Home Systems April 2003

With another $400, we can upgrade the video card and monitor, even the CPU and be fine.

<B>Case</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>The same case. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-154-021&DEPA=0">This case</a> is cheap and easy. Why go with something more elaborate if you don't have too? You'll spend a scant $33.99 on this one.</td></tr></table>

<B>Motherboard</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>Since we are not having everything on the motherboard. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=0">Abit's NF7 is a good choice</a>. Loads of expansion and nForce2, this is what a new system needs. $104 from Newegg.</td></tr></table>

<B>CPU</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>An AMD motherboard requires an AMD CPU, just like before. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1">Barton 2500+ is great</a>. It is only 1.83Ghz, but it has 512KB of L2 cache. It comes with a heatsink and fan, but you can get a better one is you want. $131 at Newegg.</td></tr></table>

<B>Memory</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>Can't get the same stick with a faster FSB CPU. $68 gets a stick of <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=20-145-059&depa=1">512MB of Crucial memory PC2700</a> is just what you need. Great stuff at a good price. </td></tr></table>

<B>Video Card</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>A Radeon 9700 is faster than the 9600 Pro and is great at DVD decoding and games. Get it from Newegg. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-131-201&depa=1">Powercolor for $246</a>.</tr></table>

<B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td>Home systems require a DVD player and a CDRW for burning stuff. Remember, we look for the best deals around.<a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=18&threadid=174229">Fatwallet has it</a>. A 120GB drive and a 48x CDRW for $40, how can you go wrong. Get two of this deal if you want a midrange system! Newegg has the <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112">Lite-On DVD drive for you</a>. It costs $38. You absolutely can't beat this deal.</td></tr></table>


<B>Monitor</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>19 inches here. Still <a href="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=296017&pfp=BROWSE">a Viewsonic one</a> from CompUSA for a price of $229.97 (AR)</td></tr></table>

<B>Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td>Logitech's z540 is good. Good quality, and the price is right at $62.68 (CompUSA +tax). You also need a mouse and keyboard so go for the Logitech cordless elite duo from Office Max for a price of $49.99. Network card is onboard. Sound is onboard.<td></tr></table>

<B>OS</B>:

Linux is free, but <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=37-102-014&DEPA=6">Windows XP Home</a> will run you $93 at Newegg.


<b>Summary</b><br/><br/>

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83GHZ) $131<br/>
Abit NF7 $104<br/>
Powercolor 9700 $246<br/>
Case + 400Watt PSU $33.99<br/>
Crucial 512MB $68<br/>
OfficeMax Deal CDrw + 120GB $40 (+tax) (x2)<br/>
Liteon DVD $38<br/>
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99<br/>
z540s $62.68 (+tax)<br/>
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $229.97 (+tax)<br/>
WinXP Home $93<br/><br/>
Pretty Impressive, good stuff for a budget system.<br/><br/>
Total: ~$1150 After rebates. Great deal.