"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...

" JimH" jimh_osudadATyahooDOT com wrote in message

I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my
son as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

Any suggestions or comments?


If he's seriously into gaming, and is into his computers at all, he
probably has his own ideas and preferences for component specs.

Actually no. He is relying on me.

On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 17:56:31 -0500, JimH wrote:


Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip) Althion
64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version 2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card Antec Performance TX640B Series
Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor Windows XP
Professional OEM

Any suggestions or comments?

I like Maxtor drives, but you are aware that they were just purchased by
Seagate. I'm also assuming it's a SATA drive.

Corsair is good memory, but be aware that matching memory, and timings, to
a motherboard is becoming a pain. You may want to look here, if you
haven't already.

http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair...or_search.html

I'd also point out that Windows and 64 bit computing can be somewhat
problematic.

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1795/

http://www.3dvelocity.com/articles/w...64softlist.htm

FWIW, I've been using a true 64 bit system, Debian Linux, for over a year
without *any* problems. You might want to consider coming over to the
dark side. ;-)

"thunder" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 17:56:31 -0500, JimH wrote:


Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip) Althion
64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version 2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card Antec Performance TX640B Series
Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor Windows XP
Professional OEM

Any suggestions or comments?

I like Maxtor drives, but you are aware that they were just purchased by
Seagate. I'm also assuming it's a SATA drive.

Corsair is good memory, but be aware that matching memory, and timings, to
a motherboard is becoming a pain. You may want to look here, if you
haven't already.

http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair...or_search.html

I'd also point out that Windows and 64 bit computing can be somewhat
problematic.

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1795/

http://www.3dvelocity.com/articles/w...64softlist.htm

FWIW, I've been using a true 64 bit system, Debian Linux, for over a year
without *any* problems. You might want to consider coming over to the
dark side. ;-)


Thanks, will look into the issues you brought up.

JimH wrote:
I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my son
as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip)
Althion 64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version
2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card
Antec Performance TX640B Series Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor
Windows XP Professional OEM

He already has a decent keyboard, speakers and optical mouse. I will also
add a DVD player so he can record copies of the DVD's he owns.

I can do this for around $2,000.

Any suggestions or comments?

Why? You can buy a computer off the shelf with as good or better
features for less money!!

wrote:
JimH wrote:

I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my son
as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip)
Althion 64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version
2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card
Antec Performance TX640B Series Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor
Windows XP Professional OEM

He already has a decent keyboard, speakers and optical mouse. I will also
add a DVD player so he can record copies of the DVD's he owns.

I can do this for around $2,000.

Any suggestions or comments?


Why? You can buy a computer off the shelf with as good or better
features for less money!!

I am wondering the same thing. I know you can specify your own brand
name on all of the components if you build it yourself, but is there
really a big difference (in both cost and quality) between building your
own and ordering it from Dell?

I have an ancient machine, so I am always seeing what is available and
the cost, it seems that the machine I want is always in the $1500 -
$2000 range, so I am planning to hold off till my current old one will
no longer run the software I want to use.

I really am waiting till the new version of windows is on the market and
debugged and there is new software available to take advantage of the
features in the new version of windows.

--
Reggie
************************************************** *********************
If you would like to make rec.boats an enjoyable place to discuss
boating, please do not respond to the political and inflammatory
off- topic posts and flames.
************************************************** *********************

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
wrote:
JimH wrote:

I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my
son
as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip)
Althion 64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version
2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card
Antec Performance TX640B Series Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor
Windows XP Professional OEM

He already has a decent keyboard, speakers and optical mouse. I will
also
add a DVD player so he can record copies of the DVD's he owns.

I can do this for around $2,000.

Any suggestions or comments?


Why? You can buy a computer off the shelf with as good or better
features for less money!!

I am wondering the same thing. I know you can specify your own brand name
on all of the components if you build it yourself, but is there really a
big difference (in both cost and quality) between building your own and
ordering it from Dell?

I spec'd out a gaming Dell machine that ended up at $2,5000. When comparing
hardware, mine was far superior.

Try purchasing a retail computer with comparable hardware for under $2,500.
You cannot.

" JimH" jimh_osudadATyahooDOT com wrote in message
...

"Reggie Smithers" wrote in message
...
wrote:
JimH wrote:

I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my
son
as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip)
Althion 64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version
2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card
Antec Performance TX640B Series Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor
Windows XP Professional OEM

He already has a decent keyboard, speakers and optical mouse. I will
also
add a DVD player so he can record copies of the DVD's he owns.

I can do this for around $2,000.

Any suggestions or comments?


Why? You can buy a computer off the shelf with as good or better
features for less money!!

I am wondering the same thing. I know you can specify your own brand
name on all of the components if you build it yourself, but is there
really a big difference (in both cost and quality) between building your
own and ordering it from Dell?

I spec'd out a gaming Dell machine that ended up at $2,5000. When
comparing hardware, mine was far superior.

Try purchasing a retail computer with comparable hardware for under
$2,500. You cannot.


Oops, check that Dell price.......with the LCD monitor it is more like
$2,800 vs. $1,900 (reduced because of reportedly being able to get the
Windows XP at a student discount) for my rig.

Consider upgradeability also...........limited options with the Dell. The
motherboard and CPU I spec'd offers tremendous opportunities for upgrade.

Lastly the AMD is a faster gaming CPU than the Intel Pentium Dell uses.

