Notice that everything comes from one vendor, which is less cost efficient but more convenient.  If you really shopped it around you could probably save about a hundred bucks CDN, but would have to deal with different vendors (up to you).

Thank you so much for doing that!

I will take that with me too and see what they say about my bringing them parts to actually build a computer from and how much they would charge me to do it.  Maybe if my nephew has time he could do it but he's been busy with school and helping his mom with things so I hate to dump on him.

 I suspect I'm going to make their hall of fame wall for most annoying customer,  LOL

I'm going to go and get them to give me a price quote for a few different systems and then bring them back here. before making a final decision. I want to be sure that I'm getting something good and not substandard and  I don't trust myself enough to do this on my own because I'm rather dim with this stuff. If the prices come out too high then those links look like a really viable alternative.

If I borrowed a book from the library I could probably put it all together myself, but I'm so insecure when it comes to dealing with computer stuff. It just looks and sounds so daunting.  I  have replaced a picture tube in a very old B&W Zenith television. I can even take apart a vacuum and the motor and replace the bearings and put it all back together and have it run!  But put a computer in front of me and I freak at the thought of opening the computer case.

Thank you all so much for helping me with this task!  You're all so wonderful!!

BIG HUGS

In the US, typically someone will charge you about $100 for assembly, although if you have a friend who is hardware aware you can get away with pizza and beer as payment.

Any quotes you get, make them give you as much detail as they can possibly give you. 

Thanks :) I most certainly will. I've learned quite a bit from this thread and I have a major headache going on now from soaking up all of this knowledge, hehe

I saw on that Powerland Computer site that they used to offer computer classes to show new computer owners how to maneuver around their computers and do basic things.  It gave me an idea of perhaps talking to them and seeing if they were open to perhaps contracting me to teach the basics of the software. They could provide the referrals and get a finders fee.  Or maybe work it towards the purchase of the computer.  I think I'll mention it to them. Worse that will happen is that they say no. I think I'll also try bartering some graphics (IE: Flyers, business cards, greeting cards etc  for their services. 

Unfortunately computers are a lot like cars, everyone has their own individual preferences, likes and dislikes and as such everyone will have different recommendations.

Yes, it is true you can generally save a small amount of money shopping online and assembling the pieces yourself, however in the long run this savings can be easily offset by something as simple as memory incompatiblity or a hardware failure of some sort.

It's true that you can still get these parts replaced under the 1 year manufacturers warranty, however if you buy the parts seperately that means you have to pull the part out, ship it to the online retailer or wholesaler you bought it from, have them ship you a replacement and then install it yourself.  Also when purchased seperately processors are not warranted against heat damage or poor installation, so if the company your dealing with says the damage was caused by overheating your in a world of hurt, they won't replace the processor for you. 

For the more technically oriented the small savings you get for shopping online might make that attractive, however for the average user it is generally a lot easier and a lot less expensive in the long run to have a store front that you can simply drive too, drop the system off and have them deal with all of that should any problems arise.

It is true that if you price the components individually you will be able to get much better deals online than you can at a storefront, however if you buy a pre-built bundled system the prices are going to be hard to beat, particularly if you have to pay someone else to assemble the hardware.  Best Buy can generally sell systems cheaper than most other shops can assemble them because of their vast purchasing power, they get much better prices on systems than most other retailers/wholesalers.

As for Emachines or HP's, I've worked extensively with both, as well as Dell's and of course just about every type of clone archeticture known to man, I've been in the IT industry for over 20 years now.  In truth I've found very little difference in the systems themselves other than upgradeability, and considering your budget, the type of system you're looking for I still say your best bet will most likely be to buy a machine bundle rather than individual components, merely from the warranty and return aspect.  I've installed literally thousands of Emachines over the last several years, I have yet to have a major problem with any of them.  Truth be told their track record in this regard is slightly better than HP or Dell, though HP machines are a bit "prettier" to look at.

Just my two cents worth, naturally opinions will vary but that is my recommendation.

A couple of comments:
I've had a local shop build several computers for me. Two of them were fine. One seems prone to hardware problems since the get-go.

You can often get really good deals from HP and Dell, they typically offer either free or at a minimal cost two of the following: disk upgrade, DVD drive, printer, monitor etc.

Well, shoot me now!!!  I seriously need my head examined!  I ordered a new computer.... from Dell!!!!!!!!!!  :scared:

I got lots of tips of great tips here about what to look for in  a new computer.

I called  2 local computer companies and found out that it's almost as much to build one locally as it is to buy one from Dell, and with a local computer build I only got a 1 year parts and labour warranty and no telephone tech support, and I don't know anything about computers in order to wing it on my own if something goes wrong.

