Log in

View Full Version : Build me a computer



punkoffgirl
05-01-2003, 12:18 AM
Here's the deal, folks: I'm in DESPERATE need of a new computer. Well, not that desperate, but I'd really really like to have a new one. It'd be nice to have sound, and at least a 56k modem, and USB ports, and a cdrw drive..

So, I was thinking (or what passes for thinking in my brain), I wonder if I know anyone that could build me a computer. I'm certainly not savvy enough to do it myself (how do you think my soundcard died?). And I know exactly how ovrepriced those "computers in a box" are, as I used to work for Dell. And then it came to me!

I know there are quite a few of you out there that are capable of doing this.. I want to know if there is anyone willing! It's not anything I'd want right off (in fact, I'd prefe time to get some cash together first), and it most certainly doesn't have to be top-of-the-line; something like that would only be wasted on me. But I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask! So, here's a run-down of my wish list:

-PLEASE no built in soundcards or video cards. It's nice to be able to upgrade sometimes :)
-Wow, a 56k modem! I'd prefer telephony, but it doesn't really matter. Heck, if I could get a network card in there too, it'd save me time later when (if) I finally go highspeed.
-No bigger than an 80gig hard drive. I really DON'T use all that space, and I know next to nothing about partitioning drives, so it'd be much simplier for me.
-USB is great for me! I guess the lack of USB ports on this computer makes it more of a dinosaur than anything else.
-A CDRW drive AND a CDROM drive. I want both.
-Windows would need to be installed on it, too.
-I don't need a monitor, mouse, or keyboard.

I guess that's pretty much it. It'd be terrific if someone was willing to do a payment plan, so I could get my grubby paws on it sooner, but if you'd want all the cash at once, I'd just need some extra time.
Details can be worked out later. Right now, I'm just testing the waters. Any takers?

Drexel923
05-01-2003, 01:15 AM
tell me how much your willing to spend on it...i know a good site to get parts from.

punkoffgirl
05-01-2003, 01:38 AM
Well, what's reasonable? :) Is $500 too much? Is $200 too little? What do YOU think? I really am in the dark here.
Btw, I don't require brand new parts. As long as it works, I don't mind if someone uses something they've got kicking around the house.

Mayhem
05-01-2003, 05:22 AM
There's probably no need for a separate sound card these days unlike say 5-10 years ago. Most onmotherboard sound is just as good as dedicated cards you could buy. Plus no chance of any incompatibilities ;)

As for graphics cards, go for ATI Radeon 9xxx series... but you won't need a big one if you're not gonna play the latest games...

Sylentwulf
05-01-2003, 09:20 AM
Cheap and good:

Soundblaster live card - $20
Radeon 7500 (As long as you don't want any current gen heavy duty games this will be fine) - $30
Intel Motherboard - $30-40 ish?
Pentium 3 866mhz - $50 ish? Pentium 4 1.8ghz - $100 ish?
Case/power supply/fans - $50
Lite-on 12X-16X CD Writer - $70
30GB Maxtor 7200 RPM Hard Drive - $100
Modem/Ethernet card - $10-$20

I think that's everything.
Do you need monitor, printer, speakers, keyboard, mouse, Windows XP?

punkoffgirl
05-01-2003, 11:10 AM
Hey, that's an awesome deal there, Toby! That's the kind of breakdown I was looking for :)
Windows XP, yes, no to all the others (monitor, printer, etc) just cuz those are things I can easily get around here without messing them up and without anyone having to go thru the pain in the ass of shipping them.
Can you really find a P4 1.8 for $100ish? I didn't think they were that cheap these days.. If not, the P3 would be fine, or even something inbetween. After all, I'm still using a P2 right now, so I'd never know what I was missing ;)

Drexel923
05-01-2003, 12:06 PM
do you need RAM or are you taking it from your old computer?

Sylentwulf
05-01-2003, 12:26 PM
Oh yeah, RAM

SDRam is still cheapest for non-gaming - 512mb for $20-$30
Windows XP - $100

These prices are rough guesses from the last time I built a computer, but I'd bet they're all very close. I usually buy on Ebay, with misc other places for some stuff. You can check tigerdirect.com for pre-built cheap computers, but I've never really been a fan of them.

Drexel923
05-01-2003, 12:51 PM
ok...heres what i grabbed from the website I use...

Case - $41.00
Lite On 52x24x52 CDRW - $47.00
Lite On 52x Cd Rom - $19.00
SONY 1.44MB Floppy - $7.50 (just in case)
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM Hard Drive - $66.00
US Robotics 2977 56K V.90 Internal PCI Modem - $38.00
Epox Motherboard - $85.00
AMD Athlon XP 1.53GHz - $63.00
ATI RADEON 7500 64MB PCI - $78.00
Your new computer - Priceless (sorry I had to throw that in)

thats everyhting but the RAM...the sound card is built in and it is very good (i got one myself)...you would still be able to add a new one later...all you would have to do is turn the one on the board off.

it also comes with a built in ethernet in case you upgrade.

once you add the RAM it's going to be a little more than wulf's computer but I think it's certainly well worth it.

Sylentwulf
05-01-2003, 02:46 PM
Looks about right, but that ATI Radeon you can get in sealed retail box on ebay for like $25-$30. For $80, you could get an 8500 (8500? 9000? damn numbers all sound the same) But at any rate, I just checked, ATI Radeon 7500 NIB $30 BIN on ebay