Purchase Advice

[Octavian X]

I'm looking to purchase a new motherboard and processor for my PC (odd parents prevent purchase of a brand-new system altogether). I'm just looking for some advice of what/where I should buy.

I'm looking to spend up to $350, perhaps more. I only really need something that runs around 1.5 Ghz. I'll do all the installation work.

All advice would be appreciated.

 

[nihilistic]

1.5 Ghz won't cost anywhere near $350. For $289 + tax+shipping, you could get the following:

2.4GHz P4 w/ Hyper Threading & 800 MHz FSB

A motherboard that fully supports that processor and has onboard Ethernet and Audio

You will most likely have to get new RAM though. Either this, this, or this will work. But that would send you over $350.

 

[Turner]

You could also check out www.pricewatch.com, they show prices form a plethora of different places.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Would recommend getting the whole lot together myself. Yes, it's more expensive - but if the damn thing won't post (initial BIOS boot) then you are left to figure out which bit doesn't work (motherboard, CPU or RAM).

Getting it all pre-assembled from one supplier should get you round this problem.

If, on the other hand, you are prepared for the hassle, you could save a few bucks buying from different people - again, make sure they are local just in case things don't go right.

Once past the post (excuse the pun) most systems can be gotten running fine - it's that initial statge I have had problems with.

 

[Archer 007]

Originally posted by Octavian X
I'm looking to purchase a new motherboard and processor for my PC (odd parents prevent purchase of a brand-new system altogether). I'm just looking for some advice of what/where I should buy.

I'm looking to spend up to $350, perhaps more. I only really need something that runs around 1.5 Ghz. I'll do all the installation work.

Maybe you should really talk to your parents more about it. Dell is running a special with tower and monitor for $499. I think its a 1.5 also.

 

[nihilistic]

Originally posted by archer_007
Maybe you should really talk to your parents more about it. Dell is running a special with tower and monitor for $499. I think its a 1.5 also.

It's here:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_dimen_dimen_2400.htm

If you are buying that, you might as well get a bit more RAM (i recommend at least 512mb) and a larger hd.

 

[Pongui]

Unless you can actually use super high-end 3D graphics, I'd recommend an "all-in-one" motherboard. This way you needn't fuss over compatability with video cards, etc. (or buy them).