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Korea Newfie
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador
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 Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:49 pm Post subject: What to ditch, what to keep? (Computer) |
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Hey all,
I'm in countdown mode these days, and trying to decide what to keep when I go home. Most is easy, but...
The computer I have is decent. Not great (PIII 600 MHz, 192 MB RAM, 20 GB HD, burner), but gets the job done far better than the P166 Notebook it replaced.
I'm wondering if I should keep any or all of this, rather than get a new system when I get home? I'll definitely be leaving the monitor, but is there any benefit to saving anything, or am I better off getting it at home?
If I do keep anything, should I just take it out and carry it home, and pop it into a box at home? For that matter, how does the power supply work? Would I need a new box at all, or can I just physically carry the one I have home?
I only paid 400 000 won for the whole thing, so I'm thinking I'd like to save cash here, if possible. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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That's sort of old... I'd only take the hard drive for the data it contains.
If I were you I'd buy another cheap HD to replace the one you're taking out and then sell the complete system for whatever you can get, but that's just me.
Computer rule #1: Don't become too attached to your hardware, it becomes obsolete all too fast; Your data/software is what's important. |
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The computer I have is decent. Not great (PIII 600 MHz, 192 MB RAM, 20 GB HD, burner), but gets the job done far better than the P166 Notebook it replaced. |
I'd say that system is too old too lug half-way across the world.
Sell it on the buy/sell forum (you might get about 250,000) and upgrade. |
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Korea Newfie
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador
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| Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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Bulsajo and eamo, First, thanks for the input.
At this point, I'm totally concerned with dollars. I won't be needing a computer next year for anything other than surfing the net, e-mail, and cranking out papers. Therefore, I wouldn't be willing to pay a lot for a new system at home. In terms of saving data, I can always just burn what I need, if it were better to ditch the system.
So, in the long run, it's better to just ditch and get a different system in Canada?
Also, what about buying some new parts in Yongsan? Better than getting them at home?
Man, I'm clueless... |
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JackSarang
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 12:21 am Post subject: |
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If you're really truly cost conscience then rip everything out of the case and just take it with you sans the case/power supply/keyboard etc.
When I was last in Canada I bought a brand new computer, stripped it and brought it all over here with me.
Back home you can buy a new case and power-supply for about $35 bucks and a new keyboard for $10. A new monitor is what will run you the most ~$100 for a bottom of the line, unless you can find one used. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 9:16 am Post subject: |
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| Sounds like a dog, I'd sell the thing and be rid of it ... |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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You're lucky to get much above 200,000 for that system if you include the monitor.
You can probably sell the ram back to one of the places in Yongsan and make 20 to 25,000 (just a guess).
Burn copies of the important HD information. Either take the HD with you and try to sell of the rest of the stuff, or sell the whole computer.
I'd probably just sell the whole thing and be rid of it.
Heck, you can get an entire PC sans monitor and OS from www.tigerdirect.com for just $220 US after rebate. It has a Duron 2200 processor, which runs circles around the Intel Celerons. |
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Arthur Fonzerelli
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Location: Suwon
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| Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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ditch everything.. you need to invest in a new system...
new computer applications and internet programs need top speed processors and big amounts of memory to work well...
why not spend a little money now and invest in a decent up to date system?? Your new system should be good for at least 2-3 years... I think it's worth plopping down a little dough now to avoid any future computer problems...
The fonz |
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Korea Newfie
Joined: 27 Mar 2003
Location: Newfoundland and Labrador
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:49 am Post subject: |
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Thanks again everybody for the good points.
The thing is, though, I really don't use my computer that much for anything aside from the three very basics of word processing, internet, and e-mailing. Consequently, I'm really not concerned with having a top-notch computer for the next 3-4 years, I'm quite satisfied with that I have. (Also, I'm going back to being a poor student, so no matter how good an idea spending a little extra money for a good system is, I can't spend what I haven't got...)
I'm really only concerned with how easy and/or cost-effective it is to keep parts from my current system and have them usable at home. If it's doable, then I want/have to do it. If not, then I'll certainly explore other options. |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 1:08 am Post subject: |
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| Korea Newfie wrote: |
Thanks again everybody for the good points.
The thing is, though, I really don't use my computer that much for anything aside from the three very basics of word processing, internet, and e-mailing. Consequently, I'm really not concerned with having a top-notch computer for the next 3-4 years, I'm quite satisfied with that I have. (Also, I'm going back to being a poor student, so no matter how good an idea spending a little extra money for a good system is, I can't spend what I haven't got...)
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If this is true, then what you have is more than adequate. I have a PIII/600 laptop that I use as a backup system, and for basic tasks, including Photoshop, it's not noticably slower than my modern systems at home and office. You'd upgrade if you're into video editing, games, and other stuff that taxes the system. What you've listed does not.
| Quote: |
| I'm really only concerned with how easy and/or cost-effective it is to keep parts from my current system and have them usable at home. If it's doable, then I want/have to do it. If not, then I'll certainly explore other options. |
Everything you have is usable at home, but if you really wanted to make a current computer, you should consider ditching everything but the hard drive and the burner.
I upgraded several machines for my wife's family last month. Here's the cost breakdown, using materials either bought in Yongsan, or online:
1. Case and power supply: 30,000w. They've got some nice cases for very little money now that have USB hookups in the front, side fans.. BE sure the power supply is dual voltage. The cheapest ones are not.
2. CPU + motherboard: I'm a big fan of AMD Athlon XP chips, but the motherboards they use are a bit more expensive than those for Intels. Plan on paying 170~200,000w for the CPU and board.
