Ok here's the deal... I'm doing an independent study project at my school where I will write a computer component buyers guide, with details on how to assembly the entire system. I hope/should get a grant from the school for around $1000. I will use this to buy parts to write the guide, and then host a 1 day "workshop" where I show kids how to assemble the parts. Best part is, i might...just maybe...get to keep everything when i'm done. Anyway I plan on spending around $800 on the components. So here is my first question... Which proccesor should I base this system on? I prefer AMD so should i go for an X2 3800 and skimp on other stuff to meet my budget? or should i get a athlon 64 3200ish or a sempron...??? As for my second question: I am also looking for neat PC gadgets and Cool stuff to show the kids to get them interested in computers. I would like to have a bad ass sound system, dvd burner with lightscribe, bring one of my moded cases... any suggestions of stuff to get? Thanks for the help!!
Hmm.. showing off lightscribe could be quite cool. I'd say go for the X2, but if you're looking for a good speaker set (and presumably sound card), that alone could chew through about a third of your budget, plus another third on the CPU. I'd go for some of the gimmickey "intro mods" if you will - basic window/ccfl deal. They're pretty cheap and still give the wow-factor to those who haven't browsed Bit's project logs, at least. Put together something at newegg...probably a bit over the top but should be fun: Lightscribe DVDRW: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827140014 250GB SATA/16MB cache: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822140155 NF4 Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813136163 6600GT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814150098 7.1ch Sound card with DDL (just got one, it's awesome): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829127001 1GB Corsair Value: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145440 3200+: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103535 z5500 5.1ch roxor speakers: http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16836121120 It comes to ~$1025 shipped for me. A tad over, and doesn't include the case/PSU, but you can play around with it and see what you can do. The sound card isn't overly necessary, but you'll be stuck using analog for anything but movies if you want surround sound, a real waste, if you don't get it (DDL = dolby digital live, encodes the analog out to DD5.1 surround which the speakers can then decode). I'd imagine your school can provide a copy of XP, I figure most have a VLE copy.
i dont think u need that sort of spec for a "show" pc that will mainly be used to demonstrate how a pc is built, and to the average individual if you want to impress them with the looks of pc via case mods etc, u really shouldnt be lookin to impress them on the hardware spec, not many of them will know the diff between 2ghz single core or 2 ghz dual core. for about the same budget i just built for a friend a pc 3ghz p4, 1gb ram, dvdrw, 6600gt, all into a nice antec aria case. Difference form above spec, was a good quality low spec mobo, onboard sound, no speakers. for demonstration purposes maybe you can take your own speakers in, for mods, maybe an idea to only have one mod, which u can do there and then for their pleasure
I think I will probably go for a mid range system to save money, but get a good mobo so the system is semi-upgradeable. Perhaps: Asus A8N SLI 1 GB Corsiar VS WD HDD ~ $100 Lightscribe DVD Burner Geforce 6600 PCI-E Use built in sound with a decent set of 5.1 speakers bring my own monitor(s) / use the schools projectors still not sure on the cpu...im gona go make a list at newegg.com and find some prices. Some things to show the kids to get them interested: Lightscribe Dual Monitors Loud Music My Star Wars Imperial Case mod Maybe a cheap webcam / VOIP Videos of gameplay (BF2...) Any other suggestions here?
