I need an upgrade, your suggestions please?

[Derek]

Hi, I'm a noob so sorry if this is a bit boring for you guys but I could
really use some sound advice.

I'm stuck in the dark ages at the moment.

I'll explain, my set up is currently as follows:

PC Chips M572 Mainboard
AMD K6 266Mhz Processor
96Mb EDO RAM
STB Nitro 3D Graphics Card
Creative CD2422E CDROM
Fujitsu MPA3026AT Hard Drive
Fujitsu MPC3064AT Hard Drive
C-Media Soundcard
AT Keyboard
Serial Mouse
14" SVGA Monitor

This has been fine for a while because all I did was send emails and post to
NG's and stuff. However, I am a meddler in music and I have great plans to
connect my electric guitar up to my pc and record using Cubase software or
Pro Tools. I'd also like to try Reason. I realise I need a HUGE upgrade.
Perhaps it's just easier to buy a new pc but I was just wondering if I could
save any money by buying my own bits and pieces. I don't mind the small
monitor I have. I also have a Creative SoundBlaster Sound Card to plug in
when ready. My HD's are very small but I can live with it for the time
being.

So really, what I need (I think) is the following:

An ATX case (Does the power supply come with that?)
An ATX Motherboard
A fast CPU (What's that, a Pentium 4?. Really, as fast as needed to run
powerful music software and run movies, etc)
I guess I'll need a new heatsink and fan for the CPU.
New RAM

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a good set-up? I'm afraid
I have no idea what motherboards are compatible with what processors, etc,
etc.

So, I guess I'm looking for a good powerful machine but also the best value
for money. It doesn't have to be the most powerful overall, but more
importantly a decent modern pc put together for a good price. I was hoping
to source bits from ebay to reduce those costs a bit.

Any ideas?

 

[philo]

So really, what I need (I think) is the following:

An ATX case (Does the power supply come with that?)
An ATX Motherboard
A fast CPU (What's that, a Pentium 4?. Really, as fast as needed to run
powerful music software and run movies, etc)
I guess I'll need a new heatsink and fan for the CPU.
New RAM

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a good set-up? I'm
afraid
I have no idea what motherboards are compatible with what processors, etc,
etc.

So, I guess I'm looking for a good powerful machine but also the best
value
for money. It doesn't have to be the most powerful overall, but more
importantly a decent modern pc put together for a good price. I was hoping
to source bits from ebay to reduce those costs a bit.

Any ideas?

you may want to look at a barebones kit...
the following link is merely an example of what's out there

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31

 

[Bob]

Hi, I'm a noob so sorry if this is a bit boring for you guys but I could
really use some sound advice.

Your best bet is to buy a Dell computer. Go to their local retail
store, assuming they have one where you live, and custom configure it.
Or you can get an online saleman to help you. The advantage of online
sales is you can talk the salesman into a $100 discount. Try it - it
does work because he wants your business bad enough to knock $100 off
the price.


--

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable
one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore
all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
-- George Bernard Shaw

 

[Bob]

you may want to look at a barebones kit...
the following link is merely an example of what's out there

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31

If you really want to buy on the cheap, Directron has a Used Pentium
III 450MHz Desktop PC System for $59.00. You already have a monitor so
for $80 with shipping you have doubled your speed.

Directron also has barebones kits and fully built units. Call tech
support and ask for Juan - he knows everything about the product line
and will help you. Directron will also custom build to your personal
needs and only charge an extra $27 which includes assembly, testing,
burning, etc. If you do that you get free return shipping to Directron
if something goes wrong during the 1 year warranty period.


--

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable
one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore
all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
-- George Bernard Shaw

 

[Bob]

you may want to look at a barebones kit...
the following link is merely an example of what's out there

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31

If you really want to buy on the cheap, Directron has a Used Pentium
III 450MHz Desktop PC System for $59.00.

http://www.directron.com/gxa.html


--

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable
one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore
all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
-- George Bernard Shaw

 

[Derek]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've got a few ideas now to get me started.

Cheers.

 

[philo]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've got a few ideas now to get me
started.

