Good cheap vendors for PC upgrade? Don't need latest technology

[emulatorloo]

I am feeling like I need to upgrade my PC.

I don't really use it for much, it is a celeron 1.4 -- I run two music apps on it, and they actually run ok. But I have been running into some memory issues, and my motherboard is real picky about what kind of PC100 memory it takes, so a memory upgrade would cost about 150.00.

It seems like it would make more sense to just put the money into a new motherboard, CPU and memory.

However I think I would be happy w the last generation of Athlons or P4.

I have used geeks.com in the past, but they don't seem any cheaper nowadays that say newegg.com

Anybody have a good source for less-than-the-latest technology for cheap?

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[Sgent]

1. Are you

getting a new box or just parts?

For parts, I like zipzoomfly -- they tend to be cheaper than newegg usually.

If getting a new box and you don't want to build it yourself, take a look at the Dell Outlet (outlet.dell.com). They sell returns, off lease, etc. with a full warrenty and support (and OS if you want it).

[emulatorloo]

3. Just parts -- thanks for the tip on zipzoomfly

Had heard of them -- am glad to hear they are a reliable vendor.

[necso]

2. Sometimes

you can free up considerable memory by removing unnecessary programs that load automatically at startup.

Over time users tend to acquire a lot of this sort of stuff.

I don't know what your MBD will take in way of memory, but a matched pair of quality memory chips should work fine.

And if you shop carefully, you should be able to get them (after rebates) for a lot less than $150. (However, there are usually limits on the number of rebates per individual/address, so you might have to game the system a little bit.)

Try: http://www.salescircular.com

Generally you can use faster memory than is called for, and this way you can buy chips that are suitable for an upgraded computer before you actually buy the MBD and CPU.

You may, however, need a more powerful power-supply to upgrade, although memory alone probably won't necessitate it.

[emulatorloo]

4. and old intel SE440-BX2, only 3 slots currently filled with 128

and will only recoginize PC100 256MB dimms -- and sadly very very picky about which dimms it will recognize - requires certain chip configuration which isn't common. 49.00 each. Thanks for the tips!

[necso]

5. I read that as PC2100,

not PC100.

It's not really worth it to invest much in that technology. (But I run fine with a Celeron 800 and 512MB -- although there are things that I avoid.)

Carefully root out any unnecessary startup programs -- and almost all of them are.

Shop around for a inexpensive MBD and CPU online, then see if you can't get memory from the chain stores on some rebate deal (be very careful about terms). I've had good luck with Kingston and PNY and this would make for separate manufacturer rebates. Plus, some chain stores sell return memory at a significant discount. My last 256MB PC133 cost me like $20 (some time ago though).

There really isn't time to research this (one left), but

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=E-3000-K5&cat=MBB

The AGP could be a problem if you have an older card -- and I would buy a better PS. (Geeks has a bunch now. Also some inexpensive optical mice -- these make great gifts for folks who don't have. But buy quickly if you decide to -- putting in the cart doesn't reserve.)

[emulatorloo]

7. that was a perfect deal -- too bad I missed it though!

one of the better compgeeks deals I've seen in a while. Funny too because I went thru their specials page today and COMPLETELY MISSED SEEING THAT.

I actually upgraded a lot of my components 2 years ago, so I have a decent powersupply, DVD burner, and Nvidia Gforce card.

I'll see what I can do about the start-up programs . . . and keep my eyes on geeks.com for another deal like that.

[necso]

8. Sometimes a deal gets repeated --

or a few pop-up (canceled orders, whatever). Check often.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

6. Can you up-grade?

My PC is a '99 model..P4 2.4 When I looked at upgrading last weak I released I can't becaus NONE of my hardware is interchangeable. I've heard good reviews about Newegg.com.

[emulatorloo]

11. I will have to get new motherboard, ram and CPU - and I recommend

Newegg if you ever need something like that. They do have good prices and ship really fast, even though when you order there are a bunch of disclaimers that make it sound like they are going to take thier sweet time shipping stuff out.

[Ladyhawk]

9. If you know how, do it yourself. And yes, New Egg is good.

If you don't know how and live close, I could do it for a nominal fee. :D (I live in Kah-lee-foh-nee-ah.)

[emulatorloo]

10. am ok to do it myself -- THANKS for the offer

:toast: and sadly I am far from California, which I love.

[Ladyhawk]

13. Great place, isn't it? I love it here. I just wish I didn't live in a

red zone. :( It's beautiful here in the mountains, but it's also full of fundies and freepers. :( The coast is blue, but it costs too much to live there. I love the coast, too. :) :) :)

Where are you from? (I suppose I could click your profile, eh?)

Good luck on your upgrade. My system has been due for an upgrade for a long, long time. I just can't afford it presently. I almost wish New Egg wasn't in California so I didn't have to pay taxes on their stuff. :D

Upgrades are fun...enjoy!!!!!

[emulatorloo]

17. one of the bluer counties in Iowa

but we have enough freepers to keep me annoyed and plenty of Bush bumpersticker toting visitors. . .

No mountains though.

[Benfea]

12. Get thee to Sharky Extreme

There's a web site out there at www.sharkyextreme.com (careful with the spelling, as a slight variation leads to a pr0n site).

The web site compiles lots of hardware reviews from other sites, the kind of reviews that involve very thorough testing. If you scroll down, on the left you'll see three "Buyer's Guides." These combine the results of all that testing with the latest pricing info. The three buyer's guides are at three different price points depending on how much you're willing to spend, and each guide tries to select the best possible bang for the buck to build your own complete computer under the designated price point. They even include links to whomever currently has the best price for each part.

I'm not sure I would build exactly the computers they recommend, but it's a great starting point for research of this type when you're shopping around.

====================

Oh, before you do any of this, the first thing to do is download and run a decent RAM checker program. If you suspect one or more of your RAM DIMMs are bad, you might as well find out which ones. Make sure you run the program for a long time, as the system cache can hide errors in your RAM.

[emulatorloo]

16. that is a heck of a site -- thanks

had never seen that one.

was unclear about my "ram issues" -- it is that I don't have enough RAM! and my motherboard limits me to 256mb by 3. Not to mention that it cant see a hard drive larger than 40GB.

[Ladyhawk]

14. Oh, BTW: pricewatch.com

I trust newegg.com not to screw me over, though.

[giant_robot]

15. Try Tiger Direct

www.tigerdirect.com

Lots of good deals on refurbished and factory recertified stuff. I've bought a bunch of stuff from them, and they've always been good to deal with.