New PC, go or no go?

[EasyDelta]

PROCESSOR AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 4400+
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
MEMORY 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OPTICAL DRIVE 48X CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive
VIDEO CARD Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 graphics GPU
SOUND Integrated Sound Blaster®Audigy™ HD Software Edition
MODEM & WIRELESS Data/Fax Modem plus 802.11b/g wireless PCI card

My girl wants her own computer so I built on on Dell.com just to experiment and see if I could get a good one for cheap instead of building one [which i know nothing of btw].

The only problem I can see would be the Vid Card? Isn't Integrated like..bad or sumthing? It was either that or an ATI 128 MB card :shakehead: So what's the verdict?

[imported_Neptune]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

Integrated is bad for gaming, but that depends on what she plans to do with it?

Really, you should learn how to build your own computer. I wish i saw this before i bought my dell, i could have saved hundreds.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/computer-build-1-video.htm

Those videos give the basics.

[EasyDelta]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

Oh..thanks dude, but wouldn't it be expensive to build your own rather than buy one and fix it up with say, better vid card, more RAM, ect?

[imported_Neptune]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

Oh..thanks dude, but wouldn't it be expensive to build your own rather than buy one and fix it up with say, better vid card, more RAM, ect?

Im pretty sure it wouldnt. When you buy retail, they pretty much charge you for putting it all together, which you can do yourself. But i remember hearing somewhere that Dell doesnt charge too much...

If i were you, i would be up for the challenge!

But im not nearly as informed as some other tbf2er techies here... theyll show up.

[System]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

If your not too keen on building a whole new pc from scratch, you can buy items and bundle them together to get a discount bonus and ontop of that, select a barebone PC which is your basic case + PSU combo and maybe something else.

I wouldn't buy from dell though, You may think its cheaper to buy a low end thing from them and upgrade but the mobo will be pure crap and the PSU will barely run the pc let alone an upgrade. Take it from me, I looked at my boss's sons computer which was a HP compact and it was full of pure garbage. When he told me how much he spent on it I couldn't help to laugh and tell him he got ripped off.

My advice is same as neptune's - build your own from scratch. It seems hard but its really not, I was no different than you when I tackled the same task and I couldn't be more happy with it.

EDIT.

If you need help with building a computer or want someone to build it for you with a budget range, feel free to ask us as I'm sure there are a few of us sitting here waiting for someone to ask for a build.

[TheButler208]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

I really don't like dell. Tech support is all off shore people who barely know any english. Not that I use tech support, I usually will fix the problem myself. They'll have you send in for repairs to some 3rd party company, they'll tell you the shipping is payed for but when you get to UPS you find out its not, its really just a big ****ing mess. But I don't know who else there is. Unless your trying to get a gaming rig from them, it should be fine. If you want the best performance, I'd learn how to build. Or get something thats going to be upgradable and don't pay any extra money for a warranty. Burn the cash instead, it'll probably be more entertaining.

Ok, half of that is a joke. Just before you buy, tell us what the specs are gonna be ok? The 6150 is ok if your just playing sim city or solitaire. But if you want to game with it, make sure the motherboard is comming with an upgradable PCI-ex16 SLOT.

I'd also try to get a processor from the Core 2 Duo family. The AMD 64 AM2 chips don't really compare. I'd know because I used to have that exact processor.

[EasyDelta]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

So what are everyones suggestions for a DECENT gaming computer? My laptop can run FEAR, BF2, CS:S, DoD:S, and CoD2 on high [BF 2 on medium] no problems. But I spent $1001 dollars on it -.-

as long as it can run BF 2 and CS:S she'd be happy lol. I could probably put it all together, just would be my first time. And you guys could always help :)

[jolt]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

Integrated is bad for gaming, but that depends on what she plans to do with it?

Really, you should learn how to build your own computer. I wish i saw this before i bought my dell, i could have saved hundreds.

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/computer-build-1-video.htm

Those videos give the basics.

yea always best off building your own, btw i watched all those vids they were nice for a basic computer, but dsnt show you how to install vid cards, nic cards, wireless nic cards. but like the videos said, everything comes with instructions, follow the instructions and you will be fine :nod:

So what are everyones suggestions for a DECENT gaming computer? My laptop can run FEAR, BF2, CS:S, DoD:S, and CoD2 on high [BF 2 on medium] no problems. But I spent $1001 dollars on it -.-

as long as it can run BF 2 and CS:S she'd be happy lol. I could probably put it all together, just would be my first time. And you guys could always help :)

i suggest getting a dx10 capable vid card, such as BFG 8800Ultra http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143111, and of course Intel Dual Core (atleast). It will be a little expensive right now since like a 320mb 8800 is fairly pricey, but u can always do this, give your current pc to your girlfriend and build yourself a NICE one :). I also suggest getting a Killer Network Interface card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833342001
its $250 but it raises your 5ps by like 5-10 and lowers you ms (ping). If you have the money its worth it.

