Page 2: Mid Range
<B>Midrange</B>:
For the midrange system, we've got basically a $1200 or lower budget, so let's pick and choose parts from the budget system to upgrade. The things that come to mind are the Hard Drive and Video Card, and the input devices. We'll see what we can do with another $400.
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>We'll keep the same case. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-125-406&DEPA=1">This case</a>. It is a Chenming ATX-301KB-A w/380W PowerSupply. Once again, it is $54 shipped with a PSU.</td></tr></table>
<B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>I choose the <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=1">Abit NF7</a>, a nForce 2 solution without built in graphics. The board provides LAN and sound, all for a nice price of $106. You can save some money by going with a cheaper board, but the stability of the nForce is good. Since the nForce 2 is good in quality, we'll keep it with the midrange system</td></tr></table>
<B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Since we want a bit more speed, a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-334&depa=0">2200+ Throroughbred retail</a> CPU is your best bet. It comes with a heatsink and fan for $117. For another $15 you can get a better heatsink/fan, the Volcano 7 (which is what I use right now), but you shouldn't need to.</td></tr></table>
<B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>There are many types of memory and many different speeds. Even though the CPU that goes with this system is only 266Mhz FSB, we'll use 333Mhz RAM for headroom. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=20-145-056&depa=0">We'll use 2x 256MB sticks of PC2700 Crucial memory is enough to power that system of yours</a>. The cost is only $47.99 x2, and most likely will be going down in price also.</td></tr></table>
<B>Video Card</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>With the extra money, a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-102-256&depa=0">Radeon 9500 Pro</a> will give you the best bang for the buck. It has everything an ATI card should have plus amazing 3D speed. All this for $197.</td></tr></table>
<B>Optical Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A home system should be an entertainment center, not just a computer. I choose to buy a DVD and a CDRW drive in this system, and still keep the price low. Rebates are your friend though. Staples has a Buslink (which are usually Lite-On drives) <a href="http://instorespecials.staples.com/staples/listing_detail.asp?listingid=-2098682179&storeid=2279028&offerid=">52x CDRW drive</a> on sale for $19.98 (+tax) after a $50 rebate. For the DVD Drive, you can't beat the quality of a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-109&depa=0">Lite-On 16x</a>. This one is priced at $44. Same as the budget system</td></tr></table>
<B>Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A nice jump is space is needed. You should get a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=22-144-122&depa=0">Western Digital 80GB 8MB </a> drive. It is $107.</td></tr></table>
<B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A monitor is very important for a home system. You'll want a nice and flat CRT for a midrange system. <a href="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product%5Fcode=50123522&csearch=&cmid=&pfp=srch1">This NEC Accusync 95F 19inch</a> is perfect for a home system. NEC has great quality monitors. You can pick this up at CompUSA for $237.07 (+tax).</td></tr></table>
<B>Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>
</td><td> 
</td><td>We'll keep the same AVS500w speakers, but we'll up the keyboard and mouse to the Logitech Cordless Elite Duo, which I use right now. I notice no delay in the mouse and it is simply the best keyboard I've ever had.</td></tr></table>
<B>OS</B>:
If you want my recommendation, I'd say Linux. In fact, I have Lycoris on one of my boxes and it handles everything nicely, Open Office and MP3, movies and more. That's free! But you'll probably want <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=37-102-014&depa=0">Windows XP Home</a> for another $97 at Newegg.
<B>Summary</B>:
Chenming ATX-301KB-A w/380W PowerSupply $54
Abit NF7 $106
Athlon XP 2200+ Retail $117
Crucial 2x 256MB PC2700 $95.98
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro $197
Buslink 52x CDRW $69.98 -$50 rebate (+tax)
Lite On 16x DVD $44
WD 80GB 8MB $107
NEC Accusync 95F 19inch $237.07 (+tax)
AVS500w $35.18 (+tax)
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo ~$50-99 (depends on where you get it) (+tax)
WinXP Home $97
Total: Before Rebates: $1153.21 +Tax - $26.47 - $50 Rebate = $1129.68 A nice price for a great system.
