I have to build a computer for my CIS 211 class, but, I am also interested in one for myself. This is my idea below. What do you think about it? Also, anyone know where I can get a good deal on a monitor? (or better deal than you see below)

Mother Board: Leadtek K7NCR18D Pro
• Chip Set is NForce 2.
• Built in Audio
• Built in LAN 10/100
• 4 USB on the back
Price $85
Details:
This specific mother board is meant to use with double RAM sticks. Specifically, it will use one stick for one program, and then initialize another stick to use it on a different program.
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Processor
Details:
Blazing performance. Proven reliability.
133 Front Side Bus.
Price $92

Memory: DDR 512 x 2
• 512 PC 2700
• 512 PC 2700
Price: $85 x 2 = 170
Details:
The Leadtek motherboard recommends the use of dual ram sticks. PC 2700 has the performance, with a better priced ratio than the 3200. Reason for 1024 MB Ram is because I plan to be using a lot of graphic programs as well as running dual monitors at a later date.
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon 9200
Price: $70.00
Details:
The Radeon 9200 uses 128MB of 200MHz DDR SDRAM and is powered by a 250MHz Radeon 9200 GPU.
Tower: Silver Inner Max
• 4 5.25 in base CD Rom Slots
• 2 3.5s (Floppy’s)
• 2 For hard drives
• 2 USB on the front
• 350 Watts
Price: $69
Details:
Inner Max's Silver brings a sleek look to your tower. Having 2 built in USB slots on the front, and a reliable 350 watts Power Supply, this would be the better tower for someone who is looking for stability and a good look. Most of all, this model is very easy to build and maintain.

Tower: Black Liteon MT950
• 4 5.25 in base CD Rom Slots
• 2 3.5s (Floppy’s)
• 2 For hard drives
• 2 USB on the front
• 300 Watts
Price: $55
Details:
This less expensive model is meant for a home user who does not have a preference on their tower. Still having a nice look, this tower will offer you the same space, with a little less wattage.

Tower: DynaPower's Black D58
• 4 5.25 in base CD Rom Slots
• 2 3.5s (Floppy’s)
• 2 For hard drives
• 2 USB on the front
• 430 Watts
Price: $33
Details:
Going for the least expensive tower, the DynaPower D58 would be the best way to go. Offering the same structure as the Liteon, the D58 also comes with a 430 watt power supply- more than enough for the average user.

Mouse: Optical Logitech with Scroll button.
Price: $15
Details:
A smooth gliding optimal mouse for the use of USB or PS2. Glides across most surfaces. Tracks motion optically without a ball. And comes with a three button customizable scroll wheel.

Keyboard: Logitech Internet Office Keyboard.
Price: $16
Details:
Containing many features such as: Save time online and on the desktop. Quickly scroll and switch applications. Get comfortable with ultra-flat Zero-Degree Tilt design. Access favorite web sites, directories, and applications with one-touch function keys. Control audio and video directly from the keyboard. Customize keyboard features with powerful iTouch® software

Monitor: CTX Model #PL7
Price: $112
Details:
Size: 17" Invar Shadow Mask FST (16" Viewable Image Size)
Dot Pitch: 0.27mm Pitch Aperture Grille (Center)
Screen: ARAG® Screen Treatment
Max Resolution: 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz
Dimensions: (WxHxD) 16.2'' x 16.4'' x 16.3''
User Controls: Front Panel Controls: Power On/Off, Key1, Key2, Up, Down, Exit, Degauss, On-Screen Menu Controls: Brightness/Contrast, H/V Position, H/V Size, Rotation, Pincushion, Trapezoid, Parallelogram, OSD Off-Time Set Up (20 Sec) Reset, Multi-language, Recall, Key Lock, Self-diagnosis System Color Adjustment (3 setting modes), Pin-Corner (preset) Input Freq. Display, Fre. Out of Range Alarm, Convergence.

Floppy Disk: Regular Floppy
Price: $12
Details:
Basic 3.5 floppy drive compatible with the Leadtek Pro Motherboard.

