Recommendations on new system(s)

[Winos2Mac]

ok I have a maximum $1800 budget to build 2 computers. one of which must bee good for editing photoshop and Illustrator files. Pdf creation etc... at least 1GB memory There's not going to really be a need for gaming power on either system.

I'm looking on newegg.com and I want them both to be based on the Asus A7N8X motherboard series, whether it be the new -X or the -VM with onboard video. Im not sure and I would really appreciate your recommendations.

The second computer need not be as powerful as the first. but with at least 512MB Ram.

What do you suggest parts wise?

Oh and I do not need monitors, so that should free up some money.

[VHockey86]

Do you need software (OS), keyboard, mouse for each one? That'll make about a 350 dollar difference if you're buying windows XP + k/m for each one

[Winos2Mac]

No I am not taking into account the software. Only hardware. and also not taking into account the keyboard or mouse or monitor. Just the barebone computer tower, processor, meemory, hardrive, etc... and also a heatsink.

I am in the process of configuring one on new egg and as soo as I get the specs downI will post but I would appreciate your comments ASAP because i plan to purchse these 2 systems this week


thanks.

[magwel]

Do you need to this completed in a time range?

If not I suggest that you shop around for the best quality deals. Don't get me wrong Newegg is a great site but you may be able to get more bang for your buck if you shop around for computer components.

just a suggest

Great project thou

Good luck

[Winos2Mac]

No I understand completely. And I agree, i will keep my eye open for deals in my local stores and goto pricewatch.com to see if it's cheaper to buy elsewhere.

Newegg has been one of my favorite online computer marketplaces in the past few years and I have buily many systems from just parts that I purchased from them so thats why I said that I was looking at newegg.com

I will probably end up buying on Newegg because I just want to be charged once on my credit card.

But hopefully I'll have everything together by the end of next week.

Ok here are the specs of the first system, w/o ATX tower, Video Card, or Heatsink. I was wondering if you can help me out with these products. I will probably go with an Antec tower and buy it at the Local Fry's Electronics to save on the shipping costs, depends what's cheaper.


CD-RW
1X Lite On 52x32x52 Beige Color CDRW Drive LTR-52327S - OEM
$39.99

Floppy Drives
1X PANASONIC 1.44 MB 3.5 INCH HIGH DENSITY FLOPPY DISK DRIVE, MODEL # JU-256A798P - OEM, DRIVE ONLY High reliability with aluminium diecast base. Long life with direct drive spindle motor
$6.99

Hard Drives
1X WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD800JB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY

$77.50

2X Memory (System Memory)
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 512MB 2 x 32M x 64 PC-3200C2 With Heat Spreader
$247.00

1X Motherboards - AMD
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon/XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X (New Version, now support AMD Barton 400Mhz) Retail
$94.00

1X Processors
AMD ATHLON XP 3000 "Barton" 400MHz FSB PROCESSOR CPU
$264.00




Subtotal » $729.48

[VHockey86]

I high recommend going with a Barton 2500+ instead of 3000+... its a heck of alot cheaper and it'll still perform great.

Unless you plan on overclocking, corsair RAM isnt worth the extra money either (at least imo), I recommend just getting some crucial, geil, or kingston ram. Only big thing you need to look at now for that system is your graphics card =)

[JeremyPC]

My gaming computer.

AMD Athlon XP 2800+
1024 CORSAIR XMS RAM
ASUS A7n8X-X Mobo
420 Watt Chenming Tower
Asus 52x CD-R/RW
19" Samsung SyncMaster 955DF
Logitech Black Internet Keyboard
Logitech Wireless Optical Mouse
----------------------------
$925.00



Prices may vary as when I bought my monitor it was 145 shipped free and last week it was 187.00.

[Winos2Mac]

Ok so what do you recommend for a video card?

I have changed a few things...


-Lite On 52x32x52 Beige Color CDRW Drive LTR-52327S - OEM - $39.99

-PANASONIC 1.44 MB 3.5 INCH HIGH DENSITY FLOPPY DISK DRIVE, MODEL # JU-256A798P – OEM - $6.99

-WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD800JB – OEM - $77.50

-2X CRUCIAL MICRON 512MB 64x64 PC 2700 DDR RAM - OEM - $170.00

-Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail, Socket A AMD Athlon XP/Duron (support AMD XP 3200+ "Barton") - $126.00

-AMD ATHLON XP 2800 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL - $183.00


Subtotal » $603.48

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


I was also wonering what the general consensus is on the Asus A7V600 motherboard? I was thinking of basing my other system on the VIA chipset, what do you think?

thanks again!!

[JeremyPC]

Bah knew I didnt have something in there lol, I got a Sapphire Tech. ATi Radeon 9600 Pro for 130$ off newegg and yes that it to the total cost mentioned above. PS Dont get a Lite-Off you will regret it in 2 months.

[Omardeth]

if you don't mind dealing with rebates . office max has the 120gb wd hd for about the same price after rebate as the oem 80gb from newegg .

if ya wanna overclock go with a nforce board . the abit boards are very nice also don't overlook them .