Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Need a budget desktop PC.

Jun 9, 2005 7:45PM PDT

Well my HP Deskjet 895 Cse inkjet printer finally died on me yesterday. This August 2005 I would have had the printer for 5 years and it's been a good one. If it was still available or any other good HP inkjet printer which operated on WIN 95 I'd probably go out and buy one tomorrow but no one makes printers now that run on WIN 95.

So here's my problem. I've had my sights set on purchasing a new desktop PC from Velocity Micro; their model Vector SX-V but at the moment I can't swing the deal financially so if I went out later today and purchased a new printer of some type which runs on WIN XP I would also need to buy a new desktop PC which will also run on WIN XP since my old PC which will be the next thing to go also runs on WIN 95.

I need to purchase a low end budget PC to get me by for a few months; something I can pay cash for and use for a few months until I can purchase the desktop PC which I really want to buy but can't afford right now.

I've been told by others to stay away from any new PC which also has a Celeron processor. That would leave me with what? A P4 or an Athlon processor to choose from? Which would be better in a basic no frills desktop PC?

I don't need a monitor since I purchased a new KDS 17" flatscreen CRT less than 2 months ago; I just need a new computer and an inkjet printer. Any
recommendations from anyone on a good; basic; no frills desktop PC I could go out and buy later today or within the next few days?

Something easy to set up and use for a few months and hopefully I won't have to deal with the PC maker's tech support while I own it. Don't bother recommending Dell or HP; I've read both have terrible tech support.

To those of you who might ask; no I don't know how to build a new desktop PC from scratch. Any feedback from anyone concerning this subject would certainly be appreciated.


Big Steve
End Of Message
06/10/05

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Why not get a
Jun 10, 2005 12:49AM PDT

used/recycled printer from an independent shop that will work with your current machine until you get a new system
Makes more sense $$ wise

- Collapse -
budget pc? eMachines to the rescue
Jun 10, 2005 1:09AM PDT
- Collapse -
dat's kinda expensive....
Jun 10, 2005 3:06AM PDT
- Collapse -
Build it yourself...
Jun 10, 2005 3:26AM PDT

If you want to save money and get a decent computer at the same time, learn to build it yourself. It's not that hard... ^_^

Celeron is the best choice for tight budget. It is a solid, dependable CPU that's stable, heat tolerant, and if anything, more reliable than Pentiums and AMD processors. The reason most people look down upon Celeron is because it's "poor man's cpu." The fastest Pentium4 and AMD processors are faster than the fastest Celeron, but cost far more. If you compare a Celeron and Pentium or AMD that cost the same, the Celeron is always faster and more dependable. In any case, the speed difference is only on paper, in the real world, I know it's not true. You can save perhaps $100 or more between the cheaper Celeron cpu and motherboard, as compared to a Pentium or AMD running at the same performance. Anyone who would shun Celeron for a economy PC does not know what he's talking about...

Don't get an extra sound card. The onboard processor do just fine. There is no difference in sound quality, at least not any you can tell with human ears.

Onboard graphics is fine for surfing. Watching videos should be fine too. If you play any games at all, you may want to get a lower end AGP adapter. A 128MB Radeon 9200SE goes at around $30 these days.

- Collapse -
Cheap PC...
Jun 10, 2005 5:04AM PDT

I checked out Walmart since they offer some really cheap stuff...

eMachines T3958 desktop PC $498.00
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3429310

No monitor
Intel Celeron D340 2.93 GHz processor
512 MB RAM
80 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
DVD+/-RW drive multiformat drive
8-in-1 media card reader
Intel Extreme Graphics 3D

If you want one with a monitor get this,

eMachines W3050 desktop PC $578.00
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3429307

17" CRT monitor
AMD Sempron 3000+ processor
512 MB RAM
80 GB hard drive
DVD+/-RW multiformat drive
8-in-1 media card reader
nVidia GeForce4 MX Graphics

- Collapse -
Not really a good deal...
Jun 10, 2005 5:24AM PDT

"Intel Extreme Graphics 3D" sounds like an onboard... -_-

The second one may worth considering, but almost $600 for that specs, I wouldn't exactly call it a good deal. Besides, 512 MB ram is a bit low.