I also considered ordering the parts and having someone put it together. bobbystahr lives in the same city as I do and he offered to arrange for one of his friends to put it together for me. I gave that some thought and with that I would only have a parts warranty, and if something went wrong I would have to find someone to fix things for me and pay the additional costs for that.  So I decided to bite the bullet and call Dell (because of their warranty and telephone tech support) and see what their price was for what I wanted.

I was wishy washy with Dell and the guy asked me why I was hesitating and wanting to take some time to think about it.  I wanted so much to tell them that their laptops are crap, but instead I told him that I was concerned about the price (which was also true) and that I am on a tight budget and need to get the most value for my dollar and I'm not sure that Dell is giving me that in the price I was quoted and wanted to call around  to some other companies to get some price comparisons.  I had already done that!!!  Dell was my last choice, not my first when it came to pricing out a computer.

Sales must be down because he put me on hold and came back with a lower price. I was still wishy washy (because I really wasn't gung ho about dealing with Dell again.. That whole bite me once type thingy) but I saw that they would lower their price, so I worked at that!  I got a complete dual core system including a 24 inch monitor and a Kodak digital camera and power surge bar and 4 year extended warranty  for $2861.00 including taxes and delivery.  Let's just hope the darn thing lasts beyond 5 months after the warranty expires.

Meet my new computer scheduled to arrive in 7 to 10 business days. :woot:

Dimension 9200 Desktop

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E6700 (2.66GHz, 1066 FSB)

Windows XP Pro 64 Bit

24 inch UltraSharp™ 2407FPW Widescreen Digital Flat Panel

2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 4DIMMs

250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capable

1GB NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual-GPU Graphics Card

Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeMusic (D), w/Dolby® Digital 5.1

3.5 in Floppy Drive

Dell USB Enhanced Multimedia Keyboard

500 Watts Output

Kodak Easyshare C533 5MP Digital Camera

APC 500VA UPS with Phone Protection

Comes with 10 USB ports

4 year extended warranty 

So because I also ordered a camera I can take a picture of my shiney new computer when it arrives and is set up.

Thanks everyone for stearing me in the right direction about what components to get. Now if this one up and dies at least I know there is something on it's way.

:lol: somebody broke her piggy bank :tt2:

That's a lot of machine and I'm sure you'll have a good time with it.  Good luck!

I do have another question.

I will need to transfer the data from my current computer to the new one.

I do have a router, but I can't remember the password and stuff, and the OS on each computer is different (current desktop has Windows 2000) so setting up a network isn't straight forward because I tried to do it between my desktop and laptop and couldn't manage to get it figured out.

Anyway, I think you can do it by direct transfer using some kind of cable.  What kind of cable do I need to get in order to do that?

The router can be reset pretty easily, that's not going to be a very big deal.  It'll be easier to get your files transferred that way than with a cable.  I've got to get into work and then if you like I can give you some info on how to clear your router and reset your network settings (going to need you to mail me some screenshots of how it's set now).  I'll get back to you in a couple of hours if you'd like some help with that.

That will be great! Thanks!  I won't need to turn off my computer will I?  Because I don't think I'll be able to get it turned back on again judging by yesterday's episode.

I do recall hearing that I have to do a hard reset of the router, but while I wrote down the instructions I don't know where I put them.  Also, it will wipe out my internet settings for my connection and I don't know how to set all that up again. My nephew set up my router for me.

Shouldn't need to turn it off or even reboot, that will happen to the router.  Don't worry, it's not as hard as you think it is and it's easier to get it back to a working state if you took screenshots and printed them (which we'll do).  Get back to you in a little bit.

Quote - I do have another question.

I will need to transfer the data from my current computer to the new one.

I do have a router, but I can't remember the password and stuff, and the OS on each computer is different (current desktop has Windows 2000) so setting up a network isn't straight forward because I tried to do it between my desktop and laptop and couldn't manage to get it figured out.

Anyway, I think you can do it by direct transfer using some kind of cable.  What kind of cable do I need to get in order to do that?

You can use a cross-over ethernet cable. Any local computer shop should have them.

On most models of router you'll find the reset button on the back, it will be small button that is recessed into the the back of the router, so that you'll need to use a pen or very small screwdriver (I normally use a jewelers screwdriver myself) to push it in.   On most models of router if you push it in and hold in for anywhere from 10-30 seconds the router will reset.

Some routers have a default login/password (you can usually find these on the manufacturers website) many of the newer ones have a default login (usually admin or administrator) with no password set until you set it.

Most likely your internet connection uses DHCP - meaning that the router will set itself up and you won't have to enter any IP addresses, however it is possible your internet connection actually uses hardwired IP addresses, though this is becoming less and less common these days.

In that event your IP provider should be able to walk you through setting the router up properly over the phone.

Once you get your router reset then it's just a matter of waiting till the new dell arrives, once it does plug it into the router and you'll be able to easily transfer files back and forth between the two machines.

