Custom-Built Desktop

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The Machine

• Enlight 7 BAY WHITE ATX MID TOWER W/250W +FLOPPY
• Asus: A7V 5PCI
• AMD: DURON 800mhz cpu & heatsink
• PC-133 CAS 2 16X64, 384Mb, 133Mhz, 168 Pin
• Maxtor: 30.4GB ULTRA ATA/DMA
• Teac: 1.44MB 3.5" INT. FLOPPY DRIVE (CREAM)
• HP 2/4/24X INT EIDE CD-WRITER PLUS 8100I-PC
• Creative: SOUND BLASTER LIVE! VALUE
• Actiontec: CALLWAITING PCI VOICE MODEM
• NetGear: FA310TX PCI 10/100 ETHERNET ADAPTER
• ATI: XPERT@PLAY 98 3D 8MB AGP
• ViewSonic: PS790 19"(18.0) .25MM 1600X1280
• Logitech CORDLESS DESKTOP PRO KEYBOARD
• Logitech CORDLESS MOUSEMAN WHEEL
• ALTEC LANSING ACS45.1 POWERCUBE PLUS 3PCS SPEAKERS W/SUBWOOFER
• HP: DESKJET 932C 9PPM
• Microsoft: WINDOWS 98 SE AND REDHAT LINUX 7.0 W/ KDE

Why Build a Computer?

I decided to build a computer from parts rather than buying one because I knew I would learn a lot. By assembling a computer from the ground up, I have learned how all the components in the computer work together. I also learned how to troubleshoot computer related problems when something in the computer wasn't working. I also learned how to find good deals online, and search around for the parts I wanted. Last but not least, building a computer is fun!

On-line Retailers

NECX

http://www.necx.com/

I highly recommend this online retailer. NECX has very fast delivery and very low prices and many different items. I received my packages within 4 days of my order from them. They had a large selection of products and good reviews about all of them. I ordered all of my computer parts except the RAM and monitor from NECX.

MemoryMan

http://www.memory-man.com/

I moderately recommend MemoryMan. Their prices are a little high, but the memory they sell is top-of-the-line quality. I guess you get what you pay for. Shipping took 1 week from when I placed my order. If you plan to overclock your CPU or bus speed, you need high quality RAM, which is what the Memory Man provides.

Multi-Wave Direct

http://www.mwave.com/

I moderately recommend Multi-Wave. Their prices are rock-bottom low, but their service and shipping are not top notch. It took 1 week to get the monitor I got from here. I chose to get my monitor here because it was $30 cheaper than at NECX and it was in-stock at the time.

Computer Hardware Links

AnandTech

http://www.anandtech.com/

Tom's Hardware Guide

http://www.tomshardware.com/

PC World

http://www.pcworld.com/

Questions? Comments? Share your thoughts on the Discussion Forums...