custom computer....

I found this store on Ebay that builds custom computers....but I have no idea what I would need....I have no idea what kind of motherboard I would need, etc. Basically you can pick a basic computer then add on components from drop down menus...so if any of you have recommendations that would be great. I'm on a pretty restricted budget.

Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/AMD-Athlon-64-X2-5000-2GB-320GB-HDD-Dual-Core-Custom-PC_W0QQitemZ300236286888QQihZ020QQcategoryZ179QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

The basic config doesn't include a video card, meaning that it's expected to run on an onboard, integrated video circuit. This is VERY VERY BAD for SL.

When you go to the "Customize This Product" button you can upgrade to various video cards such as an NVidia 9600GS which is $164.00; however, to tell you the truth, I don't think very much of the prices, especially after you pay for shipping the computer to you. You could almost certainly get a better deal by going to a local computer shop.

Also, I've never heard of the manufacturer of the default motherboard option ("ECS." Again, there are other manufacturers available on the customization screen, but it all adds to your price.

P2

The basic package is not a terrible deal, but you'd need a few things right off:

- an operating system (ranges from free for linux or if you already have a copy of Windows which can be legally installed on this system, to a few hundred dollars if you need to buy Vista or something)
- an SL-capable video card (probably a couple hundred)
- a new power supply (modern video cards need plenty of clean power, and the base model included specifically states it's intended for basic integrated-graphics systems)

You could probably do better, honestly, buying local or piecing together a system from parts purchased at Newegg or some such well-known retailer.

edit: Phoenix beat me to it

That is basically a "barebones" computer. It's got the major components that you need. It lacks any plug in cards (such as video, sound, etc).......but it does have intergrated onboard. It also comes without a monitor and operating system (you may already have those that can be used and installed.

For the price, I think it's a fair one. You could do better as some of the online computer sites I think. What you would need to add (at a minimum) is: Operatiing System (Vista Home Premium....about $200). A video card (mid range PCI-e nVidia.......about $100). A monitor (depending on what you want but as low as $150 for a small LCD to well over $600).

The motherbaord supports up to 4 gigs of RAM. It's SATA so your drive access it about as good as it gets before you get real complicated and expensive. You have two PCI-E slots so your graphics can be top notch (you have one x8 slot so it's not low end). Your power supply appears to be adequate. I would get an additional case fan since you have the power for it.

You or someone you know will have to assemble some of the components plus install your operatiing system to even be able to turn it on.

Hope I've helped a little.

Try newegg.co or tigerdirect.com you can build you own computer there and make it ssooo much better.

Just never get a built in video card lol

cool thanks for the quick responses. i was kind of thinking that we could piece together some stuff we have already...but I don't really feel like building it since I am not that computer literate....my bf kind of is but not in the building aspects...so i'm checking out newegg and tiger right now. thanks.

one thing i'm worried about too is that i don't want to buy a computer that i can't put a new video card in. we are having that problem w/ our last two computers...the slots are always different sizes...and the models always change...i think our current computer is a little outdated and i don't want to get another outdated computer. but i only have about maybe $500 tops to spend. I don't need a monitor, dvd burner, keyboard, mouse or any of that extra stuff. Just a computer that works, has an OS, and something that is better than SL's bare minimum would be awesome.

Goto a RL computer store. The geekier the staff the better. Ask them to demo SL on their computers. Buy one that works. If they can't be bothered or not set up to demo SL, or any other online world, then goto another store.

Chicago's friendly but ain't THAT friendly...too bad, that's a great idea in theory. ...folks are always scared to install SL though. *shrugs*

I tried this and got the stupidest look ever shot at me from the salesman.
We are friendly here but Damn! LMAO

If you have $500 to spend and some useful hardware that can be swapped, monitor and an operating system already I think you can do that. Do plenty of shopping around. Putting a computer together is not hard at all........just a few screws to screw in and plugs to plugs to plug in is basically all it calls for. A barebones is a good way to go since you get the motherboard matched to the CPU. Look for barebones that have at least 4 expansion slots for future upgrades......6 is better (and almost all motherboards built today have at least one PCI-e slot). I'm an Intel fan but AMD is fine (much cheaper). Make sure the intergrated stuff can be diabled (some can't be, so ask). As someone already said.....stay away from intergrated graphics. You will need a fairly hefty power supply to handle the graphics you will need for SL (500 watts minimum). Depending on your operating system you might need 2 gigs of RAM (if Vista then that's about the minimum that will work satisfactorily......XP you probably can get away with 1 gig). Your graphics card should probably be nvidia (only because ATI seems to have a little harder time with SL........not plugging nVidia, just stating facts). A mid range nVidia 7000 series card with 256 video ram should run less than $100 with some shopping around. If you are using an older monitor that has only an analog input make sure the card you get has that output. Go PCI-e (express) if you can.........much, much faster than PCI and AGP.

If your hard drive is good you can put that in too......but make sure the motherboard supports the interface (EIDE or SATA). On your network interface card (NIC).....the intergrated should work fine so you don't need to get one (or you have one to use up an expansion slot for it). Same with the sound.......you can always get a good sound card later as long as you have an open slot for it.

Off the top of my head that's about all the major stuff you will need to get your computer ready for your operating system. Prepping the new computer for the installation and actually installing the operating system is probably harder than putting it all together. But, you should have a very nice computer when your done.........and I think it can be done within your budget.

Google for "home built computers" to find basic instructions. Check KimKommando.com. She has some great tutorials on building your own computer.

Heck, if I can do it.........you can too.

Ya can get a 8600GT nvidia with 1gb for 109.00 at tigerdirect its from XFX might want to go with SATA instead of IDE its faster and most of the new stuff is switching over to SATA.

also Xoide.com has some good prices but shop around alot your find some places are good prices but shipping will kill ya

Just avoid places like Best Buy (and Geek Squad). Their only job is to sell you a computer regardless of whether it'll do what you need it to.


ECS is 'ok'. Not anything fancy. Decent for budget PC's.

If you're building on a budget (and who isnt nowadays), try places like Newegg, where you can pick & choose the parts yourself.

To stay in your $500 budget you will need to recycle some of your old gear, which means you will prolly need to do this yourself.

ECS has elbowed out what I would call the PC-Chips market. Inexpensive boards which are great if you want to slap together a machine for Mom and Pop to surf the web and email. Try anything out of the ordinary and they baulk. I have one sitting here right now which is useless to me cuz SL wouldn't run on it.

Personally I find myself pleased with boards by MSI frequently. They make a wide variety so you can find one with exactly what you need and nothing you don't. Their prices are reasonable for the level of quality they offer. And they usually work as expected.

ASUS is usually regarded as the highest quality and capabilities around. The sticker shock keeps me away so I have no first hand experience with their products.

ETA: if someone is not super-tech-savvy I usually recommend staying away from eBay. There's just too many people trying to pawn off their junk. You need to know what you're looking at. Same with TigerDirect. Their support is horrible if you buy two things expecting them to work together and they don't. I have always been happy with Newegg. I've actually never even needed support from Newegg, but most say it's very good. The customer reviews on each item are very handy.

My point, same as a number of other peoples', was that given the number of even high-end configurations that SL struggles with, its best to try SL hands-on before you buy any hardware. Buying of a specs sheet online is not something that I'd personally recommend. A canned solution maybe when backed up by a lot of recommendations from players inworld; but not a custom-build unless you know absolutely what you're doing.

Chicago ??? Never been there but it sounds like a fun place

It is a blast!!