new guy need help

[jdizzle]

Didn't see a section to post this type of question in but o well.....My boss 6 years back built me a custom computer for my needs on newegg.com many people who have seen my computer say its worth a lot more than what I payed for it...I guess thats what you get for building youw own, some one said if I wanted somehting the same it would cost double at bestbuy.
I need a new computer and My friend isnt around to help me so I need to buy one, my theory is if I got to Dell store or a best buy thype of place I am going to over pay because it is from a. I figured its a lot cheaper to buy online buy I don't know what I am looking for and there is no sales person to ask questions.
95% of my computer use is cable internet and light gaming like sim cit or flight simulator nothing hardcore like half life or rainbow6. I have nice set of klipch speaker so do need a upgraded sound card? I have a nice key board, mouse, monitor, speakers so I just need the computer.
All I want is a fast computer I dont need piture sharing,digital camera,scrapbookking software crap like a soccer mom wants I just want a fast computer that I can do light gaming and hardcore internet porn watching will sim city or flight simulator work on a average video card?
So what do I need 2.4 prosesor? ram? memory? video card? soundcard? mother board and where would I find the best deal
does these look good http://stores.ebay.com/A-Computer-for-Everybody

 

[Zenthar]

For PC < 500-600$, there it's tough to beat Dell and the like. It's when you get to higher-end that the gap reverses and expands drastically.

Some questions needs to be answered:
■Budget?
■How long do you plan on keeping the PC (6 years again?)?
■What is you monitor (so we can know the resolution, LCD/CRT, connector, ...)?
■Any specific annoyances with you current system to justify the upgrade? (I ask because some people expect 4x faster computers and end-up disappointed)

 

[jdizzle]

I will be keeping it forever and don't care if it is outdated as long as it stays fast. monitor is some 15'' noname thing but I connect it to my 46'' tv anyways. If it comes with windows I would like to spend $500-1000. I loved my my old computer no complaints just it got to overloaded with viruses cause I didnt have any software and whe i had it i neve kept up with it. does that lik I posted look like a good deal?

 

[roadrunner197069]

I sent you a PM.

 

[Zenthar]

does that lik I posted look like a good deal?

They are Pentium 4 and are getting very old by now, they consume a lot of power and heat. I wouldn't pay that much (~400$) for those unless it's all I could afford, because you would get a 4 time better system now for 600-800$.

Here is a suggestion:
■CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300
■MB: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L
■RAM: OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB)
■HD: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB
■Video: ASUS EN8600GTS SILENT 256MB
■Case: Antec Nine Hundred
■PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W

Total: ~940$ - 120$ Mail-in rebates = 820$

The price could be brought down more if you like by switching the Q9300 to a Q6600 (-60$), the non-modular PSU (550VX, -30$), or a cheaper case (but I do think the 900 is very much worth it a 80$ after MIR).

BTW, what OS on your current PC? If your don't keep using it, you could "transfer" the OS license... otherwise it's about 100$.

 

[jdizzle]

I got xp pro I have the cd and code will that work? the computer is 100%broken. What you recommended my buddy said 2 smaller ram in stead of one big one is better. Im sure cd burners are cheap now nothing fancy, what about nero can I download for free.

 

[Zenthar]

A license is a license, as long as you don't use it on 2 computers at the same time. There might be a difference between OEM and Retail license, but I'm not sure, maybe you should ask Microsoft (or someone else on this forum).

Your friend is right about "more smaller modules is better", but the gain is very slim and rarely translates into tangible application performance. Moreover, over time, having your memory banks filled from the start isn't practical. I recommended 2 sticks of 2GB of RAM (totals 4GB) so you would have the possibility to add another 4GB in the future without having to replace the existing modules. If you were to get 4 sticks of 1GB then, if you ever wanted to get 8GB, you would have to buy another 4 sticks of 2GB instead of just buying 2 additional ones. Given the fact that memory requirements between versions of Windows keep increasing by about 25% per year, the 8GB isn't all that impossible.

As for CD/DVD burner, I think any will do. Some retail packages come with Nero, but not all; Depending on your needs, there are many free options (see here).