Buy or Build a PC? Answered

I think you should stop trying to choose components if you don't know what you're doing, it's probably better for a first timer to get the kit you mentioned.

alright

You're up to over $350 with no OS and no monitor... Your motherboard has onboard video, and yet you spent another $100+ on a better video card. I would rate the motherboard as the weak point; not enough RAM slots, not enough PCI slots, not enough USB.

oh i didn't notice that it already had video-thanks, i have a usb hub at home but I'll look for another one anyway

300W Power supply? Good luck.

I agree. Go more than 300W, Caveman.

Consider looking for a case with a power supply, normally I don't shop online for them but If I can get a case with a 500 watt power supply for $69.99 at a big box store, you should be able to find one in the same range or better.... But I also wouldn't use a 300 Watt (( and I wouldn't ever buy a 300 watt, when a recycle center will give them or better away for free ))

It seems like that should work. You may need a bigger PSU if it overloads, but it seems like it should would work fine.

. Depends on what you're going to put into it. I'd go with a bigger PSU, but that's just me, I like to load 'em up with 2 opticals, multi HDDs, &c.

You can burn an Ubuntu CD. You need to use an ISO burner, though. Or you can order one for free from them, although this takes up to 10 weeks. I got mine in 4, but still... They will ship you some for free, or you can burn it to a CD on your own using an ISO burner.

. Just to clarify, there's nothing special about an ISO burner. Just tell your burning app (I use Nero Express, YMMV) that you are using an ISO image for the source.

. Download and burn on the computer you are using now. Put the CD in your system when you turn it on the first time. If you burned the CD properly, it will boot and then you select install from the menu that pops up. . You may have to adjust the boot sequence settings in your BIOS, but most systems will automatically look for the CD if the HDD is not bootable.

. Most modern versions of Linux are not hard to install. With a fresh HDD, no more complicated than installing WinXP. If you build your own system, a free version of Linux (Ubuntu seems to be the most user-friendly) is the way to go.
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. For general-purpose use (ie, non-gaming), it's hard to beat a turnkey system from one of the major vendors. $600-700 will get you a decent setup with kybd, mouse and OS. Might even get a small monitor for that price.
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. If you are wanting to learn more about computers, I can't think of a better start than rolling your own. Getting a kit (such as the one from TigerDirect in your OP) will save a LOT of compatibility headaches. If this is your first build, I do not recommend selecting parts on your own.
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. As far as getting the connections screwed up, you'd have to really try to mess things up. Most of the connectors are unique (eg, you can't plug a disk drive power cable into the data connector) and polarized (ie, you can't plug them in backwards). Get a knowledgeable friend to check everything before you apply power.
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. Whichever route you take, get lots of RAM - 1GB minimum; 2GB is better; 4GB is not too much.

Yes, I wouldn't reccommend selecting parts yourself if you haven't built a PC beofre.

Ubuntu about 30 mins from putting the disk into the computer to surfing the web... (( and it will ask you very similar questions windows setup will ask ))

Erm... Hardly. If you are going to use it for anything other than booting up, I would say to build it.

yep try Ubuntu (( http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download )) It's free, easy to use, and has a GUI, productivity software, like word editors ect, firefox browser oh and it's 100% totally free .....

did you say "yep" Big Bwana to me saying the thing about the USB part?

yep to you and yep to the USB thumb drive idea you have, or you can run it right from the CD if you like as well ..... (( you need at least 384 meg of memory if you want to run the live CD version ))

Use Linux, I recommend Pardus Linux (google it) for starting off. and you'll need to burn it to a CD (there should be an Instructable on How-To)

Without an OS, you will not have a GUI. If you want an inexpensive OS, you should consider linux (which is free).

Yeah, the bundles got me. The best part about Dell's included LCD's is that you can opt-out and get a fairly large discout.

Linux is an OS just like Windows and Mac, except it is free. Linux does have a GUI. If you do not install an OS, there will be no GUI. Good luck.

can i save the Linux download on a USB stick and boot it up if its the first time booting up? Also, does Linux mess up any computers?

If your BIOS supports boot from USB, you will be able to. I have Linux installed on one of my hard drives, and it did not mess up my computer. If Linux does somehow mess up your computer, you can post it in a Linux forum and they will help you solve your problem. Here is a passage describing OS's and their vulnerability to viruses, Trojans etc. There are also several guides on installing Linux from a USB stick already, so you can just search for a guide. I wish you the best of luck.

hey thanks, also check out my list of parts below