Newegg is the best online place that I have used for buying hardware.
This is another section, designed for those who are not that familiar with computer hardware, or would just like to see what other people are using. Here are some of my favorites. I have not bought a Pentium cpu in years, so I will not address them here since I don't have recent experience with them. I prefer AMD cpus.
As in other places, these are just what I use. And really all the below depends on what you are doing. If you just surf the net or check email and write letters, than most of the below is overkill. I believe you could get nearly any modern computer and be happy. I personally would stay clear of Pentium Celeron and AMD Semptron. And I spend a few extra dollars to get AMD 64bit processors. But make sure you get 64bit Windows to take advantage of their power.
I accept no liability, or responsibility. Follow at your own risk. blah blah blah.
Last Updated: 7/28/2005
Performance Computers
Monitor
LCD
Generally speaking I like most of what Sony makes. Also Samsung and Viewsonic.
Two important things.
1. Digital monitors are way better, but more expensive than Analog. Make sure you pay attention to the type you get.
2. You have to have a DVI connector to use a Digital monitor.
CRT
Sony and Viewsonic.
Motherboard
(There are lots of good boards, Abit, Asus, and Tyan are also good)
Highend - AMD Dual socket 940 Iwill DK8EW
Midrange - AMD Single socket 939 MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum and Gigabyte GA-K8N
Lowend - AMD Single socket 939 MSI Neo4
Processor
(NOTE: Make sure these are completely compatible, ask the vendor before you purchase)
Highend - Single 939 for the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Above X2 4800 or TWO Dual Core Opteron 270 for the Dual motherboard above
Midrange - Athlon 64 3000 (512k Cache) or Athlon 64 3700 (1mb Cache)
Lowend - I wouldn't buy less than the Athlon 64 3000
Heatsink for the processor
Retail versions listed above come with one that is decent, but consider an aftermarket one for better cooling. Copper is generally better as I understand it.
Ram
I just buy from Crucial, I have found them reliable and have good prices. CAS 2 or 2.5 (slower than 2) is what you want to shoot for, and the fastest your system will allow.
Video Cards
SLI are the current best. This is a big subject. I prefer NVidia chipsets. 128mb minimum.
Harddrive
I prefer SATA (Serial ATA rated at 150mb sec), they are marginally faster that PATA (Standard drives). Look for SATAII drives as well (rated at 300mb sec). But your system may not take advantage of them.
If you get parallel drives (you need to know what type your computer can handle), I suggest 133mb.
In any case, I like Maxtor and Seagate. Preferably with 16mb of Cache (Maxtor has them), and around 200gb - 250gb depending on what you do.
Also, bigger is not always better. I subscribe to the theory it is better to have two 250gb drives than a single 500gb drive (which will be out soon). Simply because if it fails, you loose everything. Besides, backing up even a 250gb drive on a fast system can take a very long time, depending on how you do it.
Sound Cards
Usually integrated into the system. If not. I use Creative Labs Sound Cards.
DVD Drives
Plextor 16x, Dual-Layer (8gb capacity) are my favorite. Also, they come with great software.
Floppy
We don need no stupid floppy!
Power
Antec is a safe bet and easy to find. Look for "quiet" versions. 400w to 500w is more than enough in my experience. There are arguments of how much power is actually needed. 400w is a safe compromise. 500w if you have alot of drives, DVD and CD drives, etc.
Computer Case
Look for one with a big (6"), internal fan. Big fans run slower (read quieter, surprisingly), and move more air.
Keyboard and Mouse
Microsoft and Logitech have the best in my opinion. Wireless is always nice.
Scanner
Epson scanners are my favorite. HP are also good.
Printers
HP and Epson are my favorites. Stay away from Lexmark is my suggestion.
Networking
Switches and Routers, and Wifi Routers. Linksys and Netgear make great products. I have had nothing but bad luck with DLink. As has everyone I know.
Network cards
For Desktop systems, Netgear and Linksys. For PC Wifi Cards, I reccomend Sony (Extremely small), and sold at Circuit City in my area. Or Netgear cards which are slightly bigger.
UPS
APC or Cyber power
Webcams
Logitech (Do not get the cheap one, spend at least $100. is my suggestion).
