On Thursday 15 July 2004 02:46 am, Josef Lowder wrote:
> Thanks to all who responded to my recent request for
> recommendations for the purchase of a new system.
>
> Following is a recap of the suggestions I received so far:
> - avoid onboard video (integrated on the motherboard)
> - may not need a separate video card unless for games or video editing
> - get a PCI sound card because onboard sound chips may not work
> - Abit or Asus motherboards recommended

I saw an article on Linux Today yesterday that asked for a boycott of Asus 
motherboards. Essentially they are anti open-source and antagonistically so.

> - Elitegroup motherboards
> - Athlon processor with SiS chipset
> - Antec True-Power 330w power supply is $50
> - Asus A7N8X-X is $67
> - OEM (no fan) Athlon XP2800+ is about $100
> - Vantec copper heatsink/fan $27.50
> - Seagate 7200 RPM 40GB HD is $54
> - Artec burner $79 in recent Fry's ad
>
> Online sources recommended to check out:
> - www.outpost.com
> - www.mwave.com 
> - www.pricewatch.com (for ballpark figures on parts costs)
> - www.jncs.com for price quotes
> - www.zipzoomfly.com
>
> To get some prices for comparison, I check Walmart online and found:
> Microtel "barebones" box with motherboard and Athlon XP processor $198.00
>      (has 266 MHz frontside bus, 10/100 LAN, and onboard modem)
>      or AMD 2.06 GHz Athlon XP 2400+ processor speed w/Fan for $118.00
> 256MB 266 MHz DDR Memory for $51.64
> 40GB Ultra DMA Hard Drive/5400RPM for $73.00
>      or 80GB @ 7200RPM for $129.00
> ATI TV Wonder VE video card for $32.84
> Hawking internal PCI modem for $13.13
>      or US Robotics internal PCI modem for $24.98
> Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 PCI audio card for $29.63
>
> At outpost.com, I found a barebones box for $229.00
> that includes the following:
> AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Barton Bare CPU W/FIC AU13
> Nvidia nForce2 3-in-1 chipset
> Memory capacity up to 3GB PC3200 DDR
> Expansion Slots: 1 (8x) AGP, 6 PCI
> 5.1 Channnel Audio, 10/100 Lan, USB 2.0, IEEE 1394
> 300W Power Supply
>
> Also this motherboard offered for $109.99:
> Asus A7N8X-E Socket A board with Nvidia nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset
> Processor support: Up to Athlon XP 3200+
> Memory support: Up to 3GB PC3200 DDR
> Expansion slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI
> 6 Channnel Audio, GigaLan, USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, RAID, Serial ATA
>
> At this point, a barebones box seems like it might be a good starting point
> (if it has an Asus or other acceptable motherboard).  An Athlon processor
> seems like a good choice.  I think a 40-gig hd and 256-mb ram should be
> enough for my needs. I don't know if a CD-RW / DVD combo is sufficient ...
> and I don't know if I can get by with an onboard video board and sound
> board?  I have an external Multi-tech modem and extra CD-ROM drive I
> could add in to the mix.
>
> Any additional component recommendations from my PLUG friends?
>
> Joe@Actionline.com
>
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