The motherboard will likely have a 6 or 8 channel sound card built-in, and if you pay just a little more it'll have a decent video chip onboard too.
3. RAM: You'll want 512mb, at least, for a contemporary machine. This will cost about 90,000w. You probably won't be able to use your old SDRAM on your new board, nor will you want to. It's much too old.
Below are optional:
4. Hard drive: You could use the old 20GB. That's more than enough for Windows XP, and a collection of multimedia files and documents. But newer, larger and faster drives are around for 70~100,000w, if you need more storage.
5. DVD-Burner: Not as good a deal here as in the US, though better than Canada. You'll pay around 170,000w for a basic model. The discs continue to come down in price.
6. Video card: if you don't use your old card, and if the new mainboard doesn't come with onboard VGA, you'll pay 45,000w for a reasonably decent Nvidia MX400/440-series one.
So, for about 500,000w, you'll have a screaming new system in the 2.5 ghz range, along with new memory and a new HD. Or pay around 300,000w and reuse the old HD, and skip the DVD burner and use your old drive.
Finally, all of these parts, apart from the drive, are MUCH cheaper here than in North America. |
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bigfoot
Joined: 30 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 1:14 am Post subject: Strip it down... |
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My Korean friends (when studying overseas) would strip down their computers and have it shipped to Canada via post. There really isn't much in a PIII computer, that is, worth taking back home with you. Cases etc...very economically priced in Canada.
It will take 2 months for your computer to get back to you.
Best of luck! |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 1:58 am Post subject: |
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| The Lemon wrote: |
| Korea Newfie wrote: |
Thanks again everybody for the good points.
The thing is, though, I really don't use my computer that much for anything aside from the three very basics of word processing, internet, and e-mailing. Consequently, I'm really not concerned with having a top-notch computer for the next 3-4 years, I'm quite satisfied with that I have. (Also, I'm going back to being a poor student, so no matter how good an idea spending a little extra money for a good system is, I can't spend what I haven't got...)
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If this is true, then what you have is more than adequate. I have a PIII/600 laptop that I use as a backup system, and for basic tasks, including Photoshop, it's not noticably slower than my modern systems at home and office. You'd upgrade if you're into video editing, games, and other stuff that taxes the system. What you've listed does not.
| Quote: |
| I'm really only concerned with how easy and/or cost-effective it is to keep parts from my current system and have them usable at home. If it's doable, then I want/have to do it. If not, then I'll certainly explore other options. |
Finally, all of these parts, apart from the drive, are MUCH cheaper here than in North America. |
Wrong. Check out this motherboard: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=146912&Sku=S452-2000
Or these boxes with power supplies: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=32
Or these hard drive prices:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_hdd.asp
And those are just from one site that I sometimes buy stuff from when I'm back home working on computers for family. If you look around, you'll find Ram is about the same. Chips are a little more -- not much. |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 2:26 am Post subject: |
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Sorry Derrek, you're misinformed.
First of all, you know where the OP's from, right? Newfoundland. This isn't any good to him:
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Rebate Info: $29.99 Rebate. Expires on 04/30/2004
Offer valid in US only.
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Furthermore, that board is an obsolete three-year-old KT266 platform, which isn't even listed on Korean sites anymore.
Here in Korea KN can buy this:
http://www.thecom.co.kr/product/productdetail.asp?pfid=S20A0024410
...for 58,000w. The comparable KT400 board costs $45US before the iffy rebate on your tigerdirect site. That's within $3 after conversion. Also add for postage from the US to Canada, and possible duties.
As well, the case, power supply, ram, CPU, and hard drive prices in Korea are the same, or cheaper than the ones you linked to on "tiger direct".
I stand by my comment - KN is better off buying here - particularly through sites listed on www.omi.co.kr - than at home. Simple math. |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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KT400? C'mon... that's "obsolete" too. I posted that board because the OP wasn't searching for the latest and greatest thing.
And I invite you to look at all of these 266 boards that "aren't available" in Korea because they are "so out of date" ... from the page you quoted..
click here
Used parts are cheaper here in Korea. But new? Compared to the USA and Canada? Not much difference.
Here's TigerDirect in Canada:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=146912&Sku=S452-2000
Sorry, they don't get the rebate on this particular item in Canada. But once you figure out the Canadian dollars, it's still a great deal compared to what you'd pay here in Korea (comparable Korean boards only offer 2 or 3 PCI slots). Please note that there is free shipping on most orders from tigerdirect if your order is over $200 Canadian.
And by the way ... I've received the "iffy" rebates from tigerdirect before -- no problems. And power supply, box, etc. cheaper in Korea? Here is one case WITH power supply in Canadian dollars. Still a better deal:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=720577&Sku=D15-1012
I'm not even quoting the great mainboard/CPU bundles, or Barebones kits they offer (not as easily found in Korea).
And hey, Lemon... why would you want to stuff a whole bunch of computer parts in your luggage and take the chance that something might break, or not work once you got it home from Korea???? The guy's going home for gosh sakes... how much room do you think he's gonna have? Sure, he can always pay extra for luggage, but that starts making the "great deal" in Korea a little less great -- talk about shipping!!!! WHOA!
Which is more pracitical? |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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If I was him I'd ditch his current case and power, bring the rest with him in the luggage and reassemble once there with the 34.99 case/power supply from tiger direct. If the drives and M/B are well-packed, he shouldn't have any problem. They also take minimal space. I've done this several times with good results.
He'll find much better prices here than he will back home, and he should take advantage. He can figure out for himself whether he wants to risk the luggage and weight issues. Anyway, up to him. |
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