- Collapse -
Well you asked for a cheap pc...
Jun 10, 2005 7:12AM PDT

Yes, they both have integrated graphics with 64MB shared memory, which is typical equipment for a basic computer. The popular 512MB is not normally found in basic pcs ($500 and under), usually its 256MB like the computer from Bestbuy you linked for $419.00. That computer also has the same integrated graphics and hardrive, but the one I showed you has a faster processor, larger RAM, and a double-layer DVD-RW. All for marginally less money, $79 bucks to be exact. That is a good deal. Find a better OEM computer for less, then I'll agree with you.

- Collapse -
Oye...
Jun 10, 2005 7:15AM PDT

The cheapest option is always to build it yourself...

- Collapse -
You mean you haven't gotten a new PC?
Jun 10, 2005 8:13AM PDT

Hi Steve,

Golly gee, you need to make a decision in your life regarding a PC. Since January we (many of us) have offered our multiple dozens of suggestions for replacement of your 6 year old Win95 computer:
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7586-0.html?forumID=68&threadID=59692&messageID=708745&tag= and

http://cma.zdnet.com/texis/forums/search.html?q=&qt=&p=Big+Steve&a=&b=&fi=&f=1&o=d&m=

The suggestions have ranged from the very lowest priced to mid range, and I believe you even mention at one time of going over $1100 which would have paid for that MicroVelocity PC you are not craving.

Quite a few times we have mentioned to you the feasibility of the emachine T6212 with a 17" CRT Monitor and printer for $550, or even a emachine for less than $350 with monitor/printer. I believe we have also gone through with you pretty well on Dell, HP, Compaq, emachine, Sony, and MicroVelocity in the past 4-5 months.

You continually claim no gaming at all by you so in effect any modern inexpensive computer will work for your requirements. And really, considering the volume of units sold by Dell and HP they have no more problems than any other OEM builders % wise. Even a Yugo and Toyota have some problems (my Maytag dryer broke a belt not long ago & was able to fix myself). Wink.

Regards & good luck...

- Collapse -
RE: Need a budget priced PC.
Jun 11, 2005 11:40PM PDT

J.R.

Which is considered to be better? A PC with a P4 or an Athlon processor based upon my needs?


Big Steve
End Of Message
06/12/05

- Collapse -
Flip a coin.....
Jun 12, 2005 6:46AM PDT

Either will work good for you or anyone else, unless someone is a high end gamer with a fat wallet, then they would probably select the AMD Athlon 64 FX55. For regular computing and excellent gaming the Pentium 4 performs very well and who really cares (besides die hard gamers & braggards) if a few fps (frames per second) can be gained with the Athlon 64.

- Collapse -
Agreed Steve
Jun 12, 2005 12:05AM PDT

With all your posts asking for suggestions and with a multitude of advice, opinions and recomendations you are still non commital. Technology is everchanging. My advice is to write a list of your current needs, future desires and start "googling" for research, products and prices and be done with it so you can start focusing on computing.

- Collapse -
re: Celeron
Jun 10, 2005 11:47PM PDT

Certainly an Intel or AMD pentium type processor is more desirable, but the PC I just handed down to my wife is a 700MHZ Celeron that is 5 years old with no problems. You can get complete systems for

- Collapse -
RE
Jun 12, 2005 6:58AM PDT

Budget PC = Celeron. All other choices are the wrong choices. A 2.8Ghz Celeron is both faster and cheaper than... say, a 2.6Ghz P4. If you build it yourself, you can get a PC capable to easily handle all the most current games at below $600. My computer, running on a 2.6Ghz Celeron, was build a year ago for around $600. That is, including a $250 17" LCD monitor. HL2 runs at a comfortable 30-40 fps. This kind of PC is what you want. These other people only know how to spend money. They don't know what they're talking about... -_-

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) You should change your name to Celeronfan24/7
Jun 12, 2005 10:27AM PDT
- Collapse -
Dagger a little info for discussion
Jun 13, 2005 12:19AM PDT
- Collapse -
3D mark 2001?
Jun 13, 2005 2:32AM PDT

That thing is seriously outdated. Most of the things they say are simply not true for more recent Celeron processors, especially overclocking. Most Celerons can't be overclocked much anymore.