I need a new computer! help mebuild plz ~$500 budget

[JEKKI]

so my computer totally craps out on me now, it takes an hour for it to turn and stay on.

I wanted to get this:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=sc430499&s=bsd

but tax + shipping totally kills the deal.

from my current computer I could probably salvage my ethernet card, usb 2.0 card, floppy drive, and maybe my cdr drive and graphics card.

so.....

help me choose these out:

motherboard + processor (pentium 4)

computer tower (I can probably get at Frys)

ram (512 mb)

hard drive (these come cheap off rebates)

is there anything else I am missing???

so basically I need help finding the right motherboard, processor, and ram.

also, will my current video card be compatible with it??

(I think it's a gforce something? it's nothing special but it can play warcraft 3)

plz help! thank u!

EDIT: when choosing a computer case, what does power supply mean??

how would the wattage of a power supply affect my purchasing choices??

my friend built me my current computer like over 3 years ago, I dont kno crap, only he does and he hasnt answered his phone

EDIT2: why is there so many different types of pentium 4?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Manufactory=&PropertyCodeValue=507%3A6985&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&SubCategory=343&Submit=Property

is it okay to get the cheapest one??

also dont they sell processor / motherboard bundles somewhere?

EDIT3: will it work if I re-use my old case / tower??

do compatibility issues arise or is it all cool?

[CYRiX]

*sigh*:
For mobos do you want to upgrade to current stuff?
For processors what do you do with this computer, just play warcraft 3?
We need more info on the video (is it PCI/AGP/PCI-E)...
Make sure the computer case fits the motherboard size of the motherboard you ordered.
The power suplly POWERS your whole computr, 450 watts is most likely good enough.
P4 Processors go in this order from bad to good: celeron, celeron d, p4, p4 ht, p4 dual core.

[opportunity777]

I built my friend this computer through Newegg because he had a shoestring budget:

NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel
HITACHI Deskstar 7K80 HDS728080PLA380 -0A30356 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
MSI K8N NEO3-F Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce4-4X ATX AMD Motherboard
SAPPHIRE 100119 Radeon X550 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card
VANTEC ION VAN-400B ATX12V 400W Power Supply
Crucial 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
MD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model

The total with shipping was like $555, but it is probably cheaper now since that was a few weeks ago.

My good deed for the day is done and now I'm going to get ready to go out :-P

[JEKKI]

yeah my current video card fits in the PCI slot...

all I mostly do on my computer is go internet, Dl and watch videos, and the same w/ music.

also microsoft office programs, prolly some matlab, music recording and production also (gotta get a soundcard for that)

ok some more question, what is the difference between socket 478 and socket 775 motherboards?? both seem to be P4 compatible.

what is the difference between ram speeds? like 266mhz or 33mhz?

thanx

[ngamer007]

I'm selling my computer for $400, and you can always upgrade it if it's not good enough. It works great, in fact, I'm using it right now.

http://home.earthlink.net/~ngamer007/computersale.html

Contact me if you're interested.
AIM: Katamari Kyle
E-mail: ngamer007@hotmail.com

[flizmo007]

Toms Hardware just had an article for a $500 gaming PC... Here's the link:
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20051014/index.html

[flizmo007]

Here is also a Dell
Dell Business has the Dimension 5150 P4-3.0GHz Desktop w/ 17" LCD for $499 after $100MIR. Shipping is $24.
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_desktops?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&DGSite=qIZcQ1HzIovYAkYzPZDB0038155069

Specs:
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 w/HT Technology (3.0GHz,800FSB)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
256MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (1x256M)
17" E173FP LCD
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelator 950
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Integrated Intel PRO 10/100 Ethernet
48x CD-ROM Drive
Integrated Audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 capability
90 day On-Site parts and labor, 90 day phone technical support
Mail- In Rebate $100 Mail In Rebate
Add $40 for 512MB RAM

[JEKKI]

I may get dat one... hope the deal lasts tho coz Im still thinking / researching

[Moxio]

http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/Default.asp

Check the AMD one on the left. Suit your needs?

[JDMxB]

Judging by the questions i'm hearing, definately go with a prebuilt system to save you the headaches.

[CYRiX]

PCI is almost dead.
You need new stuff, get it future-proof (you can upgrade later)
The higher the number of the socket the better, so 775 is a better cpu.
Same with ram frequencies.