More computer bits

[lnr]

OK, I changed my mind a bit, and it seems there are now three main options:

a) Get bits from Aria. This lot is just under 200 quid inc vat and delivery:

• Abit UL8 939 5.1 Sound/LAN onboard
• AMD Athlon64 3000 Venice Retail Socket 939
• 2 x Kingston 256MB PC3200 400Mhz CL3
• 160GB Maxtor D/Max+10 133/7200 8M
• (plus a compatible AGP card from Mobbsy for 15 quid, and help from rjk in assemble and install :-)

b) A Dell Optiplex GX250, with Celeron D 330 via the university's 2005 agreement is just over 300 quid.

c) If I hang on a month HP will be getting the next tender and I'll be able to get a complete Athlon64 3500 system with 1GB of RAM for somewhere halfway inbetween.

The last option is very close to winning, even if it does mean no computer at home for a month.