New Office computer?

[Winos2Mac]

I have been given the unique priviledge to construct a computer for the office. This computer will be on a local Domain, it will mostl;y be running Microsoft office apps along with internet and email. Some database applications (i.e. Prolaw) it's going to be used in a small law firm so I don't think it will need to be the most pawerful thing out on the market.

I am debating whether to go Athon64 or Athlon XP. the no-FX Athlon64 3200+ is not that much more expensive than the XP 3200+ but do i really need 64-bit adn will I ever use it?

I'm an AMD fan so I don't think i'll be going the pentium route. I want to install the new 74GB WD Raptor.

What do you recommend i use for lets say...

Video Card
Motherboard
RAM...How much...512MB OK?


I know that I will need to get an LCD 17" monitor at the very least and a DVD-R drive (I'm set on the Plextor 8X DVD-R drive at Newegg.com)

any suggestions or recommendations.

I was also wondering what kind of stable memory should I use if Im going to go the Athlon64 route.

Thanks a lot. looking forward to your replies!

[John Prophet]

It'd be hard to beat some of the Dell P4 deals.

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did they give u a basic budget??

[Winos2Mac]

well the last dell PC we purchased was 1,426.00 with the following:

17"LCD
40GB HD
2.8GHz P4
Integrated graphics
WinXP Pro
48X Cd-Rom
MS Office 2003 Small Busienss

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but the thin is that we already have a copy of microsoft office that we can use so i dont need to purchase that again. So Im guessing around $1,200 - $1,300

[John Prophet]

hehe...thats what I was saying...you can get that same dell now for probably $500- $600 with dvd/cdrw (without ms office) and then buy a nice monitor seperately.