Computer Purchasing

[eagleskickass]

Ok. My dad is going to buy me a new computer so he can have mine (256mb RAM, 1ghz Duron Processor, 20 gb hard drive).
I am computer literate and so know enough about computers however not quite enough to feel confident to build my own. Im not looking for a huge upgrade as it is not needed, and i have a spending limit of about 1 grand which going by some prices for computers on the net is enough to get me about what i want.

For example i can get a AMD XP 1800+
MS Windows XP Home
300W Case
17" Monitor
256M DDR RAM (id upgrade this to 512)
40G Hard Drive
CD Burner (and cd rom)
1.44" Floppy
Speakers
56K Modem
Windows keyboard
Windows Mouse
12 mnth part warranty
24 mnth labour warranty
2 years phone support
For $899

What im asking is are there any specific stores you know of(especially in WA) that do very good deals on computers? I dont need anything above 2ghz, and even thats a lot, id prefer more RAM over computer speed anyway.

Also any helpful hints on buying a computer of the calibre i am looking at?

 

[eagleskickass]

PS the above computer is not what i am going to buy, but is approximately what id be looking for and about the right Price Range

 

[Desredandwhite]

A grand can get you a perfectly usable machine.

I don't know any specific places in WA, but you might want to check out the list of online stores posted on whirlpool here -- > http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=52057 just to play around with prices.

I'd possibly even look at bumping the HDD to 60 or 80 GB - depending on how much space you're likely going to want. If you're doing much audio/video editing then more is better, if you want to just surf the net and word process, 40 is plenty.

IMHO spend the extra 50 bucks and get a nice optical mouse, not some bog-standard $10 job with a wonky mouseball.

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by eagleskickass
PS the above computer is not what i am going to buy, but is approximately what id be looking for and about the right Price Range

Motherboard & video card are where you need to be picky depending on what it's going to be used for.

 

[iceman]

Definetly upgrade to 512MB DDR RAM...

is the video card etc on board?? i wouldnt go that way if i were you, try and get them independant of the motherboard

 

[KingyOrTheKing]

Is there a place in WA called 'PC's on a budget?' Can't remember if its in WA. Anyway, Video card, would recommend Radeon 9000 Pro. Thats 1 thing you left out from the list.... ~$165-200.

 

[fitzmantle]

Saturdays Worst Autralian is good to find out deals and store locations. Discount Computer Supplies in Maylands is usually pretty cheap. I think you should try and build your own as most stores sell the hardware in packages.

 

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by iceman
Definetly upgrade to 512MB DDR RAM...

is the video card etc on board?? i wouldnt go that way if i were you, try and get them independant of the motherboard

Actually I tend to disagree on this. It really depends on what you want to use the computer for. If all you want to do is word processing etc, then you really don't need anything more than a basic machine, and the onboard video cards are fine for this purpose. However, should you want to play games on the machine, yes you probably need an add on card.

If you can't afford an add on video card at this stage, then make sure the machine comes with an AGP slot and you can have one installed later. My computer at home came with onboard video, but I've since replaced it with a GeForce 4 card when I could afford it.

 

[eagleskickass]

Im more interested in getting a GeForce 4 in the computer i buy rather than a on board. I dont play a lot of games but go through phases where i do so a separate video card would help immensely. Also for me i have a 20 gig hard drive now and only using 15 so 40 will be plenty for me Thanks for the help, keep the suggestions flowing.

 

[eagleskickass]

Just stumbled across a computer that SEEMS to have everything i want. What i want to know is if it sounds about right and if its missing anything major that ive completely forgotten about needing.
Cheers

Gigabyte Performance Motherboard
512 mb PC 2700 DDR RAM
80GB 7200RPH Hard Disk
64mb Geforce4 MX 440 Video
52x52x24 CD Rewriter
1.44 Mb Floppy and 3d Sound
56k Internal Voice Modem
10/100 Network Adapter
ATX Midi Tower case
BenQ 17" Digital Monitor
PS2 Keyboard and Amplifier Speaker
PS2 Microsoft Web Scroll Mouse
Microsoft Windows XP Home

Cost - $988

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by eagleskickass
Just stumbled across a computer that SEEMS to have everything i want. What i want to know is if it sounds about right and if its missing anything major that ive completely forgotten about needing.
Cheers

Gigabyte Performance Motherboard
512 mb PC 2700 DDR RAM
80GB 7200RPH Hard Disk
64mb Geforce4 MX 440 Video
52x52x24 CD Rewriter
1.44 Mb Floppy and 3d Sound
56k Internal Voice Modem
10/100 Network Adapter
ATX Midi Tower case
BenQ 17" Digital Monitor
PS2 Keyboard and Amplifier Speaker
PS2 Microsoft Web Scroll Mouse
Microsoft Windows XP Home

Cost - $988

Got a model no. on the Gigabyte motherboard?

 

[eagleskickass]

no but im sure i can find out. Is that a good or bad brand name?
and how does it sound otherwise? To me it looks great, has everything i need basically, just want someone with a little more knowledge(i know basics but when you throw model names ta me i dont know the difference) to give me an idea of its worth.

 

[eagleskickass]

Gigabyte 7VA

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by eagleskickass
no but im sure i can find out. Is that a good or bad brand name?
and how does it sound otherwise? To me it looks great, has everything i need basically, just want someone with a little more knowledge(i know basics but when you throw model names ta me i dont know the difference) to give me an idea of its worth.

Gigabyte is OK. The best quality brand for motherboards would probably be Abit (IMO). Asus, Gigabyte & Epox probably all come in next not far behind.

If you want the latest bells and whistles, you need an nforce2 chipset which would be the Gigabyte 7N400Pro (around $220).

A more general purpose chipset is the VIA KT333 which would be Gigabyte GA-7VA-C (around $100) this would probably suit your needs and price.

If you want some better video performance in 3D games, it's probably worthwhile upgrading your video card to either a Geforce4 TI4200 or Radeon 9000 Pro. Not much more in price, but significantly better performance over an MX440.

 

[Mr Q]

Originally posted by eagleskickass
Just stumbled across a computer that SEEMS to have everything i want. What i want to know is if it sounds about right and if its missing anything major that ive completely forgotten about needing.
Cheers

Gigabyte Performance Motherboard
512 mb PC 2700 DDR RAM
80GB 7200RPH Hard Disk
64mb Geforce4 MX 440 Video
52x52x24 CD Rewriter
1.44 Mb Floppy and 3d Sound
56k Internal Voice Modem
10/100 Network Adapter
ATX Midi Tower case
BenQ 17" Digital Monitor
PS2 Keyboard and Amplifier Speaker
PS2 Microsoft Web Scroll Mouse
Microsoft Windows XP Home

Cost - $988

Only one thing - what sort of processor does that machine have? Can't see that in your list anywhere

 

[eagleskickass]

lol sorry, forgot to put that
AMD 2000