Discount Computer Buying Guides

Barebone Systems

If your a person that wants things done quick and right than getting a barebone system might be the best way to go. Or if your just a beginner but wants to learn how to build your own computer than starting out with a barebone system may be the best way to learn.

Barebone Systems usually consist of:

• Motherboard
• Case
• Power Supply
• CD-Rom Drive
• Keyboard

Memory

This is probably one of the most crucial parts to any good computer system. For just the average user you should have at least 256MB and 512MB - 2GB for power users/gamers. There are several different types of memory but many of the newer systems use only DDR now. DDR Memory has several processing speeds ranging from DDR 200mhz (PC1600) to DDR2 675mhz (PC5400). DiscountComputers.us recommends 400mhz (PC3200) DDR Ram for general use. Before purchasing make sure that the memory is compatible with your motherboard, you usually can find this info at the manufacturers website or just by doing a quick google search on the model of your motherboard.

First off, DDR-SDRAM operates from a 2.5 V power supply while DDR2-DRAM supply voltage has been reduced to 1.8 V for the core and the data in/outputs. So your getting more performance and using less power while making room for operation at higher frequencies.
Secondly, a DDR2-400 core operates internally at the same frequency as a DDR-200. For that to be possible the internal data bus has to be doubled - which ends up in a slightly increase on dies size - but has the major advantage, that the memory core internally operates only at the half frequency.

512MB PC-3200 DDR DIMM

Hard Drives

There are two main types of IDE hard drives that computers use today.

ATA - Short for Advanced Technology Attachment, a disk drive implementation that integrates the controller on the disk drive itself.

Ultra ATA-100

Also called Ultra-DMA, ATA-100, and DMA-100, supports multiword DMA mode 5 running at 100 MBps.

Hitachi 82.3GB UDMA/100 HDD

Also called Ultra-DMA, ATA-133, and DMA-133, supports multiword DMA mode 6 running at 133 MBps.

Maxtor 120GB UDMA/133 7200RPM

CD Writers

If you want the ability to make your own custom CD's than here is all you need to know to pick out the right one:

Interface

The interface you choose for your CD-R or CD-RW drive depends a lot upon whether you want an internal or external drive. If you have an empty drive bay and are comfortable opening up your computer (or you can pay someone to do it for you), then an internal drive is probably preferable. The most common interface for internal drives is called IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics, the standard for mass storage devices). You might also find reference to EIDE, which indicates an enhanced version of the IDE specification.

Internal 52x CD-RW Drive (White Retail) High reliability and data duplication Lite-On’s CD-RW is perfect for creating custom compilations of audio video or data applications.

I highly recommend USB if your looking into buying an external CD Writer. Thanks to the true plug-and-play nature of USB connectors, this type of interface is the easiest to set up. The new USB 2.0 interface allows for ultra fast data transmission. External drives usually cost more than the regular writers due to their mobility.

Classic CD-RW 52x24x52 USB2.0 Drive The FX-1 CD-RW Hi-Speed innovative design. The future of CD burning looks state of the art with our latest FX-Series.

Like USB, Firewire allows for easy setup and fast data transmission though not all computers are configured for Firewire connections.

52x32x52 CD-RW External FireWire Drive LaCie’s new family of rewritable CD drives was specially created by the famous agency Porsche Design GmbH to provide a simple way to burn pictures songs or video footage onto personal CDs.

DVD Writers

• R +/- Stands for recordable, with this type of DVD Writer your only able to write on discs once and files cannot be deleted/changed. The +/- stands for the different formats, make sure your burner is compatible with the media before purchasing. Some burners can write on both.



• RW +/- Stands for Rewritable, with this type you are able to rewrite on the discs over a thousand times. If your a person that likes to add/change things than getting a DVD +/- RW drive may work out just right for you.
External

With external DVD Writers its main advantage is mobility. Very useful if you travel frequently. Two main types of external DVD Writers are USB 2.0 and Firewire both of which are very easy to setup (plug and play) and have ultra fast data transmission.



PX-708UF DVD±RW External FireWire/USB2.0 Drive The Plextor PX-708UF delivers the fastest performance in dual formats: 8X DVD+R write 4X DVD-R write 4X DVD+RW rewrite 2X DVD-RW rewrite and 12X DVD-ROM read.

Internal

With internal DVD Writers its main advantage is price, you save up to compared to its external counterpart. For personal use, buying an internal DVD Writer would be the most practical. Especially since many of the models have the same specs but at a lesser cost.



DR8-A2 Black 8X Dual DVD+/- R/ 4X DVD +/- RW Internal Drive - Black 8x DVD+ R and 8 x DVD-R High-Speed Writing. ABS (Anti-Bumping System) Tech.

Motherboard/Processors

Now usually this is the most confusing part for people who don't have experience in building computers. The good news is that many stores have a motherboard/CPU bundle. I'll give a brief overview on the two of the most popular CPU's today.

AMD 64

AMD 64-bit processors allow operating systems and software to process more data and access a tremendous amount of memory.

These processors feature:

• Hypertransport - a high-speed, low latency, point-to-point link designed to increase the communication speed between integrated circuits in computers, servers, embedded systems, and networking and telecommunications equipment up to 48 times faster than some existing technologies.
• Cool‘n’Quiet™ - innovative solution available on AMD Athlon™ 64 processor-based systems that can effectively lower the power consumption and enable a quieter-running system while delivering performance on demand, for the ultimate computing experience.
• Enhanced Virus Protection - AMD Enhanced Virus Protection with Microsoft Windows XP SP2 enables you to:
  • Prevent the spread of certain malicious viruses, which are transported via e-mail and instant messaging applications
  • Surf the Internet with confidence, knowing you have an extra level of protection against certain harmful web downloads
  • Help improve the integrity of your home and office network

Asus K8V Socket 754 ATX Motherboard and AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Processor

Pentium 4

Intel Pentium 4 Processors are known for their HyperThreading technology that enables a processor to execute two threads in parallel — allowing you and your software to multi-task more effectively than ever before.

Shuttle AV49VN Socket 478 Motherboard with Pentium4 2.6 GHz Processor