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Speechy_Jeff

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Recommend a desktop for $2000 to $3000

Howdy all,

I find myself in the market for a new desktop (oh, darn!) and want to explore all options.  I have always purchased DELL Computers with reasonable satisfaction but I know more this time around and want to make a more informed choice.

I want to be able to:
Update a word document, while I
download a program off of the internet, while I
listen to MP3s on Media Center, while I
recieve new mail, while I
print a document, etc. etc. etc.

I am very specific about the sound card but not gaming capabilities.  Would you all please recommend: 1) Pre-made/pieced together, 2) the best processor/mother board combination, 3) compared experience of P4 versus AMD versus Xenon, etc.


Thanks,

Jeff
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Chris B
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And a decent power supply to drive all that:
Enermax 460W
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-443&depa=0
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Speechy_Jeff

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So,

It seems to be the general opinion that I should piece together rather than add a bunch of upgrades to a DELL basic (or some equivalent).

Xeon is the chip of multi-tasking but P4 or AMD will do the trick (list in descending order of price).

I can scavenge my current system (DELL 8100 P3 (1.2 GHz processor), 1.2 GB RAM) for 1.2 GB of RAM and a dual layer DVD.


How much should someone charge me (total or hourly) to scavenge the old, install the new and transfer data?

Thanks,

Jeff
If you find a shop that custom builds computers, they may give you a few dollars for your old computer, as it's not that old that they wouldn't want it.  I think taking the parts as listed above, and getting one custom built may be your best option, as I have heard that Dell can be picky with adding parts if it's not something that is normal for them.  
If you are going to get everything new - I'd suggest a RAM upgrade that is compatible with your mainboard.  With $3000-$4000 you could, without problem, get a mainboard that supports DDR2...  

Here is what I suggest:

AMD Opteron Model 150   $540
  -L1/64K+64K   L2/1MB
  -Operates at 2.4GHZ

ASUS "SK8V" K8T800 Chipset  $172
Supported CPU: Socket 940 AMD Athlon64 FX Processors
Chipset: VIA K8T800 + VIA VT8237
FSB: Scalable HyperTransport
RAM: 4x DIMM for Registered ECC DDR400/333/266 Max 8GB
IDE : 3x UltraDMA 133(1 from Promise R20378) up to 6 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI, 1x Wi-Fi
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,SPDIF Out,1xCOM,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),1xLAN,2x1394a(Rear 1),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: AD1985 Codec
Onboard LAN: 3COM 3C940 GbE
Onboard SATA/RAID: VIA VT8237, 2x SATA, RAID 0/1; Promise R20378, 2x SATA, RAID 0/1/0+1
Onboard 1394: VIA VT6307
Form Factor: ATX

4x512MB ECC Crucial RAM  $149/EACH

Sounds like the rest you can get from the other PC.

~Rich
I would not get an Intel based board that has DDR two.   They are very rough to say the least at the time being.  They are better then they were a month ago, but I don't think the stabliity is there yet to consider purchasing one.  However, the AMD based DDR 2 boards are very much winning the race to get DDR2 on the market.  


>>How much should someone charge me (total or hourly) to scavenge the old, install the new and transfer data?
a lot unfortunately.   You just have to be very careful to find the right place.  Some of these places are charging and arm and a leg for computer work.  The reason is that most people don't know what they are doing, kind of like auto mechanics that do the same thing.  
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Most high quality computer parts come with at least a one year warrenty.  Some with two or 3 year warrenties.  
thanks to all.  I will  post another question that continues this line but it seems right to close this out and move on to the next part of the process: AMD Athlon 64 FX53 and motherboard to be put into my current DELL.  Thanks again to everyone.

Jeff
BTW, it was either the AMD option or buy directly from Alien, which turns out to be a heck of a deal/sight, hence the point distribution.
You will need a new power supply as your DELL power supply will not work.
Well, if he's going for Alienware, he won't have that problem (accepted answer).