Build a computer for us

[xwhatsit]

Had a look at those links and they dont seem to have anything right at the moment... Thanks for replying - I know I'm being ambitious, but $300 for an LCD screen???? Surely they get cheaper than that!!! I'll look around... How risky is it to buy LCD second hand?? And what are the issues?

Maarten

I just used www.pricespy.co.nz and had a wee look around at 17" prices. Pricespy is normally pretty accurate. Sure you must already have a monitor anyway? Anyway, buying one second-hand is usually fine, just look out for dead pixels and bright spots in the backlight (the bright spots don't normally mean anything is wrong, it's just slightly distracting). Dead pixels shit me like nothing else, and often mean there's more on the way. You could get a 15" as well, if you could pick up one cheap on Trademe (although I'd be wary), but I can't see somebody wanting to stick with a 15" for very long in a desktop.

There's nothing wrong with CRTs -- gamers swear by them because of the response time and low lag, and they're far better for watching video on than LCDs. The only issue with them is the space, and of course if you get some ancient piece of crap then flicker might be hard on your eyes, but >= 75Hz is OK.

$400 is doable, especially so if you already have an old monitor, keyboard, mouse etc lying around. Then you can upgrade those components as you go. It's much more of a pain in the arse (and a waste of money) to buy a cheap CPU to save money and put in a faster one later. Peripherals are easy.

[jrandom]

I had a couple of old computers, but I shot them. It was great fun.

Sorry dude.

And yeah, $400 should be eminently doable. Just stick with a CRT.

[scracha]

Budget: Under $400
We need: It all and a windows disc, and office would be handy. Must run internet and word processing but I dont want vista. How about it? An LCD screen would be nice as we are low on space on the desk too...
Is it possible?
Maarten

For a kiwi biker I can you you an ex lease Pentium 4 around 2Ghz running XP Pro (COA) with 17" CRT, keyboard and optical mouse + 3 months RTB warranty for that money. All setup with openoffice & Avast home too. Add another 15 bucks for a modem if you're on dialup.

LCD screen...not a chance (legally) IMHO. I can sometimes get the 15" ones for 100 bucks but I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. Stick with the CRT if you're going second hand.

If you are going for a new LCD then you're as well buying a new PC from DELL (cue lots of Dell rants but they're doing decent machines with warranty, 19" lcd and on-site service for about 900 bucks).

If you're buying from NZCS then you'll probably have to install Windoze yourself. I think they're trade only too but I may be wrong.