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Thread ID: 30160 2003-02-12 02:54:00 Building up a system Nigel Thomson (629) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
120481 2003-02-12 02:54:00 Greetings all
I am a student and I need to build a system up for preferably under $800, is it possible?

The major problem I have is not knowing anything about motherboards, i have seen packages of chip and motherboard being sold but how can I tell if the mobo is any good, iI don't have any great objection to integrated sound or even video although decent video would be good as I may be doing some graphics work, i need a fairly good processor as i will be doing a lot of programming,
and yes i know about pricespy the trouble with it is that prices aren't GST inclusive and can't tell quality etc from that
Nigel Thomson (629)
120482 2003-02-12 02:59:00 Try:
qmb.co.nz (http://www.qmb.co.nz)
These guys are in auckland and are quite cheep.

Otherwise, try Pricespy.co.nz
Chilling_Silence (9)
120483 2003-02-12 03:24:00 You mean a full system including monitor keyboard etc?

Your best to write here asking about a system you find, then we can tell you if its good.
Some hints. you want AMD, you want a motherboard with onboard sound and video, make sure it has KT333 in the name somewhere or KT400
You want 256Mb of DDR RAM,
You want a 20G drive,
You want a CD writer
You want a Modem

If you go other than onboard sound and video then expect to add at least another $150 upwards to the cost.
roofus (483)
120484 2003-02-12 03:40:00 sometimes a 2nd hand works good too heni72847 (1166)
120485 2003-02-12 03:45:00 Systems under $800 is possible, you mean all new stuff right?

www.pricespy.co.nz lists prices that are GST inclusive and looking further into the product you can get GST exclusive prices. As for quality, you can't tell quality just by looking at it. It's always good to check out reviews on it or find out others who have used it.

You didn't say your location. So I couldn't recommend any outlets in your area who can do what you want.
Kame (312)
120486 2003-02-12 03:47:00 > Some hints. you want AMD, you want a motherboard with
> onboard sound and video, make sure it has KT333 in
> the name somewhere or KT400

DDR-RAM is a Plus, not a need.. it'll set you back a good $170 for 128MB RAM Alone, whereas 256MB SD-RAM is only $60ish!

> You want 256Mb of DDR RAM,
> You want a 20G drive,
> You want a CD writer
> You want a Modem

What are you going to be using it for? That might help if we know that... :-)
Chilling_Silence (9)
120487 2003-02-12 03:48:00 >
> You didn't say your location. So I couldn't
> recommend any outlets in your area who can do what
> you want.

Posts: 66
From: Invercargill
Registered: Jun, 2002
Chilling_Silence (9)
120488 2003-02-12 04:34:00 If you have seen some mother boards that are in your price range, you can check them out at Tom's Hardware Guide (www17.tomshardware.com) and see whether a review has been done on them.

You can also visit the mobo's website to get a complete specification list for that board - you might actually see another version that would be more ideal.

If you are still uncertain, post back here with your shortlist and ask for advice.

Jen
Jen C (20)
120489 2003-02-12 05:00:00 > DDR-RAM is a Plus, not a need.. it'll set you back a
> good $170 for 128MB RAM Alone, whereas 256MB SD-RAM
> is only $60ish!
>

That is good advise seeing as that the computer is being built to a budget, and there is a saving of $110.

Maybe the correspondent Roofus only scanned the original enquiry
Millsie (3111)
120490 2003-02-12 07:31:00 for $800 you are only going to get a cheap & nasty new system. i would be inclined to go find a good 2nd hand pc. however i suggest you find someone who knows what to look for so you don't end up with 2nd hand cheap & nasty. tweak'e (174)
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