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[Intelman07]

Originally posted by: human2k
Excaliberpc offers combo discounts and bulk discounts. Get your parts there or from newegg. For your needs this is how I would configure each rig:

Antec Beige Tower w/300W smartpower: $44
Epox 8RDA+ (Includes soundstorm 5.1/LAN/Firewire)- $95
Athlon XP2100 Retail (Includes HSF)-$83
RAM-TwinMos PC2700 512MB $46 (Check hotdeals for link to this special)
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM- $66
Radeon 9500 PRO OEM 128MB $172 (Get this from mwave.com, Limit 5)
Lite-On 52X CD-ROM-$20

Total = $526


Add Windows XP PRO for $140 per computer, each computer will NEED to have its own legal copy of Windows. BTW if you plan to install Desert Combat, get 2 sticks of 512mb instead one, with one stick of 512mb, BF1942 road to rome runs fine, but with DC .03 it likes more ram, with 1GB my system is smooth as silk. War3/CS will run fine with 512mb.


Goodluck!

I second that... looks like a good rig and will be pretty cheap.

 

[Mallow]

I find that a geforce2 mx400 will run Counter-Strike well.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Tret
do i have to buy multiple copies of a os?

Yes, every computer has to have its very own copy of every software (OS/Games) you plan on using. I know MS offers some Site Licenses for cheaper or something.

 

[Tret]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Tret
do i have to buy multiple copies of a os?

Yes, every computer has to have its very own copy of every software (OS/Games) you plan on using. I know MS offers some Site Licenses for cheaper or something.

can you send me a link to it please?

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: Tret

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Tret
do i have to buy multiple copies of a os?

Yes, every computer has to have its very own copy of every software (OS/Games) you plan on using. I know MS offers some Site Licenses for cheaper or something.

can you send me a link to it please?

Windows XP PRO SP1 Three Pack, they also have a 30 pack for only $4,500, cheap.

 

[Tret]

Originally posted by: human2k

Originally posted by: Tret

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Tret
do i have to buy multiple copies of a os?

Yes, every computer has to have its very own copy of every software (OS/Games) you plan on using. I know MS offers some Site Licenses for cheaper or something.

can you send me a link to it please?

Windows XP PRO SP1 Three Pack, they also have a 30 pack for only $4,500, cheap.

thats like 150 bucks each one

im looking for windows 2000 and i found it for $105

 

[KDOG]

Add Windows XP PRO for $140 per computer

Why is everybody telling him to get WinXP PRO? Dude, just get WinXP Home ED. for like 99 bucks. I don't see why XP Home would be any different for playing games than XP PRO...

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: KDOG

Add Windows XP PRO for $140 per computer

Why is everybody telling him to get WinXP PRO? Dude, just get WinXP Home ED. for like 99 bucks. I don't see why XP Home would be any different for playing games than XP PRO...

It looks cooler. BTW you can find some cheap deals on Windows 98SE in FS/FT or on pricewatch, that maybe a good option.

 

[ExtraMSG]

OT, but not really:

From reading your posts Tret, you should really think hard about this enterprise (see Actaeon posts). If you're serious enough to want to pursue this idea, go to the bookstore and pick up a basic guide on how to start up a business. While saving a few dollars here or there on equipment is great, how would you operate it let alone get the capital to start it up? You don't need an MBA but you better do your research e.g., creating a spreadsheet to model your profitability (hint: revenue - cost = profit (or loss)). Good luck.

 

[FearoftheNight]

HEy where is this cafe? How about giving your helping anandtech users some free hours? =D

 

[Tret]

I'm going to open it in downey california ill give anandtech users a few free hours

 

[Tret]

bump more suggestions

 

[Schadenfroh]

a 1ghz duron/celeron with 256mb of ram and a geforce2 pro or even just a gts would run all these games. for 1942, you might have to turn the details down a little and teak it. but other than that they would run pretty well. IMHO 1942/DC and CS are the only games that matter.

 

[jamison]

IMO, for high performance in BF1942, heres my "minimum" requirements for smooth gameplay.

