Desktops forum: Buying a new PC this week...Custom-built? I need help!!

^^^ Oh, and by the way, if my video card has TV OUT, does that mean that I can hook up the PC direct to my TV via S-Video connection? Anyone recommend that over having a normal monitor?

Thanks, yeah, I don't plan to totally replace the actual monitor for the PC with a TV. I'm just wondering as I would cut cost temporarily (for the budget) so I can get the best PC possible, then in a few weeks get a good monitor.

Anyway, anyone else? I really do need help, money comes at a premium with my fam so I'm trying to be real careful with this.

SF- I just called DELL and spoke with a woman who
built mine over the phone as we spoke. It sounds
like you've done your homework. Good for you...
It sounds like alot of work but, believe me, it
was well worth it. Good luck, and I hope it all
works out for you.

I wouldn't buy from this company; it is very dishonest. I wouldn't trust them at all. They lied to me about shipping price and customer service didn't even try to help.

Wait till you have a failure of a component outside the warranty and find the incompatibility of the many parts. Should slave labor also be a consideration in purchasing products?

The most important thing to consider when planning to purchase a computer is what you want to use it for, and in your case, I presume, for colleage work. What course are you taking ? The Arts ? Science ? Get one suitable for your work and you may save a few bucks. Don't over kill. Use the proper tool to crack a nut.

Ouch! $640.00 for just a chip. Cutting edge today - old crap tomorrow.

Have you looked at Systemax computers on Tigerdirect.com? They offer a plethora of options and great package deals. Your a bit skimpy on memory. Recommend 1 gig it's cheapest when you buy it with a system. Recommend WIN XP Professional for stability and best all around performance but XP home is fine.

Just bought my own new PC after 7 years and suffering WIN ME these last few. After te last HD crash I gave up fxing and bought anew.

Package deals with an LCD monitor will ease your syes and lower power consumption overall.

it all breaks down to a few basic questions.

1) price...what can you get for what you want to spend. a rule of thumb i use is always get the most advanced tech you can,it will be usefull longer.

2) use...what are you going to be doing with it? a box for writing papers and browsing the web can be DRASTICLY different than a computer used for writing papers,browsing the web and cutting edge gaming or heavy photoshop or cad/cam usage.

3)tech smarts...how much do you know about computers? would you be willing or interested to learn? i broke my first mass produced pc and learned how to fix it. it was only a matter of time until i started building my own.

3.a)if your not that tech savvy your best bet is to buy from one of the big companies as their tech support *usually* is better.(waiting for the flames)
or at least a local company/builder you can meet face to face.the smaller builders I.E. systemax,etc etc IMHO are geared more twoards someone who can do a bit of troubleshooting on their own.

4)get the biggest monitor you can afford. i still use a 19 inch gateway monitor that came with the 486 dx66 top of the line computer i recieved when I went to college quite a number of years ago.

5)...wait. go to school,settle in and then talk to some of your professors and see if they can't recommend a grad student or someone in the comp/sci or IT departments who may have a well tuned comp they are looking to upgrade from or to help you make your hardware choices.
6)if you still can't decide we can figure out a way to get in touch and i'll take the time to help you myself.

alot of things to think about but i hope it helps.

That's a good system at a fair price.

Through experience I have not found that a major manufacture is not any better than a clone.

I would suggest Dell if you want to go with a major.

You don't necessarily need to get the latest and greatest system. You can find good systems that cost you less then the specs you stated.

Here is a system at Micro integrated for $1,018.80
http://www.mispro.com/INTEL_PIV800-400ddr.htm

Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHZ 800FSB HT Tech
Intel 865GBFL 8X AGP DDR 400MHZ HT
512Mb PC3200 Dual Chnl 400Mhz DDR
32MB DDR Extreme Graphics Controller
Seagate 120Gb 7200RPM SATA Drive
Mitsumi 3.5" 1.44Mb Floppy Drive
52X CDRW & 16X DVD Combo Drive
6 Channels Sound Blaster Audio
Altec Lansing AVS200 Stereo Speakers
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
USR 3Com 56k D/F/V PCI Modem
InWin S508G Mid Tower 300W Frnt USB

You do have to shop around and it does depend on what your needs are.
Also checkout http://pcclub.com/
http://www.outpost.com/

As far as a custom ordered compputer, www.resellerratings.com seem to rate monarchcomputers superior to cyberpower.