part abs custom

[kuplicks22]

I was considering for a long time building my own custom from scratch, but don't really have the time i'd like to really concentrate on everything, plus the fact that i'd be a first time builder, anyways, i am thinking about buying a custom from ABS, check it out here <http://www.abspc.com/app/config.asp?mono=1353&view=2> and added on to the ABS selection, which is $1716, a Dell FP 19" LCD (don't worry, im not a gamer) for $620, a epson printer for around $90, Antivirus software, Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Version $124, Logitech Z560 speakers $162. That brings the total to around $2700 and my mom thinks its crazy to spend that much on a computer, but its a full setup really. Tell me what you guys think, thanks

[talldude]

You're paying WAY too much for stuff you don't even need if you're not a gamer. What's the intended usage?

[kuplicks22]

i would use it for college work, word processing, instant messenging, email, cd burning, music recording and downloading, listening to music, watching dvds. i want to get a good quality system though, that would be fast, very fast

[kuplicks22]

in addendum... i want the computer to look good and have good picture when watching a dvd

[lolifedro]

whatever will make you happy go for it! its only money and im sure you will get plenty more heh

[talldude]

here's something I put together that's a bit more powerful, except the graphics because you really don't need a 9800 pro 256mb in there if you don't game a LOT. http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishLis...VIEW&ID=508244

[kuplicks22]

i wasn't able to bring up anything from the newegg site, but i don't want to build the tower myself, i would probably want to go through ABS, can you recommend any specs on a computer like that? How about Gateway? Dell?

[talldude]

crapo, forgot to add mr. floppy - not that you ever need him anymore though, except maybe for the occasional BIOS flash.

If you wanna drop the price a bit, I suggest you go ahead and downgrade the CPU to a 2.8C. There's no noticeable difference really between the two CPUs, meaning that there's really nothing you can do with the 3.2 that you can't do with the 2.8.

[talldude]

it's not hard to build the comp...it takes like 2 hours (with beer breaks). Try this link for the comp. It's titled "good rig for college" http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishLis...nt&submit=view

If you're gonna get pre-built, you're always going to pay too much compared to what you get. ABS is probably the best price/performance out there. Dell/Gateway etc big OEMs have generic parts with VERY limited customizability.

If you REALLY want to go with the ABS, I think you've built a pretty good comp but I'd drop the graphics card down a couple of notches and add more ram.

[Big_Mac]

check ibuypower.com and build something similar and do a price comparaison.

Couple friends have good experience with them.

[kuplicks22]

ok. yea im pretty sure im gonna go with a prebuilt tower, i really don't have the time or experience or my parents confidence to build a good custom family computer that i will end up taking to college. i don't know if the parts i clicked on with the ABS site come up visible when you click the link, but i clicked for the 2.8 and a lower graphics card, i think the SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK, also going with the gig of Corsair memory (2x512).

[kuplicks22]

with that video card (SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK) or with other video cards, do they determine the quality of the images you see when watching a DVD on the computer? like would watching a dvd on a computer with a 9600 look not as good as one with a 9800? or does the video card more regulate the gaming images?

[kuplicks22]

i just checked out ibuypower.com and it was about the same if not a little more than ABS

[kuplicks22]

ok i put all the pricing together and im about to go crazy here. Note, this all started about three months ago with looking at a budget of around $2000. dad's wallet isn't looking to happy right now... but anyways, here it is: I don't really know enough about computers now to build my own or have my family confident in me building one, so i want to buy a tower made by a company, prolly ABS? and then buy the monitor, printer, windows, MS office (student and teacher version), antivirus software, speakers, keyboard, and mouse. Ok, now here is some stuff i plugged in with an ABS Ultimate X5:

Total Cost (of ABS parts): $1653.01

Parts:
-Antec Performance Plusview LE (Limited Edition) With Side Panel Window and Free Case Harness
-Antec [TrueBlue] 480 watt Power Supply "Quieter PS" with 2 blue LED fans
-Thermaltake Blue Cold Cathode Light | Voice Controlled | Lights inside case w/ cool blue glow
-Quantity 4 of COOLER MASTER TLF-R82 (TLF-R82-E1) ( Blue )Neon L.E.D. Fan.
-Intel 875P 800MHz FSB 8X AGP (Hyper-Threading) SATA 1 gigabit Lan
-Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz 512k 800MHz FSB
-Quantity 2 of Corsair 512MB PC-3200 DDR400 C2 XMS | (Extreme Memory Speed series)
-Quantity 2 of Seagate Barracuda 120GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA (ATA150)
-Quantity 2 of 18-Inch SATA ( SERIAL ATA 150 ) Cable. 2-Head. ( GREY ).CATA150-182GRY
-SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 128MB 8X AGP DVI/TV BULK
-Sony 16x DVD-ROM (48x CD-ROM) Drive - (Black)
-Lite-On 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive - (Black)
-Ultra ATA-133 IDE 18" 3H Round Cable Transparent BLUE RTL
-Mitsumi 1.44 MB Floppy Drive - BLACK
-Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
-Intergrated Network Controller
-Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1a
-Standard Warranty - 1 Year Parts and Lifetime Labor and Lifetime Tech Support
-2Net 1 Year 24/7 Tech Support & Onsite Service | (Concurrent with Standard Warranty)
-ABS USER MANUAL
- it also comes with McAfee VirusScan Version 8.0 with One Year of Updates, Microsoft Works 7.0, and Half Life Platinum Edition 2
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Alright, that is all the stuff i would be buying from ABS, all totaling the $1653.01, now for the stuff i would buy extra just to get it cheaper than buying it as well through ABS, as well as ABS maybe not offering these things

Additional Purchases:
-Dell 19" Flat Panel LCD (about $680)
-Logitech Cordless MX Duo Cordless Elite Keyboard w/MX700 Opt ($60.00)
-Epson Stylus C84 Color Inkjet Printer ( 22 PPM, 5760 x1440 DPI, Color, 128KB, PC/Mac)($70)
-Windows XP Professional ($123)
-Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Version ($109)
-Norton Antivirus and Spam Protection (free after rebates)
-Logitech's THX certified Z560 4.1 surround sound system ($162)
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That would bring the total of the whole system, ABS and additional purchases, to $2857.01! Damn, thats a lot! I want a good quality system that will last for a while, has an awesome sound setup, is speedy, and looks good. Again, im not a gamer, and building my own isn't an option. Help please!!!

[kuplicks22]

i made a mistake. the ABS system includes Windows XP Pro, so the total price on the full system (ABS and added) would be -$123.