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Old 02-08-2005, 11:43 AM   #1
D'sScooby
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Default Computer Building Help/Insight

I'm in the market for a new comp, mainly for gaming purposes. I don't wanna anything crazy just something decent. And I was wondering if this could be done with ~500 bucks. The big problem is I need monitor and keyboard/mouse, too. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Or should I put down the pipe?

Also, what does the allknowingOT think about payment plans for comps? Worth it?

Furthermore, I know little to nothing about computers, so what are good brands? and/or what should I stay away from?

IBsearch - I did, nothing conclusive came up.

Thanks fellow Otters.
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Old 02-08-2005, 11:50 AM   #2
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for ~$500? Dude, you're gettin a Dell.
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Old 02-08-2005, 11:52 AM   #3
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When I build computers for myself or for others, I usually go to sites like www.tomshardware.com, www.sharkyextreme.com, www.anandtech.com and follow their monthly guides. They usually have an AMD and Intel machine side by side.
A decent gaming pc with a monitor and stuff will run you about a $1000.

If you want a cheap and reliable PC, get a Dell.
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Old 02-08-2005, 11:52 AM   #4
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True 'nuff. I'm looking at spending ~$500 for a new computer, and I don't play any games.

I'm gonna guess you'll be dissapointed with a $500 gaming rig, especially if you still need a monitor. You don't need ~$2,000 of craziness, but you really might want to try to scratch up a little more cash.

-Brian
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Old 02-08-2005, 11:57 AM   #5
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I really have close to a 1000. Just trying to get a deal.

What about putting like 500 a good comp/monitor/keyboard/mouse and making payments on the rest? Has anyone went that route? Can you do that?

I'm getting alittle over 800 back from taxes and just don't want to blow it all on one item all at once. I actually need to pick up some clothes and such too. Bills also. I'm sick of dressing like a bum. IBmetrosexual=huffadong
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:00 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KD7000
True 'nuff. I'm looking at spending ~$500 for a new computer, and I don't play any games.

I'm gonna guess you'll be dissapointed with a $500 gaming rig, especially if you still need a monitor. You don't need ~$2,000 of craziness, but you really might want to try to scratch up a little more cash.

-Brian
Why would anyone need a computer if they didn't play games?
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:04 PM   #7
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"gaming" rigs require at least $500 for CPU, memory, and video card alone.
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:12 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Asinine
"gaming" rigs require at least $500 for CPU, memory, and video card alone.
<laugh> a gaming videocard is $400... gaming ram is another $300-400... and a gaming cpu, well you can get by with a $200 one.
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:12 PM   #9
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There's a guy at my work that put together a nice machine with the ATI 9600. That card alone is $400. Playing Halflife, he can turn on all of the graphics, shadows, details, etc... with no problem. A friend of mine is playing the same game on a $400 Dell Dimension desktop with no problem (minus all the graphics enhancements). It just depends on how much money you want to spend.
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:14 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcmomentum
Why would anyone need a computer if they didn't play games?
Heh. Funny you should ask that. The main reason is I want to be able to do some simple photo editing (nothing crazy, just basic snapshot work) and burn some pics & short video onto a CD/DVD. I'm also about 3 years overdue for an update- my current home rig is an ancient pos (800mhz P3, baby!) that's just clunking along uselessly right now.

I have a decent machine here at work, but I'm supposed to be working

~$500 gets me almost everything I need, 'cept a fancy LCD monitor. So I may dip into the tax refund money a little deeper for that...

-Brian
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phlacoe
There's a guy at my work that put together a nice machine with the ATI 9600. That card alone is $400. Playing Halflife, he can turn on all of the graphics, shadows, details, etc... with no problem. A friend of mine is playing the same game on a $400 Dell Dimension desktop with no problem (minus all the graphics enhancements). It just depends on how much money you want to spend.
That guy at work is probably aware that you know nothing about computers.

The ATI 9600 is Max ~$150 for the XT version. The regular 9600 is about $90 bucks now. If he said it cost $400 he was lying. Even when introduced almost 3 years ago the 9600 was their mid level card, at the time when the 9800 Pro was in their high-end segment.

For $500 your best bet is to pick up a Dell off gotapex.com, just make sure it has a decent CPU, at least 512 ram (and I would spring for a gig if possible). Once you get it, go out and spend the extra $200 on a video card, and you'll have a very nice gaming setup which will probably have a flat panel screen and all that jazz.
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Old 02-08-2005, 12:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyberdemon
The ATI 9600 is Max ~$150 for the XT version.
Actually, pricing 'em out seems to show a range of ~$187 to $300+

Depends on which version (?) and where it's from. Dell, which appears to be pricing this much higher than a geekier outlet type place, has 'em for big money:
Quote:
ATI TECHNOLOGIES
All in Wonder 9600 XT 128 MB AGP Card
$318.56
Newegg has assorted models ranging from ~$80.00 up to ~$245.00. Newegg ATI cards

Last edited by KD7000; 02-08-2005 at 12:54 PM.
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:04 PM   #13
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That's because it's an All-in-Wonder. Cards without video capture and a TV tuner are more reasonable.
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:07 PM   #14
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You won't be able to do it for that price.
Minimum for something good

Minimum CPU AMD 64 3000 = 165 (Socket 939)
Mobo = ~100 (Socket 939)
Video Card = ~200 but easily and probably higher
RAM = ~140 (512mb) but I'd go for a gig
HDD = ~80 (get SATA)
CD combo drive = ~30
Case/PSU Combo = ~60-80 for something decent
Monitor = ~300
Keyboard = ~20
Mouse = ~15

That's just a rough estimate and I may have forgotten something. You should be spending around $1000 ..

