Looking for Cheap Computer
- Thread starter davisct24
- Start date
Lax
VIP Member
2.4 Ghz Celery processor
512Mb of DDR 333 (can put in another 256 stick)
128Mb FX5200 Personal Cinema card (with remote and original box)
Generic case
DVD-Rom
50x Drive
Floppy
Built in sound (AC 92 or w/e it is)
Abit-BH7 mobo
mouse keyboard if you want it
17" IBM G76 monitor if you want that too.
250W PSU (heavy duty but old ATX)
Only thing that might need upgrading for HL2 would be the GFx card (still great as a tuner/recorder)
Make an offer if you're interested.
512Mb of DDR 333 (can put in another 256 stick)
128Mb FX5200 Personal Cinema card (with remote and original box)
Generic case
DVD-Rom
50x Drive
Floppy
Built in sound (AC 92 or w/e it is)
Abit-BH7 mobo
mouse keyboard if you want it
17" IBM G76 monitor if you want that too.
250W PSU (heavy duty but old ATX)
Only thing that might need upgrading for HL2 would be the GFx card (still great as a tuner/recorder)
Make an offer if you're interested.
I felt the same way, but I just built my first computer. I stuck with name brand components (Intel). I know there are better deals out there for mobos and whatnot, but I didn't want to veer off the proven track, as I too have limited knowledge & experience. It works like a charm & is lightening fast!
If you take your time and are careful, it's a snap. I spent more than $500, but you really don't have to....especially with rebates and the like. I did access these forums and a few books - just to get familiar with the components.
Maybe some veterans can suggest an AMD or better deal Pentium setup.
My system is as follows (don't give me too hard a time veterans!)
Windows 2000
Intel P4 3.0 w/hyperthread
Intel 865 Perl Mobo
512 mb ram
120 gig seagate (7200 rpm)
Nvidia 5200 video card (not a major gamer and was $20 after rebate)
Soundblaster Live!
Lite-on 16x Dual drive
TDK CD/RW (pulled from old system)
Floppy drive (pulled fron old system)
Antec 450 Smart Power
Chenming 901 case (4 fans) - plain but 100% functional
oh and for kicks a Hauppauge TV tuner card (althought I haven't tested it yet)
I hope this helps give you confidence. It is really fun and a great way to learn more about computers. Good Luck
If you take your time and are careful, it's a snap. I spent more than $500, but you really don't have to....especially with rebates and the like. I did access these forums and a few books - just to get familiar with the components.
Maybe some veterans can suggest an AMD or better deal Pentium setup.
My system is as follows (don't give me too hard a time veterans!)
Windows 2000
Intel P4 3.0 w/hyperthread
Intel 865 Perl Mobo
512 mb ram
120 gig seagate (7200 rpm)
Nvidia 5200 video card (not a major gamer and was $20 after rebate)
Soundblaster Live!
Lite-on 16x Dual drive
TDK CD/RW (pulled from old system)
Floppy drive (pulled fron old system)
Antec 450 Smart Power
Chenming 901 case (4 fans) - plain but 100% functional
oh and for kicks a Hauppauge TV tuner card (althought I haven't tested it yet)
I hope this helps give you confidence. It is really fun and a great way to learn more about computers. Good Luck
Noobie21
New Member
Hey rars I too wanted to build a computer and it would be my first. I was wondering some things that you might be able to tell me seince you built 1. First off do I need any antistatic gloves or what not while putting the parts in the case? Secondly is it complicated to put the stuff in and hook it up? And finally do I need a profesional to install all of the basic components like windows Xp and stuff?
Loaded question 
.
It depends on your aptitude for that kind of stuff. I was intrigued enough to want to figure it out. Some people aren't. Loading windows is not difficult as long as you know how to change the boot sequence to boot from CD rom and not the hard drive. There are plenty of sources online that go thru the steps of building a PC.
Check out a google search on the subject. Many of the guides are free. I think there is a tutorial on Newegg.com and Tigerdirect.com. Cnet.com also has some online videos for installing stuff.
I was very careful about static. I wore an antistatic bracelet and latex gloves when handling the CPU. From what I understand, the oils from your hands can cause alot of damage.
I think most people will tell you to take your time. The tutorials can offer some tricks of the trade that may come in handy. I found using a good quality case, made for a good install. I also went with a retail CPU which came with the heatsink and fan. I didn't want to over do it on my first try. I am much more comfortable roaming around my PC case now.
The funny thing is that when I got this bright idea to build, I didn't even know what a heatsink was, so just start reading.
It wasn't a perfect experience. They never are. My video card burned up. So I got an RMA from the manufacturer for a new one. The new one was DOA, so I am awaiting another one.
What's nice about this forum is you can list the components you are thinking about using and some really bright people (wink wink) offer lots of good advice and suggestions. It's too bad I discovered this after the fact!
Just to let you know...I am older than the average age on this forum and my background is in real estate sales. So I am no einstein. I just like learning and trying new things and I know where the local computer repair shop is (just in case)!
.It depends on your aptitude for that kind of stuff. I was intrigued enough to want to figure it out. Some people aren't. Loading windows is not difficult as long as you know how to change the boot sequence to boot from CD rom and not the hard drive. There are plenty of sources online that go thru the steps of building a PC.
Check out a google search on the subject. Many of the guides are free. I think there is a tutorial on Newegg.com and Tigerdirect.com. Cnet.com also has some online videos for installing stuff.
I was very careful about static. I wore an antistatic bracelet and latex gloves when handling the CPU. From what I understand, the oils from your hands can cause alot of damage.
I think most people will tell you to take your time. The tutorials can offer some tricks of the trade that may come in handy. I found using a good quality case, made for a good install. I also went with a retail CPU which came with the heatsink and fan. I didn't want to over do it on my first try. I am much more comfortable roaming around my PC case now.
The funny thing is that when I got this bright idea to build, I didn't even know what a heatsink was, so just start reading.
It wasn't a perfect experience. They never are. My video card burned up. So I got an RMA from the manufacturer for a new one. The new one was DOA, so I am awaiting another one.
What's nice about this forum is you can list the components you are thinking about using and some really bright people (wink wink) offer lots of good advice and suggestions. It's too bad I discovered this after the fact!
Just to let you know...I am older than the average age on this forum and my background is in real estate sales. So I am no einstein. I just like learning and trying new things and I know where the local computer repair shop is (just in case)!
Noobie21
New Member
Thanks a bunch but I am only 14 and no matter what you say I think you must be at least a little wizer than me. I too dont know what heatsink is. I think I might have also just screwed up my comp becuase I bought a new graphics card and I just put it in with my bare hands 
So I'm hoping that someone on the forum will help me out beucase I posted a question that I needed help wit buildin a comp thnx a bunch though and I have no Idea how to do that windows thing u talked about.
So I'm hoping that someone on the forum will help me out beucase I posted a question that I needed help wit buildin a comp thnx a bunch though and I have no Idea how to do that windows thing u talked about.