 New Computer, what to buy? |
  |
 Jun 24 2008, 02:16 AM
Post
#26
|
|
|
Moving Target  Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972  |
well i have yet to even really look at building my own comp, i haven't the time what with IRL stuff. So it looks like I'm gonna have to buy something prebuilt. My old boss told me that the new macs will come with microsoft OS, will that enable one to play computer games of all kinds as long as you have the system requirements? or are you still unable to play most PC games from the mac? that really is my main thing, computer gaming. I think my old comp is starting to go down hill faster now, i get a yellow light sometimes on the hard drive and my comp freezes alot.
It looks like I'll have to go with what I really didn't want to and buy a dell if the macs don't play PC games. a cursory look at them i made out one that looks ok to get: XPS360 1. left the system color black 2. the dell reccomended Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.40GHz,1066FSB) 3. hopefully xp, i heard vista is a memory heavy application. 4. left it at 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs 5. dell reccomended 1TB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) 6. no additonal hard drive 7. left it at Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write 8 dell reccomended 20 inch SP2008WFP Wide Flat Panel with Webcam and Mic probably over 2k when all said and done. My goal is to have a comp that lasts like the one i have now. 7 years. does this seem like a decent gaming rig? again i have not the time to build one myself and I know I'll eat it on price a bit. Still it is convient and I'm realistaclly not sufficient in the mental capacity to build one myself. |
 |
 
|
|
Jun 24 2008, 03:43 AM
Post
#27
|
|
|
Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,269 Joined: 18-September 06 Member No.: 9,421 |
Glad I may have gotten here in time, if you are going pre-built I highly recommend CyberPowerPC.com. They are a much smaller company, but they build and test the hell out of all the computers they make for people before sending them off and they are really good on the warranty and response time with questions. Also, I just got my girlfriend a laptop that is pretty much the same system you just listed from Dell for $1342 so if you turned it into a desktop you would knock a good bit of cash off the top.
I also got my PC from there and the guys that built it were really nice, they were out of the case that I ordered so instead of making me wait they just bumped me one up the line(gave me the next more expensive case) and got it built and sent out to me.) I cannot recommend them enough, before you buy definitely comparison shop their website. In my experience comparable computers are approximately 200-400$ cheaper there than Dell or Gateway. Chris |
|
|
|
|
Jun 24 2008, 10:12 AM
Post
#28
|
|
|
Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
On the other hand, I have never had any problems with Dell, and even had Customer Service be quite helpful when I screwed something up over a year after the warranty expired.
On the topic of Operating Systems though, go with XP over Vista! |
|
|
|
|
Jun 24 2008, 11:37 AM
Post
#29
|
|
|
Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,269 Joined: 18-September 06 Member No.: 9,421 |
Quite a few years ago now, when I had a Dell, Cust. Serv. was always a crapshoot. I am confident enough in my own abilities to not screw stuff up, that as long as the computer is high quality and doesn't actually break down I won't need to even talk to them. With Dell, I had to call them a lot when things malfunctioned and had to send the stupid thing off a couple of times because there wasn't a service place for Dell near here. Only problem with my CyberPower PC was my problem, I didn't read up on the video card enough and I didn't find out that it has a tendency to overheat. Really good card- at the time- if you keep it cooled enough, but to save money I knocked the whole thing from liquid cooled to fans and had some problems. But, that was my fault.
Your mileage my vary. Chris |
|
|
|
|
Jun 24 2008, 02:33 PM
Post
#30
|
|
|
Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
Dell's RAM selection sucks. Seriously, you want 2 2GB 1066MHZ DIMMS, for several reasons. The first is upgradeability, The second is cost. It is cheaper to use fewer DIMMs and using 2 DIMMS on a 4 slot motherboard givea you two free slots so you can bump it up to 8GB fairly easily. The third is synchronization. Core 2s work best when the RAM is synchronous with the FSB meaning that the best performance for a Kentfield comes from 1066 RAM, unless you're going to overlclock. Latency doesn't matter very much due to the Core 2's huge L2 so high performance RAM provides little value.
