Pentium name is no longer being used by Intel for their newer processors. The dual core Pentium's are not as good as the Core 2 Duo's.

Given the price, you may as well just end up with a 320GB SATA2 drive. They are around $100 and give enough room for now and probably for a while. 200GB is ok too but given the cost, you may as well maximize your investment.

You should list what you might want to keep out of your old system, and what you will need to buy new.

Dual Core Pentium Ds are certainly much cheaper than both AMD X2s and Core 2 Duos. For what it's worth, it will most definitely be able to satisfy his primary uses which are surfing, email and word processing. In fact, I think it'd be overkill.

The mentioned spec 2.66 Dual Core CPU from rdtx2002 is no doubt a Pentium D 805 processor which is probably one of the cheapest dual cores available. Though the processor does run very hot and I highly suggest against it if and only if the room you will put the computer in is very hot.