Is this computer a good deal? [Archive]

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 09:10 PM

My hard drive on my old (1996) Toshiba 166 MHz computer is going bad (had numberous cross linked files, which is why it crapped under scandisk).

Anyway, I have decided to get a new computer. My company IT guy recommended the following computer. What is your opinion?

Systemax Venture C20
VIA P4M266 Chipset - 7-bay Mid-Tower Chassis w/ 300 w power supply
Intel Celteron Processor 1.7 GHz with 128k Cache
258 MB PC 133 SDRAM
20 BG Ultra ATA (5400 rpm) hard Drive
Integrated AGP graphics
48x12x48 CDRW drive
Integrated 10/100 network adaptor
Cyber Acoustics 2016 Speakers
Intergrated Audio, keboard, mouse, WinXP home edition, 1 yr warranty.

All of this for $26.21 + $51.99 s&h

Is this a good deal??

Thanks for your advise...Greybeard

minipol

February 28th, 2003, 09:22 PM

Greybeard, it depends on what you will be doing with it. Also, does it come with warranty?

Wardad

February 28th, 2003, 09:24 PM

$26.21??? why the S&H is double that!!!

If the above price is correct, I do not see a value problem here.

GreyBeard,
Actually, I do not like VIA (bad experience), Celeron (lightweight), or Integrated Graphics.
You may find your system is too slow to play most 3D games.
Most integrated graphics are generations behind.

I do like MSI motherBoards. Reliable and well supported.
I do like nVidia GeForce graphic chips. But.. buy the card from a reliable name brand.
MSI does have integrated graphics based on the GeForce 2 chips. So I would make an exception here.

[ February 28, 2003, 19:39: Message edited by: Wardad ]

Cirvol

February 28th, 2003, 09:27 PM

lol, if you're serious... and you can trust this guy - then its a good deal

i assume that cost is a big issue, otherwise you'd be getting a new, real rig?

its amazing what you can get for 500 bux these days - nice new system - with decent cpu and ram etc etc http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by Wardad:
$26.21??? why the S&H is double that!!!I'm not sure why the shipping is so high, but the e-mail they sent to Andy said that's their standard rate for a tower. I thought it was high too, but I won't pay sales tax. Am looking at the total cost. Do you think it is reasonable or not?

Thanks...Greybeard

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by Cirvol:
lol, if you're serious... and you can trust this guy - then its a good deal

i assume that cost is a big issue, otherwise you'd be getting a new, real rig?

its amazing what you can get for 500 bux these days - nice new system - with decent cpu and ram etc etc http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I bought top of the line in 1996, for $2700!!! This time, I just want something adequate for home use, internet, word-processing, games, etc.

I trust Andy; he seems to know his stuff and has bought from this company before. However, I have only worked at this company for 10 weeks and don't know him real well.

Greybeard

Zarix

February 28th, 2003, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by Greybeard:

All of this for $26.21 + $51.99 s&h
All that for 78 dollars!?!?!

Cirvol

February 28th, 2003, 09:38 PM

greybeard, is this guy selling a lot of used systems like this?

lol, i could pick up a few if its for real

Wardad

February 28th, 2003, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by Greybeard:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Wardad:
$26.21??? why the S&H is double that!!!I'm not sure why the shipping is so high, but the e-mail they sent to Andy said that's their standard rate for a tower. I thought it was high too, but I won't pay sales tax. Am looking at the total cost. Do you think it is reasonable or not?

Thanks...Greybeard<hr /></blockquote>It sounds like your buying a used system.

Is that $26.21 a month?

[ February 28, 2003, 19:44: Message edited by: Wardad ]

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by Cirvol:
greybeard, is this guy selling a lot of used systems like this?

lol, i could pick up a few if its for realThis is out of the Global Computer catalog. I think that I got a small price break because of our IT guy's relationship with them and previous orders. Their web site is globalcomputer.com. You can order a catalog there or price a new sustem if you wish....Greybeard

Wardad

February 28th, 2003, 09:47 PM

I found this on the WEB:

Systemax Venture LP C20 988132 $499.00
Intel Celeron Processor 2.0 GHz with 128K Cache

128MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM Memory

20GB Ultra ATA (5400rpm) Hard Drive

56x (max) CD ROM Drive

I bet the price you see in Global Computing is for leasing.
$26.61 a month. Lease to own, trade up ecetera....

[ February 28, 2003, 19:50: Message edited by: Wardad ]

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 09:49 PM

Originally posted by Greybeard:

All of this for $26.21 + $51.99 s&h

Is this a good deal??

Thanks for your advise...GreybeardSorry for the earlier mistake. I must be daft. I didn't even get it when you posted my mistake. The cost is really $516.21 + $51.99 s&h. I messed up the price when I went back to put in the dollar sign.

So now, my question remains, is this a good deal...Greybeard

Wardad

February 28th, 2003, 09:57 PM

Ok For that kind of money it is a fair deal,
BUT... your saddled with some poor choices my friend.

check out: http://www.pcclub.com/systems_desktops.cfm

Lightweights:
AMD Duron i$ much better than Intel Celeron.

Heavy Weights:
I like Athlon better than Pentium.

