Alright. Well then, time to figure out exactly what to get. Here's where I stand:
Budget: $600
I'm flexible here, but I'd like to keep it under $600.
Monitor: $0-$50
I got a tv for christmas. I'm pretty sure I can hook this up to the computer somehow (with the added expense of the cables and converters and whatnot), but I have to make sure I get a graphics card that can handle this. The price of the cables, converters, etc that I need for this will have to be
Keyboard and Mouse: $0
Got a wireless keyboard and mouse for christmas. No problems here.
Motherboard: $100-$200
From what you guys have said, I probably need an upgrade. First off, why is it a POS? Why should I get a new one? Would it be wiser to put money towards other parts of the computer instead?
I assume that I will need to replace it. In that case, with the current budget I think we're looking at something in the $100-$200 range.
Processor: $100-$200
I guess this has to go. I was really hoping it'd be a core duo. Ok, so if I don't get a new motherboard, what are my choices with my current socket for a new processor?
If I do get a new motherboard (which I think is way more likely), what should I go for? Core Duo? Athalon? I wouldn't mind an intel, but I've always been more of an AMD guy. I'll take whatever is the best in the price range of: $100-$200.
Graphics Card: $100-$200
I heard from this same friend that his dad might want to make another deal with me where "I get a $800 graphics card for $150." According to him, this is a nvidia geforce 6800 ultra. It's PCI-E, and has two div outputs. Should I look into this further, or are there better deals out there? I'm looking to spend another $100-$200. Remember, I need this to support my tv.
Nic Card: $10-$30
I'm going to need some sort of network card. Let's make this cheap. I have a linksys wireless g router providing wireless network in my house if that matters.
Ram: $0
Let's make sure that this new mobo supports my ram. From what you guys have said, it's worth holding on to.
Speakers:
If I can get this hooked up through my tv, I can have sound output through it as well, right? Let's keep this in mind.
Total estimated Cost: $310-$680
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Other specific needs:
*I'd like this computer to be able to interface with my old printer.
*I think I'm going to use my very old floppy drive in this computer. What the hell, ya know?
*I have an old Maxtor hdd (10 gig). I might as well use this too if I can.
*I have an old cd burner, and cd rom drive. These can see use if it's practical.
*I have an old mother board. Ancient in fact. I think I'll use this to practice on so that I don't mess any thing up when it comes to dealing with the real thing.
*I have lots of IDE cabling, screws, assorted cables and connectors, converters, and routers, mice and mouse padds. All of these can see use if necessary.
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Ok, here's what I have to work with from my home computer supply (these parts are from old scrap computers). Keep in mind, I think alot of this stuff predates PCI slots:
Old Printer:
Some sort of old network card. Appears to be dialup:
Ancient Sound Card:
This is the card that enabled my old printer to be hooked into the computer:
Old vid car (might be of use temporarily before new video card comes):
Old Mobo for practice:
Processor and socket:
Ram:
Hard drives, disk drives, floppy drives, and sound devices: