advice re computer purchase

  • Thread starter Thread starter vjay
  • Start date Start date
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vjay

I'm looking to buy another computer and it's confusing with all the
different models,prices,etc. I came across this ad for a used
computer that has about what I need. Could anyone give me a ball
park number on what to offer for it or what it's worth in the current
market. I'm assuming it has an XP os. Also,it's still under warranty
Athlon 2200+
Via KT400a chipset
80 gb 7200 Hard Drive
256 MB PC 2700 DDR
64mb 8x Nvidia GF4 DDR Video Card
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
56k modem
Lan,Internet Keyboard,Mouse,Subwoofer,Internet ready

His asking price is $459
 
Just go to www.newegg.com
There you can look up each item and see what it is worth. I would
also want to know the brand name and models of all the parts. Then
also the Case, Power Supply, CPU Cooler, Floppy, Operating System.
You definitely want to know if this deal includes the OS.

I think you can build a new computer minus the keyboard, mouse and
speakers and monitor for around 600 that is faster and will run
better.

I would not buy it because it is a Via Chipset motherboard, the video
card looks weak, and there is only 256 Megs of memory. The processor
is only worth about $55.00 or so. You can purchase a XP2800+ retail
version processor for $121.00. I would also recommend an Nvida
Nforce2 chipset motherboard like the Asus A7N8X.

Try visiting the website

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.html?i=2001

This website is a recommend low-end budget build. It is just for
reference:

This is what I would suggest:
Case: Antec SLK3700BQE 350Wat Power Supply, 120mm Exhaust Fan.
Motherboard: Asus A7N8X Retail
CPU: AMD XP2800+ Alternate XP2500+ 333 Mhz FSB, larger Cache Barton
Memory: Crucial 512Meg In one or 2 pieces.
Hard Drive: Western Digital 80GB
Optical Drive: CD/RW/DVDROM
No Floppy.
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon 9600
 
I'm looking to buy another computer and it's confusing with all the
different models,prices,etc. I came across this ad for a used
computer that has about what I need. Could anyone give me a ball
park number on what to offer for it or what it's worth in the current
market. I'm assuming it has an XP os. Also,it's still under warranty
Athlon 2200+
Via KT400a chipset
80 gb 7200 Hard Drive
256 MB PC 2700 DDR
64mb 8x Nvidia GF4 DDR Video Card
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
56k modem
Lan,Internet Keyboard,Mouse,Subwoofer,Internet ready

His asking price is $459
Click to expand...

Offer $300 and go from there... If it's in a nice (sturdy) case, decent
name-brand power supply, heatsink, etc, and with WinXP license (physical
certificate a must) included, it could be worth upwards of $400, but most
people who have a critical eye for the better parts of "yesterday" would
be building their own so I'll assume you're not going to know if some
parts are good or not. Be sure to have enough hands-on time to check the
system, even run a benchmark like 3DMark2001. Check the voltage and temp
readings in the BIOS health monitor screeen.

Determine what the warranty is, what it includes. Is this an OEM box?
Proprietary gear from the likes of Compaq or HP would be worth less than a
decent standardized system, but better than low-end junk. A low-end junk
system with only a decent video card and CPU (for it's age) is worth $100
less. The warranty might only apply to original owner, or might need be
put into writing if from the seller, with clear, specific terms. A used
"as-is" system without sufficient warranty might be worth another $50-100
less. Can't know what items like Keyboard, Mouse, Subwoofer, etc are
worth... they could be worn out or junk or new because owner kept
originals. Check the fans.... if they're dusty the rest of the system
probably is too, deduct for dirt or accelerated aging of DVD/CDRW drive.
 
I'm looking to buy another computer and it's confusing with all the
different models,prices,etc. I came across this ad for a used
computer that has about what I need. Could anyone give me a ball
park number on what to offer for it or what it's worth in the current
market. I'm assuming it has an XP os. Also,it's still under warranty
Athlon 2200+
Via KT400a chipset
80 gb 7200 Hard Drive
256 MB PC 2700 DDR
64mb 8x Nvidia GF4 DDR Video Card
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
56k modem
Lan,Internet Keyboard,Mouse,Subwoofer,Internet ready

His asking price is $459
Click to expand...
Thanks to all for the advice. I'll look into it
 
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