Complete dumb ass, please help

[hogfarmr]

Ok it's time to buy a new computer. Partly because i'll be moving away from home soon and partly just because i'm tired of this old bellybutton machine. So.... i admit i know next to nothing, whats all your computer guys advice?
I've got just around $1000 to spend, maybe a little more. I need a computer, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. i've been looking around and it seems the best deal i think i have found is a athlon 1.1 gig with: 16 mb tnt2, 128mb of sdram(whatever the hell that is), 20GB hard drive, dvd and cdrw(not a big deal, although cdrw is probably something i would buy on the side if it didnt come with it), sound blaster deluxe, and the normal softwhere package with windoz and works. all this for $1050. I'd probably buy one of those 17 inch flat monitors for anther $200, then an okay set of speakers for $50. putting the whole deal at $1300, this is probably the most i would like to spend.
What do you guys think? is there better deals out there worth looking for? If so where???
Thanks alot in advance!
-AKHog


[This message has been edited by hogfarmr (edited 03-26-2001).]

[hogfarmr]

oh yea, and i need an ethernet card, so i can play on dsl at my folks house and when i leave for school i can plug into the t1 line they have piped to every room  .
-hog

[MrBill]

Here is the latest, most thrifty system, I can put together, that will
serve virtually any desktop needs.

cpu AMD 1 ghz
200 mhz front side bus
UDMA 100 eide
128 mb pc133 sdram
32 meg Rage pro video card
56K v90 fax modem      
10/100 fast ether net card
20 gig UDMA 100 Hard drive      
52X CD-ROM
2 x usb ports
mid tower with 300 watt power.
win 98 or win ME
wordperfect office suite 8
PC-Cillin anti virus
Gamut MP3
keyboard, mouse, speakers, and 144 fdd

I can research upgrades to any component for you and upgrade it you
wish.

I will install and set up at your request
Gozilla, zonealarm, and AH. any other freeware you desire. (these are all
the free versions and can be upgraded if you wish) Will be tested and operating before shipment.

Bottom line $1000, you need only
supply the monitor, and I would suggest a ups for the box and a power strip for the monitor.
1 year on parts and I will give you free
phone/email support for one year also.

If interested email me and we can dicker on other componets

------------------
OhNooo
smile awhile

[Pollock]

Hog my old squaddie pal how the hell are ya.
Good luck in college.  Ok lets see you need a puter for gaming (oops I mean college) to fit your needs.  A suggestion I would make is go with a company that specializes in building gaming systems.  Why you ask? well mainly because the more reputable ones will match good quality components with an emphasis on spped and eyecandy. The majority Dells and Compaqs and the like usually use half decent RAM and OEM vid cards. Since you are still green in puter building this would be the route I would go. I suggest you check out advanceddesignky.com or sunshinestar.com
for the money you have budgeted you should be able to get a nice set up.  

[Maverick]

Hog,

Not a bad system you have there. I would suggest you not use a flat monitor for gaming. Spend the same money and get the best 17 or 19" regular monitor you can afford. The resolution and FR will be better. Flat monitors are still slower than the "old" style.

Good Luck.

Mav

[Lephturn]

Might I add, that is one STANKY video card as far as 3D gaming goes.  The best value for a video card that you can game on right now is the GeForce 2 MX.  It's like $80.00.  

If you have DSL\LAN and don't need the modem, you might be able to get that going.  If you DO need a modem, don't get a WINMODEM, they suck for gaming.

Something like this:
 http://www.pcnut.com/systems/gamepro.htm

------------------
Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer

A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome for AH articles and training info!

[bloom25]

Go to a regular computer store or build it yourself.  You can easily do a pretty high performance Athlon system for that price.

DO NOT get a TNT2 m64 16 mb video card.  It's not really even a full TNT2.  They are about the equivilant of a voodoo2.



------------------
bloom25
(Formerly of the)
THUNDERBIRDS

[Kratzer]

You definitely want at least a GeForce2 MX 32mb...

I had the 32MB TNT2 M64, and it really just didn't cut the mustard.