i have to make a decision and i no next to nothing about computer technology

[Shai Gar]

could you guys please help me choose from all of these? keeping in mind that the total cost needs to be under a grand


CPU
AMD - Athlon - 64 Bit - 3000+ - Socket 754 - 512KB Cache - 3DNow and SSE2 $223.00
AMD - Sempron - 32 Bit - 2400+ - Socket 462 - 256KB Cache - 333Mhz FSB $92.00
Arctic Silver 3 Thermal Compound $15.00
INTEL - Celeron D 320 - 2.4GHz - 533MHz FSB - Socket 478 - Retail $107.00

HDD
Seagate 80GB 2MB IDE - Barracuda 7200.7, ST380013A, 7200.7 RPM $89.00

RAM
OEM 256MB DDR 400Mhz (PC3200) Memory $49.00
OEM 512MB DDR 400Mhz (PC3200) Memory * SALE * $95.00
Kingmax 256MB DDR 400Mhz SUPER RAM (PC3200) 100% Dual Channel Compatible $65.00

Burner
LG CD-R/RW Burner; 52 x Write 32x Rewrite 52x Read with Nero 5.5 Burning Software $44.00
BTC CD-Burner 52x OEM pack with Nero Software * SALE PRICE * $38.00

Cooling Fan
80mm LED Fan in Various Colours (Blue, Red, Green, Blue/Green, Red/Green) $8.00
Titan D6T Cpu Fan - Cools upto Soc A/370 XP2800+ 5000rpm $17.50
Vantec Tornado 80mm Double Ball Bearing Case Fan, with steel grill. Up to 100% more air flow. $29.00

SoundCards
DFI AMD KM400-MLV, VIA KM400, 266/333FSB, 10/100 Lan, SATA, 6Ch Audio. $99.00
ASRock-P4i65GV-Intel-I865 - Audio,Video,LAN,800FSB,2xDDR400,3xPCI,8xAGP,6xUSB,SATA1* $99.00

VideoCards
GeXcube Radeon 9250 128M AGP $99.00
Gigabyte FX5200 128M DDR $102.00
Gigabyte Radeon 9250 128MB $105.00
ST-Lab ATI Radeon 9550 128M DDR, D-Sub, DVI, TV-Out $121.00

MotherBoards
ASRock AMD K8 Upgrade - SIS 760GX - Skt 754 Audio,Video.Lan $130.00
ASUS A7V880 - AMD KT880 Audio Lan 400FSB SATA $120.00
DFI Intel 661FX-MLV, SiS 661FX, Upto 800FSB, SATA, AGP8x, 10/100 Lan, 6CH Audio. $109.00
Jetway N2PA Ultra nForce Ultra 400 8x AGP, 3 x Dual DDR, 6 CH Sound, USB 2.0 $110.00
MSI AMD KM4M-L-VIA KM400 - Audio,Video,LAN,333FSB,2xDDR333,3xPCI,8xAGP,6xUSB $107.00

OS
Windows XP OEM Home Edition - Please call Microsoft for Technical Support $140.00

[Shai Gar]

AMD - Sempron - 32 Bit - 2400+ - Socket 462 - 256KB Cache - 333Mhz FSB $92.00

Seagate 80GB 2MB IDE - Barracuda 7200.7, ST380013A, 7200.7 RPM $89.00

OEM 512MB DDR 400Mhz (PC3200) Memory * SALE * $95.00

LG CD-R/RW Burner; 52 x Write 32x Rewrite 52x Read with Nero 5.5 Burning Software $44.00

80mm LED Fan in Various Colours (Blue, Red, Green, Blue/Green, Red/Green) $8.00
80mm LED Fan in Various Colours (Blue, Red, Green, Blue/Green, Red/Green) $8.00

DFI AMD KM400-MLV, VIA KM400, 266/333FSB, 10/100 Lan, SATA, 6Ch Audio. $99.00

ST-Lab ATI Radeon 9550 128M DDR, D-Sub, DVI, TV-Out $121.00

Jetway N2PA Ultra nForce Ultra 400 8x AGP, 3 x Dual DDR, 6 CH Sound, USB 2.0 $110.00

[Bluehaze]

In order for anyone to propose a proper configuration, or part; it is important that those answering know what you expect to do with this computer.

Multimedia system, gaming system, host system (networking), multitasking, plain school work, etc.

[Shai Gar]

playing and making music, gaming system, host system (networking), plain school work, watching TV and yeah

[Shai Gar]

now it is simply a choice between this and this

this
Spec:
- 168-J case
- 478 Mainboard
- 2.6 Celeron
- 512mb DDR
- 80Gb HDD
- DVD+/-RW Burner

and this

Spec:
- P4 3.0Ghz
- Asus P4R800VM Mainboard
- 512Mb 3200 Ram
- 80Gb HDD
- BTC 52x Cd Burner
with the top things

[HackerX]

I'd probably pick the bottom system, the 800mhz FSB 3.0ghz beats the celeron hands down, especially for gaming/music.

Just look at slowing adding the extra bits to it as you go afterwards. Try borrowing a bit more money for a better video card and a dedicated sound card as well, that's definately worth paying a bit more for.

And are you anywhere near the brisbane area? I know where to get really cheap stuff.

[Ascending]

A bit of sage advice steers you clear of hang-up frustrations.
Steer clear of Celeron.

[int]

Spec:
- P4 3.0Ghz
- Asus P4R800VM Mainboard
- 512Mb 3200 Ram
- 80Gb HDD
- BTC 52x Cd Burner
with the top things


There you go. I'd avoid Celeron's as well if you're playing and making music. Plus the faster speed will be appreciated if you've got plugins and effects (if you're multi-tracking).

What soundcards are you looking at?

[Hyperion]

Stay clear of wimpy Celeron! Avoid motherboards with built in video too, unless you plan to add the video board later or your idea of PC gaming is solitare hehehe. :D

I'd suggest Athlon64 instead. You get better bang for the buck since it is faster at most applications especially games like HL2. (P4 prescott is better at multimedia encoding though)

Athlon 64 3000+ (socket 754 or 939)
MSI K8N Neo Platinum (754) or K8N Neo2 Platinum (939) mobo
ATI Radeon 9800XT or better AGP video card
1 GB DDR400
Seagate ST3120026A. 120GB, SATA, 7200RPM, 8 MB cache

[jimkopelli]

80 gig fills up fast these days... leave room for adding more as you need it.