Post by Sektor on Jul 14, 2004 2:21:50 GMT -5
The cheapest way to get a kick-ass PC is to either renovate your current one or make a new computer from scratch. Buy your CPU, motherboard, memory, Case, Hard Drive, OS, Video Card, Sound Card, and CD/DVD drives separatly. I myself am doing just that and with only $500, I made my computer better than some of those made by top of the line companies.
Old PC
Standard HP Case
Windows ME
60 GB harddrive
394 SD RAM
Motherboard allowing max 512 RAM
Intel Pentium 3 Processor 1 Ghz
Geforce 4 64-bit graphics card
New PC
Standard HP Case (didnt upgrade)
60 Gig harddrive (didn't upgrade)
Windows XP Home
512 DDR400 RAM
Motherboard allowing max 4 gigabytes RAM w/ dual channeling
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.0 Ghz
Geforce FX5500 128-bit graphics card.
Now, I'll give you an example between 2 nearly identical PCs but one custom made and one company-built.
COMPANY BUILT (Alienware Area - 51 affordable power model)
Processor - Intel Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz
Operation System - Windows XP Home
Memory - 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 PC-4200 SDRAM 533mhz
Hard Drive - 80GB SATA with 8MB Cache
Graphics Card - Geforce FX5750 128 bit
Sound Card - Intel High definition 7.1 audio
Motherboard - FBS 800/533 mhz w/ dual channel support for DDR2 RAM
CD Drive - DVD ROM Drive
Total: $1,606.00
CUSTOM BUILT
Processor - Intel Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz
Operating System - Windows XP Home
Memory - 512 Dual Channel DDR2 PC-4200 SDRAM 533 mhz
Hard Drive - 80GB SATA with 8MB Cache
Graphics Card - Geforce FX5900 256-bit
Sound Card - Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 7.1 audio
Motherboard: FBS 800/533 Mhz w/ dual channel support for DDR2 RAM
CD Drive - 16x DVD Rom
DVD Burner - NU Technology White 8x DVD + RW / - RW Drive
Case - ASIAPRO Black ATX Mid Tower Case with Creeping Light Tube & 450W Power Supply
Total: $1,125
Not only is this customized PC almost $500 cheaper than the Alienware, it doesn't just match the specs of the Alienware, it beats them overall. The Customized PC has a better Graphics Card, Sound Card, and Case. Not to mention I also managed to add a DVD Burner which the Alienware doesn't even have. I highly recommend that if you are looking for a new PC that you build your own. The results will give you a cheaper and more powerful PC than buying a premade PC from a computer store. If you're interested but not too sure how to install/get together parts for a great PC, you can always ask me for help
Old PC
Standard HP Case
Windows ME
60 GB harddrive
394 SD RAM
Motherboard allowing max 512 RAM
Intel Pentium 3 Processor 1 Ghz
Geforce 4 64-bit graphics card
New PC
Standard HP Case (didnt upgrade)
60 Gig harddrive (didn't upgrade)
Windows XP Home
512 DDR400 RAM
Motherboard allowing max 4 gigabytes RAM w/ dual channeling
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.0 Ghz
Geforce FX5500 128-bit graphics card.
Now, I'll give you an example between 2 nearly identical PCs but one custom made and one company-built.
COMPANY BUILT (Alienware Area - 51 affordable power model)
Processor - Intel Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz
Operation System - Windows XP Home
Memory - 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 PC-4200 SDRAM 533mhz
Hard Drive - 80GB SATA with 8MB Cache
Graphics Card - Geforce FX5750 128 bit
Sound Card - Intel High definition 7.1 audio
Motherboard - FBS 800/533 mhz w/ dual channel support for DDR2 RAM
CD Drive - DVD ROM Drive
Total: $1,606.00
CUSTOM BUILT
Processor - Intel Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz
Operating System - Windows XP Home
Memory - 512 Dual Channel DDR2 PC-4200 SDRAM 533 mhz
Hard Drive - 80GB SATA with 8MB Cache
Graphics Card - Geforce FX5900 256-bit
Sound Card - Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 7.1 audio
Motherboard: FBS 800/533 Mhz w/ dual channel support for DDR2 RAM
CD Drive - 16x DVD Rom
DVD Burner - NU Technology White 8x DVD + RW / - RW Drive
Case - ASIAPRO Black ATX Mid Tower Case with Creeping Light Tube & 450W Power Supply
Total: $1,125
Not only is this customized PC almost $500 cheaper than the Alienware, it doesn't just match the specs of the Alienware, it beats them overall. The Customized PC has a better Graphics Card, Sound Card, and Case. Not to mention I also managed to add a DVD Burner which the Alienware doesn't even have. I highly recommend that if you are looking for a new PC that you build your own. The results will give you a cheaper and more powerful PC than buying a premade PC from a computer store. If you're interested but not too sure how to install/get together parts for a great PC, you can always ask me for help