Suggestions about new comp (3 Viewers)

[Lainee]

A year ago I was planning to get a friend to build a new comp for me, but then got sidetracked so I never ended up getting one. Back then these components were pretty much top of the line, but I've lost contact with him now so I can't ask him to upgrade. This was exactly the list that he sent me:

Intel Setup -
CPU: Intel Pentium IV 3.2 GHz
Motherboard: Abit IC7 series
RAM: two Corsair XMS 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM DIMMS for a total for 1GB (model CMX512-3200c2)
Hard Drive: Seagate 80GB 8MB cache, 7200rpm
Monitor: BenQ FP737S flat screen LCD
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Card
Case: normal silver P4 compliant case
DVD burner: Sony DRU510A
Sound Card: Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy 2
Speakers: Logitech z640 series
Floppy: Teac 1.44
Keyboard & Mouse: Logitech Internet keyboard black and MX500 respectively

I don't really understand most of this, but just asking which parts I should upgrade and whether these are still pretty good. The price he quoted for me was around $3200, so would the price have lowered now and by how much really?

 

[loquasagacious]

www.arc.com.au Check prices there.

The price would definately lowered, maybe by as much as $500-ish, I'm just guessing though.

 

[MedNez]

I can't give you a price quoting on that, but that's still a good system. The video card is no long top of the range, but still good (if you're a gamer and wish to play new games for the next few years, you should upgrade this, otherwise it's fine as it is), and it wouldn't hurt to up the hard drive to a Seagate Barracuda 120GB.

The motherboard also works well with your processor (Abit IC7 series + P4 = Win), and an upgraded Seagate hard drive would also work nicely with it.

 

[Lainee]

Thanks guys. So if I gave someone this list they'll know what I wanted right? Do I have to specify like what OS I needed or anything...? I'm really quite clueless about it all.

 

[MedNez]

Yup. Any computer store could interpret that list. Windows XP Home would come with that no doubt, but wouldn't hurt to add it to the list.

 

[absolution*]

Seems a little pricy. Shop around a bit and you should be able to get it closer to $2000

 

[Lainee]

Is it pricey? I really don't know... Hmmm, I'll ask around, but should I get the whole list from one shop? Or should I get bits and pieces and try to work what goes where?

 

[blackbunny]

www.gamedude.com.au super cheap prices..... real shit service. But this is wat you get for super cheap prices, want better service > prices will go up.

 

[loquasagacious]

Get quotes on each part from shops and you should try computer fairs.

Your choice of OS is XP pro or Home, personally I'd recomend Pro but if price is an issue then get home, you can get OEM OS' from the computer fairs really cheap.

If you really are that much of a newbie about assembling computers then you should be able to find a 'geek' of some description to do it for you - pay them about $50.

That said it is really simple if you wish to do it yourself, just read the instructions and plug everything in the right places then follow XP's step by step set-up.

As far as the specs, if you have that much money to throw at it then you should upgrade it to: an AMD 64 (unless you have an aversion to them), a gigabyte motherboard which supports pci-e and ddr2 (I recommend gigabyte because of the large number of features), ddr2 RAM, a pci-e graphics card maybe an X600-XT or whatever the 9600-XT pci-e equivalent is called. Hard drive you should definately get a 120Gb with an 8mb cache, dvd burner should be a 16X dual layer one (aprox $120 from ARC). Umm I think thats about all.

I'd expect big price drops in the monitor and DVD burner prices since your friend quoted those figures.

 

[MedNez]

If you really are that much of a newbie about assembling computers then you should be able to find a 'geek' of some description to do it for you - pay them about $50.

If you can get a list of how much all the components will cost together, and take it to a computer store and ask them to put it together for you and match the price (+ say 100 for service), not only is it then professionally done (if you're not sure how to build a computer yourself), but you'll have a warranty on it and somewhere to go if it breaks.

 

[jm1234567890]

A year ago I was planning to get a friend to build a new comp for me, but then got sidetracked so I never ended up getting one. Back then these components were pretty much top of the line, but I've lost contact with him now so I can't ask him to upgrade. This was exactly the list that he sent me:

Intel Setup -
CPU: Intel Pentium IV 3.2 GHz
Motherboard: Abit IC7 series
RAM: two Corsair XMS 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM DIMMS for a total for 1GB (model CMX512-3200c2)
Hard Drive: Seagate 80GB 8MB cache, 7200rpm
Monitor: BenQ FP737S flat screen LCD
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Card
Case: normal silver P4 compliant case
DVD burner: Sony DRU510A
Sound Card: Creative Labs Soundblaster Audigy 2
Speakers: Logitech z640 series
Floppy: Teac 1.44
Keyboard & Mouse: Logitech Internet keyboard black and MX500 respectively

