my computer has quit. it wasnt much to begin with but I need to replace it. the good news is that all I have to get is a cpu, mobo and ram. I want to try to keep costs down to around $300.
it might make more sense for me to say what I want out of it...
1. upgradeability: when its slow in a couple of years I dont want to have to change out too much to keep up with higher processing demands.
2. I would like to overclock the computer (of course) but Im a beginner. so preference to the hardware that can take some abuse.
3. what I will use it for: I want to fold for team 32 most of the time, except when Im rendering video or something like that. so I must be able to fold and surf/watch dvds/music/whatever with no hiccups. I play console games mostly but Ill play a little on my computer now and then.
old hardware: AMD slot A 700mhz chip, 640mb pc100 ram, 32mb ati rage 128, asus k7v mobo.
is $300 enough for what I want?
hardware being reused: old tower case (I love it, its huge and awesome), 500w powersupply (dont know what brand but it has dual temp controlled fans and a sweet modular cable system), dvd burner, 9gb hd, 8gb hd, 8gb hd (fails POST). some time after I get it all working again Ill get a better hard drive.
so I guess thats all the info. my problem is that while theres a million places on the net I could find this I have no idea what price is a ripoff or not. I swear I give myself heartburn stressing about paying way too much.
so thank you all in advance for your input. I am without computer right now so all advice is extra appreciated. wish me luck, I hope to place my order in a couple of days (I feel kind of lost without the old box running )
it might make more sense for me to say what I want out of it...
1. upgradeability: when its slow in a couple of years I dont want to have to change out too much to keep up with higher processing demands.
2. I would like to overclock the computer (of course) but Im a beginner. so preference to the hardware that can take some abuse.
3. what I will use it for: I want to fold for team 32 most of the time, except when Im rendering video or something like that. so I must be able to fold and surf/watch dvds/music/whatever with no hiccups. I play console games mostly but Ill play a little on my computer now and then.
old hardware: AMD slot A 700mhz chip, 640mb pc100 ram, 32mb ati rage 128, asus k7v mobo.
is $300 enough for what I want?
hardware being reused: old tower case (I love it, its huge and awesome), 500w powersupply (dont know what brand but it has dual temp controlled fans and a sweet modular cable system), dvd burner, 9gb hd, 8gb hd, 8gb hd (fails POST). some time after I get it all working again Ill get a better hard drive.
so I guess thats all the info. my problem is that while theres a million places on the net I could find this I have no idea what price is a ripoff or not. I swear I give myself heartburn stressing about paying way too much.
so thank you all in advance for your input. I am without computer right now so all advice is extra appreciated. wish me luck, I hope to place my order in a couple of days (I feel kind of lost without the old box running )
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