pd123

I wonder if it is worthwhile to build a computer rather than purchasing a system? Would the best place to get the components be Egghead? It's hard to beat something that is offered from geek, the other day they had a system about $279 Pentium celeron 500,64megRam,smallHarddrive about7Gig

BADFlSH

I think it depends on the person. Package systems are great for people who want to have the tech support and all that. For me however, a package system would drive me crazy! I like tweaking my computer or at least fixing it when I mess it up. When you get a package system it can be difficult identifying exactly what components you have so you are basically at the mercy of the vendor when you are trying get drivers or tweak something or resolve a problem ect. A home built system on the other hand, you can tailor make for yourself and you know exactly what each piece is. So personally if I were given a bunch of money (any price range) I would build my own system. In fact the only time I would ever own a package system is if it were given to me or I won it. As I said before though, there is nothing wrong with a package if you just want a computer that will work and when it doesn’t someone else will fix it.

As far as where to get hardware I usually buy stuff from a bunch of different places. Who I buy from is determined by only by price and reputation(maybe it's just me but I dont like sending a couple hundred bucks or a credit card number to someone with an insecure site that looks like it was made by a 10 year old.)

Just my 2 cents

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Dave_7

Where do you live?... I'll build you a computer for cheaper than you could get in any package deal... save the rebates, of course.

It would be worth it to save yet another person the agony of finding out that that $1100 "value" system they just got is not upgradeable and it's and that it will have no usefull parts to pull and put in your next computer.



Semi-seriously...



Dave.

pd123

I live in North Jersey. I currently have a non upgradeable Compaq Pentiun II 450 with 196 meg ram. I only have 4 meg video ram and am in need of a much better video card. I have USB ports. Do you have any general idea what the cost to build something better or maybe upgrading my motherboard? I know that would void my 3 year warranty.

Dave_7

Well, that's a pretty powerfull setup, seriously... oh yeah, the video. Hmmm. But as for an upgrade, depending on what you are interested in doing with it, a motherboard and a P3 750 should cost you somewhere around $300. You'll most likely be able to squeeze more MHz out of that chip if you are willing to overclock it.

Now, you should beware of gettting a motherboard with a different chipset than your Compaq. They may use some proprietary stuff that could have some conflicts... for one reason or another, but that's beyond this post.

Or, you could get a Celeron 600 and a motherboard for $200 and overclock it to 850-900 MHz and have a screamer that should be able to use your old 196MB PC100 RAM.

Or, without getting down and dirty, you could throw a VooDoo 3 3000 PCI or one of those GForce PCI cards that I have heard are coming out (maybe already), in to your current setup and have a rig that will be able to tackle just about anything.

I am sure that most who read this will agree... in reality... a PII 450 with 196MB RAM and a VooDoo 3 3k is a pretty powerful system that should be able to do a WHOLE lot of good for you... even if it IS a Compaq.

I say, see what Compaq says about the warranty if you want to put a new video card in there.




Dave.

spigidygak

That's a very decent set up already. Depending on what type of video work you do mostly, just get a new video card and you should be happy. If for games get a Geforce 2 mx or gts. The voodoo 5's are decent too. Another two better more for 2-d work is the radeon and g400. With that, you should be happy. but if you really need to. . . go for a new mobo. Just make sure you can use most or all of the stuff you got already (like the ram).

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pd123

Thanks, I will replace the video card,I am in much need of a video card. I just called Compaq on your suggestion. They said I don't have a pci video card, I think they said I have an agt port (not sure if I got that correct) but I should be able to take out their video card and just replace it.

coleslaw

That would be an AGP (Advanced Graphics Port) slot. All of today's faster video cards run on the AGP interface. I too would suggest a 32 MB GeForce2 MX card. You should be able to find one in the $100 - $140 range.

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LPMiller

careful, Compaq may call it an agp port, but they just love not actually having one, they just intergrate it into the board itself...upgrading compaqs is a nightmare, usually.

check out dell or Alienware, were you can customize the rig. Alienware cost a little more, but they build the box for you, so your upgrade path in the future is nice and wide.

