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Page 1
<B>Intro</B>:
Welcome to another edition of the system guides. Yes, I'm in my element of home systems. Too bad I made the game systems very similar. DOH!
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A case is just a case. The same case as the gaming systems is fine. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=11-154-017&depa=0">Newegg has it</a>, it looks nicer and comes with a 350 watt PSU. You'll spend a scant $43 on this one.</td></tr></table>
<B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Just like last edition, we'll use the nForce 2 with everything on it. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-143&depa=1">Abit's NF7-M has everything you need</a>. Everything is on this board, everything. $122 from Newegg.</td></tr></table>
<B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>An AMD motherboard requires an AMD CPU. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1">An Athlon 2500+ is perfect</a>. Speedy at 1.83 Ghz, and it is the newest Barton type CPU. It comes with a heatsink and fan, but you can get a better one is you want. $90 at Newegg.</td></tr></table>
<B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>$40 for a stick of PC2700 256MB <a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z335&cat=RAM">of Crucial Memory</a> is just what you need. Great stuff at a good price. You can get free memory right now at Officemax, but Crucial is better.</td></tr></table>
<B>Video Card</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Pretty simple with onboard video.</tr></table>
<B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>
</td><td>CompUSA has a 160GB 8MB cache Harddrive for $100. 48x CDRW at OfficeMax for $20 AR. A home system requires a DVD drive at all times. Pick up a Lite On DVD at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112&depa=1">Newegg for $36</a>.</td></tr></table>
<B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>We'll opt for a 19 inch. 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>Altec Lansing AVS500w are nice 4.1 speakers on the cheap. Good quality, and the price is right at $35 (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>
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (2GHZ) $90
Abit NF7-M $122
Case + 400Watt PSU $43
Crucial 256 $40
160GB $100 (+tax)
48x CDRW $20 (+tax)
DVD $36
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99
Speakers $35 (+tax)
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $229.97 (+tax)
WinXP Home $93
Pretty Impressive, good stuff for a budget system.
Total: ~$860 After rebates. Awesome.
<B>Intro</B>:
Welcome to another edition of the system guides. Yes, I'm in my element of home systems. Too bad I made the game systems very similar. DOH!
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A case is just a case. The same case as the gaming systems is fine. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=11-154-017&depa=0">Newegg has it</a>, it looks nicer and comes with a 350 watt PSU. You'll spend a scant $43 on this one.</td></tr></table><B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Just like last edition, we'll use the nForce 2 with everything on it. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-143&depa=1">Abit's NF7-M has everything you need</a>. Everything is on this board, everything. $122 from Newegg.</td></tr></table><B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>An AMD motherboard requires an AMD CPU. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1">An Athlon 2500+ is perfect</a>. Speedy at 1.83 Ghz, and it is the newest Barton type CPU. It comes with a heatsink and fan, but you can get a better one is you want. $90 at Newegg.</td></tr></table><B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>$40 for a stick of PC2700 256MB <a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z335&cat=RAM">of Crucial Memory</a> is just what you need. Great stuff at a good price. You can get free memory right now at Officemax, but Crucial is better.</td></tr></table><B>Video Card</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Pretty simple with onboard video.</tr></table><B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td></td><td>CompUSA has a 160GB 8MB cache Harddrive for $100. 48x CDRW at OfficeMax for $20 AR. A home system requires a DVD drive at all times. Pick up a Lite On DVD at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112&depa=1">Newegg for $36</a>.</td></tr></table><B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>We'll opt for a 19 inch. 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>Altec Lansing AVS500w are nice 4.1 speakers on the cheap. Good quality, and the price is right at $35 (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>
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (2GHZ) $90
Abit NF7-M $122
Case + 400Watt PSU $43
Crucial 256 $40
160GB $100 (+tax)
48x CDRW $20 (+tax)
DVD $36
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99
Speakers $35 (+tax)
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $229.97 (+tax)
WinXP Home $93
Pretty Impressive, good stuff for a budget system.
Total: ~$860 After rebates. Awesome.
Page 2
A much better video card is on the block now.
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>The same case! <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=11-154-017&depa=0">Newegg has it</a>, it looks nicer and comes with a 350 watt PSU. You'll spend a scant $43 on this one.</td></tr></table>
<B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>We'll drop the all onboard motherboard. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=1">The normal NF7 is fine</a>. Everything is on this board, everything. $101 from Newegg.</td></tr></table>
<B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>An AMD motherboard requires an AMD CPU. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1">An Athlon 2500+ is perfect</a>. Speedy at 1.83 Ghz, and it is the newest Barton type CPU. It comes with a heatsink and fan, but you can get a better one is you want. $90 at Newegg.</td></tr></table>
<B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>$80 for a stick of (2x) PC2700 256MB <a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z335&cat=RAM">of Crucial Memory</a> is just what you need. Great stuff at a good price. You can get free memory right now at Officemax, but Crucial is better.</td></tr></table>
<B>Video Card</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>A Radeon 9700 is a good card for this midrange system. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-137-009&depa=1">The FIC A97</a>. $229 at Newegg.</tr></table>
<B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td>CompUSA has a 160GB 8MB cache Harddrive for $100. 48x CDRW at OfficeMax for $20 AR. A home system requires a DVD drive at all times. Pick up a Lite On DVD at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112&depa=1">Newegg for $36</a>.</td></tr></table>
<B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>19 inches Big monitors. 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>
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (2GHZ) $90
Abit NF7 $101
Fic 9700 $229
Case $43
Crucial 256MB (2x) $80
160GB $100 (+tax)
48x CDRW $20 (+tax)
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99
DVD $36
Speakers $63 (+tax)
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $230 (+tax)
WinXP Home $93
Total: ~$1135. Very nice for this type of system.