All you'll need to do is setup Windows file sharing and then copy the files over, I can give you step by step instructions on how this is done if you can't find adequate instructions on the internet.

Since you have a router already you might wish to consider keeping your older computer plugged into the router and using a KVM switch - that's what I do here.   I have an older system that runs many of my more routine maintence tasks and acts as a file server for my network.

It keeps the load on my main system to a minimum and allows me to get a great deal more done, particularly when I'm working with bigger renders or animations.  I can setup an animation or large render on my primary system, switch the KVM so that my keyboard, mouse and monitor connect to the secondary machine, and surf the web, do email, etc while waiting for the render to finish without bogging down the primary system. 

Works like a charm.

Thanks for the information Stepdad.

My current computer is giving me huge issues and I'm afraid to turn it off or have it shut down because of over heating because I never know if I'll be able to get it to turn on again.  The other day it took 3 hours and 20 minutes of  on - off - on - off - on - off using the back switch and the front power on button in order to get it to turn on and boot up after it over heated.  Once it's on it runs fine that is unless it over heats and shuts down.  And I can even restart it without a problem. The problem is getting it on from an OFF state. It's a huge PITA.

Once I get the new computer I'm going to transfer the files from the old to the new and then use the old one as a learning machine in order to understand how to take a computer apart and put it together. If in the process I can manage to fix it myself, that's a bonus!  But at least it will give me some confidence  to learn how the insides of a computer go together without having to worry that I'm destroying my one and only computer. If I destroy the old one in the process I don't really care, hehe

I was going to give the old one to my nephew but I've decided to learn from it instead. If I don't I'll never know how to do anything with a computer.

I strongly advise you to get your full backup done before you touch any plugs or configuration settings (that includes changing network configs).

Laplink? (Just kidding. Laplink was a special software/cabling system that did that for DOS systems in the 80's)

Null modem cables are about the same vintage, but it might be hard scaring up one.

What you may consider- you have a router, so that sounds like you have a network. Map one machine to the other, then copy from one to the other (the Operating system will treat the other computer as a network drive [Say J: instead of C:]. Programs will need to be reinstalled, but the thing you can't redo is the data, so get that first.

Failing that, if you have a USB HD, you could just plug it into the new PC, and copy down from there. It's probably a good idea to 'dismount' (use the little disconnect icon) when moving the HD from 1 to the other. Even memory sticks would be the same thing, depending on how much you have.

If you have a techie handy, they might be able to even take your old hard drive and mount it in the new system, but that would require setting some settings here and there, and probably would be a last resort, unless you're comfortable with that.

And you can always burn stuff to CD or DVD, and read it back. More than 1 way to skin a cat..;) no 'fense..;)

one last thing- you might just blow the dust out of the old machine, and get a little more life out of it, until you get things transferred over.

I just happened to see this thread, and I'd thought I throw in what I'm going to have in my new computer:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Dual Core CPU (a mouthfull, what!)
Asus P5B Deluxe motherboard
Shapphire X1950XT 256 Mb Graphics card
Seasonic S12 600W power supply
2 GB DDR-2 800 (PC2-6400) matched Cosair Memory DIMMs (2 x 1GB)
Quanity 4 Seagate 7200.10 160 GB SATA drives (they will be run as RAID 10, 320 GB actual size)
NEC AD-7170A DVD Writer
Coolermaster Centurian 5 case.

Total cost is just about $1,500, incidently, I'm carring over my 2 -21" Philips monitors (the card can drive dual monitors)

Some comments- see www.tomshardware.com for thoughts about Intel vs. AMD processors.  The Raid 10 is interleaved AND redundant, if one drive fails the pair fails, but all the data will still run from the other pair.  The motherboard supports it.  No more backups! This will be my first floppyless computer, and it will run through a KVM switch alongside my current Pentium 4- 3.2 GHZ computer, the one before that (an AMD 1.2 ) gets retired.

This is a fairly high-end system, incidently.  ;-)    The parts are just starting to show up, it isn't running yet.

Hi Acadia,

Nice system! But I do have one reservation. The RAM comes in 4 DIMMS of 512 Mbytes each, which means that upgrading your memory means replacing 2 (or all 4) memory sticks. Which is a shame. They SHOULD have put in 2 sticks of 1 GB each, which would allow you to upgrade your machine to 4 GB RAM or more (highly recommended when you are REALLY going to use 64 bit programs!) without ditching the existing RAM.

Maybe it's not too late to alter the order. 2 modules of 1 GB each, instead of 4 modules of 512 MB each. You might have to pay a little more, in the order of $10-$20, but you'll save at least $100 when (not if) you decide to upgrade your memory.

