$1000 build

[veg1992]

Processors can be upgraded if you have the same Socket motherboard. Such as LGA 775 can start with a E4600 or something (just an example) and be upgraded to a E8400 or Q6600, or QX9775.

I really need to know more of your exact uses to give you a money response. Do you just need this to run Vista with Microsoft Office; no gaming, maybe some graphics work? Or do you need something more than that? Something basic that just runs Word and the like could be built and everything for under $500 easily.

Not so fast there bro

You're right but qx9775 is LGA 771

You mean QX9770

 

[NightSurge]

Crapsticks, yes

 

[SapperX]

Don't be intimidated by building yourself. On my first build I had no idea what I was doing, bought some parts, read the motherboard manual, and everything went perfect first try. It really is incredibly easy and mostly consists of snapping/sliding things into place.

 

[NightSurge]

I guess it depends on the person. My first build I basically had no idea what I was doing, as well. And yet it's been running strong for years now. I at least had enough general knowledge to know what parts to pick, and how they were put together.

 

[veg1992]

My first build was at 10, but back then it was a harder process than it nowadays

 

[steveo1902]

currently, I have a Dell Pentium III with a phone line 'net
connection.I will be updating to wireless broadban in the
next few days I just want something to get me out of 'the dark ages'. Nothing fancy. The only thing 'fancy' will be
uplaoading pictures from a digital camera.
I'm noy worried about non-internet related isues.
Thanks!
Charles D. Haynes

 

[NightSurge]

So, are you planning to build this yourself then?

Either way here is the build I recommend:

Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts EA430 430W ATX12V Power Supply
Motherboard: Biostar TA780G M2+ Socket AM2+/ AMD 780G/ DDR2/ A&V&GbE/ MATX
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 5000+* (2.6GHz) AM2, Retail
Memory: 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 (any good brand)
Hard Drive: Seagate ST3250410AS 250GB SATA2 7200rpm 16MB
Optical Drive: Lite-On 20X DVD burner
Operating System: Vista Home Basic 32-bit or Vista Home Premium 32-bit

All that right there should only cost between $450-475 (before shipping) to build yourself.

 

[veg1992]

Watch Maroon recommend Intel on his next arrival

But that looks good, I have that exact same board, its good on overclocking features, and the HD 3200 is quite overclockable, I got it to 700mhz, which is about an 8500gt in terms of speed in games (well COD4 anyways) haha

 

[maroon1]

Watch Maroon recommend Intel on his next arrival

Since you said that then I will give him by sugesstion

CPU
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors

Motherboard
Newegg.com - MSI P43 Neo3-F LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Video card
Newegg.com - EVGA 384-P3-N851-AR GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

HDD
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

The other parts the same as the one that surgeVel suggested

This build offers much better performance, and it will cost you much less than $1000

EDIT: If you are not a gamer then get this extremely cheap video card
Newegg.com - MSI N8400GS-TD256H GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[NightSurge]

Well, my only problem with your suggestions, Maroon1 is that he just wants something for general simple usage to get him out of the "dark ages" as he put it. I don't think he needs a gaming video card, that much hard drive space, or a 45nm CPU meant for gaming and overclocking. It's a good build for the higher end of his $1000 budget, but not really what he needs.