Ok... if I go with Shuttle...

[Buckstop]

Thanks Nathan, DMW & Peer.

Folks here definately favor the Shuttle, and you all know your hardware, so that looks like the way to go. I still don't see a compelling reason to go with SN45G over SB61G2.

I have some comparison shopping to do, but got this quote from Ajump.com, and would like to see if you have any comments.

Part No. Product/Description Unit Price Extended Price
7340122 Shuttle SB61G2 P4-800 Aluminum MiniBarebone w/ AGP $320.00
$320.00

7040357 Intel Pentium 4 2.6GHz 512K 800MHz - Box $231.00
$231.00
I might go for 2.4 instead.... would save $44 based on Ajump prices... or I could go for 2.8, for only $57 extra

3770078 512MB PC3200 CL3 DDR SDRAM Kingston Value RAM $96.00 x 2
$192.00

6260065 Western Digital 200GB WD2000JB ATA100 7200RPM 8MB OEM $208.00
$208.00
I'm thinking of going for 120GB instead.... It would cost ~$100 less. I already have an 80GB drive that I can plug into the floppy bay.... Should I get the drive with the 8 MB buffer?

9262209 Asus 52x24x52x CD-RW Retail - Beige $48.00
$48.00
I'm not trying to make a fashion statement, but will look into getting a drive that matches the case

6840150 Asus GeForce FX5200 V9520VS 128MB DDR TVOUT 2xDVI VIVO
$113.00
$113.00

10LABOR System or Barebone Assembly and 5-Stage Quality Testing $75.00
$75.00
$75 seems steep for assembly, but I'm not sure I trust myself to build it on my own

Subtotal: $1,187.00
Shipping (approx): $10.96

I forgot to ask for a modem, but probably have one lying around the house anyway.

Of course, I'll price the system elsewhere before buying, but this is roughly the configuration I'm looking at. It has more power than I need at the moment. But my 1.0 GHz 128MB Ram machine seemed powerful a few years ago... I want to put together a system that will last me a while.

Any comments?

Thanks,
Buckstop

[Google]

[[TN] Nathan]

The compelling reason to go with the SB61G2 is because it supports 800fsb and what is the point of buying a 800FSB P4 if you don't use it.

Shuttle SB61G2 - Lowest Price - $308

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=929169/prsrt=1/ut=42ba437774245fe3

Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz 512K 800MHz - $171.00

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=780689/prsrt=1/ut=42ba437774245fe3

512MB PC3200 CL3 DDR SDRAM Kingston Value RAM - 92.00x2=$184

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=687181/search=kingston/ut=42ba437774245fe3

Western Digital 200GB WD2000JB ATA100 7200RPM 8MB OEM - $169.00

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=607712/search=western%2520digital/ut=42ba437774245fe3

Asus 52x24x52x CD-RW Retail - Beige $39

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=668947/ut=42ba437774245fe3

Microstar GeForce FX5200 128MB DDR TVOUT DVI - $79

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=867199/search=FX5200/ut=42ba437774245fe3

If you need to do some more shopping, check out our price shopping page and you will notice that the prices are sooo much better.

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/home_comp.php/ut=42ba437774245fe3

And for the love of god man, put it together yourself!!! Don't pay someone that kind of money to have someone take the joy of setting up your own computer away from you.
_________________
Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com

[Buckstop]

Thanks Nathan, for doing my comparison shopping!

Besides getting the best price, I also want to make sure I'm choosing good components... Any thoughts?

Also, if I decide to build it myself, it will be my first (I've installed some upgrades, but never built from the ground up).... Am I going to need any special tools, or will an assortment of screwdrivers do it?

Thanks,
Buckstop

[[TN] Nathan]

It's hard to say now in your position, but after you have built your first computer you will be so proud of your accomplishment.

All you will need is some screwdrivers (non magnetic) and a little patience.

The only thing that you should do is get dual channel memory seeing that this is a dual channel board. Corsair TwinX and Kinston HyperX are excellent choices.

The price difference will be worth it.
_________________
Owner & Administrator
www.Tweaknews.net
www.Pocketbookpinch.com

[Buckstop]

Thanks again for your help... I"m going with Shuttle, and i'm gonna build it.

The one thing I'm still unsure of is the video card. The important thing is support for two monitors. (LCDs @ 1024x768) And it has to fit. And shouldn't consume too much power, or generate much heat. Of course, I don't want to spend more than I have to. And I read somewhere about compatability issues with SB61G2 & Radeon cards. How the graphics actually look doesn't matter much... I've never used anything above 64MB.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Buckstop