> There's a lot of stuff that I still don't understand what to > look for - it > all looks like letters and number, any tips? (For instance, what's the
Do you really want to go down that path? I don't think so... but here is what I think is the best tip so far - computers are very much like cars. Yes, you can build your own hotrod, or you can go buy a new Honda (or Hyundai). Being one who has always built his own hotrod, and never bought the "honda", I have recommended this approach to many people in hopes that they could save money. The results were always the same - they could not support the required upkeep. Bios updates, hardware conflicts, crashes, lockups...the list goes on. Buying a name brand relieves you from many of the horrible spans were your computer is down because you were fiddlin' with it. You get a fully licensed computer with 24 hour support. All components have been rigorously tested to work with each other. They are fully qualified as Windows certified (each piece of the computer (and drivers) has been shown to be fully compatible). You may pay 100-200 more. You easily make up for that trying to support your own computer. Take Reggie's advice about the closeouts. Even the slowest computer on the market is much faster that what you have now. You will love it. Here are some simple rules for the current hardware: Processor: Athalon is a better deal than Intel (for now). Memory: Get DDR memory - stay away from RAMBUS ram (RDRAM). Get at least 256 Mb ram. Sound: Sound cards should be built into the systemboard. Unless you do re-mastering or mixing, you won't need anything fancy. Surround sound speakers are nice, but usually are frivious. Motherboard: Unless you are a performance maven, this really does not matter. Brand does not matter much as well. If you want to get into it, go to Tom's Hardware Guide www.tomshardware.com. More than you ever wanted to know, as well as reviews of the best boards out there. Video: AGP 3d hardware acceleration is a requirement now. NVidia brand is considered the leader. 32 Mb memory inside the card should be the min. for a computer you plan to play games on. The other things in a computer are commodity items - cd-rom, cd-rw, DVD, chassis, PW supply, floppy disk. I consider a cd burner to be essential to a computer now, if only for the ease of making backups. You also noted that you plan to keep your old monitor. Remember that you can get a new 19" monitor for close to 100 dollars. Remember this final rule - the video card will most likely be the most expensive component in the computer. Everything else is marginally less expensive if you downgrade. For instance, the difference between a Athalon 1700 and 1900 is 50 bucks. You probably would not know the difference. But if you paid 50 buck more for your video card, you would get a major upgrade. Have fun! Write me offlist of you want specific advice. Nerd From Hell > difference between an ECS K7S5A and a K7S6A, let alone > comparing anything > across brands.) Also, what are DIMM's, and how should I judge their > importance? (For example, if I am comparing one system with > 184 pin DIMM > and the other with 168 pin DIMM?) > > Thanks. > > JDG > __________________________________________________________ > John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - > ICQ #3527685 > "We fight against poverty because faith requires it and > conscience demands it." - George W. Bush 3/22/02 > >
