Computer kit

To my non-expert eye, this seems like a pretty durn good kit deal. What do you computer geeks think of it?

I've never built a computer myself, yet, but I'd like to try it. At least with a kit I can be reasonably sure of getting components that play nicely together.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=D-C2Q-MSI-K4&AID=10440852&CJPID=552179

There is really not that much to modern computers as far as "building" one. The big concern is always drivers and compatibility but with new stuff not so much, and with a kit (which I am sure has compatible parts) there should be almost no concern.

It really should be a matter of plugging things in. The only time consuming thing would be installing the OS, which it does not appear to come with.

Quad core!? Planning on doing some heavy CAD work?

Hmm... what are your goals with a computer? Do you want just a basic home surf-the-web rig? Or do you want some power for gaming or visual processing or anything like that.

This kit does not guaruntee components that are a good fit. It should guaruntee that there are no significant incompatibilities, but that's about it.

Form what I can tell. I probably wouldn't go with this kit.

The case looks shoddy, the RAM looks cheap, and I do not trust no-name power supplies.

You can actually get a pre-made system for essentially the same price, and it will come with an OS.

My recommendation would actually be to find something listed on Craigslist. I picked up my current machine, for $250. And that got me a better MoBo, better RAM, good Graphics card, and a nice Power Supply. However, I had to scrounge my own case and optical drives.

It's really easy to find good deals on used computer stuff. There are lots of people who always want the latest and greatest. They then dump stuff on the used market that is only 6 months from being the hot item.

I'd also stay away. Tiger Direct has some nicer kits. Newegg also has some good deals. I'd try out those companies first if you're looking to build a new computer.

Used parts are great, though. When I build a new computer, recycle much of my last system to build it. The old parts are given away to people that need a computer.

I've been building PC's since about 1987. I'm not up on current prices, but buying everything all at once and in a single package would be an easy way to go for someone who doesn't have the experience level. The last system I built, I went into Fry's, grabbed a sales guy and walked the isles with a shipping cart saying "Which processor goes with this MB?", etc., so having it all pre-picked for you is a plus.

What's their RMA policy? How much is a E-Machine at Wally World these days? Or a Dell of those specs? That gets you everything all put together. If the difference is a bill, I'd go for a pre-built. If it's 3 bills, I'd get that kit.

Dr. Hess wrote: What's their RMA policy? How much is a E-Machine at Wally World these days? Or a Dell of those specs? That gets you everything all put together. If the difference is a bill, I'd go for a pre-built. If it's 3 bills, I'd get that kit.

The better deal is the get that E-Machines, Dell, of Whatever used on CL. You should be able to find one a few months old (or brand new) for $300-$500. Except that it will include an OS, maybe some other software, and probably an LCD monitor.

Salanis wrote:

Dr. Hess wrote: What's their RMA policy? How much is a E-Machine at Wally World these days? Or a Dell of those specs? That gets you everything all put together. If the difference is a bill, I'd go for a pre-built. If it's 3 bills, I'd get that kit.

The better deal is the get that E-Machines, Dell, of Whatever used on CL. You should be able to find one a few months old (or brand new) for $300-$500. Except that it will include an OS, maybe some other software, and probably an LCD monitor.

And 3/4 of the currently known malware. My advice with a used computer is to wipe it clean and reinstall everything from scratch.

billy3esq wrote: And 3/4 of the currently known malware. My advice with a used computer is to wipe it clean and reinstall everything from scratch.

Yes. But the seller will frequently include the disks for the OS and other software I was mentioning.

I built a PC starting with a Shuttle barebones a few years ago and this next time around I'm probably going to go at it from "scratch". It's not that bad really (software is usually the issue, not hardware).

I had a slowly failing motherboard in the computer I'm using right now the last few months. Went to buy a new one and found out that I chose poorly when I bet on which CPU socket had a future.

