Buying A New Computer

[---]

I know this isn't a "tech" forum, but I decided to ask here because alot of you guys use your computers for the same things I do, so some of you may be able to tell me straight off what it is and isn't capable of. I don't have a big budget, I am going to sell my current computer and my mum is going to lend me about $400 that she hasn't used from her student loan, so hopefully it will almost cover the costs of the computer.

Anyway, the computer is listed on an "EBay" type site and was custom built by a systems engineer (who is the seller). The auction closes this Saturday so hopefully I can get the money together by then.

Heres the specs:

3.2 GHz (Athlon XP 3200+ with Thermaltake fan)
1 GB RAM (DDR400)
Asus 7800GS Graphics Card
120 GB Hard drive
A7N8X NForce2 Motherboard
Phillips 170B4 LCD Monitor

The startng price is $500 and he has a buy now price of $1000. All I am looking to do is use Photoshop and play NBA Live, other than that just normal things like use it for school, internet, etc. My current computer is an Acer Aspire T300 (512MB RAM, 2.4 GHz, Radeon 9800 PRO) and I run NBA Live 2005 on medium settings at like 13 FPS.

So, do you think this computer is worth it?

For the Americans, NZ$1000 is US$682

Thanks

[Sparks]

For games it looks like it'll run well. And yeah photoshop easily.
For NBA Live 07, mine runs smoothly on full settings with 1GB Ram, about 2 GHz, and just a GeForce 5500. So This should definately do the job for you.
Not a bad price too.
I'm no expert by the way, so my opinion is only a minor one.

[Patr1ck]

Well at 682 US dollars, it sounds good. Remember it is used, though.

My philosophy on upgrading is never to get a brand new or top of the line system, but I think you should go for a better processor like an Athlon64 or FX. But, for how you use your computer, and the money issue, that will be a damn fine system. Live will run on max settins, Photoshop will be faster, etc.

I have an Athlon XP 2500+ overclocked to 3200+ speeds. I also have 1 gig of ram(DDR400), and an Abit AN7 Nforce2 motherboard.

[---]

Great. Thanks for the input guys, I just hope I can get my current computer sold off quick so I don't let this one slip. The reason I am going for a used one is because:

A) Its cheaper

B) Since the guy has been constantly upgrading it, he has probably solved all the issues that I would come across with a brand new computer

Thanks again guys

By the way, would anyone be able to take a stab at what my computer should sell for? (I can't find any similar computers to judge from)

512 MB RAM
2.4 GHz Celeron
40 GB Hard Drive
15" LCD Screen

I am not sure on the rest of the specs, everything but the RAM and the Power Supply is stock. As I said, its an Acer Aspire T300.

[[Q]]

link to the ebay page?

at first it sounded like a rip-off, but you're getting a monitor too so it's not so bad.

[---]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=90290252

TradeMe = NZ eBay

Just remember the exchange rate, NZ$1000 = US$682

[Patr1ck]

I can't bother to do conversions so when I say dollars I'm talking US. This is more opinion on what I would do looking at how much these things go for on the net.

The LCD screen is probably the most valuable, depending on the quality and brand you should be able to get between 100 and 200.
The Celeron is worth ~35 new, so say 30.
40 GB HDD, a dollar per gig.
The RAM could be anything from 25-80.
accessories, just add like 25-50 bucks.
Radeon 9800 Pro this thing can go for alot. I think it can be softmodded to an XT or somethign. I say 100 minimum, its a good card.

So try to sell it for 350-450 US$.

(Yes you will be raping your customer, if you prefer to sodomize instead, 250-350.)

Its probably worth a bare minimum of 200 with the videocard and monitor alone.

[ixcuincle]

good deal , although i was able to get the current computer i have now for around 300. Plus the monitor that's 400 US total.

specs for the 300 dollar rig
- 1 gig ram
- AMD athlon 64 processor 3500+ 1.77 Ghz
- 200 gb harddrive
- dvd / cd burner

[Patr1ck]

Damn, take a look at this. It looks better and cheaper, and it's new. Not sure if they ship to NZ though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMD-ATHLON-64-3200- ... dZViewItem

[---]

Hmm, its US$420, thats pretty damn cheap. Problem is, I need to buy all this:

Screen (LCD): $150
Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers: $22
Windows XP: $100
Shipping: $100+ (If shipping within US at cheapest is $49, NZ has got to be $100+)

Final estimated price: $792+ (NZ$1,161+)

Also, I think I have to change something with the power because our power sockets are different. Its just out of my price range, and I haven't seen anything that says they would ship it here. NZ is so far behind other countries in terms of technology

Thanks for the feedback on my current computer, if I can sell it for $600 then the student loan will cover the computer costs + shipping. God damn I hope my computer sells before someone buys the one I'm looking at

[BigKaboom2]

I don't think any of the computers in this thread are really worth the price. Best bet is to build one or find a nerdy friend to do it. The one you originally posted has an ancient processor and motherboard, and isn't very upgradeable.