The monitor is SWEET! I have a Dell Ultrasharp 24" on my main render box, and it's a dream to work with. Very sharp and solid image, a dream when you're watching DVD movies, and very good for graphics work. The response time is somewhat slow for games, but if you don't play the hottest fastest newest 3D games, you won't notice.

All in all, a very nice machine.

I may have copied the Memory information from the website wrong.  I made sure that I asked about the memory.   I was very specific that I wanted to be able to upgrade to 4 GIGS of RAM without having to replace the existing 2 GIGS that I'm getting.  I asked that a few times actually,  LOL    I was assured that I'm getting two (2) 1 GIG sticks and 2 slots will be empty so I can add 2 more sticks of 1 GIG if I want to.

I'm having a bit of a panic about the monitor.  My TV is 27" and it looks huge!  I'm not sure that the 24" monitor will fit on my computer desk because of the overhead shelf.  Thought it is flat panel so it won't have all that bulk behind it like the monitor that I have now. I think I will have to find a new place for my printer though, or turn it sideways.  Also I have been on a 17 inch monitor for so long that a 24 inch one is going to seem like IMAX to me,  lol

I did call last night to ask them to upgrade my hard drive to 320 GIGS instead of the 250 GIG one. I figured better to do it now than later and it was only $30.00 extra.  

Bad news about the graphic card though. I was getting the   1GB NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual-GPU Graphics Card but apparently due to compatiblity issues it's been discontinued.  So I'm getting the nVidia 7900  GS graphics card  that svdl recommended on page 2.

It's a nice machine thanks to all of the help and advice I got here :)  Thank you so much!  I'm so excited, even if it is a Dell, lol   He said i should have the computer by Friday next week, or Monday. It would have been Friday for sure except because I changed my mind about the hard drive it will delay it by one business day, but that's ok, so long as it arrives.

The first thing I'm going to do is dig out the camera and take a picture of it,  lol

interesting

I just got a Dell.
AMD x2 64 Dualcore 5600+
4GB Ram
320 GB HD
DVDRom + DVD Rewriter
USB Multimedia Keyboard
13in1 card reader
ATI XP1300 Pro GFX
Soundblaster Xfi XtremeMusic
Windows XP Pro

Cost a shade under $2000.
added on 3 17" Samsung Synchmaster 731B LCD's from Staples.... (they costed out better than Dell, even with a 3 year extended warrenty)

My Dell Ultrasharp 24" measures 46 cm in height, measured from the foot to the very top (about 19 inch). So if the shelf is more than 19" above your desk, it should work.

Remember that the 24 inch measurement is Diagonal. For instance, a standard aspect ratio 19 inch flatpanel is the same as a 21 inch CRT in terms of screen space.

My current system has an ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 socket 939 motherboard, and an Athlon 64 3500+ single core. This is running XP Pro retail 32 bit. I am upgrading it to an ECS AM2 motherboard (ordered and shipped), so I can go to dual core (I shudder at the thought of flashing the BIOS).

However, my dream (and drool over) system will be a Dual Dual Core Opteron, with a pair of 265s and 8GB DDR400 ECC Registered. It is listed as a Server board, though it is more like a very high end Workstation board. Poser 7 does support Dual Processors and Dual Core.

Due to my income and budget, this will be a longterm parts acquisition process. Fortunately, I already have a case that supports EATX form factor (Lian Li full tower server case).

Acadia, I hope your new system works out for you.

Quote - i still think the "easy bake oven" was an overlooked, but viable choice.

haha!  I used to have one of those when I was about 4 or 5 years old.  I remember that it came with some  little packages of cake mix. The little packages of cake mix were expensive and once I ran out of them my Mom couldn't afford to buy me more, so I remember her spending days in the kitchen working out a recipe of ingredients that I could use to bake cakes in my "Easy Bake Oven."

I think I have a picture or two of me stirring up a batch of cake batter actually.   LOL

I just checked with Purolator and my computer arrived in Calgary at 2pm this afternoon and left shortly after that and is enroute to Winnipeg!  Wheee!!!

And just in time too.  My computer has been freezing up solid for no apparent reason and I have to press "reset" to get it to reboot each time it does it, which has been about every 20 or 30 minutes yesterday, not so much today.

I just built an E4300 system and OC'd to 3240 mhz.  Below are some cinebench scores from the e4300, 4800x2 and opteron 170.  The big downer is that the 4300 was the cheapest chip and is the most powerful.  I would suggest BIY and overclocking. -G

Personally, I think overclocking is nuts. Then again, I can't afford to willy nilly replace CPUs, due to an error on my part.

With my income and budget, it will take me 2.5 to 3 years to acquire all the parts for a dual dualcore Opteron workstation.

I am currently in the parts acquisition process of building an AM2 dualcore, which will be running XP Pro 32 bit Retail, and I won't assemble it, until I have all of the parts.

I will take performance as is on both.