Wishful Thinking -or- What I Did With My Tax Retur

Here is what I wish I could get with some of my tax return money ("Honey, you know how much I love you, right?" ). Tell me what you think and what you would do differently. I am not going to change the major components. The only thing I am debating is the video card. I was going to go with the GeForce FX 5700 Ultra, but it seems to be $50 more than the 9600 XT with same performance. I will have to re-check the prices when I actually buy, but here it is (hopefully it will format OK!). All components were priced at NewEgg.

Qty Product Item # Unit Price Qty x Price

<font color=red>Barebone Systems
Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket 754 AMD Athlon 64 CPU, Model SN85G4 </font color=red>
Specifications:
CPU Support: AMD Athlon 64 CPU (Socket 754, 1600MHz HyperTransport technology)
Chipsets: nVidia nForce3 150
Memory: 2x 184pin (DDR400 up to 2GB)
IDE: 2x ATA133, 2x SATA
Graphics: N/A
Expansion Slot: 1x PCI, 1x AGP 8X
Audio: Realtek ALC 650
LAN: Realtek 8201BL
Extension Bay: 1x 3.5", 1x 5.25"
Front Panel Ports: 2x USB, 1x mini 1394, Audio ports, 6-in-1 card reader
Back Panel Ports: 1x LPT, 1x COM, 2x PS/2, 1x SPDIF_In, 1x SPDIF_Out, 1x RJ45, 1x 1394, 2x USB, Audio ports
Power Supply: 240W(PFC)
Dimension: 295 x 200 x 180 mm more info>
N82E16856101415 $339.99
$339.99
<font color=red>CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)
Sony Black 48x24x48x16 Combo Drive, Model CRX300E/B2, OEM</font color=red>
Specifications:
Write Speed: 48X CD-R,24X CD-RW
Read Speed: 48X CD-ROM,16X DVD-ROM
Interface: Internal EIDE/ATAPI
Buffer: 2 MB
OS Support: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
Features: Buffer underrun protection technology
Remark: OEM (see pictures for details) more info>
N82E16827106811 $53.25
$53.25
<font color=red>Hard Drives
Western Digital Special Edition 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD800JB, OEM Drive Only</font color=red>
Specifications:
Capacity: 80GB
Average Seek Time: 8.9 ms
Buffer: 8MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Features: High-performance with 8MB Buffer
Manufacturer Warranty: 3 year
Remark: OEM Drive Only more info>
N82E16822144122 $72.00
$72.00
<font color=red>Keyboards
Microsoft Black Multimedia Keyboard & Wheel Mouse Optical Bundle PS2 102keys --OEM</font color=red>
Specifications:
Interface: PS2
Number Of Keys: 102 keys+17 Function Keys
Wireless Technology: N/A
Palm Rest: Detachable
Design Style: Standard
Mouse included: USB/PS2 Wheel Mouse Optical
Features: Enhanced F Key Functionality, Multimedia Center
*Must be Purchased with Hardware!* more info>
N82E16823109122 $39.00
$39.00
<font color=red>Memory (System Memory)
OCZ Performance Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200</font color=red>
Specification
Manufacturer: OCZ
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 2-3-3 6T
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: 64M x 64 -Bit
Special Features: Ultra Low Noise shielded PCB
Warranty: Lifetime more info>
N82E16820146833 $95.00
$190.00
<font color=red>Monitors - LCD Flat Panel
ViewSonic VE175B 17" LCD Monitor –RETAIL</font color=red>
Specifications:
Panel Type: TFT Active Matrix LCD
Native Resolution: SXGA 1280 x 1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.255 mm
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 450 : 1
Response Time: 25 ms
View Angle: 140° / 125°(H/V)
Connectors: Analog: HD15
Dimensions & Weight: 16.3" x 16.5" x 9.1" (W x H x D) / 13.6lb
Manufactory Warranty / Phone No.: 3-year limited warranty on Parts, Labor and Backlight / 800-688-6688
Dead Pixels Policy: Replacement or Refund for 8 or more DEAD PIXELS ONLY!
(Mac user may require adapter, not included)
more info>
N82E16824116245 $419.00
$419.00
<font color=red>Processors
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail</font color=red>
Specification
Model: AMD Athlon 64 3000+
Core: ClawHammer
Operating Frequency: 2GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512KB
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 754
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included) more info>
N82E16819103424 $236.00
$236.00
<font color=red>Speakers
Creative Inspire T5400 5.1 Speakers Retail</font color=red>
Specifications:
Configuration: 5.1
Power Output: 74 Watts Total RMS(8 Watts RMS per speaker(x 4 speakers);20 Watts RMS Center Satellite Speaker; 22 Watts RMS Subwoofer)
Frequency Response: 40Hz~20KHz
Signal to noise ratio: 80dB
Remote: Wired Remote Control
Features: Two-way speaker design, CMSS Upmix, Versatile Wired Remote, Reinforced Wood Subwoofer for Powerful and Clean Bass more info>
N82E16836116137 $85.00
$85.00
<font color=red>Video Cards
Asus RADEON 9600XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/VIVO, 8X AGP, Model "9600XT/TVD" -RETAIL</font color=red>
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: RADEON 9600XT/500MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/600MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+VIVO+DVI connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: VGA via DVI Adapter, VIVO Adapter, CD Box, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
Retail Box (See pics for details) more info>
N82E16814121501 $189.99
$189.99


