Computer Advice

[SDogo]

I'm in the process of doing some research on a few computers and I'm realizing the only way to get everything I want is to have one custome built for me. I'm basically looking for a rocket ship in a case. I need more them mega storage for all the music I currently have and plan on adding as well as photos and movies (of all kinds)

I also need some thing that is quick and can run multiple applications at the same time. I build spreadsheets and data bases so I have multiple forms, folders and applications open at one time.

Besides that, I just watch dvd movies and browse the net. I don't do any video capture or anything like that and only the occasional gaming.

Here is what I have put together but before I hit submit I really need some feedback. Is this a system that will give me the speed and storage I need? Really my my concern is with the processor, i don't know much about them.

Processor: Intel Pentium dual-core E5200 (2MB L2, 2.5GHz, 800FSB)
OS: Windows Vista Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Memory: 6GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz (4 DIMM)
Hard Drives: 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Hard Drives: 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DateBurst Cache
Hard Drives: 500GB 7200 RPM Wester Digital My Book
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMI

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

There are faster processors out there, but that is more than enough processor for the tasks you describe. And for tasks like spreadsheets and DBs and having multiple apps open, your main concern is the amount of memory of which 6GB is plenty. The videocard is going to be most important if you are doing some hardcore gaming. The one you've listed is more than enough for what you describe.

My personal recommendation though would be to build a nice fast desktop PC through someone like Dell, then purchase some external storage for keeping your pics/songs/videos on.

 

[Hoofbite]

get a mac

 

[the kid 05]

get a mac

qft. but if you wanted to stick with Windows id lean towards XP instead of vista. and also if your looking for space get these:

1.5tera bites of data (a whole boat load)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4138742&CatId=2459

750gb

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2203982&Sku=TSD-750AS

My personal recommendation though would be to build a nice fast desktop PC through someone like Dell, then purchase some external storage for keeping your pics/songs/videos on.

so he gets done up the butt for a computer that has the same specs but comes pre slowed down with spy ware and useless crap pre-installed? i say go build it your self you'll save money and time

 

[burmafrd]

I would go to BestBuy and talk to the geek squad there and see if you can make a deal on putting together your own monster. A lot of the time the guys there are happy to give advice; and the kind of machine you are looking for is probably one they would like to build themselves.

 

[Hoofbite]

qft. but if you wanted to stick with Windows id lean towards XP instead of vista. and also if your looking for space get these:

1.5tera bites of data (a whole boat load)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4138742&CatId=2459

750gb

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2203982&Sku=TSD-750AS



so he gets done up the butt for a computer that has the same specs but comes pre slowed down with spy ware and useless crap pre-installed? i say go build it your self you'll save money and time

I am a fan of building computers myself but as far as just wanting to get things done, I'd wanna buy one. I'd get too caught up in putting it together.

As far as Dell is concerned. I'd PASS BIG TIME.

Dells are the biggest hunks of **** on earth, IMO. Myself and two friends each bought a dell laptop about 5 years ago. Within a year my hard drive had went out, my friends CD drive went out, other friends computer just went completely down.

I owned that computer for 3 years before passing it on to the family. In that time, I replaced the hard drive, bought an external DVD drive because the built in one just died, bought an external monitor cause the built in one died and had numerous other problems I don't even care to remember.

Funny thing, I went home for Xmas this year and sure enough, the HD in it had gone out. Not that it was Dells fault but just funny.

One way to save money is to find computer you want and then just get the bare bones from the store. Get processor you want and probably video card but do some yourself.


Go hit up Newegg.com and pick up your memory on the cheap.

Check the local adds for an external hard drive and call that good.

Probably save a couple hundred that way.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Don't forget to get a good motherboard with all of that, however I take it with the additions you have listed it probably is a good mobo.

You can call www.tigerdirect.com and talk to a rep there and tell them what you want and they can hook you up.

 

[Route 66]

I would get a quad-core. I just got a PC with Vista SP1 and have had zero problems with it so far. I would get at least 4 G of RAM so your 6 is perfect for later on. The ATI card is kind of weak if you are going to do even a little bit of gaming. I bought the wife a PC with that same card and even though its 256M, it isn't as good as my old AGP BFG 256M card from 4 years ago. I'd opt for the 3650 at minimum.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Interesting, I have two Dell computers and have had no issues. I bought the desktop in '02 and the laptop in '04.

Only issue I have with the desktop is that because it is older, I need an AC adapter for the external hard drive I bought so that there's enough power for the 'puter to recognize the USB connection.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Interesting, I have two Dell computers and have had no issues. I bought the desktop in '02 and the laptop in '04.

