Hi,
I think I've done this before on here, but again, I look at
http://www.pricewatch.com for ballpark figures on how much what part(s)
costs. I then check
http://jncs.com for their prices on systems and/or
parts, (primarily because they have a pretty good reputation, I have no
vested interest in their biz). I also look at
http://www.outpost.com ,
(this is Frys site), for prices which I can obtain locally.
All this stuff is kinda' budget driven. For example, I don't care for
onboard video, (the video is integrated on the motherboard), but if you have
no desire to be a gamer or do some sort of video editing you may not need a
video card.
I would recommend a PCI sound card as there have been some issues with the
onboard sound chips and playback of CDs. The bottom of the line basic Sound
Blaster fixed the problem I had, i.e. there had to be a place to plug the
cable from the CD drive to the sound card for playback in Linux, and with
the onboard chip there wasn't any place to go to. It didn't bother Windows
playback, but Linux, (I have SuSE 9.0 Pro), was clueless.
If you're comfortable with Linux, then I'd recommend you build your own
system. I dunno' where you are with hardware, but IMHO it isn't anywhere
near as much of a head scratcher/jaw clencher as Linux. I'll be glad to
help, on here or wherever. Be advised that I'm old and cranky, (just ask
the 'mage), and I now spend a lot of my time on telephone poles in the heat;
so if it rains I might not get home for awhile to check my mail. :)
Frank Davenport
fhdavenport@cox.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Josef Lowder" <
joe@actionline.com>
To: "PLUG" <
plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 4:26 PM
Subject: Request recommendations for purchase of new system
> I am planning to build a new system and would appreciate having
> any recommendations PLUG members would be willing to offer
> regarding the most workable and cost-sensible hardware configuration
> (desktop).
>
> This will be an individual user system _primarily_ for the usual office
> applications, plus I want to be able to do audio recording, editing, and
CD
> burning. I have no interest in games. I just need the box, no monitor,
> keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals.
>
> I'll probably install Mandrake with which I have become comfortable
> over the last three years (unless someone would like to talk me into
> a different distro). I may want to dual-boot with another Linux version,
> but do not plan to install anything M$ (though I may install Win4Lin
> which I have on my current system if I can use the copy I already
> have and get a new kernel to work with it).
>
> Just to price shop, I'll probably look at Costco, Walmart, Best Buy,
> and Frys plus some online vendors, once I get the specs defined.
>
> Below is a list of components recently emailed to me by an online
> vendor (some of which specs is a bit confusing).
>
> I'm open to any and all suggestions.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Joe Lowder
> Mesa
>
> ---------------------------
>
> 450W POWER SUPPLIES - OKIA 450W ATX P4/AMD -- $18.00
> ECS INTEL 865PE-A MAINBOARD
> 533/800FSB ATX SATA, 4 X DDR400, 6 CHAN AUDIO, 10/100 -- $66.00
> SONY CD-RW 52X32X52 -- $28.50
> SONY DVD BURNER 8X +/-RW BULK -- $78.00
> OPTORITE CD-RW 52X32X52 NERO -- $24.00
> OPTORITE DVD BURNER 8X +/-RW W/SOFT RETAIL -- $71.00
> MITSUMI CARD READER 7 IN 1 INTERNAL CARD READER (USB2.0) -- $21.00
> USB 2.0 ENCLOSURE KIT 320U2 USB2.0 DRIVE ENCLOSURE (3.5") -- $30.00
> UP TO 300GB HDD, DVDRW, CDRW, DVD
> ARTEC COMBO CDRW / DVD 52X24X52 / 16X NERO & POWER DVD -- $38.00
> ARTEC DVD BURNER 12X +/-RW NERO OEM SUITE -- $82.00
> D-LINK WIRELESS DI-524 802.11G CABLE/DSL 4PT -- $66.00
> D-LINK, LINKSYS, NETGEAR, SMC
>
> AMD XP300+ SYSTEM / FREE MID TOWER 400W USB2.0,
> AMD XP3000+, 512MB DDR PC2700, 40GB 7200, CDRW 52X24X52,
> 1.44 FLOPPY, 56K V.92 MODEM, 104 KB, 2BUT OPTICAL WHL MOUSE, SPKR SET.
> 3 YEAR WARRANTY -- $500 with FREE UPS GROUND
>
>
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