need help getting a new computer

[bball_1523]

This is what I want:

P4 or AMD Athlon 2.4 GHz
512 MB DDR-RDRAM
Nvidia 128 MB Ti4200
Soundblaster Live 5.1
19" monitor .25 dpi
Windows XP Home
80 GB Harddrive
no modem card, already got one
regular keyboard, optical mouse
inexpensive speakers with subwoofer
no cd-rw, already got one
16X dvd-rom/48x cd-rom
no zip drive, already got one
no home installation

-I need a computer similar to this, that is reliable, and as inexpensive as possible like around $1000 or less.
Where can I get something like this? How, what are the advantages? etc
Thanks

[Abhoth]

You could build it yourself...
If that's not your cup of tea I'd recommend Dell or Gateway.
I tend to lean a little more toward Dell than Gateway, both are quite good though.... check out their websites and see what's available. See which one offers the best deal for what you configure and there ya go...
Have a client who just got a Dell... for around $850... free shipping and doubled the RAM for free. Nice machine, P4 2gig, 512 on the RAM.... only a 17in. monitor... Nvidia 4200 etc....

[bball_1523]

I checked out both dell and gateway sites and both were too expensive for me.

[flachebaq]

First of all, weigh the pros and cons of building yourself vs. purchasing. The biggest come in the software and support. You will get a better deal in bundled extras by buying from a dealer. You also will get a warranty as well as technical support. If you build your own, the only support you get is you... if your motherboard dies... tough... you can't call up tech. support to get a replacement. You have to deal with the vendor yourself if they will help you at all.

Second... the vendors like Dell and Gateway kill you with extras. Why buy the monitor from them? You can probably find one cheaper from another source. A good example at Dell is their RAM. All RAM from Dell comes from Crucial. Unless they're giving out free RAM, go for the minimum and upgrade over at Crucial's web site.

Third... you get what you pay for. If you skimp today and buy cheap, you may end up with hardware that is not as good quality that will not last as long. Paying a little more now will keep you in a computer longer.

Fourth... find a local computer shop that has been around a while that has a good reputation. Many times you can find someone locally who can build exactly what you want and will even take your hardware and install it for you. All you'll need to do is pick up your PC.

[bball_1523]

all i really want are the specs I put up there, no bundeled software or anything else.

And as low a price as I can get.

[Abhoth]

O.K., you're building then.....

ANTEC SLK3700AMB 350W P4/AMD POWER $73.00

Asus Motherboard A7N8X Deluxe Retail $153.00

LEADTEK Geforce4 TI4200 128M $176.00

AMD ATHLON XP 2600 /333 FSB $280.00 (Don't go less than a 2400+ as anything lower may not have the Rev B core.

CRUCIAL 256MB PC 2100 DDR RAM 2 x $59.99 = 120.00

KDS 19" $165.00

Thermaltake VOLCANO 9 $25.00

Win XP Home Edition with Service Pack 1 $93.00

There be the major parts, you deal with the pieces. Roughly that's $1184 ... That list compiled off Newegg.com

Upgrade / Downgrade / & shop around and you'll get it under $1000 ...
You can do that shopping task.

[Train]

Abhoth
Now that will be a screamer.
My changes would be PC2700 ram instead of 2100
And of coarse a bigger case. Antec, Cheiftec or Chenming with the 420 or 450watt PS.

Nice list. Real nice!

[bball_1523]

what processor is better AMD or P4 especially for recording music and playing games?

-Also how reliable is buying off the internet, has anyone had reliable parts and been satisfied by internet shops?

[Abhoth]

Train... was trying to keep the costs down! If it was me, yes, more robust case and Corsair PC3500C2, ATI 9700Pro... ;-)

As far as who's better? Let's not start that one! Both are very good.... In your case bball_1523, you have some pricey specs to fill there... the advantage AMD has is price... bang for the buck.

As far as buying off the net.... all parts and pieces to my current system, found here, were purchased off the net... much from Newegg, a few pieces from other suppliers.... Really need to post the final pics, after the lights and window!

I've never had too many issues with buying online... had a few things that were DOA or just not right and returned them without too much issue.

Newegg is a primary supplier for me and many others... generally good prices, very speedy delivery depending on your location I suppose, and very service oriented. The key to buying online is make sure you know what you want, buy as much from a single supplier as possible thus minimizing shipping etc. etc. etc..

[jim2112]

Why not just go to Google and type in refurbished computers?

...Glad to be of service

[Abhoth]

Haven't had a whole lot of luck with refurb equipment... but you can save a few bucks here and there.... say, go for a refurb monitor. Heart of any system build such as MoBo and Processor will be new though, in anything I build.
But... Google yes! Google GOoooOD! Found many a smokin' deal looking for parts and pieces there.

[Train]

Newegg is a good choice as far as I and others are concerned.

AMD vs Intel. Benchmarks can say there are differences in which is faster , but my eyes can only see the $$ differences. To many bus speeds get in the way anyway.