Advice Needed on New Computer

[Phenomena]

Ok so im getting rid of this crappy dell and getting a good computer. Now unfortunantly for me... i know of this kind of stuff, as in whats good and whats not.

so the computer i was looking at, thats inside my price range has the following stats:

Pentium 4 Dual Core 2.8GHz
1024mb DDR2 667 Memory
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
18x Dual Layer DVD Re-writer
GeForce 7900 Video Card
Intergrated 10/100 Ethernet
5.1 High Definition Audio
Upgraded Power SUpply
Keyboard and Optical Mouse
Vista Premium
19" LCD Monitor

for $1418 (that includes taxes)

[SuperCommando]

Pentium 4 Dual Core 2.8GHz

You mean Pentium D right? It looks pretty good, I personally think its a little bit overpriced, (just a little though) but really a pretty nice setup. (You might want to up your RAM a little though, if you can afford it, like 1.5GB or even 2GB would be better)

[Kirk]

If you aren't building a computer, I highly suggest you do (it's a lot cheaper and you get more options). I don't know if what you listed above was.

But that seems fairly semi-reasonable considering that you get the monitor, vista and that other stuff.

[fishface617]

Why Vista but no DX10 graphics card?

I would build one for cheaper and better parts...

However, your set up is reasonable, just a tad expensive...

[shadowkhas]

DX10 right now is still unproven on those GPUs, and there's no games for it yet. It's a waste of money right now.

Personally, I'd go for a Core 2 Duo if you could get it, downgrade the hard drive and reuse the one you have right now, use the optical drive you use now if you're satisfied with it, and up the GPU to a 7950 GT, and reuse your monitor and keyboard and mouse.

That should drive the price down, and it's assuming that you're building your own system to able to customize to that extent.

[HPDarkness]

Try building your computer the same way at different sites. The site I used is http://www.Ibuypower.com/, They were very cheap I've had my computer for 2 years. There hasn't been any problems. Also check this site out too: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

[fishface617]

DX10 right now is still unproven on those GPUs, and there's no games for it yet. It's a waste of money right now.

Personally, I'd go for a Core 2 Duo if you could get it, downgrade the hard drive and reuse the one you have right now, use the optical drive you use now if you're satisfied with it, and up the GPU to a 7950 GT, and reuse your monitor and keyboard and mouse.

That should drive the price down, and it's assuming that you're building your own system to able to customize to that extent.

That could be true, but what happens when all the dx10 games come out and your stuck with a 7 series?

[Pyroman]

Take others advice bro. Build your own. Alot better IMO. I bought all my stuff from http://www.newegg.com and had my boss help me with installation (sp?).

Next paycheck I am buying a new CPU, mobo, gfx card, and memory. Can't wait!

[SuperCommando]

Take others advice bro. Build your own. Alot better IMO. I bought all my stuff from http://www.newegg.com and had my boss help me with installation (sp?).

Next paycheck I am buying a new CPU, mobo, gfx card, and memory. Can't wait!

Some people don't like to build their own, either they don't know how or don't want to mess it up, company built PC's (Gateways at least) are usually built better then user built PC's.

[DWells55]

company built PC's (Gateways at least) are usually built better then user built PC's.

You couldn't be any more wrong.

The PC originally posted is a ripoff, an absolute ripoff. The Pentium D is dead. This setup outperforms the one you posted by a ton.

$40 - Cooler Master RC-330 Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119115
$60 - Ultra X-Finity 600W Power Supply: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1483
$70 - ECS nForce 570 C2D Mobo w/ 7.1 Sound: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813135026
$169 - Core 2 Duo E4300: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115013
$160 - 2GB DDR2 800 Patriot RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820220144
$145 - ATi X1950 Pro video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102061
$70 - 250GB Western Digital SATA300 drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822144417
$30 - Pioneer DVR-111D 16x DVD

[SuperCommando]

I didn't mean performance-wise...
And the Pentium D is not dead, its still perfectly fine =P Just because its not the bleeding edge of technology doesn't mean its worthless.

[G.I.R.]

company built PC's (Gateways at least) are usually built better then user built PC's.

You couldn't be any more wrong.

The PC originally posted is a ripoff, an absolute ripoff. The Pentium D is dead. This setup outperforms the one you posted by a ton.

$40 - Cooler Master RC-330 Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119115
$60 - Ultra X-Finity 600W Power Supply: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1483
$70 - ECS nForce 570 C2D Mobo w/ 7.1 Sound: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813135026
$169 - Core 2 Duo E4300: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115013
$160 - 2GB DDR2 800 Patriot RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820220144
$145 - ATi X1950 Pro video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102061
$70 - 250GB Western Digital SATA300 drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822144417
$30 - Pioneer DVR-111D 16x DVD

[shadowkhas]

That could be true, but what happens when all the dx10 games come out and your stuck with a 7 series?

I wouldn't call it "stuck," as the game still (should hopefully) work. By the time that many DX10 games come out, the technology will be more adopted, most likely better, and cheaper.

[ScottyGEE]

yeah, early adopters usually get fucked up the most really...

I'd go with what DWells55 suggested...1gb ram for a new computer I dont think is enough...Its good for reasonable use, but I;ll assume your a gamer and that you dont feel like spending much money in the future on upgrades, get 2GB and you'll be fine for at least a few years I say.

[Phenomena]

this is a custom computer... kinda its a local store that builds custom computers for you. i dont trust myself with expensive, fragile things. XD


What I'll probably do is go the store tomorrow and ask him if i can buy my original setup then in a few weeks (when i get paid) ill upgrade from the Pentium D to the Core 2 Duo. Im fine with 1gb memory for now im not really a heavy gamer

and one last thing. I heard nvidia card where having issues with vista, is this true? and if so what kind of things were happening >_>

[ScottyGEE]

They run fine from my experience...

Well, the newest update through Windows Update decided it wouldnt work
But yeah they are pretty much fine

[DWells55]

this is a custom computer... kinda its a local store that builds custom computers for you. i dont trust myself with expensive, fragile things. XD


What I'll probably do is go the store tomorrow and ask him if i can buy my original setup then in a few weeks (when i get paid) ill upgrade from the Pentium D to the Core 2 Duo. Im fine with 1gb memory for now im not really a heavy gamer

and one last thing. I heard nvidia card where having issues with vista, is this true? and if so what kind of things were happening >_>

He's still ripping you the hell off. If you absolutely have to go pre-built (believe me, building your own computer is self-explanatory), then get it from http://www.cyberpowerpc.com - they're fairly priced and well performing.

[Snave]

You really should have 2gig of ram as a bare minimum if you are thinking of running vista.

As ScottyGEE said nvidia cards run just as well under vista as amd cards.

[Alexander]

You really should have 2gig of ram as a bare minimum if you are thinking of running vista.

As ScottyGEE said nvidia cards run just as well under vista as ATI cards.

Fixed, but if AMD has started manufacturing graphic cards, let me know. More than likely just a subconscious typo on your part though.

[JunkfoodMan]

AMD Bought ATI. So I guess its now AMD Cards.