I'm basically interested in inquiring about any recommendations and suggestions for buying new parts to build my own computer. Currently I have a Dell Dimension 2400, which ties into why I wanted to go the route of building my own computer. I've run into proprietary issues with respect to upgrading my computer because it was a package bought from Dell. I have a 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive which I can't install because the Dell motherboard isn't SATA capable and I apparently can't get a SATA capable motherboard that will fit into my Dell case. So I obviously want to get a SATA capable mobo. I'm rather limited in how I can upgrade my system that I bought from Dell since it was rather propietary. I would like any ideas for how I can best go about building my own computer(online/retail) and good parts I can get. I will still be using my current monitor, keyboard, mouse, memory, and speakers so I'm primarily looking to get a new case w/ power supply, motherboard, cpu, and graphics card. I'm deciding on whether to focus more on buying parts from online vendors or purchasing through retail locally. I know I can go to CompUSA for example and have them put together my own custom built system, but online would generally be cheaper, shipping costs aside and would provide me more options. Retail is more convenient with respect to returns and repairs. Any good companies that provide custom built systems that don't give you propietary problems like Dell and Gateway? I know there are good places online like tigerdirect.com and Alienware. As for the case, I'm looking to build a system with ample ventilation for cooling, put in a good power supply and have a good quality cooling system for the cpu, etc. I also want to make a decision between going with the Pentium 4 3.0+ ghz or the AMD 64. What's the advantage and disadvantage with each? So this is all I'm basically wanting to get any info. on. I'll have to do my own research as well. I'm just hoping to get any ideas and suggestions from anyone as to what they think are good parts and places to buy from to build a custom computer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Two simple questions that need answering first. 1 What will you be using the rig for ? Games or general Computing ? 2. What is the budget you had in mind + or - $100 ?

also the exisitng RAM.. is it DDR or SDRAM? Ben, Pentium 4 1.7GHz, 256 Cache 512 DDR RAM PC2700 ATI Radeon 9200SE 128 DDR RAM Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM

1. My memory is DDR SDRAM 266 MHz 2. I would be using my computer for basic computing and heavy Internet use. I would use it for some gaming, but not a lot as I do more of my gaming on my Xbox anyway. Even though I would do only occasional gaming on it, I would like a system that still is capable of some modicum of good performance in gaming for todays games as well. I'm not looking to just get a standard system to save a lot on cost, but neither am I looking to necessarily spend outrageous money on some state of the art dream machine either. I guess I'm speaking of somewhere in between. I'm interested in a system where I can have some good multimedia performance, but as I said not necessarily todays state of the art either. I'd like one that is built well for future upgrading and perhaps expansion. I'd like good performance from the mobo, the power supply, fan, and cooling system. A nice cooling system that would make it less risky for me to overclock would be a bonus, but not a requirement. If I get a high end P4 cpu or AMD 64, I know that alone will cost me several hundred dollars. Since I'm looking to buy a case, power supply, mobo, cpu, and possibly a graphics card as well, I'm basically looking at a budget of anywhere under a $1,000, that is if I'm right about my estimations of what the market price generally is for those products. I think a P4 3.0 ghz cpu is typically about $300 for example. I'm open to anyones suggestions that would be more costly as though I'm trying to save a bit on cost, I'm not trying save on cost a great deal at the expense of performance for todays standards. So any help would be appreciated. I'm just looking to shop around and consider what would be the best way for me to go.

www.internetishop.com these are really good folks. boought alot of computer barebones cheap. excellent support from tech if you need.

If you have a Fry's Electronics near you, get a case there plus a motherboard combo. I built a machine for $370 last month (160GB hd, 512mb ddr333, amd 2400+, k7vta3 mobo, radeon 9200, cd, floppy, 350w psu and case, fans and cooler) Make a graph with an x-axis and y-axis. Now draw the equation y=x squared http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~cdavid/latex2html/thermo1/img7.gif But then redraw it so it is y = x to the forth power, which brings the knee of the curve much closer to the x-axis and the subsequent rise much more steep. That is the price performance curve decision you have as a modest gamer. Performance is x and price is y. A $350 system is very near a $1,000 system in performance, is my point.

I didn't know an equation existed to reflect my shopping habits. Skip