[Joe Matt]

The Dirt-Cheep Computer Competition

The prices of pieces of hardware are incredibly cheep now-a-days. We can get 512 sticks of DDR RAM for $100 and HD's for $40.

Inspired by the Lindows OS thread, my task for you is to creat a dirt cheep computer using whatever means necessary. It'll have to be a certin type and such, but not too limiting. The entry's will be submitted to me at a given date at a latter time yet to be announced. The winner and runners up will get a certificate at the Regionals that I'm attending or the Nats (or a print-up one). All entry's must be from one person, not a group. You'll submit it through PM. No entry's will be accepted untill the given date and time, wich will be given atleast 3 days in advance. The forum rules and things to fill out will be also given in the 3 day period. Links are required.

Here's the list:

CPU
-P4 2ghz

MB
-Anytype, but it has to be DDR

RAM
-DDR, minimum 512

HD
-100 gb

Optical Drive
-DVD/CD-RW (CD speed at RW- 20+)

Graphics Card
-ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Monitor
-LCD or CRT 17'

Printer
-Anytype, but it has to be color and with USB hookup

Speakers
-Any, but must be 5.1 Surroundsound w/ 5 speakers and sub.

Additonal Features-
Scanner (+2)
DVD-R (+3)
Floppy (+1)

The Additonal Features will add points to your final score. If you get the cheepest computer, you'll get 10 pts. The second will get 5, and the lower will go down by incraments of 2 untill you reach 1 if that many people are allowed to enter.

You must use the internet or links to Best Buy or various other websites. You must calculate the total and then send it to me with the links above for the cheepest values for each part. And yes, you'll have to keep checking up on the cheepest parts untill the entry period.

If, your interested, post here and tell so I know how many people are interested in this.

Thanks and good luck.

Joseph M.