I need a new computer that i can take to college and just work on basically.
i wanted a PC and i wanted to spend about 800 or so on it. I dont care its its dell or a no name. I already have a brand new monitor so i wont need that. Just wondering what you all think i should do. Something around 3.0ghz,512 or more ram, non integrated Graphics card with Dual monitor support. and Firewire is basically all im looking for. Can anyone help me out here?

Build one from scratch if that's an option.

Otherwise, check out...well, I don't know if this is allowed, as this site is funded by sponsors. But the sponsors sell video stuff...anyway.

computergeeks.com has some amazing deals. I have dealt with them for about 5 years and have had very, very good experiences. You can buy everything from whole systems to just the pieces you need.

$800 will get you better than the specs you mentioned if you spend it on the right pieces!

DJ

I think it's slightly cheaper to get a base OEM system (i.e. Dell, emachines seem to have the best deals?) and then throw in your own upgrades.

Check hot deals sites like gotapex.com, techbargains.net, etc. Because of some of the deals available, the OEMs will sell a system at cost (or maybe slightly under?) which is actually cheaper than buying parts to build a computer yourself.

The lowest-end models have very limited expansion and cannot take a AGP/pciE video card, so watch out for that.

Dell's are pretty reliable and fairly customizable for the price, but if you really want things exactly the way you want it, definately build your own. Check out pricewatch for good deals.

Thanks a ton, im def. gonna check out those sites in a little and see what i can get.

Defenitely build your own. You'll have exactly what you want and most probably better than Dell or whatever. Add dualcore CPU if you can afford and as much RAM as you can get. I'd say 1 gig is a min requirement 2 is much better. I wouldn't worry about putting Sound Blaster in their unless you planning to use it as a game machine. Rather use whatever built in sound it has and later get and external sound board like Tascam US 428, which will have professional in-outs, faders to control your applications, low noise and low latency.

Alex