Is Anyone willing to Help a computer Newbie?

[Duong]

Hello everyone I am new to computers and is planning to buy one in the next month. My mom gave me sometime to do research to see which computers would be good to buy. She uses the internet for the stock market.

The computer that i'm aiming at is the Gateway Performance 500.
-Intel 500mhz Pentium III Processor with 512k Cache
-128MB 100mhz SDram
-Ev700 (17' monitor, 15.9 viewable)
-16mb nVidia "Riva TNT" AGP Graphics
13.5GB 7200 RPM ATA hard drive with UATA 66 controller
-6x DVD ROM/ 3.5 Diskette
-SoundBlaster AudioPCI 64D
-US Robotics 56k 3 VOice Winmodem
-APC Pro8T2 Surge Protector
-Mid Tower Case
-Keyboard and mouse
-Windows 98
-Warranty
-year 2000 compliant
- and some software programs

this is ranged at $2,137.

Now my question is about the Graphics Card, is the riva tnt a 3dfx card? or is it something else. the vendor said that i could get a voodoo banshee in place of it. But i never heard of the banshee b4, all i know of is the voodoo, voodoo 2, and voodoo 3. ANyone have any suggestions to whether what i should get or add on to my list and if the price for this system is too expensive?

If u really want to start a conversation, feel free to e-mail me.

P.S. any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreaciated! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

My best recommendation: Go to a local workshop with your hardware list and you will save some money. Let them build your system with non proprietary design. You will see the difference next year when you are planning to upgrade the components. You always save money building by yourself or at a local workshop.

[Duong]

THe only problem is that i don't know how to build a computer all by myself and where could i get the parts to it? at a store? besides, if i mess up with my comp, no one would be there to fix it, since i won't have a warranty. this is what i'm truly afraid of.

[Ed_S]

That's an AWFUL LOT of machine and money! What are you planning to do that requires so much power? Would strongly recommend you try out a few machines & get a feel for what you're going to do with it. Her usage for internet stock tracking & trading does not require near this much power. Consider a less expensive option & spend the rest on software and extras such as good printer, scanner, etc. They all get expensive, too, for decent units.

On the other hand, it does look like a very well equipped machine for that amount, maybe a bit high, but Gateway has an excellent reputation.

Sorry, can't help with suggestions on 3Dfx video card as I'm not much of a game player.

[socalgal]

I say, if money is no object, then get the best performer you can! Sounds like a nice system, Duong.

I don't know much about video cards either - yet. But there are plenty of threads on them in this Board.

I agree with Antonio though about the non-proprietary system. That way, you won't void the warranty when you crack open the case and upgrades are easier.

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 04-29-99).]

[augidog]

indeed avoid the proprietary machine...the problems you fear as a newbie are inevitable, but more easily overcome on a 'standardized' system.

you would be making a mistake to assume that with a proprietary PC help would always "be there".

[ENVY]

Listen to the words of wisdom that appear before you.These guys are steering you right.
Besides if you run into a problem,just post it here http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

My friend is very simple:
Go to the local workshop with the list of specifications and requirements that you want in your computer. Something like what you published in your previous post. There are good technicians that will give you the right advice. I bet you will save some money.

[G_MAN]

You can get just as good a machine and warranty for a lot less and if you want to spend that much you could get a much better machine from a local computer store that build custom computers. plus if you do it local you can take it to them instead of having to send it to gateway. but if you want to go with a big name company i think you should go with dell. i have heard so many bad things about gateway from friends and associates.

[Roy]

Welcome, Friend!

There are so many home-brew builders, surely you can find one who enjoys "giving back" by helping others. If you were in the Los Angeles area, I'd be spending a few days at your place. (Maybe socalgal would be there too.) Ask around the Orlando bowling alleys, someone who shares your intrerests will respond.

Also, don't rush into it, keep reading and learning. There are enough reviews here at SysOpt to give you the flavor, and this is just one of many similar resources. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

P.S. I like to shop at www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com)

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 04-30-99).]

[Pushrod]

Hi there Duong,
In my opinion, it's a good deal and even better if it's a Dell at that price.

I would ante the sound card to a Sound Blaster Live! for you and you mom.

Will they tell you who's motherboard they use and if they can give you a manual for the motherboard? Can you have your choice in motherboards? How much more for a 19" monitor? What brand the hard drive and the DVD-rom will they install.It might be wise you insist DVD-Rom with good DAE.

One last point. That setup can be a good deal as we speak but may not be by the time you get it if it's mail-order. Time is the essence in computer prices. My friend didn't get his computer for two months due to "unforeseen delays". Comparable computers in stores have dropped $300 by the time he got his. If it's a "takeout" at that price in a local Gateway store,I would go for it if I'm satisfied with the terms I mentioned above and not try to save a couple of hundred bucks having a computer shop build it for me. Sometimes they just get you into trouble, specially if you're new at this.

BUT,
I also agree that you can build your own a lot cheaper though it helps to have one up and running while you do. I recommend that you consider a $1000 setup and then learn to build your own.

Good luck.

[MAGIC 8-BALL and THE ELF]

My computer store has two shelves.

The upper shelf's sign reads: "State of the Art Computers - $2000"

The lower shelf reads: "Day Old - Half Off" - Elf

I don't get it. - 8-Ball

[ENVY]

HEY ELF!LOL http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Duong]

Thank you all for the wonderful advices, i went to my Engineering teacher today to ask him about what kind of computer i should get, instead i end up giving him the same specs so he could check it out and see if he can build me one under $2137. He said that the price would be around $1,800 or $1,700. But he wasn't so sure, since he need time to check it out... i'm going to stop by him on monday to get the results of the prices.
HE said that he was surprised that Gateway was selling that kind of computer so cheaply. He thought it was a really good deal, but he said he could build me one, at a cheaper price. He owns a business at his home. I'm so excited now


BTW, A voodoo banshee is the same thing as a voodoo 2, just that it has more improvements. And i'm going to end up buying the 32x cd-rom drive, since i won't have much use for the 6x dvd, cuz it only writes a 2x.

P.S. Thanks a lot everyone for helping me out!

[socalgal]

Roy With bells on http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

Yes, Dell is probably the best...It is my favorite machine and servers. They really know how to build things to last.
You can look at www.pcguide.com. It is one of the best sites to learn about computers. This forum has also a lot to offer to newbie.
I only once bought a brand name computer and I am better off building my own. Local workshops will help you and motivate to learn more. In Atlanta there is even a place that will teach you how to build your own computer. You buy the parts from them and there will be a technician teaching how to do it. Good luck!

[cobain1crt]

Dont buy a gateway, all their stuff is poorly made, I own Moondance Technologies, we build computers will tons of options, full support, shipping anywhere in North America, Hawaii, or anywhere we can find to ship it to. We use only the best parts, unless you want to settle for lower cost prices. All of our computers are upgradable, fast in the first place, and functional. We also do overclocking for anyone who wants us to do it for them (this does void warantees). Last, the computers look good and have long life spans. We install all software, even software you send us to install for you.

[cobain1crt]

o, one other thing, we make the computers for the sake of giving back to the community, we only charge an extremely small fee for our time, we charge 2% of final system cost, so if you got a $2000 computer it would cost you $2040.