CPU - 2GHZ P4, or AXP 2000+
Memory - 512DDR
Videocard - GF4 Ti/Radeon9500

Pretty accurate (CPU could be slightly slower); I get 75-90 FPS on nearly every map and in nearly every circumstance with full detail @ 1024x768. The only setting that isn't at its highest is the Sound Hz, which is set to 22.

I am on an Athlon XP 1800+, 1GB memory, Ti4600.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Tret
bump more suggestions

 

[mchammer187]

I second going with the dell

Radeon 9500 Pro, 2 Ghz, 512 MB DDR

and a nice 19" monitor

 

[AtomicAlien]

Originally posted by: Tret

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: Tret
do i have to buy multiple copies of a os?

Yes, every computer has to have its very own copy of every software (OS/Games) you plan on using. I know MS offers some Site Licenses for cheaper or something.

can you send me a link to it please?

You will need Microsoft lisecnces for the OS but you can create a "virtual" CD on your hard disk for all the games, saving costs there.

 

[Tret]

how am i saving money?

 

[AtomicAlien]

Because the game discs think the CD it is looking for is in the CDROM drive when it is acutually on your hard disk. So you only need one disc of that game, and create a virtual CDROM drive with the disc data in it for each computer. With most computers having at least 40GB you can do this pretty safely.

 

[Insidious]

The days of saving big $$ by building your own comp. are pretty much gone. While I would have it no other way for my own machines, it is because I enjoy the hobby of building and tweaking. As a business person I am confident that is a "hobby" you don't want.

when you consider the OS is included, I think you'd be making a big mistake to give up the tech support.

Let alone, I don't believe the systems you are hearing about are going to cost you much less to build.

Price out P4 2.4 systems Dell, Compaq, gateway These manufacturers DO give discounts for multiple systems
and while it may not be PC in THIS place to use prepared systems. You may notice that NO company supporting
a large number of heavily used systems builds their own..... They would go broke FAST!

-Sid

 

[Insidious]

Originally posted by: AtomicAlien
Because the game discs think the CD it is looking for is in the CDROM drive when it is acutually on your hard disk. So you only need one disc of that game, and create a virtual CDROM drive with the disc data in it for each computer. With most computers having at least 40GB you can do this pretty safely.

This is some of the worst advise I have seen in this thread. While for single player action this scheme works, even CS can tell if a CD key is in use and disallows all other duplicates on it's server. The same is true of BF1942. (and many other games)

Besides, I'm guessing that if you are serious about running a business, you probably understand that stealing software to support it will not lead to the highest levels of success.

-me again

 

[Tret]

I might check the dells out can someone send me a link to exact dell that i need?

 

[BentValve]

Originally posted by: Tret
I might check the dells out can someone send me a link to exact dell that i need?

customize this one


Edit , I take it back...I guess you cant even get a 9700TX on a 4550 anymore. Looking around Dells site I see
they have nothing reasonably priced with a good video card in it. I would have to recommend against Dell , they
are getting cheap.

 

[BentValve]

I would recommend finding a small PC company that builds with all over the counter PC parts. Compucare is a
WA State based company with less than 10 stores (I think) .

Here is a nice one with nice parts for $799..

MISSOURI Athlon XP 2200+
MSI K7N2-L 8X Motherboard
512mb PC-2700 DDR Memory
80GB Ultra ATA 100/7200rpm Hard Drive
48x12x48 CD-ReWriter
1.44 Floppy
GeForce4 Ti4200-8x 128MB
On-Board Sound
56K/V.92 & 10/100 Nic
Tsunami Speakers
Tsunami Wheel Mouse & Keyboard
Windows XP Home
1 Year Parts, Lifetime Labor Warranty

Missouri

 

[Insidious]

Originally posted by: Tret
I might check the dells out can someone send me a link to exact dell that i need?

I highly recommend a bit of training (a community college, perhaps)
The AT forum is an exceptional place to learn alot, but if you are serious about this, YOU NEED MORE.

It may even be that a trained partner (networking and technical skills with PC hardware) is in order.

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a fun daydream or if you are really serious.... you sound very unprepared for the business venture you are suggesting.