Subtotal » $1,624.23


I may have to leave the LCD and the speakers out for now, and I did the ASUS video because the straight ATI card was not in stock so I couldn't add it to my cart. The only other thing I was looking for that NewEgg didn't have was a black Microsoft Natural Keyboard. Has anyone seen those?

Anyway, tell me what you think.

I HATE NET NAZIS!!!

F*ck me, that's some bloody tax return!

Goddamit, the Inland Revenue never give me anything, miserable buggers. Wish I was still in the army, at least I got tax breaks then.

Nice rig though man, go for it. Why the MS natural k/b though? Used one before? 'Cos I can't to grips with them. Might be something to do with the fact that I suck at typing though!

<font color=blue>"Look, I know it's old-fashioned, but I'm from the school that believes if God intended us to fly, he wouldn't have invented Spanish air traffic control" - Dave Lister</font color=blue>

I have an MS Keyboard at home and work, so I am used to the shape. Also, when you are married with two kids and a house, tax returns are pretty nice. Between the missus and I, we claim 4, but with the added deductions, we get back cash. I don't know how this year will be, but I hope it is close to last year. We did REALLY well last year.

I HATE NET NAZIS!!!

You don't want to break even. Money is taken out of your paycheck without taking deductions into consideration. So, if you have deductions and credits and all that when you file your tax return, you will get money back.

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<font color=blue> "Trying is the first step towards failure." </font color=blue>

Also save yoself some $$ and go with Apacer RAM...they supply some of the major ram vendors and are good.

The one and only "Monstrous BULLgarian!"

I fully understand the free loan to the government thing. However, my wife and I are, like most people I know, not the kind of people to put that extra money aside or to do something overly productive with it. First of all, doing some really simple math, $1200 at $100 / month for 1 year at 3% interest (which is I think generous for a savings account, haven't looked lately. My bank has a 12 month CD for 2.11%) would give you about $18 in interest. WOW! Let's take a trip honey!! Also, your $100 / month comes out to about $25 / week. We choose to make our budget without that money. This way, we get a good chunk of money back at the beginning of the year and we get to use the money for bills or for something personal.
This year, if our taxes were about as good as last year, I will talk to our tax representative and possibly raise our deductions a little. We have only filed once jointly and with a house. I don't know if last year was a fluke or if it will stay the way it was.

Flame, good comments on the accessories. On the PC that I chose, I want a smaller form factor PC. Currently, the NVIDIA chipset is the one offered in the Shuttle PC, which was better than the Biostar PC, which I didn't like as much. I will not be purchasing until probably May, so I think either Shuttle will have a new XPC out or the NVIDIA chipset will be in its second revision and will work much faster. The LCD was just one I found on Newegg with everything else, and probably won't be purchased at this time. As for your RAM reccommendation, I have never heard of Apacer RAM, but I will keep my eyes open. Newegg has some, and as soon as the web page decides to open, I will check prices... Currently $21 per stick cheaper than what I had listed. I will check them out. Thanks a bunch, that was the kind of information I was looking for.

Last update, I was reccommended to get an ATI 9800 non Pro over the 9600 XT. Any opinions??

I HATE NET NAZIS!!!

I think that by law, everyone has to have the information in the mail by January 31st. Just talked with my dad who used to work at a bank, and he said he thinks that was the date they had to have it out by. So look for it first week or two of February.

I HATE NET NAZIS!!!

Well, wife and I got like $4800 or something back last year, and if it is similar, we can take care of many of our bills... I let her take over the finances, and she does fine, but when I finally saw the credit card bills, I was not too happy, so we are in repay mode now. She didn't tell me that we owed almost $10,000 on one of them!!!! That opened my eyes pretty well. It is coming down now...

I HATE NET NAZIS!!!

I fully understand the concept of free money to the government, but the reason I'm looking forward to a large tax return is because when I finally get one it will mean I'm out of school and am making money for them to tax.

I haven't paid taxes this year. I'm expecting around $600 in returns

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>