For the midrange system, we've got basically a $1200 or lower budget, so let's pick and choose parts from the budget system to upgrade. The things that come to mind are the Hard Drive and Video Card, and the input devices. We'll see what we can do with another $400.
<B>Case</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>We'll keep the same case. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-125-406&DEPA=1">This case</a>. It is a Chenming ATX-301KB-A w/380W PowerSupply. Once again, it is $54 shipped with a PSU.</td></tr></table><B>Motherboard</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>I choose the <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=1">Abit NF7</a>, a nForce 2 solution without built in graphics. The board provides LAN and sound, all for a nice price of $106. You can save some money by going with a cheaper board, but the stability of the nForce is good. Since the nForce 2 is good in quality, we'll keep it with the midrange system</td></tr></table><B>CPU</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>Since we want a bit more speed, a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=19-103-334&depa=0">2200+ Throroughbred retail</a> CPU is your best bet. It comes with a heatsink and fan for $117. For another $15 you can get a better heatsink/fan, the Volcano 7 (which is what I use right now), but you shouldn't need to.</td></tr></table><B>Memory</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>There are many types of memory and many different speeds. Even though the CPU that goes with this system is only 266Mhz FSB, we'll use 333Mhz RAM for headroom. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=20-145-056&depa=0">We'll use 2x 256MB sticks of PC2700 Crucial memory is enough to power that system of yours</a>. The cost is only $47.99 x2, and most likely will be going down in price also.</td></tr></table><B>Video Card</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>With the extra money, a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=14-102-256&depa=0">Radeon 9500 Pro</a> will give you the best bang for the buck. It has everything an ATI card should have plus amazing 3D speed. All this for $197.</td></tr></table><B>Optical Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A home system should be an entertainment center, not just a computer. I choose to buy a DVD and a CDRW drive in this system, and still keep the price low. Rebates are your friend though. Staples has a Buslink (which are usually Lite-On drives) <a href="http://instorespecials.staples.com/staples/listing_detail.asp?listingid=-2098682179&storeid=2279028&offerid=">52x CDRW drive</a> on sale for $19.98 (+tax) after a $50 rebate. For the DVD Drive, you can't beat the quality of a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=27-131-109&depa=0">Lite-On 16x</a>. This one is priced at $44. Same as the budget system</td></tr></table><B>Magnetic Storage</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A nice jump is space is needed. You should get a <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=22-144-122&depa=0">Western Digital 80GB 8MB </a> drive. It is $107.</td></tr></table><B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td>A monitor is very important for a home system. You'll want a nice and flat CRT for a midrange system. <a href="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product%5Fcode=50123522&csearch=&cmid=&pfp=srch1">This NEC Accusync 95F 19inch</a> is perfect for a home system. NEC has great quality monitors. You can pick this up at CompUSA for $237.07 (+tax).</td></tr></table><B>Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers</B>:
<table><tr><td>
</td><td></td><td> </td><td>We'll keep the same AVS500w speakers, but we'll up the keyboard and mouse to the Logitech Cordless Elite Duo, which I use right now. I notice no delay in the mouse and it is simply the best keyboard I've ever had.</td></tr></table><B>OS</B>:
If you want my recommendation, I'd say Linux. In fact, I have Lycoris on one of my boxes and it handles everything nicely, Open Office and MP3, movies and more. That's free! But you'll probably want <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=37-102-014&depa=0">Windows XP Home</a> for another $97 at Newegg.
<B>Summary</B>:
Chenming ATX-301KB-A w/380W PowerSupply $54
Abit NF7 $106
Athlon XP 2200+ Retail $117
Crucial 2x 256MB PC2700 $95.98
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro $197
Buslink 52x CDRW $69.98 -$50 rebate (+tax)
Lite On 16x DVD $44
WD 80GB 8MB $107
NEC Accusync 95F 19inch $237.07 (+tax)
AVS500w $35.18 (+tax)
Logitech Cordless Elite Duo ~$50-99 (depends on where you get it) (+tax)
WinXP Home $97
Total: Before Rebates: $1153.21 +Tax - $26.47 - $50 Rebate = $1129.68 A nice price for a great system.