I certainly can't afford to buy a computer ... but I desperately need to get off the 366 MHz PII with 224 MB RAM and using 3.5 GB of a 4.0 GB drive. I mean, really, I'm 87.5% done an MS Comp Sci - I should be able to build a good computer for under $1000, right? And then I can set this PC up with Linux and be a real geek!
Anyway, people with experience can feel free to offer suggestions since I've never done this before. I don't plan on doing any serious gaming or real video intense stuff. General use along with some school type junk that this computer chokes on. I DON'T need top of the line stuff, but I want something that will be fine for some years like this one has been.
Case: Antec SLK 1600 - comes with a 300 Watt power supply and I can run two 80 mm fans, front (intake) and rear (exhaust) - $75
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 512K on-board RAM, 333 Front side bus (and can work with DDR400 RAM) - $100
Motherboard: Asus A7N8X-X or Abit NF7-M - each has built in sound and 10/100 LAN - $100
RAM: at least 512K (additional), 333 or 400 MHz, no more than $100
CPU cooling: Thermaltake Volcano 9 - $20. That thing works awesome for the CPU I like.
Storage: Hitachi 120GXP 80 GB drive for $70, a cheapo floppy for $10, and a Lite-on 48x24x48x16 CD-RW/DVD-ROM for $60 - $140
So I'm at $530 or so. A decent (but not nuts) video card should only run $70 I think. Not sure if I really need one or if the MoBo's support would be sufficient.
I damn near could spend the rest of the $400 on a monitor. I'd really like a flat screen but not for what they cost. Then again, the CRT monitors aren't that much better of a deal. Anyone have a suggestion on that?
So, am I nuts or does this sound like a good idea for someone who knows how to USE a computer but never spent any real time putting one together? Keep in mind that I have worked in industrial electronics assembly, so I know about ESD and all that good jazz.