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by Wardad:
[QB]Ok For that kind of money it is a fair deal,
BUT... your saddled with some poor choices my friend.QB]What would you suggest? I might be willing to spend more, if it will give me a better system. The urgency is off, because I am going to use my old system for a short time after reformatting the C: drive. Hope it Lasts a week or so, so I can play my turns =|%^)>...Greybeard

Cirvol

February 28th, 2003, 10:12 PM

nforce2 mobo with built in graphics/net/sound = 100 bux
xp 1700+ (.13 micron Version) = 70 bux
256meg ddr 2700 = 40 bux
case = 50 bux

and thats it if you want http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif
(assume your monitor/cd/dvd/floppy etc is good)

are you in the uk or us?
if usa, then get the stuff from newegg.com (imho, best Online place for computers)

tesco samoa

February 28th, 2003, 10:17 PM

that is a good deal for 80 dollars...

Wardad

February 28th, 2003, 10:22 PM

GreyBeard,

There is a PC Club near me. They seem to stock good stuff. Their Duron and Athlon systems seem good to me. I wish the Web Site specified the Hard Drive and motherboard brand name, and gave more info on Duron integrated graphics. I can always stop by and look at them or phone them.

I have not bought a PC since 95. But I have upgraded the hard drive twice, the mother board thrice, the sound card twice, the mouse 4 times, the keyboard once, the CD thrice, the CD-RW once, the floppy once, the monitor once, the case once, the power supply once, the ram thrice, the speakers once, the modem thrice, the operating system thrice, and the video card 4 times.
I still have the original power cord and desk. Next month the desk goes.

Greybeard

February 28th, 2003, 10:30 PM

I can get the Athlon processor with this deal too. I'm not sure how much more it will be, but I agree that's a better processor.

Is there anything else I should consider as a minimum to include? Or, is the rest of the system adequate in your opinion?

What I don't want to do is buy a computer at BestBuy or CompUSA. I could also upgrade components in my existing tower, but the cost is almost as much as a new system at this point.

I appreciate all of the advise you experts can offer...Greybeard

Zarix

February 28th, 2003, 10:43 PM

For home use, internet and word prosessing your components are fine. Games on the other hand demand more. A good 3d card costs about 100 dollars but it won't be very good after a year. With a 166 MHz you aren't currently playing any new games so a 3d card might not be worth the money for you. If you want to be on the safe side make sure that your motherboard has a AGP slot with 4x speed. That way you can decide about 3d cards later.

One thing I suggest you change is the hard drive. 40 GB hard drive costs only a little more than a 20 GB one. In a local shop the cheapest 20 GB drive is 74 euros and the cheapest 40 GB drive 84 euros.

minipol

February 28th, 2003, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by Greybeard:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Cirvol:
lol, if you're serious... and you can trust this guy - then its a good deal

i assume that cost is a big issue, otherwise you'd be getting a new, real rig?

its amazing what you can get for 500 bux these days - nice new system - with decent cpu and ram etc etc http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I bought top of the line in 1996, for $2700!!! This time, I just want something adequate for home use, internet, word-processing, games, etc.

I trust Andy; he seems to know his stuff and has bought from this company before. However, I have only worked at this company for 10 weeks and don't know him real well.

Greybeard<hr /></blockquote>For this purpose, it would be enough provided you are not interested in heavy duty graphical games because that integrated graphics unit will not like those games.

rdouglass

February 28th, 2003, 11:05 PM

I have purchased a lot of very reasonably-priced hardware from TigerDirect (http://www.tigerdirect.com ). Mostly new - some refurbs. Very reliable, well known, and a good selection of gamer hardware.

Usually need to provide your own OS. I'm a satisfied customer at least 30 times over... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Spoo

February 28th, 2003, 11:47 PM

edit: hehe, forgot to read second page of this post. nevermind.

[ February 28, 2003, 21:49: Message edited by: Spoo ]

Gryphin

March 1st, 2003, 12:56 AM

I run a 600 Mhz system with 128MB RAM, a 20 gig hardrive, on board video, ...
SE IV is the most intensive thing I do. It does not give me enough time to refill my coffee during a mid game turn resolution.
So unless you are doing graphics intensive play or work I'd say those specs are more than enough.

The other programs that make me wait are:
Doga L2, (CPU / Graphic Card intensive), DavigG's Modder program when looking at Quad Mod systems, (hard drive and memory intensive), and any large program while it is loading.

I can't speak for the qualty of the components you mention.

rextorres

March 1st, 2003, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Wardad:
GreyBeard,

There is a PC Club near me. They seem to stock good stuff. Their Duron and Athlon systems seem good to me. I wish the Web Site specified the Hard Drive and motherboard brand name, and gave more info on Duron integrated graphics. I can always stop by and look at them or phone them.

I have not bought a PC since 95. But I have upgraded the hard drive twice, the mother board thrice, the sound card twice, the mouse 4 times, the keyboard once, the CD thrice, the CD-RW once, the floppy once, the monitor once, the case once, the power supply once, the ram thrice, the speakers once, the modem thrice, the operating system thrice, and the video card 4 times.
I still have the original power cord and desk. Next month the desk goes.Sounds like the story of the farmer who still has his Great Grandfather's Axe. The handle has been changed twice and the blade only once.