my gf has an opportunity to buy a computer from a friend, and she asked me if its what she needs. Her old comp really blows (think just barely capable of running xp) and the final straw was when I downloaded google earth this past week and her comp couldn't handle it. She's also wanted a dual-layer DVD+-RW drive, a giant 100MB+ HD, lots more ram.... and so she's been offered this one:
(cut-and-pasted from email):

"
Brand new in sealed factory box. Complete with 1 year manufacturer
warranty.

Specs:
- 3.4GHz Pentium 4 processor 540 with Hyper-Threading (800MHz FSB) -
1.0GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
- 200GB SerialATA 7200RPM Hard Drive
- Double Layer DVD+/-RW Drive (bay 1)
- DVD-ROM Drive (bay 2)
- 8-in-1 media card reader
- 10/100 Ethernet, 56k PCI modem
- Integrated Intel Graphics (open 16x PCI-Express slot for upgrading) -
Windows XP Home Edition
- Desktop speakers
- Keyboard and Mouse

No monitor included.
$625
"


I realize its priced way under what it could cost to get the same comp from gateway (it's a gateway) but I'm wondering if there's a few hundred bucks to be saved here by simply taking the time to build her an all new PC. Neither of us have ever attempted it, and I probably wouldn't have specced out something quite this ritzy.

I honestly think that this would be all she needs:

Intel P4 2+ GB processor and compatible motherboard and ~512+MB RAM
(she has a 250 gb hd she could put in a tower)
(we have an old tower)
Double Layer DVD+/-RW Drive (bay 1)
(she has a USB external media drive reader)
USB2.0 ports
a 3d-capable video card, probably a ATI Rage ALL-in-wonder+TV like mine...
she has a great mouse, keyboard, and decent CRT monitor, although I'm sure she'd like a new one

I think that I can get everything on that shortlist for <$400, less the monitor I mentioned, so should I support her buying the gateway?

8/5/2005 5:29:10 PM

kinda expensive without monitor IMO

8/5/2005 5:34:35 PM

take advantage of the sales and the tax-free this weekend

8/5/2005 5:50:21 PM

really? what price should I really be looking at for that equipment level?

8/5/2005 5:50:30 PM

nForce4 Ultra or nForce4 Motherboard $90-$120
AMD Athlon 64 300+ Venice Socket 939 $146 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537
HIS x700 Pro in PCI-E $148 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161137
Windows XP Home $92 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102151
1 GB of RAM $87 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

Yeah I'd say you could build her one far better for the same or less. Remember the costs of office though. They are awfully steep for some packages.

[Edited on August 5, 2005 at 5:59 PM. Reason : added ram]

8/5/2005 5:57:27 PM

wait a few, youll find the same puter only w/ a LCD if you keep an eye on dell.com

the 3.4 ghz is a plus -- the specs are all solid. you probably could NOT build that computer yourself for less. ^the 3000+ proc doesnt compare to a 3.4 p4, not even for gaming.

[Edited on August 5, 2005 at 10:58 PM. Reason : -]

8/5/2005 10:56:07 PM

yeah but it's a fireball... but i'm telling him what his best option if he built is. No way you can beat that price with an intel system you build.

Make sure if you wait for one of those deals, that it has an AGP or PCI-E slot. Some of those dells don't so you won't be able to upgrade the graphics card to anything worthwhile.

8/5/2005 11:12:50 PM

tigerdirect guy told me the same thing. She's buying the comp and I'm not planning on winning any more arguments for at least a month.

8/5/2005 11:17:27 PM

most people dont know what kind of specs they need to do the computing job they want

this is a gaming pc w/o a video card.

8/5/2005 11:45:46 PM

I tried to tell her that she didn't need all that stuff, that she'd be blown away by anything 2+ghz and a qtr of that ram.... but does she wanna listen when she's got the money for that bitchin comp and an exclusive invitation to a gateway that probably fell off a truck? no..... I love her anyway, so I'll just have to deal with her having a much better pc than me....

V wasup john. didn't know you were on here. guess everyone is.

[Edited on August 6, 2005 at 3:26 AM. Reason : V is opposite of ^ in my book]

8/6/2005 2:57:18 AM

aww dan. . .

8/6/2005 3:21:36 AM

haha i would love to see what computer i could build with 625 off of slickdeals

8/6/2005 4:46:06 AM