Only issue I have with the desktop is that because it is older, I need an AC adapter for the external hard drive I bought so that there's enough power for the 'puter to recognize the USB connection.

I work with Dell's all day every day and purchase them for the company I work for. I own 2 desktops and 2 laptops and with the exception of a hard drive dying and a fan issue with the laptop I haven't had a single problem.

The only difference is I buy the business class pc's not the consumer ones so the warranty is much better. When I call tech support I get to a live body in minutes and they speak english.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Dell is no different than any other computer maker with a market share it's size. They are going to have their share of detractors and fanatics. When I've had occasion to support Dell Servers and Desktops and Notebooks, I've had no more issues with them or their hardware than I have with any other vendor.

That being said, Dell was just an example of someplace to direct order from. Alienware is another example of a system builder who does high performance gaming rigs.

Building your own is certainly an option, but it isn't the simplest task for a first timer. It's certainly a lot more rewarding and cost effective to pick each of the components based on your preferences and needs and assemble it yourself. But when things start to go wrong, it's just you and the internets left to solve it.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I work with Dell's all day every day and purchase them for the company I work for. I own 2 desktops and 2 laptops and with the exception of a hard drive dying and a fan issue with the laptop I haven't had a single problem.

The only difference is I buy the business class pc's not the consumer ones so the warranty is much better. When I call tech support I get to a live body in minutes and they speak english.

I'm planning to give my laptop to my cousin since I haven't used it in months. Partially because my work laptop is so great. It's an HP nx9420. I love it.

If I ever change jobs, then I'll just buy another laptop. I'm planning to go business class, too. Right now, Dell business laptops are cheaper than HP, so that would be the route I'd go if I had to pick one today.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Dell is no different than any other computer maker with a market share it's size. They are going to have their share of detractors and fanatics. When I've had occasion to support Dell Servers and Desktops and Notebooks, I've had no more issues with them or their hardware than I have with any other vendor.

That being said, Dell was just an example of someplace to direct order from. Alienware is another example of a system builder who does high performance gaming rigs.

Building your own is certainly an option, but it isn't the simplest task for a first timer. It's certainly a lot more rewarding and cost effective to pick each of the components based on your preferences and needs and assemble it yourself. But when things start to go wrong, it's just you and the internets left to solve it.

To me the only real difference between Dell and the other makers is the warranty and tech support. IMO Dell has the best tech support and I have dealt with all of them.

btw Dell bought Alienware about 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

To me the only real difference between Dell and the other makers is the warranty and tech support. IMO Dell has the best tech support and I have dealt with all of them.

btw Dell bought Alienware about 2 or 3 years ago.

True, I had forgotten about that. But Alienware does still maintain it's brand and orientation towards high performance setups.

 

[Yeagermeister]

True, I had forgotten about that. But Alienware does still maintain it's brand and orientation towards high performance setups.

Oh yeah no doubt. I checked them out when I needed a new pc but when I saw the price tag I said no thanks. :laugh1:

 

[kmp77]

I built my rocket ship for about $800:

Intel Core 2 6850 @ 3GHZ
4gb Ram
Windows XP
Nvidia Geforce 8600
Gigabyte Mobo
Zalman CPU cooler

I can play any game, edit/render in HD, run multiple apps, do all my graphic design and photography.

I'll never buy a pre-built pc. Macs are ok but 4x the price without the 4x advantage.

 

[the kid 05]

I built my rocket ship for about $800:

Intel Core 2 6850 @ 3GHZ
4gb Ram
Windows XP
Nvidia Geforce 8600
Gigabyte Mobo
Zalman CPU cooler

I can play any game, edit/render in HD, run multiple apps, do all my graphic design and photography.

I'll never buy a pre-built pc. Macs are ok but 4x the price without the 4x advantage.

lets see you run crysis on Full everything

Ill just agree to dissagree with you on the mac thing tho

 

[kmp77]

lets see you run crysis on Full everything

Ill just agree to dissagree with you on the mac thing tho

I don't know if any machine can run it on full everything

How is it 4x the advantage? My G5 at work isn't faster than this machine at home.

 

[tomson75]

+1 on a Mac.

...but if you stick with a pc, why not just buy two cheaper ones built with specific demands in mind?

 

[the kid 05]

I don't know if any machine can run it on full everything

How is it 4x the advantage? My G5 at work isn't faster than this machine at home.

so far gamespot has yet to find a graphics card that can play it on full everything while maintain a steady fps and not being choppy.

my mac pro will run circles around it. my buddy opened up some things when i first got it and now its smokin (not literally). I hate the power pc chips Apple used even the 1.xx and 2.xx ghz chips sucked