I've never built a computer before, but I'd like to try it. I know more than your average joe about computers, but I know jack$hit about hardware. I went to www.pricewatch.com and made a sheet of computer components to get. Will this computer work (not have compatibility issues or whatever), do I need anything else, and do you have any suggestions? Thanks for your time. If you cant read any of this, post your email and ill email you my word document where the stuff is readable Micron TechnologyInfo...Micron Crucial 512MB PC133 SDRAM Unbuffered Non Parity 3.3V w/lifetime warr eligible for a one-time $15 discount off one 256MB upgrade on Micron banner only(1 for $80) (Part - SDRAM512PC133) Price: $ 95 Ship: $8.70 Flat Fee Free on Micron banner only Updated:9/7, 10:54 AM $103.70 Lynn Computer ProductsInfo... 877-796-9976 FL IntelInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -Intel Pentium 4 2.4Ghz 512K Cache 478 Pin 533Mhz FSB INCLUDES - 20 Day Dealer Warranty (Part - P4240GHZO5) Price: $189 Ship: $3.99 Flat Fee Updated:9/13, 8:06PM $192.99 ECONOPC, Inc.Info...888-326-6660847-967-2222 IL SamsungInfo...80.0GB EIDE 5400RPM,9.0ms seek time, UA100 Bare Drive. OEM - Includes DOA Warranty (Part - SAM-80-54) Price: $84Ship: $3.84 Flat Fee Updated:9/12, 7:02PM $87.84 AccubyteInfo...888-222-8298630-832-9200 IL ChaintechInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -Geforce4 TI 4200 64MB DDR AGP 2x/4x TV-Out /DVI-I dual head Geforce 4 TI4200 Retail Dual VGA DVI-I also has TI4600/TI 4600, Ti4400/Ti 4400 128MB (Part - 310-19612) Price: $127Ship: FreeWill Ship: Same - 1day Updated:9/6, 10:23PM $127 Allstarshop.comInfo...800-424-7188949-598-3188 CA Tower $45: http://www.linkpca.com/linmidtow40b.html Product Description Price MaxTotalCostPrice + Max Shipping Dealer/Phone/State Creative Labs - Sound CardsInfo...Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+ Retail w/ SB 1394 Firewire 4 times the power of SB Live, w/ IEEE 1394 Firewire connector (Part - SC-EC-CRE180) Price: $ 85 Ship: $6 - 9 via UPS insured Updated:7/31, 7:03 AM $94.00 Shentech.comInfo...888-387-2138718-661-3306 NY GigabyteInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -GA-8IDX, Pentium 4, Socket 478,Intel 845 Chipset, 400FSB, ATA100, Audio, ATX (retail Box) Support Pentium4 upto 2.4Ghz and Faster, 6PCI, 1AGP4X, 1CNR, 3DIMM, 2 yrs dealer warranty (Part - GA-8IDX) Price: $ 63 Ship: $5.95 Flat Fee Insured Updated:8/31, 12:37 PM $68.95 FTIComputer.comInfo... 866-384-2667 NY MitsumiInfo...ONLINE ORDER ONLY -CR-485CTE Internal EIDE/ATAPI CD-RW Drive (OEM Bare Drive) Mitsumi 40x20x48 CD-RW 485CTE IDE Price: $48Ship: $11 - 12.85 INSURED Updated:8/21, 4:47AM $60.85 nexthardwareshop.comInfo...888-808-6088909-595-8821 CA BTCInfo...BTC 12x DVD-ROM Drive, 40x CD-ROM EIDE / ATAPI BTC 12x DVD-ROM Drive, 40x CD-ROM EIDE / ATAPI, Drive Only, get it while it lass (Not 16x) (Part - CDB1232DV) Price: $30Ship: $0.99 Flat Fee $0.99 EACH drive ship Updated:9/11, 7:43PM $30.99 Computer123.comInfo...626-581-0588626-581-0588 CA Microsoft - Software - SuitesInfo...MS Office XP Professional w/ Publisher -Single DSP Full Version (Price includes hardware) Full OEM Version - Incl. Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Powerpoint 2002 MS Genuine Sealed Pkg w/ CD, License, COA (Part - MSOFFICEXPOEM) Price: $ 279 Ship: Free Updated:9/11, 10:09 PM $279.00 ComputersworthInfo...800-838-7884972-412-4947 TX Microsoft - Software - Operating SystemsInfo...Windows XP Professional Edition DSP OEM Complete sealed OEM DSP version. Store price is $137 use coupon code 2002 for discount. Price: $ 132 Ship: Free Shipping! Updated:9/6, 8:06 AM $132.00 SWSourcing.comInfo...888-313-7964408-383-9303 P.O.'s Accepted CA
Your probably going to be needing a heatsink/fan for your P4 since it looks like your buying OEM. Also it might be a good idea to check your components out with a company like NCIX or Premiere PC you might be able to get a better deal going through a Canadian retailer considering what our dollars at.
My 2 cents: know who you're buying from. I buy from Newegg. They have good prices, not necessarily rock-bottom, but very low and have a good reputation. I suggest checking out the other companies at www.resellerratings.com Most parts don't have terrible prices for shipping, but cases generally will. If at all possible, check out some of the local shops. It may be cheaper to buy the case locally when you factor in shipping. If you don't need that software, you can get the plain, OEM, Audigy for much cheaper as the software adds to the cost. Lastly, it might be a good idea to consider the retail version of that CPU. When I purchased my P4, the retail was only a few dollars more, and this fixed having to buy a separate heatsink. If the cost between the retail and OEM is $20 or less before shipping, I recommend going retail.
I know through NCIX the P4 is $224.12 + shipping. Considering you get the heatsink/fan and a 3 year warranty rather than 20 days it's probably better like BigB said to spend an extra $20-$30 more and get the retail. You may be able to find it cheaper, NCIX happens to be where I do the majority of my shopping so I usually use it for a reference.