[Lean]

3.2 GHz (Athlon XP 3200+ with Thermaltake fan)
1 GB RAM (DDR400)
Asus 7800GS Graphics Card
120 GB Hard drive
A7N8X NForce2 Motherboard
Phillips 170B4 LCD Monitor

This one rocks. Though Especially the processor. I was about to comment that you could run Vista on this one.

Anyway, CRT

[[Q]]

yeah I dunno. I tihnk intel's Duo Core 2 is the only way to go nowadays

[---]

I don't think any of the computers in this thread are really worth the price. Best bet is to build one or find a nerdy friend to do it. The one you originally posted has an ancient processor and motherboard, and isn't very upgradeable.

As long as its a decent upgrade from my computer that runs like a slideshow, I'm a happy man. I'm in the position where I'm close to finishing school, and when I move out I will be buying a new computer (probably a mac because I will most likely go to NatColl design college) so this one is like a computer I use in a "transition" period. This is just something that does the job for a couple years before I end up buying my main computer.

This one rocks. Though Especially the processor. I was about to comment that you could run Vista on this one.

Your making me excited

yeah I dunno. I tihnk intel's Duo Core 2 is the only way to go nowadays

One thing about listening to the opinions of people in the US, I seem to forget that you guys are leaps and bounds ahead of us as far as technology is concerned. Computers here are more expensive, broadband isn't exactly broadband, phones are far behind, etc. I think that the computer will do the job for what I need to do.

Guess what? I managed to swing a deal with the guy and he gave me it for NZ$800 (US$543)

I'm very happy and can't wait for it to arrive

Thanks for the input everyone, I wouldn't of made the decision without your opinions.

[diddy]

Flite_23, man, u could play 07 on your comp easely! anyway, i'm telling u it's better to by new system block by parts! i've
2.9 GHz Celeron D
1 GB ram (DDR400)
radeon 9550 128 mb
100 GB Hard drive
Asus don'trememberthemark motherboard!
and live runs like --> --> arrows, know what i'm saying!(i'm playn' on max setting always!)
so if u wanna play live u should get ram, and may be new videocard, cuz next live could be next gen!

[Lean]

Yeah, honestly. That processor is so fast it could burn your house.

[---]

I don't know whether your joking or not because you are calling it fast and BK2 called it ancient? I'm confused and to be honest getting a little worried

[BigKaboom2]

Those processors (Athlon XP) came out around 2003, which is certifiably ancient by today's technology standards.

[Patr1ck]

Flite, don't worry. The computer you had must have been messed up in some way or another to be running Live 2005 at 13 fps. Since you have already made the deal, don't have second thoughts. The desktop you are buying will destroy what you are using right now. You will also be able to run more visually enhanced games for a while without having to upgrade for a while, depending on what types of games you play.

My opinion is that it is better to upgrade piece by piece, or buy each part seperately and build your own computer.

[3P]

My opinion is that it is better to upgrade piece by piece, or buy each part seperately and build your own computer.

Building a computer isn't so easy. Still it is nice, my cousin built a few computers and they are better and cheaper (not counting what the labor is worth).

[Lean]

That processor is fast, coz I have AMD Sempron 2400+ at 1.4 GHz. So if BK2 considers it ancient, what would he say about mine? Jurassic?

[DatYellowGuy]

My opinion is that it is better to upgrade piece by piece, or buy each part seperately and build your own computer.

Building a computer isn't so easy. Still it is nice, my cousin built a few computers and they are better and cheaper (not counting what the labor is worth).

Building a computer is actually pretty easy and a lot cheaper. Basically you just fit plugs and it's almost fool-proof. The hardest part is probably mounting the CPU fan if you have capacitors and crap around the CPU.

[3.14159]

Heres the specs:

3.2 GHz (Athlon XP 3200+ with Thermaltake fan)
1 GB RAM (DDR400)
Asus 7800GS Graphics Card
120 GB Hard drive
A7N8X NForce2 Motherboard
Phillips 170B4 LCD Monitor

i dunno if you already bought the comp but the 3.2ghz in Athlon 3200+ is just wrong man. normally athlon 3200+ is running @ 2.20ghz so base on the specs it means the owner have overclock it 1ghz more?

but if you say that your just using it to play live and do photoshop then the rig is fine but if your planning to upgrade it later to play newer games, well not so much hope for that. DDR is at the end of the line since DDR2 came out. the 7800GS vid is cool though.

anyway you can still play current games with it. just dont install vista in it.

[---]

I have bought it, but it is yet to arrive. It was listed in the 3Ghz and over category, and it said 3.2GHz. If its really only 2.2GHz I'm gonna be pissed and he can have his computer back. That would be false advertising right?

I hope I don' regret buying this...

[3.14159]

well, knowing AMD even if its 2.2ghz it still at par with pentium 3.2ghz.

just hope that its not really 3.2ghz coz from what i heard Athlon 3200+ is not that overclock friendly compared to 2500+ to 3000+