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spigidygak

Good point LPM. . . but he shouldn't have to get a new computer (especially another prefab *BLECH*). Just double check to see inside of your case pd123. Make sure you have a video card thats in the agp port. From the sounds of it, you may not know exactly whats what inside *no offense*. So this is the easiest way to check what kind of port.

Before opening the case, make sure where the plug is from the monitor to the computer. Then open the case up. Check where the monitor cable is connected. If on the other side is a card of some sort, then you're one step from being in good luck for an easy upgrade. If there is no card on the other side. This means the grahpics display is integrated with the mother board. It is still possible to upgrade the graphics display. But it is a little more complicated.

Anyhow, if there is a card on the other side. This is probably the most simplest way I can describe to tell whether it is an agp or pci slot. If the slot the video card is in looks like the only one of its kind, then this is an agp port. But if it looks like there are other slots of the same kind, this is a pci slot. So open up the case and make sure what the situation is before going out and buying a new card. If you have more questions, e-mail me.

DrkSphere

Personally I like going to smaller computer stores (not like CompUsa or Gateway or such) and just going though and picking each of the components myself, but having THEM put it together. You pay $45 or so for the labor, but you get all the warranties plus service and repair from the company, and you still know exactly what's in your system and where it is. A lot of smaller "home-made" companies will even let you see the inside and show you where they put everything and how they set it up if you ask them to. The smaller companies are interested in the needs of each and every customer.

spigidygak

Yup, that's the way to go if you're not adventurous enough to do it yourself. But seriously, it's not too hard to build your own system.

LPMiller

I gather together a processor and a motherboard, and plant in the spring. if you get a good south facing area, and water every other day, up should sprout a full system in time for harvesting. Watch out for pests, you don't want a buggy system. Use an extra part of fertilizer and 1 Jobe plant spike if you plan to overclock it.

Finally, garden weasel. I cannot stress that enough.

Dave_7

And do not pay any more than $150 for ANY of the video cards mentioned in this post, save the VooDoo 5 5500 ($220+). A VooDoo 3 3k PCI or AGP should run you under a hundred (total) dollars if you get the OEM (non-retail boxed) version. I have seen the G400 32MBs (a very solid card) for under a hundred. The new GForce2 MX might be the most timely choice... and you can get those for less than $150. The key is the "MX." That's the "value" edition. Other GForce2s will cost much, much more. But it should still kick a reasonable amount of a$$. Especially when going to that from a 4MB Compaq OEM graphics adapter.



Dave.

pd123

If you have more questions, e-mail me. [/b][/quote] Thank you for the information, I couldn't email you because email function is temporarily disabled at Apex.

spigidygak

Gah!!! You forgot the most crucial ingredient. . . Miracle Grow!!!

Dave_7

No worries.




Dave.

LPMiller

Doh! You're right, if you don't use Miracle Grow, you end up with a Joshua based system! Ack!

gwilks98

I'm building a computer right now (waiting for parts) and for a guy like me, it's worth it.

I just got my A+ (go to http://www.comptia.com if you don't know what that is) and I want the experience of installing, configuring, and tweeking hardware.

You're not going to notice a major price difference in the long run depending on which way you go (so long as you are an inexperienced user) You can buy an emachine (crap) for about as much as it would to build an ok computer off spare parts. Big deal.

The money advantage comes into play if you plan on learning how to tweek the damn thing so it will run better than any PC of the same price you can find in the stores.

I'm currently building a PII 733 for about a grand. I used more expensive parts so that I would be less likely to have loads of defects. Go to pricewatch.com and have a look around at the basics.

pd123

"I just got my A+ (go to http://www.comptia.com if you don't know what that is) and I want the experience of installing, configuring, and tweeking hardware."

Hi gwilks98 What is that site and is it related to builting computers? I checked them out and their description, "CompTIA develops vendor-neutral certifications. Certification provides credibility, recognition of achievement, and quality"

gwilks98

Comptia's A+ certification tests cover basic hardware (and OS) installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

It's not directly related to computer building. I was just saying that if you wanted some more knowledge on the subject (especially hardware), you could take a training class on the matter.

I studied a book by Michael Meyers all summer. A bunch of computer stores offer classes in it too.

Newbiee

I may be wrong but isn't it extremely hard to upgrade a comcrap system because the whole setup or somtin and the case is diff.