Last week I ended-up buying a new mobo, CPU, fan, 8G of RAM, power supply, and video card for under $250. I added a new 500G hard drive for $75 just in case mine didn't make it, and a pair of new DVD burners for under $60. Well under $400, for a whole lot more computer than that kit, all from Newegg.

i built a computer in March from a www.tigerdirect.com (the online presence for CompUSA) "barebones" kit for $260 - 64 bit CPU, 2 gig RAM, 250 gig HD, CD/DVD writer. No prior experience, did it in 2 hours and it works great. A demo monitor from Best Buy ($200 for a 23" LCD), Ubuntu and Windows XP rounded out a very competent unit. One suggestion I would make for longevity is to pack a bunch of fans in the case (case fan, CPU heatsink and fan, hard drive fan)

The deals are out there!

I've done the building my own computer thing, also ordered a custom built machine in the past. Nowadays it's not really the computer that costs. You can buy a assembled computer without software for what you can build one for. It's the software that cost$. I know there are free (or nearly free) software out there but there always seems to be either a cost or sacrifice for that. Last computer I bought was an eMachine for the wife and a larger HP package with DVD burner for me. Got deals on software, Student versions & military discounts. Both setups w/printer & montiors for less than an grand total.

Huh, interesting. I naively thought it sounded like a good package. I was half afraid you guys would buy them all up before I saw the replies. OK. I'll keep watching.

My computer needs are rather modest overall. Normal Office suite stuff. Gamewise, it's some flight simulators and SimCity. I'd like to keep them from stuttering, especially SimCity when zoomed in close.

My wife pointed out that she thinks her idea is better. Namely leaving the old Desktop unit alone and buying a 2nd computer, a semi-nice laptop with wireless internet access. I suspect she's probably right.

I wasn't going to chime in until your last post...

I bought a $500 compaq desktop last year as an experiment. The experiment was - would I use a laptop enough to justify it's cost even when I had a perfectly good desktop unit in my office? The answer turned out to be a resounding "YES!" Laptops rule. Surfing from the couch, bed, coffee shop, my car is all great. Then I found out I could tether the thing to my blackberry and get internet anywhere I had cell signal of the correct type. Freaking AWESOME! I bought tickets to see Virgin Fest a year or so ago on the road to Florida, in the car. Rocks.

At $500 I feel like I'm doing ok if I keep the thing for even just two years. It's holding up well. It's no speed demon. It won't impress anyone with it's spec sheet. But it runs older games fine, surfs the web well, runs office without any hassle. I did double the ram it came with and that made a big difference in speed. Check around. You can find cheap laptops all day long at Officemax, Office Depot, etc.

Foxtrapper, your wife is right. Get the cheap laptop.

Fox, I miss my laptop also. I just built my second PC, from a kit, this time. DVD burner, tower, power supply, mother board, AMD athlon 4200 dual core processor, 2 gb ram and 160 HD for about 200 bucks, sans OS. Im happy with it, but I do miss my laptop.

I cant justify buying one right now, but I wouldnt turn one down, for equal money. Plus, if I ever end up needing one for work, I wont hesitate!

Joey

Laptops rule.

For desktop machines, I tend to go with Dell. Not because of smoking deals or anything like that, but because it makes my life easier in the future. I don't have time to keep up with the latest in computer hardware or the shiniest of acronyms, and I tend to keep my machines for a fairly long time. This way if I need a new hard drive or something I can go to the Dell website, plug in my model number (it's on the front of the case, how thoughtful is that?) and it'll tell me what parts are compatible. No futzing about trying to find out what kind of magical RAM it needs or what the hard drive interface is. Dell tells me and I go buy the appropriate part somewhere else

Who's got a dual-core system to sell? Hit me up!

Hehehe, I actually bought my latest machine from a GRM guy. But I didn't know it until I showed up at his house. He'd just had an ad on CraigsList.

I got there and there was an XR4Ti and a 325es in the driveway.

So I asked if he was a GRM afficianado, and he confirmed it. Apparently he was part of one of the top finishing LeMons teams out here.