Just in case you do buy from Tigerdirect...
if they have a rebate...the thing to do is go to their website
before you order... and print out the rebate form

 

[Sniffer]

If you really want to buy on the cheap, Directron has a Used Pentium
III 450MHz Desktop PC System for $59.00.

Pentium III 800Mhz is in Poland for $20

 

[Bob]

Pentium III 800Mhz is in Poland for $20

Yeah, but who reads Polish?


--

"The scientist is possessed by a rapturous amazement at the
harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such
superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking
and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.

"This feeling is the guiding principle of his life and work,
in so far as he succeeds in keeping himself from the shackles
of selfish desire. It is beyond question closely akin to that
which has possessed the religious geniuses of all ages."

--Albert Einstein

 

[Bubbamike_01]

Yeah, but who reads Polish?

Poles and Litvacks.

Bubba

 

[Bubbamike_01]

Just in case you do buy from Tigerdirect...
if they have a rebate...the thing to do is go to their website
before you order... and print out the rebate form

The real key is not to use Tiger Direct. Take a look at Reseller
Ratings. They have always sucked and they still do. It is beyond me
how they stay in business.

Bubba

 

[philo]

The real key is not to use Tiger Direct. Take a look at Reseller
Ratings. They have always sucked and they still do. It is beyond me
how they stay in business.

Bubba

Places like Newegg are much better...
however except for not knowing about the rebates...
I buy from Tigerdirect on occasion if the price is right

 

[Bob]

Poles and Litvacks.

Lucky bastards - they get the cheapest computers.


--

"The scientist is possessed by a rapturous amazement at the
harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such
superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking
and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.

"This feeling is the guiding principle of his life and work,
in so far as he succeeds in keeping himself from the shackles
of selfish desire. It is beyond question closely akin to that
which has possessed the religious geniuses of all ages."

--Albert Einstein

 

[Bob]

Places like Newegg are much better...
however except for not knowing about the rebates...
I buy from Tigerdirect on occasion if the price is right

I buy from Directron because it is only a few miles from my house. I
know several people there and they always treat me right.

Yeah, sometimes I pay a bit more for an item but when it comes to
service I get exceptional treatment. I have returned items that were
not performing to my satisfaction and I was not charged a restocking
fee. But that's because I declared that I was buying the items on
evaluation and had that put on the invoice.

One thing about Directron - you have to call and talk to someone. They
are overwhelmed with email and do not have the staff to process it on
a timely basis.

If for some reason an item is not available, shop their other store,
AxionTech. It's in the same building and sometimes has better prices.


--

"The scientist is possessed by a rapturous amazement at the
harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such
superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking
and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.

"This feeling is the guiding principle of his life and work,
in so far as he succeeds in keeping himself from the shackles
of selfish desire. It is beyond question closely akin to that
which has possessed the religious geniuses of all ages."

--Albert Einstein

 

[philo]

I buy from Directron because it is only a few miles from my house. I
know several people there and they always treat me right.

Yeah, sometimes I pay a bit more for an item but when it comes to
service I get exceptional treatment. I have returned items that were
not performing to my satisfaction and I was not charged a restocking
fee. But that's because I declared that I was buying the items on
evaluation and had that put on the invoice.

One thing about Directron - you have to call and talk to someone. They
are overwhelmed with email and do not have the staff to process it on
a timely basis.

If for some reason an item is not available, shop their other store,
AxionTech. It's in the same building and sometimes has better prices.

even though there are a number of parts suppliers here in town...
for the most part...their prices are so extremely out of line...
i only buy from them in an emergency!

 

[Bob]

even though there are a number of parts suppliers here in town...
for the most part...their prices are so extremely out of line...
i only buy from them in an emergency!

Youmean retailers. Of course their prices are going to be higher. For
one thing they sell only Retail Box parts whereas the stores I am
talking about - wholesalers to the public - sell OEM parts.

Who needs more screws and cables, and instruction manuals that are
worthless (and available on the web)?


--

"The scientist is possessed by a rapturous amazement at the
harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such
superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking
and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.

"This feeling is the guiding principle of his life and work,
in so far as he succeeds in keeping himself from the shackles
of selfish desire. It is beyond question closely akin to that
which has possessed the religious geniuses of all ages."

--Albert Einstein