I don't really understand most of this, but just asking which parts I should upgrade and whether these are still pretty good. The price he quoted for me was around $3200, so would the price have lowered now and by how much really?

dell can do this for around $2600 inc tax, delivered to your door.
so that package is definately expensive

M210121 - Dell Dimension(TM) 8400 Pentium(R) 4 530 w/HT Desktop 1 2,393.00 2,393.00
Date 08/01/2005 08:18 PM
Catalog Number 308306
Base System Dimension(TM) 8400 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 Processor 530 with HT Technology 1


(3.0GHz, 1 MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)


Intel(R) 925XE Chipset
Operating System Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition(English) 1

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home SP2 Edition (English) CD Media
Dell Warranty & Support Services 1Yr Limited Warranty with Next Business Day Onsite Service 1

1Year Onsite Warranty with Standard Phone Support (Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat 1000-1

Memory 1GB(2x512) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 533Mhz SDRAM Memory 1
Keyboards Dell(TM) Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse 1
Mouse Mouse is included in Dell(TM) Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse 1

Dell(TM) Mouse Mat
Softwares Microsoft(R) Works 7.0 - OEM version 1

Utilities Software Norton(TM) Internet Security 2004 ( 90 days trial period) 1

Dell Media Experience Dell(TM) Media Experience Software 1
Floppy Drive No Floppy Drive 1
Hard Drive (EIDE/SATA) 80GB SATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive 1


Optical Drives 16X DVD +/- RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities 1

SONIC(TM) MyDVD(TM) and Sonic RecordNow! Software

4.7GB DVD+R Blank Media (1 pc)

Modems 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem 1
Video Card 128MB PCIe(TM) x16 ATI Radeon(TM) X300 SE w/TV-Out and DVI 1
Monitors 17" Flat Panel LCD Monitor (Analog Only) 1

Sound Card Sound Blaster Audigy (TM) 2 ZS Sound card 1

Speakers Dell(TM) 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers w/ Subwoofer 1
Limited Time Offer (For Online Orders Only) Free upgrade from Live 24-bit to AudigyTM2 sound card 1

Integrated Gigabit Ethernet 1
System Drive CD Kit 1
Dell(TM) Image Restore 1
Internet ISP IV Telstra Dial-Up Trial Plan 1
Others Shipping Documentations 1
S&P Flyer S&P Consumer Flyer 1
L9412CA720-MRG - Dell™ 720 Color Printer 1
Base System Dell(TM) 720 Inkjet Printer 1
Telephone-Based Technical Support Services Standard Telephone Technical Support (Monday - Friday, 8am To 8pm, EST) 1
System Hardware Warranty 1 Year Advanced Exchange (Next Business Day) 1
Freight Charges Printers/inkjet Handling & Insurance Charges(Australia) 1
Printer Cables USB Printer Cable 1
Discounting Code Limited time promotion. No further discounts apply 1

Total
Before Tax 2,393.00
GST - Australia - 10% 239.30
Total Amount AUD 2,632.30

crappier CPU (3GHz) and worse graphics, but includes printer and wireless keyboard/mouse.

However, as a gaming system your configuration is better.

this just shows you should shop around a bit.

 

[Lainee]

As far as the specs, if you have that much money to throw at it then you should upgrade it to: an AMD 64 (unless you have an aversion to them), a gigabyte motherboard which supports pci-e and ddr2 (I recommend gigabyte because of the large number of features), ddr2 RAM, a pci-e graphics card maybe an X600-XT or whatever the 9600-XT pci-e equivalent is called. Hard drive you should definately get a 120Gb with an 8mb cache, dvd burner should be a 16X dual layer one (aprox $120 from ARC). Umm I think thats about all.

Right... Firstly, what is an AMD 64? I can't really have an aversion to it if I don't exactly know what I means right? I kind of just want to keep mostly to the list my friend made, unless the parts are outdated or just really bad. But you're suggesting I should change everything?

I think I should note that I'm not a heavy gamer - I just need speed, appearance (everything has to match nicely ), plenty of memory and durability. I really want to spend as much as I can without being extravagent - I don't screw up my eyes with a crappy screen, I get nice sound and graphics, I don't have to wait decades to open something and it lasts me several years. I just don't really know what kind of price tag will ensure me that all this will happen simultaneously.

If you can get a list of how much all the components will cost together, and take it to a computer store and ask them to put it together for you and match the price (+ say 100 for service), not only is it then professionally done (if you're not sure how to build a computer yourself), but you'll have a warranty on it and somewhere to go if it breaks.

Thanks, that's a good idea!

 

[jm1234567890]

Right... Firstly, what is an AMD 64? I can't really have an aversion to it if I don't exactly know what I means right? I kind of just want to keep mostly to the list my friend made, unless the parts are outdated or just really bad. But you're suggesting I should change everything?

