Best computer for the money

bmw325is89

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I am looking at getting a computer for college. I am still really undecided between a laptop and a desktop. If anyone has some insight on that it would be great. But right now i am leaning toward a desktop because they are cheaper to build or buy and also perform better.

I am looking to spend about $1000 on a computer. I want to build my own since i know you get the best bang for you buck doing that. What are the best components for a fast, reliable, and preferably good gaming computer? Although i want a good gaming computer i want realiability over that, since it will be my college computer. Any help would be appreciated.

Here's one i was looking at on fry's electronics outpost (most likely where i will be getting the components for my computer) http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4060772. I know it's prebuilt but i was just trying to get an idea whether something like this was good or if it was junk.




Here are the specs i am looking to get, if i can better great, if not as long as it is reliable, that will be fine too

2.9 or higher processor ( probably amd since they are cheaper and i have heard are as reliable as intels as long as you keep them cool)

512 or higher memory
100 gig hard drive
dvd rw would be nice but not required
cdrw needed
good 128 mg graphics card
15 - 17 inch monitor depending on whether or not it is flatscreen.

also if there are any good computer sites where i could post this please post them.
 
I only really know places which will only deliver to the UK. I would however recommend looking around the manufacturers offers in a PC Buyer-type magazine; don't know what the US equivilent is. Some good offers, I got mine on a good offer that would have been impossible to build to at the same price at the time.
 
TOTALLY CHEAP YET BRILLIANTLY FAST GAMING RIG -

Case-------------------------------------$50
I WOULD RECOMMED GETTING ONE FROM NEWEGG.COM WITH A 400W OR GREATER PSU.

Motherboard------------------------------$60
MSI NFORCE 2 K7N2 DELTA-L
http://www.microtechcomputers.com/product.asp?Sku=MBMSK7N2DELTAL

CPU--------------------------------------$112
AMD ATHLON XP 3200+
http://www.smksuperstore.com/catalog/viewitem.asp?ID=7354

CPU Fan----------------------------------$25
USE NEW EGG TO FIND A CPU FAN OR ASK OTHERS FOR ONE THATS GOOD.
ALSO GET SOME ARTIC SILVER 5.

RAM--------------------------------------$86
2 STICKS OF CORSAIR PC3200 256 DDR RAM
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80093-6

Video Card-------------------------------$275
EVGA GEFORCE 6800
http://bestbargainpc.com/e68ddr.html

Sound Card-------------------------------$59
CREATIVE AUDIGY 2
http://www.ictcompany.com/ver1/productinf_est.asp?idsr=791&Item=SB0240

Hard Drive-------------------------------$88
WESTERN DIGITAL 160GIG 8MB
http://bestbargainpc.com/wesdig18eid8.html

DVD Drive--------------------------------$22
DVD 16X DRIVE
http://bestbargainpc.com/son16xdvdrom.html

CD Drive---------------------------------$23
LITE-ON CDRW DRIVE
http://bestbargainpc.com/lion52becddr.html

OS---------------------------------------$85
WINDOWS XP HOME
http://www.pcbase.com/cgi-bin/main....ems&vendor=Microsoft&prodID=411&dc=pricewatch

Monitor----------------------------------$100
17IN CRT MONITOR FIND IT AT A LOCAL STORE

Speakers---------------------------------$43
LOGITECH Z-640 5.1 SURROUND
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...66032-8031922?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

Keyboard---------------------------------$20
ANY WILL DO

Mouse------------------------------------$20
ANY OPTICAL WILL DO _____________________________________________
TOTAL -----------------------------------$1068

That will play all the games you want run programs and be very reliable for the next 2 to 4 years. And its fairly cheap too.
 
I would not recommednt he Athlon XP at all - its cheap and says its fast but it would be better and faster to get an Intel 2.8 or somehting along those lines - the Athlon XP Range is dead for a reason - the Prescott still goes strong and is newer. Or, you couild take things out of the setup like the Sound Card? not sure if you'll ned that - and get an Athlon 64 3000 or even a 3200, which would be far better than the 3200 XP even the 3000 64.
 
I'm just building my first custom pc. Check out it out on my thread. You can go somewhere along that line. If you want to save some money, downgrade on a few parts you don't need (like the 1gb ram, video card etc.). I bought all of my parts for around $1100 without the 2 dvd/burner drives and monitor on newegg.com.

http://www.computerforums.org/showthread.php?t=3170
 
errr... for the processor, get a mobile.

YOu can overclock it very very very very easily.

and it comes with a heatsink and junk if u order retail from newegg.

and get 512 meg of ram kingston value, u don' need amazing ram. it'll be like 80 dollars.

get a athlon mobile 64 bit 2800+.

nice nice nice.
 
If you are overclocking yes you need some nice ram or else you will fry it.
 
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