[Ex-Dem]

Depends on how computer saavy you or someone you know is. If alls you need is the actual computer (no monitor, printer, keyboard), you can buy a case, motherboard, graphics card, memory, etc. for a few hundred bucks on E-Bay and assemble it yourself.

Last computer I had was a 1.6 GHz P4, GeForce2, 256 megs RAM for about ~$200, which was a decent computer for a few years ago. The CDROM and DVDROM drives I got seperately, from a cannabalized computer. You can just strip them from your old computer (unless they happen to be pretty old and you would like to replace those too). Make sure you get new parts from a reputable dealer on E-Bay.

BTW, I'm a Windows 2000 stickler too :). I hate computers that comes pre-installed with the OS. The company usually gives you a version that comes with all kinds of software and adware that you don't want.

[Lloyd227]

One last sanity check if you have the time?

This is my "budget" PC package that I'm considering. The goal was to cut corners where things can be upgraded with a card or add on later, but start with a solid foundation the kid can use for 3 years or so.

So, for $778.98 (+30 shipping) how does this look?
Any parts on this list I should watch out for or that people have had trouble with? Any mis-matched components (other than a video card that I know is not up to snuff with the processor?

And the real question, is it worth assmbly & headache to save $115? I can also buy the same basic package, preassembled and burned in for $115 more. While I'm pretty sure I can do this, I'm also sure this is going to take a while.

Qty

Product

Item #

Unit Price

Qty x Price

		ENERMAX CS-5171LBFS-B (BLACK) ATX 10-BAY MID-TOWER CASE Specification: Form Factor: ATX Color: Black Material: SECC 0.7/Aluminum 0.8mm(body) Drive Bays: External 4 x 5.25" -2 x 3.5" Internal 4x 3.5" Expansion Slot: 7 Front Ports: USB2.0 x 2,Audio in/out, IEEE1394 Power Supply: 350W Cooling System: Front:8/9/12 cm x 1;Back:8 cm x 2;Side:8cm x 1;Top:8cm x 1;Side Standard 8cmx1,openwindow 8cmx1 Motherboard Compatibility: Standerd P4 ATX / Micro ATX Dimensions: D480 x W200 x H430 mm Special Features: Side open window with "X" mark & a 8-cm fan plus 4 blue LED lights ( AL model exclude),Security screw lock more info->	N82E16811124060	$76.00	$76.00
		Gigabyte Motherboard GA-8IPE1000Pro 2004 GT Edition, Intel 865PE chipset for Pentium 4 Processors -Retail Specifications: Supported CPU: Socket 478 Intel Pentium 4 Processor(Hyper-Threading) Chipset: Intel 865PE(MCH) + ICH5 FSB: 800/533/400MHz RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR400/333/266 Max 4GB IDE: 2x UDMA 100/66/33 Slots: 1xAGP 8X,5xPCI 32-bit Ports: 2xPS2,2xCOM,1xLPT,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4)and Audio Ports Onboard Audio:Realtek ALC658 CODEC Onboard LAN: Intel 10/100Mbps Ethernet Onboard SATA: 2x Channel Serial ATA Onboard 1394: T.I. IEEE 1394 controller Form Factor: ATX more info->	N82E16813128216	$106.99	$106.99
		XFX Geforce FX 5200 128MB DDR Model PVT34KNA With TV-out&DVI Retail Chipset/Core Speed: Geforce FX 5200/250MHz Memory/Effective Speed:128MB DDR/333MHz BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video Out)+DVI Connector Support 3D API: Microsoft®DirectX®9,OpenGL™1.4 Package Included:1 Cable,Driver CD,User Manual Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048x1536@75Hz Retail Box (See pics for details) more info->	N82E16814150030	$67.00	$67.00
		Intel Pentium 4/ 2.4C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - OEM Specification Model: Intel Pentium 4 2.4C w/ Hyper Threading Core: Northwood Operating Frequency: 2.4GHz FSB: 800MHz Cache: L1/12K+8K; L2/512K Voltage: 1.525V Process: 0.13Micron Socket: Socket 478 Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2 Warranty: 3-year MFG Packaging: OEM more info->	N82E16819116158	$166.00	$166.00
		CORSAIR MEMORY 256MB PC3200 DDR Value Select 256MB DDR Non-ECC, Unbuffered, PC3200 (DDR400/200MHz) 32mx64, 184-pin DIMM - Cas 3 Model: VS256MB400C3 - OEM - Lifetime Warranty. more info->	N82E16820145478	$46.00	$46.00
		MITSUMI D359M3 Black 1.44MB 3.5INCH Floppy Disk Drive, OEM Specifications: Model: D359M3D Capacity: 1.44MB Average Access Time: 94 ms Interface: 34 Pin Standard Floppy Connector Form: 3.5 inch Media Type: All Standard 1.44MB & 720KB 3.5 Floppy Diskettes Features: Quiet Operation,Enclosed Mechanism Remark: OEM more info->	N82E16821104101	$8.00	$8.00
		WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM IDE HARD DRIVE, Model WD800JB, OEM DRIVE ONLY Specifications: Model: WD800JB (WD Caviar SE) Capacity: 80GB Average Seek Time: 8.9ms Buffer: 8MB Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100 Features: High-performance with 8MB Buffer Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years Remark: OEM DRIVE ONLY more info->	N82E16822144122	$79.00	$79.00
		Logitech Cordless Elite Duo USB/PS2 104keys --Retail Specifications: Interface:USB/PS2 Number Of Keys:104 keys+18 function keys+2 wheels Wireless Technology:RF Palm Rest:Detachable Design Style:Standard Mouse included:Wireless optical Features:Ultra-flat, Zero Degree Tilt™ keyboard design for increased comfort,Nine customizable keys for one-touch access to favorite web sites and applications,iNav™ buttons and scroll wheel for keyboard-based web navigation,Multimedia keys to control audio and video directly from the keyboard ,iTouch® software to customize keyboard features more info->	N82E16823126115	$58.00	$58.00
		KDS 17" CRT Monitor, Black model XF-7BK - RETAIL The new 17" XF-7BK is an excellent choice for handling intense graphic applications, gaming and advanced spreadsheets. Specifications: Size : 17-inch diagonal measure (16.02" viewable) Screen : Anti-Reflection, Tinted Screen, Black Matrix, Flat Screen Tube Dot Pitch : 0.20mm (Horizontal) 0.25 mm (Vertical Max Resolution: 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz Dimensions:16.0"(W) x 16.3"(D) x 17.1"(H) Input Connector: DB15 VGA Manufacturer Warranty : 3 Year Limited Parts & Labor KDS more info->	N82E16824155031	$118.00	$118.00
		Lite On LTC-48161H Black 48x24x48x16 Combo Drive, 2MB, OEM Specifications: Model: LTC-48161H Black Write Speed: 48X CD-R,24X CD-RW Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM,16X DVD-ROM Interface: ATAPI/E-IDE Buffer: 2MB OS Support: Windows XP/2000/NT/Me/9x Features: SMART-BURN avoiding Buffer Under Run error Remark: OEM pack(see pictures for details) more info->	N82E16827106196	$53.99	$53.99

Subtotal »

$778.98