OK, I hear you, NOW BUILD IT!

[NORAD]

Thanks for the input on "Pre-packaged vs. Homebuilt Systems". I am a "PC" dummie and therefore will elect to go with a pre-packaged sytem. I am under the impression that buying the "biggest,fastest" hardware will protect me longer in terms of inevitable obsole scense, yes? Is there much difference in choosing between 1.8, 1.9, or 2. ghz?
Is a bigger HD better, even if I dont use its full capacity? What about the speed selection of CD player? [no re-write], is faster better for any particular reason?
Is G3 the obvious video choice for avoiding design obsolescense? SB Live! for audio. The rest of system isnt so important, right? I have a budget of $2k, so build away! I am grateful to this site and your responses. Thank you!
NORAD:)

[RayH]

You might do well considering to have a computer built for you from a local shop. They can assemble the computer to your specifications. The negotiation can be like buying a car. Go in with a list of what you want and how much you'll pay! Don't let them talk to fast. If the shop suggests something else, wait a few days if you're not sure. In the intrim, post on the board what the shop wants to do and what people think.

You can purchase a computer that gives you the biggest bang or one that gives you the biggest bang for your buck. Once upon a time, 50 MHz was a serious increase in speed. Now at the top, I doubt if 200 MHz is going to make that much difference in what people do. But, if you are a SERIOUS gamer, you want every edge.

But if you're willing to step a bit from the top, you can save some serious money in a new computer. You can't stop obsolence. Usually, if you are going to do a MEANINGFUL upgrade, you'll need a new motherboard and new micrprocessor. You'll be lucky if you can reuse your RAM!

Everything else may have a second go around if you do some planning or are not picky. But even video cards usually get old. So you'll ususally get a new one of those too...although the old one will work.

The best way to price a computer is to start with the perpherals and then buy the fastest processor you can afford with what's left!

I saw a guy pricing a computer at Best Buy last week. He was demanding the fast microprocessor. But he was going to skimp on the perpherals. It's like buying a Caddy with hand crank windows, no air, and no power steering!

[Mindwarp]

Well said, if you're not a serious gamer, maybe the difference from 1.5 to 2.0 ghz is not notable, and it can be a diference of a lot of bucks. But if you have the money you can ask for the best. But, the price that we just told in the other post will not be the price of the system that you would buy from, dell, gateway, or the local system builder that will fill the machine with software that most of the time you wont need. Also you have to be shure that the mobo that you are getting is flexible enough to upgrade in the future. I have read some many ads of brand names that says that the machine that they're selling is upgradeable, but the truth is that their upgradeability starts at buying a new machine.

[NORAD]

The previous suggestions are usefull.
I neglected to mention I DO have printer,scanner, digital camera , BA surround w/amped woofer, so my "Caddy" wont be a stripped down model with "manual windows". I elected to go with a basic 17" monitor as I suspect large flat screen monitors will be affordable soon, and this I Can upgrade
without a "PHD". I have no intention or abaility to upgrade hardware on this new system, so its a moot point to be concerened about. After all, My current system is barely a two year old Pent3, 500mhz,256mb ram that cost more than the one I'm looking at now. If I could upgrade and keep my tech support, we wouldnt be having this conversation. Remember, I am a PC "dummie"!:)