simplechords

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I have an old hp pavillion that is on its way out so i am in the market for a new computer. At first i was gonna build one, but it seems for my budget its better to buy a premade system. I have about $500 to spend on it, not including a monitor. Any suggestions? I mostly will use it for browsing the web and listening to music. I also do a little bit of photoediting as well. Any help would be appreciated.

Lucky Bob

Actually, for $500, you'd be better off building it, just not with highend parts. If I were building it, I could probably build you a system that would cost $700-800 for $500, including my fee. Just go with barebones case, low level Athlon (I have a 2700+ in my 2 year old machine, and it works fine) with an everything-onboard motherboard, a harddrive, an optical drive (DVD+-RW dual layer for $50, even), and 512 of ram. If my on-the-fly calculations are correct, that should come out to <$500.

simplechords

with no OS though right?

Lucky Bob

Point taken... I always have "spare" copies of XP/2K lying around, so I never incorporate them into build cost. You can get XP Home SP2 off newegg for $87 right now, though.

wolf68k

Simple system for web and light photo editting plus an OS for $500. Too easy.

click descriptions for links
Barebones base:
Foxconn TLM454R3M6-C350 AMD Socket A(462) Barebone - $99 + $8.99shipping = $107.99
Specs....
CPU Supported: AMD Socket A Athlon XP or Sempron, FSB: 266/333/400MHz
Chipset: SiS 741 north, SiS 964 south
Memory: 2x 184Pin DDR 233/333/400, max 2GB
Expansion Slots: 1-AGP 8x, 3-PCI
Storage: 2-ATA133 IDE
Onboard video with shared memory (uses part of your system RAM for the video memory)
Onboard audio - AC97 6CH (5.1)
Onboard LAN 10/100
3.5" bays: 5 internal, 0 external (no floppy drive support)
5.25" bays: 2
Front panel: 1-USB, Audio ports, 7-in-1 card reader
PSU: 250watt

CPU: 2 choices; note a Sempron is cheaper but not as a XP of equal clock speed
AMD Sempron 2300+ Thoroughbred 333MHz FSB Socket A Processor Model SDA2300DUT3D - OEM - $59.00 free shipping
Clock speed: 1.53GHz
or
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Barton 333MHz FSB Socket A Processor Model AXDA2600DKV4D - OEM - $73.99 free shipping
Clock speed: 1.9GHz


Heatsink&Fan:
Thermaltake A1492 60mm Ball Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail - $8.99 + $4.99 shipping = $13.98


Memory:
pqi POWER Series 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model MD4412UOE - Retail - $40.99 + $3.83 shipping = $44.82
Note: there is another for $54.99 with instant $15 savings, but there's no telling when you're be buying, but just in case it's real soon click here for it.


CD/DVD drive:
NEC Beige IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3520A BG - OEM - $37.99 free shipping
DVD-/+RW DL;16x DVD-/+R. CD: 48x CD-R, 24x CD-RW
Note: Why a DVD burner? Why not? Ya never know when you might need it. If you want to downgrade it so a simple DVD-ROM/CDRW combo drive or less, let me know.


HardDisk Drive:
HITACHI Deskstar T7K250 HDT722516DLAT80 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive - OEM - $77.50 + $2.99 = $80.49


OS:
Microsoft Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2 - OEM - $86.95 + $0.99shipping = $87.94


Total with Sempron including shipping: $432.21
Total with XP including shipping: $447.20

Note: with the DVD burner you can add in a combo deal and get a pack of 100 DVD-R 8x for an extra $29.00 + $4.00shipping = $33
LEGACY might not sound like great DVD-Rs but I haven't had a single coaster and I'm through 50 of them already.



This isn't a great system, but you weren't looking for a great system. But it does come with an 8x AGP slot so you can easily upgrade the GFX card later if AGP cards are still around then. Also you can upgrade the CPU, but to a limit which is quickly dying.

Give me a better idea of what kind of specs you really want for now and in the future and I can make a better list.

simplechords

i was looking at this emachine

he basics: AMD Athlon™ 64 3200+ (2.2GHz), 512MB of DDR memory, 160GB 7200RPM hard drive.

Combo drive: The double-layer DVD+/-R/RW drive lets you record up to 8.5GB of information on just one double-layer disc. This versatile drive also writes to CD.

8-in-1 memory card reader: Transferring files, video, images and MP3s to your computer is easier than ever. This versatile reader accepts Compact Flash I/II, SmartMedia, Memory Stick®/PRO™, MultiMediaCard, SD™ and MicroDrive memory cards.

Graphics and audio: The ATI Radeon® Xpress 200 graphics card and lightning-fast PCI-Express x16 interface provides super-realistic gaming and movie-quality display. Two amplified stereo speakers add great sound to round out your system.

Get connected: Use the 7 USB 2.0 ports to connect to all of your favorite peripherals.

Software bundle: This bundle includes Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition with SP2, as well as software for DVD burning, home finances, virus protection, enhanced productivity and more.

wolf68k

But notice they didn't mention the preinstalled crap you don't need and someone of it ad/spyware.
All of them do it; Dell, HP/Compaq, Gateway and even eMachine.


Wait....ATI Radeon Xpress 200, aka x200? There is no Xpress 200 frrom ATI, there is a x300.

Like I said, tell me what you really want and need and I'll see what I can come up with.

simplechords

after alot of thought, i think i just gonna take a few buck and upgrade what i have. I'm gonna wait till i have more cash, and can build the system that i want. What would you recomend that i upgrade? I figure i want a second hd, and more ram.

here are the specs for my computer http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...63&lc=en#N1003B

btw, it acutally has an athlon Xp 2000+

Lucky Bob

7200 RPM harddrive, as large as you can afford/want, and 512MB (single stick) of a reputable brand's "value" RAM.

Ryan

Dell p4 3.0ghz, 800 mhz FSB

half gig dual channel RAM

80gb 7200 RPM hard drive

dual layer dvd burner

free printer

etc...

$582.40
free shipping

Look around online at fatwallet.com and techbargains.com and I bet you can bring that to around $429 or so... works for me.


Dimension 3000 Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price $728.00
Dell Home Customers: Save 20% off this Dell Dimension 3000!
Limited Time Offer!
- $145.60

Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Dell Dimension 3000 Series Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor w/ HT Technology (3GHz, 800 FSB)
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Keyboard and Mouse Bundles Dell Quietkey Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse
Monitors No Monitor
Video Card Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2
Hard Drive 80GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices No Floppy Drive Included
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD or DVD Drive Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Sound Card Integrated Audio
Speakers No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Office Productivity Software No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
Security Software No Security Subscription
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Digital Photography Photo Album™ SE Basic
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 90 Days Ltd Warranty, 90 Days At-Home Service, and 90 Days Technical Spt
Internet Access Services 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service and Support
Financial Software (Preinstalled) No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dell 720 Color Printer Qty 1
Free Dell Color Printer 720 Unit Price $0.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Dell Color Printer 720 Free Dell Color Printer 720
Hardware Support Services 1Yr Ltd. Warranty- Advance Exchange

TOTAL:$582.40

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