Need advice

[BrianR]

I'm ready to build a new system but I've not kept up with technology and stuff recently.

Here's what I want in my new box...

Single Processor Celeron or Intel, doesn't matter to me.
about 1.7-2.0 Ghz is fine. 256K cache minimum, 133Mhz bus speed minimum. This means both the mommyboard and processor need to be replaced.

512 Mb RAM of some kind...SDRAM, or whatever fits.

CD/RW with DVD compatability preferred but not necessary...I can save my 44X CD and use this Iomega CD/RW drive (650) if I need to.

40 Gig HD 7200 rpm...bigger is better.

I already have a 3.5 floppy.

I have a mini tower case with a 250 watt PS in it, but a new one isn't a bad thing either...I would rather use existing stuff if I can, but I won't shy away from the extra $70 or so for a new box if the motherboard won't fit in my box.

I'll need two USB ports, one for the ZIP drive and one for whatever...joystick or camera or something.

I need either a 17" flat screen or a 19" tube thing that can display something like 1200x1200. Whatever the GOOD resolution is these days.

I'll need a decent sound card and a GOOD video card.

I must have a 10/100 NIC for the home LAN.

This computer spends half of it's life on the internet doing IRC, email, surfing and streaming video/audio and the other half playing flight sims, first-person shooters and other graphic-intensive stuff. Oh yeah, I'm looking at doing some design work with a CAD/CAM-like setup also. More on that another time.
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The rest of the stuff I need:

a 17" flat screen and 512 RAM (details later when I open the box) plus a decent sound and video card to upgrade another computer.


There will be a total of three computers on the home network. One is already good enough. The other two are too old and cranky and thus are ready for upgrades / replacement. Printers already exist (one for each).

My computer will become a dual-boot system with Windows XP and Mandrake Linux (yes I'm ready for that step finally!). I do not yet know if there's any difference to me between EIDE and SCSI architecture....Comments anyone?

I can buy two new systems from Dell for about $1600. I want this tab to come in around $1000-$1200.

Help me design new boxes please!

Brian