And, seriously, They're overcharging you. I just put together the following system on NewEgg for the hell of it. CODE 1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail Item #: N82E16827106057 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $30.99 1 Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811129021 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant $139.99 $119.99 2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822136073 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy $159.98 ($79.99 each) 1 Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail Item #: N82E16824009094 Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy -$30.00 Instant $249.99 $219.99 1 PALiT NE/98GX2+H305 GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB (512MB per GPU) 512-bit (256-bit per GPU) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814261010 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$60.00 Instant $479.99 $419.99 1 Rosewill RX950-S-B ATX 12V v2.2 & EPS 12V v2.91 950W Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817182096 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$100.00 Instant $249.99 $149.99 1 DCT Factory OG-560 30watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail Item #: N82E16836131019 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$15.00 Instant $39.99 $24.99 1 Microsoft Comfort Curve Black USB Wired Ergonomics Keyboard 2000 - OEM Item #: N82E16823109043 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $13.99 1 Microsoft B2J-00001 OEM Gray 4 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Optical Notebook Mouse 3000 - OEM Item #: N82E16826105060 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$3.00 Instant $11.99 $8.99 1 Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G8500ELKR2 - Retail Item #: N82E16820220314 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $15.00 Mail-in Rebate $108.99 1 EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813188026 Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $189.99 1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail Item #: N82E16819115017 Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $209.99 1 Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 English for System Builders 1 Pack CD - OEM Item #: N82E16832116515 Return Policy: Software Return Policy $139.99 Subtotal: $1,797.86 Shipping: $56.61 Grand Total: $1,854.47 You'll notice that this includes the most powerful video card on the market today and space to expand. With a 9600 instead of a 9800 GX2 you save over $200. Without so much room to expand you can save another $200, give or take. Now, if you don't care about the potential to use Quad SLI in the future and don't intend to upgrade to a 64 bit OS, I could drop the upgradability in favor of a 1333 FSB Yorkfield processor and 1333 DDR3 RAM for not much more cost. (Since QUAD SLI requires VISTA I don't see any point in it at the moment, though it could extend viable gaming life in the future) Doing it without an OS would save $130 (either using Linux or turning to the dark side). I would, seriously, build a system for you to your exact specifications for parts +$50 and shipping. If you're interested in such a service you can PM me and we can discuss your needs. The only things I won't do are those which could get me arrested by the FBI. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 24 2008, 05:01 PM
Post
#31
|
|
|
Deus Absconditus Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 2,742 Joined: 1-September 03 From: Downtown Seattle, UCAS Member No.: 5,566 |
Just as a note, it's not Windows that keeps you from using more than 3.25 gigs of RAM on a single application, it's any OS coded with a 32-bit kernel and stack for x86 architecture. Though for like, OSX, say, they have the hybrid kernel that means there's no separate '32' and '64' versions such as there is for Vista or XP.
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 25 2008, 02:19 AM
Post
#32
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972 |
well ya'll have given me something to think about. Realistically i can't just go willy nilly into making a major purchase like this without some type of research. My wife had a few requests. She wants a monitor that plays like a tv or something. have to look into that, and she requested I smaller price as she has spent the money that was set aside for the computer so it looks like we'll have to charge it or something. See what i can come up with.
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 25 2008, 03:26 AM
Post
#33
|
|
|
Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
QUOTE (Hocus Pocus @ Jun 24 2008, 09:19 PM)  well ya'll have given me something to think about. Realistically i can't just go willy nilly into making a major purchase like this without some type of research. My wife had a few requests. She wants a monitor that plays like a tv or something. have to look into that, and she requested I smaller price as she has spent the money that was set aside for the computer so it looks like we'll have to charge it or something. See what i can come up with. Define "plays like a TV". Monitors with TV tuners are unusual and expensive. At that point you may be better off getting an actual LCD HDTV with VGA, DVI or HDMI inputs. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 25 2008, 09:19 AM
Post
#34
|
|
|
Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
QUOTE (DTFarstar @ Jun 24 2008, 09:37 PM) Your mileage my vary. It does. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Seriously, I am quite inept at this computer thing, but I've had my Dell laptop for four and a half years, and the only thing I have had to do is replace the hard drive. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 25 2008, 03:41 PM
Post
#35
|
|
|
Shooting Target Group: Retired Admins Posts: 1,784 Joined: 28-July 04 From: Cleveland, OH Member No.: 6,522 |
QUOTE (hyzmarca @ Jun 24 2008, 11:26 PM) Define "plays like a TV". Monitors with TV tuners are unusual and expensive. At that point you may be better off getting an actual LCD HDTV with VGA, DVI or HSMI inputs. While that's absolutely true, tuner cards have gotten pretty cheap. One that can do clear QAM (aka unencrypted digital cable) or ATSC (US digital broadcast) along with NTSC (analog cable) should run you $50-ish. Plug that into a PC that's running a media center flavored OS, and it's trivial to have your system do double duty as a DVR. The two downsides of this are that a DVR can eat up your hard drive space in a blink of an eye (an hour of high-def is 4-6 gigs, an hour of SD is around a gig) and if you're trying to do some hard core gaming at the same time as you're DVR-ing a show, then you're probably going to drop frames in one or both of those apps. As I think I mentioned earlier, most modern video cards have HDMI output. Going with an monitor that's HDMI compliant or going with a HDTV (as hyzmarca suggests) means that you can grab a blu-ray drive and watch HD movies on your monitor as well. One other thing I noticed -- you're hoping to have the comp last 7 years. In my mind that's an unrealistic expectation. (I usually expect 2, and towards the end of that time frame, I'm itching for an upgrade.) Having said that, if you're insisting on that sort of expectation, do NOT do RAID 0, as you've sketched out. In RAID 0, if either drive fails, then you lose all of your data. Over the course of that much time, at least one of your drives is going to fail. I'd either go with JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Drives) or a RAID format with some level of redundancy (0+1, 1, 5, et al). Redundancy costs more and is sometimes slower, but losing all your data really sucks. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2008, 12:19 AM
Post
#36
|
|
|
Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,650 Joined: 21-July 07 Member No.: 12,328 |
RAID will not add much to a consumer rig, as 90% of the time failure mods are caused by software driven data corruption. A regular backup routine of disk images to an external hard drive would be more effective.