True, I bought mine through Dell for around 1,000.00 and it has :

System Type: Dimension 8400
Ship Date: 2/23/2005
Dell IBU: Americas



Quantity Parts # Part Description

1 N6835 INSTRUCTION, DEVIATE FOR CHAS L5.5/L6
1 W8400 PROCESSOR, 80547, PENTIUM 4 PRESCOTT DT, 630, SKT-T,
MALE
0 149DF INFORMATION, PREPARATION MATERIAL, DEVIATION, PRECISION
WORKSTATION, INCREASE, #2
1 702EX INFORMATION, PREPARATION MATERIAL, DEVIATION, PRECISION
WORKSTATION, INCREASE, #1
1 T0185 KIT, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, 104, UNITED STATES, WIRELESS, NMB
2 G5451 DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 256, 400, 32X64, 8, 240,
1RX16
1 X2749 MODEM, V.92, DATA FAX, INTERNAL, DONNY, DELL AMERICAS
ORGANIZATION
1 K4562 CARD (CIRCUIT), MULTI-MEDIA, AUDIO, SB0413
1 J2427 DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE, 17G, 16X, I, 5.25" FORM
FACTOR, LITEON, CHASSIS 2001, V5
1 P7875 ASSEMBLY, DVD+/-RW, 16X, HALF HEIGHT, NEC CORPORATION,
CHASSIS 2001
1 P5288 CARD (CIRCUIT), GRAPHICS, 128, X300, SERVER ENHANCED,
MRMGA8, 2
1 U4931 DISPLAY, FLAT PANEL DISPLAY, 17, DUAL VOLTAGE, E173FPB,
MIDNIGHT GRAY, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION
1 7J597 HARD DRIVE, 160GB, Serial ATA, 7.2K, 8MB, NATIVE COMMAND
QUEUEING, SEAGATE
1 T7166 KIT, SOFTWARE, WP-PRDCT-STE12, ENGLAND/ENGLISH, V2
1 H8412 KIT, SOFTWARE, OVERPACK, WXPHSP2, COMPACT DISKETTE
W/DOCUMENTATION, ENGLAND/ENGLISH
1 N8757 KIT, DOCUMENTATON ON FLOPPY DISK, SOFTWARE, POWERDVD,
5.3.1012


wrote in message
ups.com...

JimH wrote:
I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my
son
as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip)
Althion 64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version
2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card
Antec Performance TX640B Series Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor
Windows XP Professional OEM

He already has a decent keyboard, speakers and optical mouse. I will
also
add a DVD player so he can record copies of the DVD's he owns.

I can do this for around $2,000.

Any suggestions or comments?

Why? You can buy a computer off the shelf with as good or better
features for less money!!

"FREDO" wrote in message
.. .
True, I bought mine through Dell for around 1,000.00 and it has :

System Type: Dimension 8400
Ship Date: 2/23/2005
Dell IBU: Americas



Quantity Parts # Part Description

1 N6835 INSTRUCTION, DEVIATE FOR CHAS L5.5/L6
1 W8400 PROCESSOR, 80547, PENTIUM 4 PRESCOTT DT, 630, SKT-T,
MALE
0 149DF INFORMATION, PREPARATION MATERIAL, DEVIATION, PRECISION
WORKSTATION, INCREASE, #2
1 702EX INFORMATION, PREPARATION MATERIAL, DEVIATION, PRECISION
WORKSTATION, INCREASE, #1
1 T0185 KIT, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, 104, UNITED STATES, WIRELESS, NMB
2 G5451 DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 256, 400, 32X64, 8, 240,
1RX16
1 X2749 MODEM, V.92, DATA FAX, INTERNAL, DONNY, DELL AMERICAS
ORGANIZATION
1 K4562 CARD (CIRCUIT), MULTI-MEDIA, AUDIO, SB0413
1 J2427 DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE, 17G, 16X, I, 5.25" FORM
FACTOR, LITEON, CHASSIS 2001, V5
1 P7875 ASSEMBLY, DVD+/-RW, 16X, HALF HEIGHT, NEC CORPORATION,
CHASSIS 2001
1 P5288 CARD (CIRCUIT), GRAPHICS, 128, X300, SERVER ENHANCED,
MRMGA8, 2
1 U4931 DISPLAY, FLAT PANEL DISPLAY, 17, DUAL VOLTAGE, E173FPB,
MIDNIGHT GRAY, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION
1 7J597 HARD DRIVE, 160GB, Serial ATA, 7.2K, 8MB, NATIVE
COMMAND QUEUEING, SEAGATE
1 T7166 KIT, SOFTWARE, WP-PRDCT-STE12, ENGLAND/ENGLISH, V2
1 H8412 KIT, SOFTWARE, OVERPACK, WXPHSP2, COMPACT DISKETTE
W/DOCUMENTATION, ENGLAND/ENGLISH
1 N8757 KIT, DOCUMENTATON ON FLOPPY DISK, SOFTWARE, POWERDVD,
5.3.1012




JimH wrote:
I am planning to put together a gaming (and general use) computer for my
son
as a high school graduation gift.

Here are my specs so far:

MSI K8N Neo4/SLI motherboard (w/built in SoundBlaster Live chip)
Althion 64 3000+ CPU, Socket 939 version
2 GB DDR400 Corair Ram
256MB Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX video card
Antec Performance TX640B Series Case
Plextor PX-716A dual layer DVD 16X
Maxtor 300GB DiamondMax hard drive
Viewsonic 17" Thinedge VP171B LCD flat panel monitor
Windows XP Professional OEM

He already has a decent keyboard, speakers and optical mouse. I will
also
add a DVD player so he can record copies of the DVD's he owns.

I can do this for around $2,000.

Any suggestions or comments?


Don't get me wrong......I like Dell computers. And I can buy a brand new
Dell for less than $500. But you are missing the point.

The point is that a comparable Dell would be almost $1,000 more than the one
I am planning to build, with mine being more powerful and offers
upgradeability.

Ask yourself this.............why do some folks buy a Ford Excursion for
$40,000 when they can buy a Ford Focus for $14,000?