Lets get some questions rolling.. heres one! :-D

[DestroyerX]

OK so I want to build my sister a new computer but shes only got 400 dollars to spend. Heres what it should do.

*Word Process
*Browse the Internet
*Burn CDs
*Download Music
*Play Snood

Ok... heres what I think we should go with:

Intel P4 Motherboard
P4 1.8ghz Processor
256mb PCDDR2100 RAM
Maxtor 60gb 7200rpm Harddrive
48x12x48 CDRW
Integrated graphics
Integrated sound
ATX Case w/ side glass

Someone help me get that type of system 400 dollars or less and lets get rolling :-D

Thanks!

DestroyerX

[Kaneda]

good luck, the cd-rw and the hd are gonna take up little under half of the money she's got... go a little lower on the cd-rw speed and maybe a 20 gb hd.... i got a 80 and i hardly use it past 20gb

[DestroyerX]

The price difference between an 20 and 60 gb hard drive is not that much for the increase in size, also with a bigger hard drive you will get better performance out of your OS. I think im going to keep the 60. As for CDRW i think i can go 32x however same difference on price, speeds dont increase/decrease the price that much unless buying used or the newest model available.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[DestroyerX]

Thanks Una, that's exactly what I was looking for. I will use the monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse from her old system and that will definately keep it under 400.

[deathforce]

Since you're on a tight budget I would suggest an AMD processor as they offer MUCH better bang for your buck. If she's looking to play music I'd stay away from integrated sound, and get a decent sound card like a Sound Blaster Live. Also since it's for your sister, you might want to skip out on that spiffy ATX case with the glass, seems like a waste of money to me.

http://www.pricewatch.com/

You'll find the cheapest prices for hardware on the net there, though some companies can be iffy on friendliness/support, that's the trade-off I guess.

http://www.newegg.com/
http://www.googlegear.com/

If you want good support those two are the best online retailers in that aspect, I know from experience.

[DestroyerX]

Good comments, As for the Spiffy Case, she saw some of mine and well.... OMGZORS I want one of those can you make me one? that kind of response. We have to go all out on the case. As for whats inside... to her a p2450 is the same as a p4 3.06. Shes not computer literate so Im trying to do the best for her.

Also, a ATX Gamers case with front lighting, side glass, and Inner voice activated flashing neon light at my local ALT Computers shop is 66 dollars. Thats expandable 7 PCI, Front USB, Firewire, 6 drive bays, 2 floppy bays, and room for 4 Hard drives. Also has a side fan.

Great Case.

I think ill order everything una pointed out from newegg.

Ill get the case at my local shop.

As for the computer:

Standard ATX Computer for Under $400 (not including monitor, speakers, mouse, keyboard)

Standard ATX Gamers Case w/ Side Glass - Front Lights - Inner Neon Light 66
Sony 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy disc drive 13
MSI K2M2 motherboard, based on the VIA KM266 chipset, contains onboard ProSavage8 video, onboard sound, onboard ethernet 59
AMD Athlon XP 1800+ Retail CPU (Thoroughbred core, 3 year warranty, includes heatsink and cooling fan) 67
Crucial Technologies PC2100 256 MB DDR SDRAM DIMM 34
Seagate Barracuda 7200 rpm 60 GB EIDE hard drive 86
MSI 48/24/48 CDRW drive 48


Total: 373

*All parts excluding case ordered from Newegg.com
**Case purchaced from ALT Computers in KC

[Janus]

Here: www.buy-atlast.com

For a AMD XP

Athlon 2200+
200/266 mhz FSB and UDMA-100 support
VIA KLE133 pc=133 and 4x agp
256 pc133 sdram
40 gb 7200 rpm hd
56x cdrom
shared gfx
10/100 ethernet card
shared audio
2.1 speakers
keyboard/mouse
star office suite
AMD power supply

$389

then go to www.newegg.com and get a good lite-on burner for like 50 bux. got my 48x24x48 one for like $55

p4 and celeron also available, but the p4 will be about 450 at 1.8ghz