Computer value, how much? Options

[Hanyo]

Hey guys,
I'm thinking about getting rid of this computer I'm using and build a new one or buying a laptop.

I'm thinking about selling this system I'm using right now.

here are my computer stats:

Xp1800 (1.53 ghz) which equal to 1.8 ghz pentium.
768 dual channel corsair ddr pc3200 ram.
40 gig western digital hard drive
Azza kt 400 alh motherboard with built in sound and ethernet
Chaintech Ti4200 video card.
The case is some off brand case with foam lining the whole inside.
56x mad dog (office max) cd burner.
Microsoft wireless mouse and keyboard
KDS xflat 19 inch flat screen monitor ( 18.1 viewable)
4.1 microlabs speakers.
350w coolmax powersupply.
56k modem.

That is pretty much it.. Not what i would call a fast computer. But it runs at around 12 dbs which is pretty darn silent. You would have to really try hard to hear this computer running. This is the reason why it is so slow. This computer is set up so you can drop in a faster cpu with out worring about heatsinks and ram issues.

Anyways. Lets cut to the chase. What do you think is a fair price for this system. Note: I am not trying to sell this computer to anyone here. I just asking for your opinion.

Do you think its worth spending another 100 bucks and putting in a XP2600 which will make the computer 2.0 ghz ( 2.6 pentium equivilent )?

[turboinduction]

I build em. I personally say its worth about 600 bucks. Reason behind this.

Processor - a little out dated, but ok. I myself am a Intel guy, but AMD is fine

Ram - Thats great. Corsair is top dog. I assume since you didn't list that you have 3 sticks of 256.

HD - a little small, but WD is the best IMO. Also state if its a 7200 or 5400.

MB - I dont deal with KT boards often, as I'm all MSI and Intel.

Video - Card isn't bad. Will play most if not all games excluded super graphics induced ones. IE Doom3.

Case - I have an off brand too. As long as its aluminum, your fine. Its really just a box. Everything else is whats important. So, if aluminum if steel

Burner - I say no no to this. Last time I checked I wouldn't buy anything generic labled by Office Max.

Board/Mouse - No bad that its wireless. Microsoft's boards are good too.

Moniter - Heavy as crap I bet. With LCD's out there, its is now a negative.

Speakers - Didn't really go into detail, but they are 4.1. I say ok.

PS - the supply unit is ok. Just a little underpowered. Especially for a AMD. Them suckers require so much. I'd say for your next one, make sure you have a 450 if not higher.

Modem - Is it really worth mentioning. lol

Things I noticed - No LAN card? No Floppy? No sound card?

With Dell and what not, along with side builders like me, putting p4 3.2GHZ together with LCD moniters for 500 bucks... your pretty much stuck at that 600 mark. You have better internals then them, and a **** load of memory to boot. But the processor and a few parts are just a few years too old. Comes with the buy. Trust me. I build a 3000 dollar puter for me. 3-4 years later I sell it or give it away at 500 bucks. So please dont take the amount as a insult. Just a little insight, moreorless.

-Ti

[SinisterWhisper]

you will get the most for it off ebay but if people know what they are doing 400 at the most because you can build a new one for that much.

[Sev408]

well i dont know how you can build a good computer for 400 but whatever, i just dropped 800 (950 if you include my watercooling setup) on a p4 3.0ghz, 1gig ram dual channel, 80gig hdd 7200rpm, 52x cd burner, 16x DVD burner, Geforce FX 5900, 450watt powersupply and a new case.

[Hanyo]

thanks alot guys,

i was expecting the 400 mark.. Maybe the 450 mark if i'm lucky. This computer was built as a budget computer about 2 years ago. That was why it has a cheap cd burner and cheap motherboard. Since then, I have been upgrading it with quality parts in hopes to build a fast computer. I made the decision to start from scratch and not keep dumping money on a computer that I dont like.

I dont see how peopel can build full computers for less then 700 bucks. Everytime I try, it always gets pushed to the 900 dollar limit. Even at the 900 dollar mark i end up getting a really bad monitor and keyboard/mouse combination.

[Uppitycracker]

thanks alot guys,

i was expecting the 400 mark.. Maybe the 450 mark if i'm lucky.  This computer was built as a budget computer about 2 years ago. That was why it has a cheap cd burner and cheap motherboard. Since then, I have been upgrading it with quality parts in hopes to build a fast computer. I made the decision to start from scratch and not keep dumping money on a computer that I dont like.

I dont see how peopel can build full computers for less then 700 bucks. Everytime I try, it always gets pushed to the 900 dollar limit.  Even at the 900 dollar mark i end up getting a really bad monitor and keyboard/mouse combination.
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I know what you mean man, I wanted till build a comp for around 1k and in the end spent 2k, and with the water cooling setup now its 2.3k, but hey computers rock so spend away!

Tim

[turboinduction]

I push the 3000 mark on almost every machine I build. The "how" on the wonderful 500 dollar computer is... Cheap internals. Low (128mb or less) memory. Low graphics (on board 32mb). Small HD (40 or less). Etc Etc Etc. When these companies build these, they attract buyers with the wonder gizmo like a dvd burner. The cost of a normal computer is 800, cost of a gaming computer is 1400, cost of a nice gaming computer is 1700. And the price goes up.

-Ti

[creis]

I bet you'll get more money from it if you part it out.

[shid]

have you run NOS through it?

[turboinduction]

have you run NOS through it?
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on mine, yes...

I've got pictures to prove it

-Ti

[CheesyLobster]

I would agree with TI on the price, 500-600. mainly because of the screen though. Also, I assume that you've reformated the harddrive and everything? That will make the comp much faster.

[Hanyo]

definitly reformate, i dont want the next users to have any of my files i forget.

[BlackSTX]

Why are you guys spending that much to build a computer? Buy an EMachines from circuit City or Best Buy-

AMD 3200
180 Gig Hard Drive
512 MB RAM Upgradeable to 2GB
DVD Burner
8-in-1 media reader
NVidia GeForce Graphics Built-in (Shared Memory sucks though)

All that for $600 bucks BEFORE rebates.

Even with upgrading the RAM and video card it's still way cheaper than you're building, and you get customer service and a warranty.

They last a while, too. I used my old one for 5 years with no problems. Now it's just sitting at home boxed up.

[Hanyo]

well first off the motherboard that comes with the emachine is pretty cheap. Its hard to upgrade or flash the bios. Secondly, the ram that comes with the emachine is really cheap, its probably cas latency 3 or above. The built in video card is not good for most of the games out on the market. The emachine cant be overclocked efficently. The emachine is going to be loud.

But if you just want a office computer, then it will do well. But if you plan to upgrade later you pretty much have to scrap the whole system. With the computer we build, we can upgrade parts and make it top of the line agian with very little cost. we can just swap out the motherboard and cpu. And our other components are high quality like powersupply and ram. So the second verson of the computers we build will be cheaper then buying a new emachine.

[turboinduction]

Why are you guys spending that much to build a computer?  Buy an EMachines from circuit City or Best Buy-

AMD 3200
180 Gig Hard Drive
512 MB RAM Upgradeable to 2GB
DVD Burner
8-in-1 media reader
NVidia GeForce Graphics Built-in (Shared Memory sucks though)

All that for $600 bucks BEFORE rebates. 

Even with upgrading the RAM and video card it's still way cheaper than you're building, and you get customer service and a warranty.

They last a while, too.  I used my old one for 5 years with no problems.  Now it's just sitting at home boxed up.
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Rephrased in car terms:

Why are you guys spending that much on a Toyota. You can buy a Kia for alot cheaper and its just as fast....

-Ti