Home Systems April 2003

<B>Intro</B>:

Our Bi-monthly system builders guide has returned! You already have seen that gaming systems, so now it is time for the home ones. Home systems are different than gaming, just by the fact that at home, you want a system that does more than play games. It should burn CDs, rip music, and be fast enough to provide entertainment value. Without further intro, read on for the home systems for April 2003!

<B>Case</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>I also used <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=11-154-021&DEPA=0">this case</a> just like the gaming rig, it is cheaper than the last home budget system and it is a better PSU. I'm not worried about getting a cool modded case, it is for home after all. You'll spend a scant $33.99 on this one.</td></tr></table>

<B>Motherboard</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>A motherboard is the most important aspect of a computer, we don't want a bad one going in any system. I'll be chosing an AMD based motherboard for the budget system again. An all in one motherboard is perfect for this type of system. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=13-127-150">Abit's NF7-M has everything</a>. And I mean everything. Even though it does have everything, it has expansion slots for all your upgrading needs. $126 from Newegg.</td></tr></table>

<B>CPU</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>An AMD motherboard requires an AMD CPU. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=19-103-336">An Athlon 2400+ is perfect</a>. Speedy at 2 Ghz, and it is the new Tbred B stepping (if you wanted to dabble in overclocking). It comes with a heatsink and fan, but you can get a better one is you want. $105 at Newegg.</td></tr></table>

<B>Memory</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>Hot deals abound. For $52 a stick of <a href="http://www.hotdlz.com/deal/6f156eaca301a8a9c96756fd6ea1352e/">512MB of Crucial memory</a> is just what you need. Great stuff at a good price. </td></tr></table>

<B>Video Card</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td>Cheap and easy, onboard video.</tr></table>

<B>Optical & Magnetic Storage</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td>Home systems require a DVD player and a CDRW for burning stuff. Remember, we look for the best deals around.<a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=18&threadid=174229">Fatwallet has it</a>. A 120GB drive and a 48x CDRW for $40, how can you go wrong. Newegg has the <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=27-131-112">Lite-On DVD drive for you</a>. It costs $38. You absolutely can't beat this deal.</td></tr></table>


<B>Monitor</B>:
<table><tr><td></td><td>17 inch ViewSonic Monitor. Click <a href="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50179898&pfp=BROWSE">here</a> from CompUSA for a price of $135.48</td></tr></table>

<B>Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers</B>:

<table><tr><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td>Altec Lansing AVS500w are nice 4.1 speakers on the cheap. Good quality, and the price is right at $35.18 (CompUSA +tax). You also need a mouse and keyboard so go for the Logitech cordless elite duo from Office Max for a price of $49.99. Network card is onboard. Sound is onboard. Like I said, that board has everything.<td></tr></table>

<B>OS</B>:

Linux is free, but <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=37-102-014&DEPA=6">Windows XP Home</a> will run you $93 at Newegg.


<b>Summary</b><br/><br/>

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (2GHZ) $105<br/>
Abit NF7-M $126<br/>
Case + 400Watt PSU $33.99<br/>
Crucial 512MB $52<br/>
OfficeMax Deal CDrw + 120GB $40 (+tax)<br/>
Liteon DVD $38<br/>
Logitech Elite Duo $49.99<br/>
Speakers $35.18 (+tax)<br/>
17inch Viewsonic Monitor $135.48 (+tax)<br/>
WinXP Home $93<br/><br/>
Pretty Impressive, good stuff for a budget system.<br/><br/>
Total: ~$720 After rebates. Awesome.