A much better video card is on the block now.
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>The same case! <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=11-154-017&depa=0">Newegg has it</a>, it looks nicer and comes with a 350 watt PSU. You'll spend a scant $43 on this one.</td></tr></table><B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>We'll drop the all onboard motherboard. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=1">The normal NF7 is fine</a>. Everything is on this board, everything. $101 from Newegg.</td></tr></table><B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>An AMD motherboard requires an AMD CPU. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1">An Athlon 2500+ is perfect</a>. Speedy at 1.83 Ghz, and it is the newest Barton type CPU. It comes with a heatsink and fan, but you can get a better one is you want. $90 at Newegg.</td></tr></table><B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>$80 for a stick of (2x) PC2700 256MB <a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z335&cat=RAM">of Crucial Memory</a> is just what you need. Great stuff at a good price. You can get free memory right now at Officemax, but Crucial is better.</td></tr></table><B>Video Card</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A Radeon 9700 is a good card for this midrange system. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-137-009&depa=1">The FIC A97</a>. $229 at Newegg.</tr></table><B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td></td><td>CompUSA has a 160GB 8MB cache Harddrive for $100. 48x CDRW at OfficeMax for $20 AR. A home system requires a DVD drive at all times. Pick up a Lite On DVD at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112&depa=1">Newegg for $36</a>.</td></tr></table><B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>19 inches Big monitors. 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>
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (2GHZ) $90
Abit NF7 $101
Fic 9700 $229
Case $43
Crucial 256MB (2x) $80
160GB $100 (+tax)
48x CDRW $20 (+tax)
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99
DVD $36
Speakers $63 (+tax)
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $230 (+tax)
WinXP Home $93
Total: ~$1135. Very nice for this type of system.
Page 3
$2000 is the upper limit here, and we want the best of the best.
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>The same case. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=11-154-017&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 $43 on this one.</td></tr></table>
<B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>The newly released Canterwood will do just nicely for our best of the best. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-152&depa=1">Abit's IC7-G</a> has the new BIOS that makes it compare with their IS7. Audio and Lan included, this is what a new system needs. $199.99 from Newegg.</td></tr></table>
<B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>The 3 GHZ CPU is not the fastest, but a good mix of price and performance. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=343&DEPA=1&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=4186,4720">Much cheaper this time around</a>. Intel CPUs usually have good quality heatsinks. $400 at Newegg.</td></tr></table>
<B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>Two times the memory for the Canterwood. $180 gets two sticks <a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT6464Z40B&cat=RAM">of 512MB of Crucial memory PC3200</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 AIW 9700 Pro. Get nothing else, you won't be sorry. Get it from Newegg. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-102-250&depa=1">Get an ATI one, $360</a>.</tr></table>
<B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td>CompUSA has a 160GB 8MB cache Harddrive for $100. 48x CDRW at OfficeMax for $20 AR. Pick up a Lite On DVD at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112&depa=1">Newegg for $36</a>.</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>We need crap in the pants speakers. The Logitech's z560 (THX) is good. Really really expensive $200 (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>
Intel 3Ghz (800Mhz FSB) $400
Abit Canterwood $195
ATI AIW 9700 Pro $360
Case $43
Crucial 1024MB $180
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99
z560s $200 (+tax)
160GB $100 (+tax)
48x CDRW $20 (+tax)
DVD $36
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $229 (+tax)
WinXP Home $93
Great system, it'll last for a few years.
Total: ~$1906 After rebates. Great deal.
Yes, pretty much same as the gaming system high end. Like I said, I'm better at home systems.
$2000 is the upper limit here, and we want the best of the best.
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>The same case. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=11-154-017&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 $43 on this one.</td></tr></table><B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>The newly released Canterwood will do just nicely for our best of the best. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-152&depa=1">Abit's IC7-G</a> has the new BIOS that makes it compare with their IS7. Audio and Lan included, this is what a new system needs. $199.99 from Newegg.</td></tr></table><B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>The 3 GHZ CPU is not the fastest, but a good mix of price and performance. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=343&DEPA=1&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=4186,4720">Much cheaper this time around</a>. Intel CPUs usually have good quality heatsinks. $400 at Newegg.</td></tr></table><B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Two times the memory for the Canterwood. $180 gets two sticks <a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT6464Z40B&cat=RAM">of 512MB of Crucial memory PC3200</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 AIW 9700 Pro. Get nothing else, you won't be sorry. Get it from Newegg. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-102-250&depa=1">Get an ATI one, $360</a>.</tr></table><B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td></td><td>CompUSA has a 160GB 8MB cache Harddrive for $100. 48x CDRW at OfficeMax for $20 AR. Pick up a Lite On DVD at <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112&depa=1">Newegg for $36</a>.</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>We need crap in the pants speakers. The Logitech's z560 (THX) is good. Really really expensive $200 (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>
Intel 3Ghz (800Mhz FSB) $400
Abit Canterwood $195
ATI AIW 9700 Pro $360
Case $43
Crucial 1024MB $180
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99
z560s $200 (+tax)
160GB $100 (+tax)
48x CDRW $20 (+tax)
DVD $36
19inch Viewsonic Monitor $229 (+tax)
WinXP Home $93
Great system, it'll last for a few years.
Total: ~$1906 After rebates. Great deal.
Yes, pretty much same as the gaming system high end. Like I said, I'm better at home systems.