Critics Please- New Computer Specs

What are you after? Good for the price?

And you sometimes put conflicting specs. Are you getting XP pro or home? Because that's the first place to look when you wanna shave off some dollars.

Be sure to have USB2.0 (and/or FireWire) for external hard disks,
not just USB1.0 for keyboard, mouse, camera.

USB2.0 is just as fast as an internal hard drive,
but great for carrying 250GB in your hand.

The Software info as well as Tower info is posted because this is a project I need to do for my CIS211 class. It just gives some examples of what you could use. IMO, I will take the Silver Tower, since it is rather large and I will be able to upgrade more hardware easier at a later date.

Its USB 2.0. I wanted something resonably priced, that I can use. I plan to use it for average stuff as well as a console for Visual Studio, Gaming, and Graphic work. (Reason for the 1024 RAM and not the 512)

No way I would pay for MS's XP Pro. I plan to find a pirated copy of it, but I needed to list that for the project as well. I think if MS would charge a reasonable price maybe around $100, I would totally pay for it. But over $300? that is bullshit and they can go screw themselves.

Thanks for the comments guys

btw, i was told Win98 is gunna be outta the market soon... anyone hear anything about this?

WOW! MSN sells XP Pro for $499.

DVD and CDRW - sound a little on the low budget side. I do not know anything about Leadtek, I use ASUS. Do you qualify for student rates on anything software wise?

Leadtek K7NCR18D Pro is the new "good" motherboard. Every week or so when a motherboard comes out, one is named the better one. Well, this is this week's better motherboard. Said to be one of the better ones.. Eh.

Yes, I can get a student discount, however, its still a rip off. So funny Microsoft charges $499.

Anyone care to comment on the prices at all?

To me they seem very low. Anyone seen anything lower?

(Who is Hamster 653)

For the rock bottom best prices, I constantly check PriceWatch.com.

For hardware reviews, tomshardware.com and dansdata.com.

You have any other favorites?



PS -- Most years, tomshardware does a huge motherboard comparison, and GigaByte usually wins it. If you can afford a little more, they have quality stuff, and if you're into overclocking then GigaByte is essential, IMO.

PriceWatch.com is a little more expensive by $20. For the motherboard I have, it is $20 more, plus it does not have a built in LAN, or Audio.

sometimes I wonder if I am the only linux user lol as far as onboard audio and lan who cares if it has it or not you can disable it.

as far as onboard audio and lan who cares if it has it or not you can disable it.

AUdio isn't such a big deal upgradewise, same with LAN if you have a 10/100... not much better stuff out there. It is just a lot less expensive when it is onboard.

well 10/100 cards are dirt cheap these days as well as soundcards so the price isn't much different.

i would go with pc3200 ddr ram and a motherboard that supports it. it's a small price to pay for upgradability.

ever consider a dvd+/-rw instead of a dvd-rom and a cd-rw?

a full tower? you sure you need that?

where's the hard drive?

don't forget that if you buy an oem cpu, you also need to buy a cpu fan. and you need thermal paste (silver preferably).

definately get a better monitor especially if you're going to be playing with graphics. no larger than .25mm dp. i would stay away from any monitors you have not seen for yourself or you have not read any good reviews for. a computer is only as good as its monitor.

i don't know if audio quality is a concern for you but for me, that setup would not do for even a budget pc. a soundcard can be added later but might as well buy some decent speakers.

www.newegg.com is a good online store.

buy most of my stuff there!