Side note: All in wonder cards are nifty, but in a gaming rig its kinda pointless if that's your focus. 9600 xt is crap compared to other cards

Only cards I personally would consider is nvidia 6800 series and the ati x800 series for a new box. But I currently run a watercooled ATI x800 xt OC'd
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nhluhr
<laugh> a gaming videocard is $400... gaming ram is another $300-400... and a gaming cpu, well you can get by with a $200 one.
1) A good gaming vid card can be had for $200 (6600GT or 9800Pro). It's not bleeding edge, but it will play anything out there just fine.
2) "Gaming RAM" is a gimmic. You can get 1GB PC3200 of a GOOD brand (Crucial, Mushkin, Corsair, KingMAX) for $140. Anything over 1GB is wasteful. And ultra-low latency is a ripoff.
3) I said "at least." SO...
6600GT: $200
1GB Mushkin PC3200 (2-3-3): $150
AMD 3200+: $150:
TOTAL: $500

And it will play everything out there just fine at nice resolution. This guy is working on a budget, so I'mworking with him... not just throwing out overestimates to bring him down.

If he wants to lower the cost: 9600Pro for $130, 512MB for $70 makes for a total of $350.
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:16 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KD7000
Actually, pricing 'em out seems to show a range of ~$187 to $300+

Depends on which version (?) and where it's from. Dell, which appears to be pricing this much higher than a geekier outlet type place, has 'em for big money:


Newegg has assorted models ranging from ~$80.00 up to ~$245.00. Newegg ATI cards
Like I said, $90-150.

The $245 cards are All In Wonder cards which simply offer built in TV capturing, which is in no way related to gaming performance.

Still nowhere NEAR $400. And whatever Dell lists as a price is generally outrageous which is why I recommended buying a base level system from Dell with whatever free upgrades they offer at the time, and then buying the video card + RAM seperately.

I can sell a turd for $6 million but it doesn't mean its worth that much.

You can build a cheap tower for $500, but you won't get any of the other stuff. Buying a full system from Dell is the way to go if you're on a budget.
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:17 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyberdemon
I can sell a turd for $6 million but it doesn't mean its worth that much.
IBsomeonemakesanidiotic"freemarketwillbearit"comme nt
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:24 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyberdemon
Like I said, $90-150.
I can sell a turd for $6 million but it doesn't mean its worth that much.
Don't be so defensive. The original poster only said "ATI 9600 ... $400" to which you cried b.s.

He / we had no other info as to exactly which ATI 9600 card it was... My point was only that it is not impossible that his friend paid ~$400.00 for it.

-Brian
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Old 02-08-2005, 01:49 PM   #19
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Thanks for all the help.

I'm may have my friends' dad try to piece one together. I'll see what he'll quote me.

Some good info in this thread though. I've looked into Dell and may have to go the cheap RAM VID card and buy the upgrades. I'll build one later and see where it puts me.
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Old 02-12-2005, 04:54 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyberdemon
That guy at work is probably aware that you know nothing about computers.

The ATI 9600 is Max ~$150 for the XT version. The regular 9600 is about $90 bucks now. If he said it cost $400 he was lying. Even when introduced almost 3 years ago the 9600 was their mid level card, at the time when the 9800 Pro was in their high-end segment.

For $500 your best bet is to pick up a Dell off gotapex.com, just make sure it has a decent CPU, at least 512 ram (and I would spring for a gig if possible). Once you get it, go out and spend the extra $200 on a video card, and you'll have a very nice gaming setup which will probably have a flat panel screen and all that jazz.
Can someone see if that link off www.gotapex.com for the dell 4700 is working? It's dead for me. I would greatly apprecitate it.
Thanks.
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Old 02-12-2005, 05:03 PM   #21
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It's working for me.
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Old 02-12-2005, 05:06 PM   #22
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I have no clue y it isn't for me. I'm on my gf's laptop and it doesn't work through either of her internet browsers...pisses me off.
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Old 02-12-2005, 05:08 PM   #23
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You could defintily get a decent PC+mouse+keyboard for <$500... its the monitor that might be an issue. Go hit up a used PC store, I have bought used 21 and 20" CRTs for ~$200, and that was years ago. I think you could definitly get a decent 19" CRT for about $150 now.
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Old 02-12-2005, 05:17 PM   #24
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Yeah. You can pick up used CRT's fairly cheap. I unloaded my Dell 19" Trinitron (old, but still worked great) for $100 like 2 years ago.

Though if you want to get an LCD, the used market may leave you with monitors that have dead pixels, etc.
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Old 02-12-2005, 05:30 PM   #25
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Any ideas on why I can't view the link? I'm all outta of ideas.
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