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2008, 02:52 AM
Post
#37
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972 |
think my wife means that we can hook up to a tv and play it on the comp screen and vice versa
i have the comp i have now for 7 years. I'd preferably like to get a decent rig that will steadily decline till the specs for computer games start to get higher than my comp's specs. Yeah we have an external hard drive that back up all the family photos and my old saved games and such. As long as it is steady and reliable (which admitedly dell is) I don't think I'd have too much problems (hopefully). Like forty my hard drive craped out on me one time, but i had the extended warranty and they replaced it for free. Other than that it has been smooth as gravy. again ty for input |
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2008, 05:16 AM
Post
#38
|
|
|
Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,650 Joined: 21-July 07 Member No.: 12,328 |
think my wife means that we can hook up to a tv and play it on the comp screen and vice versa <-- That is actually quite challenging.
Most TVs won't route the TV signal out to a computer. However any modern computer will send output to a modern digital screen - like an LCD or Plasma, though you may have to purchase an adapter cable. (For example sony hates you, and the VGA input doens't work at native res out of the box on my Sony Bravia , while you need a DVI -> HDMI adapter to get native res via the digital connection argh.) If its mandatory to get TV from your computer, you will need to buy a TV tuner card. Fortunately these are super cheap. I reckon the best solution for you is a regular desktop, probably from smaller 'assemble from your chosen parts' vendor, not a dell, with a crossfire capable motherboard and some ram slots free. Then buy a HD4850 or 4870 as your graphics card, and when the system gets a bit long in the tooth, throw in some more ram and a second card graphics card - SLI or crossfire allows them both to work in tandem. You could the same thing with Nvidia, just that the SLI capable mobos are considerably more expersive in australia, not sure if that holds in the US. Hyzamca's proposed solution does what I'm starting with SLI |
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2008, 05:16 AM
Post
#39
|
|
|
Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,650 Joined: 21-July 07 Member No.: 12,328 |
Double post
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2008, 12:18 PM
Post
#40
|
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
QUOTE My wife had a few requests. She wants a monitor that plays like a tv or something. have to look into that, and she requested I smaller price as she has spent the money that was set aside for the computer that's the best part of this thread for me . . i am not married(yes yes, i know, i know), but if she spends the money that was set aside for the computer for something else then i don't really see why she should get to make any requests . . especially those you named . . what's wrong with your TV that she does not want to use it? and if you wanna watch TV on your computer for whatever reason, just look into those USB thingies . . DVBT or however that stuff is called . . a good Stick comes with a means to plug regular cable TV in it, if i remember correctly . . as for using the TV for a computer screen? dude, i seriously advise against this . . the resolution won't fit and the refresh-rate won't fit either . . it will WORK of course, but it won't be something nice to look at . . and dell/HP and other such companies? good service plans, if you wanna pay for that, but they seriously overcharge as mentioned by another poster allready . . 7 years? forget it, you'll be wanting a new computer in at most 3 years, even if you start out with a good system with upgrade capabilities *g* NOTHING needs more than 3 Gig RAM, if you ain't doing Video-Work or complex mathematical stuff like engineering . . and it's mostly in the MAINBOARD if you can put in more than 3 Gig or not . . install a 64 bit system on a board that does not support more and it still won't work . . but with the new DDR Tech that allows 3 Gig to be used in dual-channel, that doesn't even matter as much in my eyes . . and yes, RAID is nice and all, but you won't really be using it .. i advise on using an external HDD for Back-Ups, as those can be replaced and upgraded with much easy and for cheap if you're lucky . . also, moveable and useable on other computers and usefull for getting rid of certain data you wanna have vanished . . simply store everything secret on external, then if shit hits the fan(yes FBI/CIA/NSA, i am looking at you!) just take the external HDD on a run and throw it into a river or something like that . . |
|
|
|
|
Jun 29 2008, 04:13 PM
Post
#41
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972 |
i told her how much it will be and she kinda deflated to that idea so for right now it is nixed.
