3 replies to this topic

[FlowingRivers]

I hope this is where I put this it seemed like the most suitable board. I want to buy a new computer. Basically I need something that I can use for the internet and that is really good for my psp program. The kids will not have their games on this one. I need to get the monitor, keyboard, speakers,tower etc and with taxes it has to come to about $900 at the most. So I would love some brand name suggestions of computers that will be good for that amount.

[Crow]

Well... I'd say your on the track. I assume psp is paint shop pro..? If media is going to be the main use of the comp, then you need to focus on storage (as I am sure you probably know). In my opinion your best bet is to build the computer yourself. That may sound a little overwhelming but its not.. everything is plug & play.. and for what it costs to buy one built, you can build it yourself and either save the extra money or spend it as planned and have a "beefier" comp. For the money, AMD is probably your best bet for CPU (although I prefer Intel). Personally..I run a 2.0ghz Celeron (Intel) in mine which the CPU cost 100 bux but the Celeron is geared more towards the "Office" users and not video/media purposes. For video.. I would go as high-end as you can being that media sounds like is what your mainly going to be using comp for. nVidia, ATI are the top to ( I prefer nVidia and would reccomend it with atleast 128mb on board memory) The monitor.. now... you'll probably get a bunch of theories on this, but you will never get a clearer picture/better picture then you will with a CRT (tube monitor) and thats fact. Flat screens are kewl..they even have flat screen's that are CRT's but the LCD displays are highly over-rated. Next would be ram.. I would go with nothing less than 512mb ..Corsair I believe is top of the line in ram... oh least I forget.. the power supply.. make sure that you buy ATLEAST 300watts (and I recomend 500 watts). What some users look at is the minimum required.. that can/will cause problems down there road. As far as a name brand of power supply.. geeesh.. right off hand I cant think of any that better/worse than the next. The hard drive... well.. I like Maxtor..and like i said previously size makes a difference there because pictures and the like take up much room. Hope that helps some

[shelf life]

For 900 bucks i could build a really sweet computer.
i would avoid retail. best bet: buy it off the internet:

i suggest going here to find good web "store"
http://www.resellerratings.com/

then pick out a few, go to there web sites, check them out, besure to read there return,warrenty policy etc.

i have bought many parts from mwave.com, with only a dead SDRAM module that i returned for credit..

if you buy a namebrand, make sure it has a separate video card and not "on board" video and 256k minimum of RAM. if you have broadband on board LAN is fine as well as a mainboard that has on board sound, unless you are really into audio output.

[wng_z3r0]

Do you think you might be interested in putting your computer together? You can save some money, and as long as you have a decent knowledge of computers, it can be done. I did