Computer done cheaply

[Petros]

Computer parts are getting incredibly cheap. I just realized that tonight while building one for a buddy of mine. Check this out:

DVD+/-RW 8x NEC|ND-2500A/BLK
$72.99

MOUSE: AOPEN O-75B OPITCL
$9.40

COPPER SHIM
$2.05

CPU AMD|3000/400FSB ATHLON XP BARTON
$138.00

VIDEO: RADEON 9800PRO 128M 8X
$172.00

HD: 160GB|SAMSUNG 7200
$92.00

DDRAM: 512M|PC-3200 MUSHKIN
$89.00

CASE: BLACK w/400W PSU
$50.00

MONITOR: SCANPORT 17" CRT
$72.00

KEYBOARD: LOGTECH|BLACK INTERNET KEYBRD
$11.00

MOTHERBOARD: SHUTTLE|AN35N-ULTRA RETAIL (NForce 2 Ultra 400)
$54.99

The $40 we spent on shipping brought this computer to about $804 (£436.91). He wanted to skimp on everything, (like when he wanted to settle for a 9600 Pro) but I managed to rescue him from ignorance. And also made a compromise on RAM, since I figured a gig would be better. Not wanting to spend over $800, he agreed to 512. And was content with a generic mouse. Oh well. Maybe later...

 

[Mainframeguy]

Yes - and it is no coincidence that 64 bit and PCX bus (which will render AGP cards obsolete too BTW) are just around the corner.....

Basically in a couple of years systems like that one you just built will be seen pretty much the way we see PIII systems now I think - I could even be wrong on the timescales! Morses law and all that....

I think it is quite a cool philosophy to try to get best of breed in one basic core component on each upgrade to your system - then retain that component as long as possible going on to your next system, so you incrementally improve it.

In your friends case I think maybe the component I would have fixed on is a large/expensive TFT to improve the experience - he could then keep that for use with any future system..... who knows, maybe that will be his first upgrade? Then again I think another stick of ram will be his first performant required increase....