Hey everybody im a new poster here but I have started to become interested in all things computer so I have been mulling around these forums reading posts. I found a computer on sale that really struck me because of its price. Keep reading down to see about it. My question is if this is a good deal? I mean come on 250 bucks!! Thats insane! All comments are appreciated and thanks.

 

Video Card- GeForce 5500fx says it works pretty good when overclocked says he gets  currently 30-36 fps in World of War Craft
Intel 2.6 GHz Processor
2GB Ram
17 inch CRT Flatscreen Monitor

This is what he said verbatium

 “Around 100GB HDD.  Couldnt tell you the exact amount, but i split the HDD into two drives, but got too lazy to format the other partition.  but if i split it in half and ones 56gb then yeah, its around 100 gb total.”

What does splitting a hard drive entail? What is the point?

Sound Blaster Audigy SE sounds card.

 HP DVD Writer 300n

Running XP Professional SP2.

 Microsoft gaming mouse, and fully functional keyboard. 

 He says that the speakers are awesome but either way I don’t care I have my own

 Lastly a headset If I want it

This is all for the price of $250.00

 Is this a fair price? What else should I get the specs on before I commit?(I mean this definatly isnt just what is included in the PC) I defiantly want to upgrade the grafix card ASAP what should I get from here I would hope to play some pretty nice games like COD4.  

 What else would you recommend for the PC? What do you think the real value of the PC is? Thank you all for any feedback.

That computer will not be able to run Call of Duty 4 atm, and even with a graphics update I doubt it would.  Considering it has a GeForce FX, that means it is AGP.  That means although it says "Intel", it is the extremely outdated Pentium IV.  Don't bother, mate.  That's a dead end system.

 I sold a better system a year ago for about $200. Personally if I were you I would offer $150. You do seem excited about the deal, I don't know exactly what the price of things in you area is like. If you are happily willing to pay that price and you've looked around I say go for it.

-Dev 

 Indeed 150-200 max. the P4 is dated and the Vid card is very old...

Ok

now how much do you think I would spend if I wanted to upgrade to say something that can run COD4 just using it as a benchmark

What should I ask for in terms of more detail of the computer unless thats really all I have to know? 

hey guys here are some adds i found on craigs list tell me what ones I should look at

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/sys/647675934.html

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/sys/645009355.html

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/sys/642661374.html

maybe im stupid and have found crappy ads but I really dont know what a good deal is I dont want to spend over 750 max but i am willing to buy a comp then upgrade it 

 Mate really if you want to be playing Call of Duty 4. You should go for a different system altogether. 

I'm not sure if you want a desktop or laptop.  You are linking to both.

Anyway:

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=7495951

That's a complete system, Mobo, CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD, Case, PSU, DVD.

Current price: 

$515.92

That's pretty much the minimum I would recommend.  You could get a smaller Hard Drive to save $ if you want.  However, I recommend instead of the 8600GT video card, that you go for this 3850 512mb:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241068 

This would raise the price, of course.  The 8600GT will run CoD alright though.

thanks crisis 

first like doesnt work 

dev what would you reccomend 

ok so the seller insists that all of this is worth 250 can anyone give me some proof that its not like comparisons and prices i believe you all but i just dont want to pay more than i have to help anything is great!! 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811119115

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813128059

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814130085

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817189014

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819116036

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820231098

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136073

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16827135156

And dude, I'd just forget about that $250 Pentium IV system. 

Not a bad system. 

A few things could be changed.

-RAM choice isn't bad at all. There are quite a few deals for RAM for around $20 after rebate. I'd rather not list now since you sometimes have to jumpe right away on them. I can look for some if you decide to build a pc instead of buying a built one from someone.

-I personally wouldn't buy that power supply brand.

-I built a system with that PC case before. If you buy it, just be careful as the edges are a bit rough. I cut myself on the case, but it wasn't too bad. I could possibly give you a case. I have a spare one that a friend is currently using. He's using it for now until he buys another case. It is a Ultra Grid case (side window version).

Let us know if you plan on building a pc instead. We can keep a look out for hot deals and look for the best price for you. 

wow man that would be really cool of you if you can

I definatly want to build my first PC but obviously there are so many options and deals my heads going to explode

If you could spare a case that would be awesome no worries though

I am always looking for deals due to my not so good income( im selling stuff on craigslist to pay for most of this)

Any new ideas would be great I made a new topic actually about this so reply wherever.

 thanks again to all who are posting

Crisis Causer:

Sorry, he's the list:

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811119115

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813128059

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814130085

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817189014

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819116036

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820231098

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822136073

 

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16827135156

 

And dude, I'd just forget about that $250 Pentium IV system. 

This is a great start, but you will also need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and O.S.!

well dont I also need a cooling system or some sort of wireless internet component?

do you know where i can get a good deal on a monitor mouse and keyboard are no big deal they are cheap

RyuGTX:

-RAM choice isn't bad at all. There are quite a few deals for RAM for around $20 after rebate. I'd rather not list now since you sometimes have to jumpe right away on them. I can look for some if you decide to build a pc instead of buying a built one from someone.

-I personally wouldn't buy that power supply brand.

-I built a system with that PC case before. If you buy it, just be careful as the edges are a bit rough. I cut myself on the case, but it wasn't too bad. I could possibly give you a case. I have a spare one that a friend is currently using. He's using it for now until he buys another case. It is a Ultra Grid case (side window version). 

I just went with a cheap kit that had heat spreader for the RAM.  Better deals can be found.

That power supply is fine.  I suggested it for a build back in December and it has been working quite alright powering a notoriously power hungry Radeon X1800XT.  But it's only been about 5 months, so I don't know if it will hold up.  There are better options, I am sure.

I recommended that case b/c it is pretty inexpensive, and it's my current case.  I don't have any problems with it. 

Crisis Causer:

 

RyuGTX:

-RAM choice isn't bad at all. There are quite a few deals for RAM for around $20 after rebate. I'd rather not list now since you sometimes have to jumpe right away on them. I can look for some if you decide to build a pc instead of buying a built one from someone.

-I personally wouldn't buy that power supply brand.

-I built a system with that PC case before. If you buy it, just be careful as the edges are a bit rough. I cut myself on the case, but it wasn't too bad. I could possibly give you a case. I have a spare one that a friend is currently using. He's using it for now until he buys another case. It is a Ultra Grid case (side window version). 

I just went with a cheap kit that had heat spreader for the RAM.  Better deals can be found.

That power supply is fine.  I suggested it for a build back in December and it has been working quite alright powering a notoriously power hungry Radeon X1800XT.  But it's only been about 5 months, so I don't know if it will hold up.  There are better options, I am sure.

I recommended that case b/c it is pretty inexpensive, and it's my current case.  I don't have any problems with it. 

Yeah, I was jus expressing my personal opinions/experiences.

Good to know you own that PSU you recommended.

As for the case, I need to wait for my roommate to buy a new one. And I don't know when that will be. The one he wants to buy isn't out in the US yet. Oh, I'm not sure how much shipping costs will be. You wouldn't happen to live in Orange County (southern California) to pick it up?

As for an OS. My roommate is a Computer Science Engineering major and he gets free software. Not sure how many CD keys the university will give him. But it might be possible to get you XP. 

Anyways, I think it is better to continue this conversation in the new thread: http://hothardware.com/cs2007/forums/t/38218.aspx