Computer Advice?

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Voros

Enough with the giving, it’s time for me to take, take, take.

You may not know it by perusing this high-tech 21st century blog, but here at vorosmccracken.com headquarters we’ve fallen well behind in the technology race; I’m reduced to penning these sorts of witty comments on borrowed equipment.

To turn this blog into the Mecca of all that is Sabermetrics and Baseball, I’m afraid it’s time for me to go back to the dugout for some new lumber. My last build coincided with my hiring by the Red Sox, and the whole thing crapped out on me not too long ago. I could try and get it fixed, but it’s had it’s time (the hard drive is fine, I think).

So I’m looking to spend no more than $500 dollars (I have to spend it before the IRS and/or collection agencies get a hold of it) on the following:

  • Case (power supply optional)
  • Processor (Athlon preferrable)
  • Motherboard
  • Memory (at least a gig)
  • Hard Dirve
  • DVD Writer
  • Video Card
  • Network and Sound Card if not part of motherboard

Skimp on the memory if you like as I can cannibalize some of that from the old machine.

What I need are suggestions from someone who knows what they’re talking about on what to do in terms of brands, options power and so forth for the price. If it could be done for less than $400 that would be aces, but $500 is my limit. One other thing to mention is that I had a real problem with case temps and heat in general in my last build, I’d like to avoid that this time and will give up minor perks to do it.

I can put the damn thing together tinker toy style so there’s no problem there. I’m just looking for the best bang for my buck in terms of parts.

If I can get this done, I should be able to post here more often, get a lot more done in the way of research and generally be a much happier stat geek. I figure there’s computer geeks out there who are also baseball geeks, so maybe someone can help me get this done.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. You can post it here or send me an e-mail using the Contact link above if you like.

5 responses to “Computer Advice?”

  1. tangotiger Avatar
    tangotiger

    You can get really sweet deals from Dell, in their “outlet” center. These are refurbished or returns.

    Dell also lets you do a “custom-made” (and you can see the price of each item as you are adding it), and when you couple that with “30% off” promotional offers that are easy to find, like at fatwallet.com, again, another great deal.

    If you don’t need a monitor, you definitely will be able to do something for under 500$.

    Reply
  2. Michael Webb Avatar
    Michael Webb

    I am far from knowing what I am talking about, but I saw a popup ad for a WalMart special on laptops for $349, supposedly tomorrow only beginning at 8am.

    Mike

    Reply
  3. Dan Szymborski Avatar
    Dan Szymborski

    V-Man,

    When you’re looking at a computer in that price range, it’s better *not* to build it, because there’s a plethora of outlet options.

    I bought this one for my girlfriend for her birthday and it’s worked out tremendously for her.

    Reply
  4. Jamie Roth Avatar
    Jamie Roth

    Cannibalizing memory may not be an option depending on the age of the old system.

    I agree with Dan. Computer under $500 are best bought off the shelf. When you are talking about getting all of the components you would probably end up spending a little more.

    – Motherboard and processors run $100-200.
    – Hard drives about $100, memory about the same.
    – DVD writer between $50-100.
    – Most of the other items will come on the motherboard itself.

    Will you be using the old case? Those can run between $80-200 depending. It would be best to get something with at least a 400w power supply.

    As far as good components…There really aren’t that many manufacturers:

    MB – asus, abit, gigbyte, intel, etc…
    Memory – kingston, Micron…
    HD – Seagate, Western digital…

    Hardware has really become a commodity and many of the different brands are made by the same manufacturers, especially at the system level.

    And don’t forget the price of the software you’ll be using, if that’s a problem :).

    Reply
  5. Voros Avatar
    Voros

    I’ve ordered some stuff and am awaiting it in the mail. Looks good at the moment, but we’ll see when I get everything assembled.

    Reply

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