Which computer for less than or equal to $2,500?
. You could just stick to us, we know out shit too 
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Vienna, VA
I'm with these guys. If you've got some money, build an Athlon64 based system. The architecture has so many advantages over the Pentium4. IMO, the P4 sacrifices performance so it can reach a high clock to impress the novice buyers 
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: The Empire State
AMD vs. Intel, the short short version....
AMD runs slower....
Intel runs a longer race....
the clock speeds mean nothing, its just marketing hype created by Intel. you'll notice Intel swiching thier naming process to random numbers or "series" like BMW, the numbers tell you the ballpark your in but not the actual speed.
Example: Intel P4 LGA 775 runs at 3.4Ghz or AMD 3200+ runs at 2.2ghz
AMD runs slower....
Intel runs a longer race....
the clock speeds mean nothing, its just marketing hype created by Intel. you'll notice Intel swiching thier naming process to random numbers or "series" like BMW, the numbers tell you the ballpark your in but not the actual speed.
Example: Intel P4 LGA 775 runs at 3.4Ghz or AMD 3200+ runs at 2.2ghz
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From: houston
Question about RAM. Is it all the same or are some brands better than others?
OCZ, Corsair, Kingston?
I built out a system on cyberpowersystem.com and then went and added the same components to the Newegg cart and I only came out with less than $200 difference. The cyberpower system also includes a 3 yr. warranty. I'm almost thinking it may be worth paying the extra $200 just to have that and have it put together although the DIY angle has me interested.
What exactly am I going to need to put everything together? Is it as simple as just hex drivers and such or am I going to need stuff like thermal paste that I keep reading about? If it was all pretty simple plug and play I think I could pull it off.
OCZ, Corsair, Kingston?
I built out a system on cyberpowersystem.com and then went and added the same components to the Newegg cart and I only came out with less than $200 difference. The cyberpower system also includes a 3 yr. warranty. I'm almost thinking it may be worth paying the extra $200 just to have that and have it put together although the DIY angle has me interested.
What exactly am I going to need to put everything together? Is it as simple as just hex drivers and such or am I going to need stuff like thermal paste that I keep reading about? If it was all pretty simple plug and play I think I could pull it off.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: New York
I would go with cyberpower for the differece, just cause of warranty. They replace components without ANY problems and have great support. But if you really want to learn, I guess you can do it yourself.
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From: Garden Grove, CA
Originally Posted by honda606,Aug 10 2004, 07:47 PM
Question about RAM. Is it all the same or are some brands better than others?
OCZ, Corsair, Kingston?
I built out a system on cyberpowersystem.com and then went and added the same components to the Newegg cart and I only came out with less than $200 difference. The cyberpower system also includes a 3 yr. warranty. I'm almost thinking it may be worth paying the extra $200 just to have that and have it put together although the DIY angle has me interested.
What exactly am I going to need to put everything together? Is it as simple as just hex drivers and such or am I going to need stuff like thermal paste that I keep reading about? If it was all pretty simple plug and play I think I could pull it off.
OCZ, Corsair, Kingston?
I built out a system on cyberpowersystem.com and then went and added the same components to the Newegg cart and I only came out with less than $200 difference. The cyberpower system also includes a 3 yr. warranty. I'm almost thinking it may be worth paying the extra $200 just to have that and have it put together although the DIY angle has me interested.
What exactly am I going to need to put everything together? Is it as simple as just hex drivers and such or am I going to need stuff like thermal paste that I keep reading about? If it was all pretty simple plug and play I think I could pull it off.
get the 2-2-2 Cas Latency one from OCZ I believe its 2-2-2-8 Rev. 2 Very Fast.
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From: Garden Grove, CA
Originally Posted by honda606,Aug 10 2004, 08:42 PM
When I'm selecting a hard drive what do I want for interface?
IDE Ultra ATA100 or Serial ATA(SATA)?
IDE Ultra ATA100 or Serial ATA(SATA)?
Western Digital Raptor 740GD
74Gig
4.5ms
8Meg Buffer
10,000RPM
SATA 150
Price $179.00
Western Digital Raptor 360GD
36Gig
4.9ms
8Meg Buffer
10,000RPM
SATA 150
Price $109.00
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: houston
Ok I think I've got it figured it out. I built a system on cyberpowersystem.com but left off the sound card, speakers, and DVD-R drive which I plan to purchase through newegg and install myself to save a few hundred bucks.
Is a sound card plug and play like RAM? Is this a good idea or do they need to be the one's to put the sound card in so that they can configure everything properly? I've installed modems and RAM before...is it essentially the same thing?
Is a sound card plug and play like RAM? Is this a good idea or do they need to be the one's to put the sound card in so that they can configure everything properly? I've installed modems and RAM before...is it essentially the same thing?