I think I should note that I'm not a heavy gamer - I just need speed, appearance (everything has to match nicely ), plenty of memory and durability. I really want to spend as much as I can without being extravagent - I don't screw up my eyes with a crappy screen, I get nice sound and graphics, I don't have to wait decades to open something and it lasts me several years. I just don't really know what kind of price tag will ensure me that all this will happen simultaneously.



Thanks, that's a good idea!

AMD is a company and a competitor to intel. Currently their products are superior to intel in
many aspects. However, you don't really get as much future proofing right now since the new
AMD motherboards haven't been released yet.

In regard to future proofing.... not an easy thing. consider this, would you rather spend $4000 on a system and have it last 4 years or spend $2000 now then $2000 again in 2 years and have a system that can do everything the $4000 system can do....

personally I reckon it is very hard to future proof past 2-3 years unless you spend craploads of money. I strongly recommend you buy mainstream parts ie. a $1500 - $2500 system and spend more money in 2-3 years.

 

[MedNez]

With the motherboard, processor and hard drives you have at the moment, it's a good setup for going Intel. Intel make the 'Pentium' series.

AMD make the 'Athlon' series, and some will say they are better, some will say they are worse. An Athlon 64 would be alright if you plan to spend some more money, but if you want to keep the existing parts the tech guy recommended, then stay with the processor you have now, it all fits together nicely.

But to rehash what some others have said - shop around for the best prices on components OR go to a trusty computer store and get them to see if they'll match a price of the sum of the components.

 

[jm1234567890]

oh yeah, and don't think that you will be able to keep any compoments for upgrading after 2-3 years, lol

they will either be incompatible or rediculously past useby date.

 

[Lainee]

I've actually used my current comp for over 4 years and there's really nothing wrong with it. And once in a while my friend would come over and 'check up' on it, so it's still in very good shape abeit a bit old looking. I just need something with alot more speed, and need to be rewarded for HSC performance so...

What exactly is Dell? The prices are really quite low, but I've tended to stay away from really low prices because to me low means bad quality. jm1234567890 - what site did you copy those stats from?

 

[jm1234567890]

I've actually used my current comp for over 4 years and there's really nothing wrong with it. And once in a while my friend would come over and 'check up' on it, so it's still in very good shape abeit a bit old looking. I just need something with alot more speed, and need to be rewarded for HSC performance so...

What exactly is Dell? The prices are really quite low, but I've tended to stay away from really low prices because to me low means bad quality. jm1234567890 - what site did you copy those stats from?

lol, if you have used a computer for over 4 years i'll tust your judgement

Dell owns 80% of PC sales in world (they say this)

www.dell.com.au

they have changing special offers all the time, and the special offers don't last more than a couple of weeks.

Dell also only sells intel (they have a special partnership)

Also if you don't customise the system you usually get a better price.

The prices are generally a little more expensive than the small computer shops, but that is what you pay for convenience.

finally, dell computers aren't usually suited to high end games, but you will be able to play most games on them.

EDIT: btw, congrats on UAI

 

[Lainee]

I have half a mind to just get the Dell one you copy and pasted several posts up. It just saves me from wandering from one store to another feeling completely lost. As you said, convenience.

As I said before, I'm not really going to play many games on it unless I discover something and get hooked on it - but unlikely. So do you think that one is okay? I've got credit card all ready and everything.

Oh and what's the difference between XP Home and XP Pro?

 

[loquasagacious]

Fear of cheapness is largely unfounded - its all the same parts made in all the same places by the same people. The differance comes in how much people who sell them to you make in profit.

Dell is expensive compared to building a machine yourself....

Dell would probably be the way to go, bear in mind that they have anew promotion evry month or so, so decide what you want and then just wait till a promotion you like comes around. Eg the one that just ended chucked in an LCD monitor cheap and a DVD burner free.

 

[jm1234567890]

I have half a mind to just get the Dell one you copy and pasted several posts up. It just saves me from wandering from one store to another feeling completely lost. As you said, convenience.

As I said before, I'm not really going to play many games on it unless I discover something and get hooked on it - but unlikely. So do you think that one is okay? I've got credit card all ready and everything.

Oh and what's the difference between XP Home and XP Pro?

home doesn't support domain authentication (with is only used in corporate networks)
also home doesn't support remote desktop.

as the name suggests home is for the home user, lol

hmm.... the one i suggested is ok, but you really should have a look youself.

just make sure you get:

LCD monitor
1 gig ram
graphics that isn't intel graphics media accelerator 900 (X300SE is good enough for most purposes)
at least 80gig harddrive (i reckon you should up this to 120gig or more)
wireless keyboard and mouse (you will see the usefullness when you get it)
better speakers than the default ones.

dell has a pretty good site, so have a look around.