DescentBB

Right. I'm replacing both of my machines here and I want them to be perfectly identical to each other. I've got a small budget of around $1200, which when you divide by two, becomes and even smaller $600.

Do you think it's possible to build a 'decent' spec machine for that much?

I'm purchasing all of my components from http://www.ebuyer.com. And if you're wondering what $600 is in pounds sterling used there, its about £340.

I don't know whether to bother trying.

what are the specs of the PCs u have now?
going to be using any of the old parts?
and what are they going to be used for?

For $600 each, more than likely you're going to be re-using some parts. The question is, what parts are you going to be re-using? Are you wanting to buy just components for your computer, or are you wanting to start from scratch? (ie: new monitor, case, etc)

Well I was actually planning on selling these 2 machines and a pre-networked package. So I was planning to do it from scratch really

Specs for the entire piece of kit:
AMD Athlon XP 1800 + (1.533ghz)
512mb DDR
128mb nVidia Geforce 4200 TI
Western Digital 60GB HDD @ 7200rpm
DVD-ROM
CD-RW (48x,24x,48x)
Creative SoundBlaster Live!5.1
+ Plus +
17" Samsung Syncmaster 753s
Keyboards, Mice
Speakers (I actually have 4.1 sets at the moment)

I really doubt I can get all of that and better within my budget. But I was wondering if you had any better ideas in mind.

Buy two Dell computors?

$600 each will get you quite far if you can manage to keep some of the old hardware. Upgrade CPU/mobo/mem, case maybe, HDD maybe, vid if you can (not likely on that budget), and you're all set. Won't be screaming fast, but, say, an Athlon64 3200+ would blow away that measly 1800+, and at a pretty reasonable price.

happy place

try taking a peek at komplett.co.uk prices are about the same but the service is far better and the delivery services are cheaper and quicker (two days if you time it right) also keep an eye on ebay for new corsair value select 2*512 matched sets going for under £52.00. no probs with maxtor diamondmax 10s and lg gsa dvd writers that i use for myself and clients during the last year. but at uk prices you should allow £450-500 per box if you want better and reliable kit with at least a 6600 card and thats with out monitors.

It seems I need a re-jig of my budget. Thanks for your help guys.

If you can squeeze even the lowly Athlon 64 2800+ into the budget it will annihilate an XP 1800+.

Yeah I would say a s754 2800 or even a s939 3000 Venice would be the absolute lowest I would go. Any lower and it's pointless to waste ur money on it
Unless ur guna get something like an XP2600 Mobile and OC the hell out of it

And a at least a 6800NU or 6600GT on the video.