With the video card and Killer NIC you looking at 1000+ (which is why im saving for my new pc LOL) but that sucker will own:yay:

[DeadlyMACD]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

You can build a nice rig for $1000. Whats your budget and how much is that Dell pc?

[dudbomb]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

Id go with a Intel core 2 duo E6895 its 3.0GHZ, £170, a Asus 5B mobo for £40, 2GB of DDR2 ram for £50, Inno3D Geforce 7900GTX and a XiFi Soundblaster 7.1, all for £570

[EasyDelta]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

^ I'm American, it means nothing to me lol

[System]

Re: New PC, go or no go?

i suggest getting a dx10 capable vid card, such as BFG 8800Ultra http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143111, and of course Intel Dual Core (atleast). It will be a little expensive right now since like a 320mb 8800 is fairly pricey, but u can always do this, give your current pc to your girlfriend and build yourself a NICE one :). I also suggest getting a Killer Network Interface card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833342001
its $250 but it raises your 5ps by like 5-10 and lowers you ms (ping). If you have the money its worth it.

With the video card and Killer NIC you looking at 1000+ (which is why im saving for my new pc LOL) but that sucker will own:yay:

Woah. What a waste of money right there.

First off, nobody needs a 8800 ULTRA unless they have a huge screen in excess of 22".

Secondly, a GTS/GTX is more than capable of handling the cames listed above, a 7xxx series or a X1950 pro is also quite capable.

Third, WOAH, you just recommended a $250 network card?!?! Talk about money well wasted.

You claim this will only be 1000+, I think not. Try $2000 as you've only picked out two components that are both, very unneseccary.

Let's take a step back into reality...

C2D CPU - E6600-E6850. Your choice, great CPU to OC.

Vid Card - 7600-8800 GTX or a X1950 PRO. A 7600 runs bf2 all on high.

Aftermarket fan - Artic Freezer Pro 7 or zalman/thermaltake. Your preference.

PSU - Depends on your vid card.

MoBO - I'd look for one with 4 ram slots, good OC reviews, and two true PCIE X16 slots with a third PCIE slot for future PhysX card or third GPU.

RAM: 2GB 667-1066Mhz 2 x 1 gb sticks dirty cheap yet fast.

CASE: Antec 900 is great cooling out of the box ready.

Sound Card: Extreme gamer/Music for the X-FI chip.

I didn't bother posting links because I think someone did already but nonetheless they will come later on tonite when I feel more up to it.

RAM: $94

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118

CPU: E6750 S205

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

Or get the Q6600 $290 (8mb cache allowing multitasking/media editing on a greater scale)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

CASE: Antec 900 $120

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2b900

HARD DRIVE: WD Caviar 7200rpm 16mb cache S2(3gb's) 320 gb $75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

MOBO: Quick glance this looks good for $185 Though

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030

Or buy the one I have. It is a beast and is only 15 bucks more and I can personally say it will last long term for upgrades other then DDR3 ram but thats ugly right now anyways... $200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188012

VIDEO CARD: I'm just going to recommend a 320MB 8800 by EVGA. This will come with a 90day step up program which allows you to upgrade the card to a better one for a limted time. There are two OC varients available by EVGA for a $30 difference... $300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130038

or the slightly better one $330

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130040

PSU: This is a true SLI rdy PSU by ULTRA. But uhhh... Maybe want to check the watts for a second GPU as I don't know if this is over kill or not with the current set up. $150

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2974582&CatId=2533

CD/DVD BURNER: I have this one, its EZ to install (SATA) $37

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106073

*CPU COOLING*: Artic Freezer PRO 7. This is definately optional but recommended if you plan to OC $35

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=cpu%2bcooling

Total comes to $1,201

This is a DX10 ready PC and will be really fast. The price includes the artic freezer pro 7 and for the components that I listed two options, the first was used (cheaper too).

Needless to say, it will trash your lappy. :yay:

PS. You don't need a soundcard but if you must... I'll have to look later.

Someone double check with the PSU... And uhh, A WD raptor HD will be much faster if you want that.