Cheap Computer!

[Triadcool]

This christmas my mom said that she would pay $400 dollars for a computer and I was wondering where I could find a computer that cheap. With that amount of money to spend would it be better to build a computer or just buy a computer?

[Triadcool]

I can also use some parts from my current computer. 768mb Ram 133mhz, 80gb hard drive, geforce 4 mx.

[Keikan]

What are you using the computer for?

What are your current processer

[Triadcool]

My current prosessor is 1.0 ghz and im going to use it for playing games and the usual stuff.

[Keikan]

You think YOU need a new computer look at mine!!!!

Anyways, $400 hmmmm

I guess i would go buy a new processer, ram and a new graphic card, if your mom is willing buy cheap on the internet then it will be cheap on the internet

Maybe get:

Athlon xp 2400+
Some Asus Mobo
and like 2 sticks of 512mb ram pc-2700
and like ati radeon 9200 128mb You might not need the graphic card but you haven't completely told me what graphic card u have

[Broken]

Although i know some people have had some bad experiences with them i would go with a computer by emachine.

400 dollar computer

It's just a basic system, not a graphics machine but not bad for the price and you can always upgrade. I've had a emachine for about a year now and it's been great... customer service is friendly, i had to deal with them once when a stick of pny memory that i bought went bad and i couldn't figure out what was wrong.

[Wolfmight]

here's my suggestion for under $400 for a good upgrade.

I reccommend http://www.newegg.com

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Motherboard: (about $100)
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Asus, Gigabyte, or Soyo Dragon Motherboard (there are some others, but these are some good ones i know of) I got a Gigabtye.. awsome motherboard.
You can get a decent one for around $100.
What CPU type do u have (AMD or Intel?). I suggest an Althon XP cause u can get a 2.0ghz one for under $100. Intel is faster, but it does cost alot more.. thus going over your $400 limit and no room for a faster graphics card.
What type of ram do u have? (DDR or SDRAM?) Hopefully DDR, since it's faster... if not, you can go with an sdram motherboard.. but i suggest u sell that sdram and buy ddr if possible. Make sure the motherboard stats say: 8x AGP, Atleast FSB 400, DDR 400, Usb 2.0.


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2.0ghz CPU ($70-80)
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get an Althon XP 2400 2.0ghz only costs about $70 (dont use pricewatch.com to find this.. you will be scammed)


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128mb ATI Radeon 9500Pro Graphics card ($200)
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Note: The 9600pro is slower.. ati decided to use an older model chipset with 4 pixel pipeline or something.. the benchmark tests clearly show 9500 pro is faster. (search google yourself if u want more info)
You said you had a geforce 4 mx? Those had 64mb video ram and about a 4 pixel pipeline. The ATI Radeon 9500 Pro has 128mb video ram with an 8 pixel pipeline.. plus the clock and ram Mhz are much higher as well. I used to have an Nvidia Geforce 4 MX 440 64mb myself, so I benchmarked the same 2 cards myself basicly and noticed the Radeon 9500 Pro was about 5-6 times faster useing 3Dmark03. You will be able to run even the latest 3d games at max graphics settings at atleast 30 fps normally.

hope this helps

[Keikan]

Originally posted by Broken@12 October 2003 - 16:57
Although i know some people have had some bad experiences with them i would go with a computer by emachine.

400 dollar computer

It's just a basic system, not a graphics machine but not bad for the price and you can always upgrade. I've had a emachine for about a year now and it's been great... customer service is friendly, i had to deal with them once when a stick of pny memory that i bought went bad and i couldn't figure out what was wrong.

You can't play games with a celeron

[Triadcool]

why cant you play games with a celeron

[Broken]

sure you can, with a decent graphics card a celeron can out perform a p4 pc.

before anyone buys a computer i would recomend waiting till after the end of the year. intel will be releasing a new line in the first half of 2004. Intel will start producing Celeron chips with 256KB of L2 and 533MHz PSB. Making them really compariable to the current p4. However they will also release a new p5 called the prescott, which will blow everything out of the water... 5 ghz!