oh i know I'd like a new comp every year if i could manage it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) but I hate paying so much money so it WILL last me 7 years one way or another by dagnabit! QUOTE (Stahlseele @ Jun 26 2008, 01:18 PM) that's the best part of this thread for me . . i am not married(yes yes, i know, i know), but if she spends the money that was set aside for the computer for something else then i don't really see why she should get to make any requests . . especially those you named . . lol don't get me started on marriage. Suffice it to say this is one of many problems that arise with a wife. YOu marry cause you like who you are and she are at that moment, she marries with the thought of change, to change you to what SHE wants, and to change herself back to who she really is which is somebody completely different than who you knew. Say goodbye to yourself, your money and especially sex (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) still doing da research, my comp now freezes almost everyday now. It was a loyal dog, kind, sweet, let me watch porn on it....it will be hard to say goodbye...perhaps a vigil when the time comes? will all you be there to hold my hand, hug me, and offer condolences? |
|
|
|
|
Jun 30 2008, 01:39 AM
Post
#42
|
|
|
Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
A 23" Scepter LCD HDTV with 1080i and HDMI, YPbPr, S-Video, and VGA video inputs as well as unspecified audio inputs (probably RCA) and unspecified audio and video outputs is 349.99 at New Egg and comes with a $30 mail in rebate. This isn't much more expensive than 22" LCD monitor with far fewer features.
You can get a new comp every year cheap if you're willing to recycle parts and go low end. I could upgrade a computer to modern standards, assuming that most of its parts can be recycled, for $200-$350 (not including monitor) depending on what is needed. It won't be SOTA and probably won't play every new game very well, but it would be more than up to snuff. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 30 2008, 03:06 AM
Post
#43
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972 |
well now I'm paranoid that maybe some malware or hacker gots ahold of my comp. 3 times it went kaput today, but now and then i hear a series of clicks that sound like one is going to a different homepage or opening up another browser. it was after these clicks that my comp shut down for the second time. dunno what is going on. I'm scared.
yeah i'm now thinking I"ll have to go cheap and just get a comp with the mininum stats=minimum price. |
|
|
|
|
Jul 1 2008, 03:47 PM
Post
#44
|
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
disconnect machine from internet and see if it still happens . .
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 1 2008, 06:48 PM
Post
#45
|
|
|
Midnight Toker Group: Members Posts: 7,686 Joined: 4-July 04 From: Zombie Drop Bear Santa's Workshop Member No.: 6,456 |
Install Spybot S&D and avast! and run both of them (run Avast! first).
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 2 2008, 01:19 AM
Post
#46
|
|
|
Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,010 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
QUOTE (Adarael @ Jun 24 2008, 01:01 PM) Just as a note, it's not Windows that keeps you from using more than 3.25 gigs of RAM on a single application, it's any OS coded with a 32-bit kernel and stack for x86 architecture. No, that's false. Any OS with 32-bit memory addresses is limited to 4 gigs of RAM. 32-bit Windows, due to design decisions, is further limited to 3.25 gigs. (Edit: specifically, the design decisions involve reserving some of the process address space for system use. Other OSs use different approaches, and thus don't consume process address space.) ~J |
|
|
|
|
Jul 2 2008, 12:52 PM
Post
#47
|
|
|
The ShadowComedian Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 14,538 Joined: 3-October 07 From: Hamburg, AGS Member No.: 13,525 |
and of course, the mainboard has to support more than 3 Gigs of RAM, just like old MainBoards don't work with really big HDD's either . .
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 17 2008, 02:28 AM
Post
#48
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972 |
ty hyzy. i had like 17 trojans on my comp :O noticed it runs just a bit faster. My hero *fluttering eyelashes*
well i got some of the bills from what the wife has bought and it is a definate that buying a new comp has been placed on hold. 7 years old, interesting to see how long this thing will last. |
|
|
|
|
Jul 17 2008, 03:03 AM
Post
#49
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 533 Joined: 26-February 02 From: In a hot tub, with lots of bubbles and champagne waiting for you. Member No.: 1,972 |
ack dun libol!
while i was typing my first post for avatar, the wife called, talked to her about 10 minutes then when i came back to the comp, the green button on the hard drive turned yellow and my comp froze. c'mon ole betsy don't fail me now! |
|
|
|
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 6th June 2025 - 12:24 AM |
Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.