DVD CD-Rom: Micro Star International D16
Price: $36
Details:
• 16x DVD Reading
• Support CD-ROM, VCD, Photo CD, Karaoke CD, CD-R and CD-RW
• Low Vibration Mechanism, Support Power Save Mode
• 21600 KB/s speed for DVD-ROM, 7200 KB/s speed for CD-ROM
• Power DVD Software

CD-RW: Micro Star International CR52-M (MS-8352M)
Price: $45
Details:
• 52x Writing, 32x Rewriting, 52x Reading
• BURN-Proof Prevents Buffer Under Run
• EXACT-Rec Monitors Accuracy of Writing
• 2MB Buffer, Compatible with MS-DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000
• NERO Burning Software, Audio Cable

Speakers: Altec Lansing AVS200
Price: $15
Details:
Dynamic, full-range drivers. You will get the full spectrum of sound and enhance your listening environment. Features build in controls with power on/off and master volume. This model connects directly to your computer, as well as video gaming systems, portable CD players, MP3 players, PCs and other audio devices.
Dimensions are: 4.25" (W) x 4.3" (D) x 7" (H)

56k Modem: Regular Modem
Price: $13
Details: For dialup users, a modem can be added on as optional(note a network card is already installed on the motherboard for broadband users).

Pre-installed Software:

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Price: $150
Details:
Windows XP Professional integrates the strengths of Windows 2000 Professional, such as standards-based security, manageability, and reliability, with the best business features of Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition, such as Plug and Play, simplified user interface, and innovative support services. This combination creates the best desktop operating system for business. Whether your business deploys Windows XP Professional on a single computer or throughout a worldwide network, this new operating system increases your computing power while lowering cost of ownership for desktop computers.
- OR -
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Price: $95
Details:
The Windows XP Home Edition operating system offers a number of new features that help you work smarter and connect faster to the Internet and with others. And the rock-solid dependability of Windows XP lets you work and play with more confidence than ever.

Microsoft Office XP Standard:
Price $188
Details:
Office XP Standard includes the core Office XP programs—Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook®, and PowerPoint®.

Microsoft Office XP Professional:
Price: $325
Details:
In addition to the core Office XP programs—Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook®, and PowerPoint®— Office XP Professional includes Microsoft Access 2002, the Office XP database solution that helps users store, access, and analyze their data.

Let me know what you think.

I understand that you have to build a computer, but how do you get a mark with it? Is it the cheapest for the specification or quality of components etc?
If your looking for amazing specs for a motherboard, try the DFI LanParty NF2 Ultra Motherboard

I'm seeing awards for this one all over the shop and its about $159, which is nearly twice the price of yours but hs about $50 of leads.

Another good review Here

If you give us more clues to what your intention for your project is, then it'll help.

Rob

The Software info as well as Tower info is posted because this is a project I need to do for my CIS211 class. It just gives some examples of what you could use. IMO, I will take the Silver Tower, since it is rather large and I will be able to upgrade more hardware easier at a later date.

Its USB 2.0. I wanted something resonably priced, that I can use. I plan to use it for average stuff as well as a console for Visual Studio, Gaming, and Graphic work. (Reason for the 1024 RAM and not the 512)

Good timing Bobby, I read this thread with interest yesterday but couldn't reply until now...

I have also been reading up on the latest computer hardware stuff recently since I am thinking about fixing another PC for myself sometime at the end of the year.

You haven't mentioned anything about the Hard Disk Drives (HDD) - or perhaps I missed it in your post yesterday?

Does anyone know anything about the new, much talked about, Serial ATA (aka SATA) hard disk drives?

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J de Silva
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Oh, its a Western Digital HD. Btw, I would always go with something like a Western Digital, even if you have to pay an extra 20 bucks, the western digital hd are awesome. Plus, their are service happy like Dell.


So, do you think the prices listed are good? Mainly I am wondering if I could find a monitor for like $75 or so....