Time to upgrade, barebones computers

[capman21]

Its time for me to upgrade, and was wondering if I should look in to a barebones computer. I already have the HD, cd/dvd drives, etc. I currently am using a 533mhz,( I know way over time to upgrade) computer. Basically I want something I can do a lot of multi-tasking, watch big size videos without having lag, and doing a little dv to xvid converion without it having me take all nite. Can you guys recommend something? I know my memory wont work for what I need, but I know most of you will say no way, but I can pick up some memory off of ebay and still stay pretty cheap.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Do you have a budget in mind? Will you keep your existing monitor?

[capman21]

Yeah, I will keep monitor, etc. Low budget 300-325 maybe a little more.

[davidsama]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5982771

what about that?

[tekkieman]

How about something like this:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3316499&CatId=2254

A decent upgrade from what you have, with plenty of room for upgrades down the road. You would also need a heatsink/fan...

[TBoneit]

If you want to upgrade, I'd go talk to the local computer store and see what they can do.

One reason I suggest that i smany motherboards today have 1 IDE port, No serial port and no parallel port unless you go to a custom upgrade. I get people all the time looking for adaptors to use their older perhiperals with the NEw laptop/Desktop computer.

[capman21]

What do you guys think about this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110169257201&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_...ype=osi_widget

[redwudz]

You would need to go to Dell and see what the specs are for that computer. Since you mention multitasking, you would really want a dual core CPU. I would be looking for a CPU at about 2.5 - 3Ghz, dual core, and a motherboard using DDR2 6400 RAM, preferably DDR2-800, but 667 is OK. For a economy CPU, I still wouldn't go lower than 2Ghz.

When looking for a new computer, first settle on a CPU, then motherboard, then memory. All the rest of the parts go from there.

[JohnnyMalaria]

It's somewhat hard to say because it depends on how much you are willing to bid on it.

The Pentium 4 2.8GHz is about 5 years old and lacks some of the features that more recent CPUs have, including faster ways of number crunching multimedia stuff.

The CDRW/DVD isn't a DVD burner. That may not be important to you.

The vendor states that all sales are final and that if there is anything wrong with it, you have to pay the shipping back.

BTW, I'm assuming you are in the US and your budget is in $. Knowing the currency can change everything (no pun intended, of course!)

[JohnnyMalaria]

Oh - another thought since redwudz mentioned going to Dell's site:

Search around the manufacturers' websites for refurbished units. I got a great deal from Gateway last year. You probably have to enter 'refurbished' in the manufacturers' search engines.

[isogonic]

you can get a decent MB/CPU/Memory combo within your price range here:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/motherboard.hmx?


iam eyeballing a AMD athlon 64 X2 6000, Asus board, 1 GB crucial for about 275.00
the case, PS, drives and video will be supplied by my existing computer.

[capman21]

Still doing research fellow, what do you think about this one http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=345535&pfp=BROWSE It is a refurb, you think its too big of risk to take? Would it be worth it? Also looked at http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewproduct.asp?PID=MOBO-ASUS&updepts=MOTHERBOARD&DNAME=Motherboards the second motherboard with 1gb Crucial memory and AMD 64x2 4400+, but than I would need to get a case and fan.

[JohnnyMalaria]

The HP at CompUSA looks good on paper. My concern would be the warranty - it isn't stated. I'd want to know if it is factory refurb (i.e., by HP) or not. You may be able to purchase a longer warranty.

I got a refurb direct from Gateway and haven't had a single problem since I got it in May 2006. At first, a pop-up would ask if I wanted to purchase a warranty and Gateway kept phoning (mainly because I didn't answer their blocked calls!). Eventually, that all passed.

Personally, I'd be a little cautious getting a refurb via CompUSA. Somehow, if it is were BestBuy, Staples or OfficeMax, I wouldn't be so cautious.

But I think it's a great price for what you get.

EDIT -

The HP uses integrated graphics - i.e., the graphics steals memory from the main memory. With 1GB total, that can leave not very much for Vista Home Premium. This can be a problem when running with Vista's Aero. However, the motherboard has a free PCI Express x16 slot to which you can add a better graphics card that doesn't share system memory. I did that last year for about $120.

The HP also has 2 memory slots, each with 512MB. If you want to upgrade RAM in the future, you'll need to forfeit the two 512MB sticks and put in two 1GB ones. I ran my system for a year before I bothered.

[capman21]

I checked and there is no warranty, says no return "As Is". I better just keep looking to be safe.

[dcsos]

dell timely deals can be seen at techbargains.com
(BEST OF ALL many come with XP without chargeing extra)

for only $479
here's a DUAL CORE dell with MONITOR (LCD 17") that I found out about on Techbargains

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6w300&l=en&oc=brdesag...b=1&vw=classic

you could then leave the old machine intact (put it on a network or give it to JUNIOR)
after all this uses a new kinda memory and has a 160gb harddrive (SATA) that'll give you lots of space

[capman21]

Guys I think I am looking at these computers tell me what you think. Will they work for what I am after.

Price-$269
Inspiron 531s
AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core - 2000
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
250 GB EIDE SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
1000 RAM
DVD/RW


Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon Dual-Core 3600+ 1.9Ghz, 1GB DDR2, 250GB HDD, DVD+-RW, Vista Home Premium Price-$309


Price-$279
Inspiron 531
AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core - 2100
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
250 GB EIDE SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
1000
DVD/RW


What you guys think? They are refurbs, but I figured I will give it a shot.

[davidsama]

That Dell is a lease. You do not own it.

[capman21]

A lease? Which one? I know they are all not.

[panther50]

You can find the best computer deals by checking your local Sunday newspaper ads for Best Buy,Circuit City,Office Max,Office Depot,etc. These usually will involve sending in one or multiple rebates. Great Deals for those who take time to look and compare.

[dcsos]

The Dell I'm reccomending isn't a LEASE
also
The Three you're asking about are badly underpowered systems as VISTA needs 2GB of RAM as a minimum..Those systems would work if they ran XP

[TBoneit]

They may be underpowered in ram for Vista unless you had bought some of the systems being sold with Vista and 512Mb that are being sold. Those are underpowered.

One thing to look at is are they the slim models where there is no room for another drive or the bigger Dells? Dell has some models where if teh the model number ends in s it is a slimline and if no s it isn't.