I need a new computer

I am in the market for a new machine. I would like some suggestions and recommendations as to which route I should take

Build? or Buy prebuilt?

I have to think of cost here to. This will be my work computer(bookkeeping) and will also be used for picture processing and I would like to burn DVD's with it too... any help would be appreciated

what OS XP home? Professional? Multi Media?
How much Ram?
How fast a processor?
What motherboard?
How much Video memory?
What kind of sound card?
What kind of DVD burner?
What software?

Any particular brand of prebuilt? why?

I want as much speed and power as I can afford... and also looking for a new 17 inch LCD monitor...it is easier on my eyes and on my back when I have to move it around...and I need plenty of HD space...

Okay I am open to all suggestions...

thank you

 

It's not really any cheaper to build it yourself.

The advantage in doing so is a better warranty, the satisfaction, choosing your own components, and tailoring it to precisely suit your needs (and it's a valuable learning experience).


It's up to you which way you go. How much do you want to spend, and do you play any 3D games?

 

Who has time to play games... ah I can dream... I need it to work and it has to last and take a lot of work... the one I use now (this one) I built several years ago and it is having problems...keeps burning out power supplies...I am on my third and it is starting to make noise... and I have only had it a year... so I figure I better get something else going before it gives... I want one with a card reader on the front and front USB ports and to really good graphics when I edit pictures. so I do not like the onboard video or sound because it hogs memory that is needed else where... I usually run several programs at once and surf at the same time... and I have been having problems with the system rebooting for no reason even if it is idle...I let it send an error message to Microsoft and they came back with a possible of 4 problems, Power Supply, motherboard, memory or CPU... it has 526 memory, 950 Mhz CPU and a generic mother board with onboard video and sound... I run XP professional, Quickbooks and various photo programs and geneology research... and I would like to make my own DVDs... I guess I can just search out the components and see what I can come up with... I could actually spend more if I buy in stages as I find what I want... I just hate the headache of putting it all together again...Is there a good system out there that does not cost the moon? I can always expand it myself if it has the basics...