New Computer Help

[DarkyShines]

I'm finally getting s new computer for Uni (well, that's what my parents think :P) and after costing them a grand and a bit i've got the specs for it.

This is where you come in, if possible i'd like to know what essential software/tools/drivers etc... i need for it so i can get to gaming as soon as possible.

Specs:



Sorry if it's a bit hard to read, it's the best i can do.

Thanks for your help =]

[camper.]

Re: New Computer Help

Dell...

Oh lord.

If you absolutely must, buy it as barebones as possible, then buy a new motherboard, case and PSU, and don't buy an OEM OS.

[=98=]

Re: New Computer Help

Okay, Dell is bad, plain and simple. But, obviuosly, some people don't want to build there own, so i would suggest looking at other companies such as: Mesh, Rock, Vadim...

However, the number one pre-built company i would try is Cube 247. They do very good spec machines for lower prices.
And if you saying to yourself "i haven't heard of any of these brands", it's because they only really advertise in computer magazines, as they know that the vast majority of people watching TV adverts don't understand differences in hardware.

For slightly less:

Perseus ST12 = £899 (not incl. P&P)

* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
* Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Dual Core Processor
* 2048MB Corsair DDR II 667 Memory
* 1000GB SATA II Seagate Data Storage – RAID Stripe
* NEC 7170 Multi Format DVD/CD ReWriter
* nVidia GeForca 8800 GTS 320MB
* 7.1 HD Surround Sound
* Intel Core 2 Duo Deluxe Motherboard
* Sony Floppy Disk Drive
* DVD/CD ROM Drive
* 19” Widescreen TFT 5MS Flat Panel Screen
* Microsoft Wireless Multimedia Keyboard
* Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse
* Creative Inspire 6100 5.1 Speaker System
* 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
* 12 x USB2 Ports
* Firewire

http://www.cube247.co.uk

[DarkyShines]

Re: New Computer Help

Balls...

It's kinda already paid for.

Why is Dell so bad anyway, my father bought a desktop for his work and it's working great.

I'm not computer illiterate and i've been on the websites in EDGE and other magazines, but i never thought Dell was THAT bad..

[megawhompertoo]

Re: New Computer Help

i wasn't so turned off by dell until recently. i keep about eight of them (well, six now) working for my department. mobo went bad under warranty on one of them, and to their credit, someone was out here putting in a new mobo in a couple of days. that was great, until the pc started shutting itself, claiming a "thermal event" was occuring. now it's useless, as is one of the others that just started buzzing when you turn it on. bad mobo as best i can tell; the processor/memory is working in another pc now. anyway, that's two out of eight pc's with dead non-moving silicon parts that are supposed to last 10 years. i can stand it when cheap hard drives go to e-heaven; silicon you almost have to break as it's leaving the factory to make it die in 24 months...hmmmm...we may be on to something there.

there are alot of other minor gripes i have about all of the dell's we have--unpredictable power management features, reboots necessary to bring it out of hibernation, and one of the other pc's has been throwing "thermal event" warnings (it's not getting hot, i've checked) due to a faulty sensor as best i can tell, etc. you have to unplug/replug that one to get it to boot now.

so, i like my department buying dell because we get lots of spare parts after a year or so. if i was buying it for personal use, i'd buy just about anything else.

i wonder if their cases have sufficient cooling to keep that gtx working very long? you aren't going to want to upgrade for a couple more years.

steer clear of dell if at all possible. their prices are cheap; so are there components. they DO NOT seem to be whistling dixie over "planned obsolescence".

[DarkyShines]

Re: New Computer Help

I hope i don't get a dud..

[megawhompertoo]

Re: New Computer Help

they may have picked up their quality a bit of late. except for a couple of p4 1.8's that are still going well after five years, all the computers in my little herd are p4 3.0 and 3.2 jobbies-->very hot processors. wouldn't be surprised if they were warping the sockets. dell does use one of the crappiest hsf solutions i've EVER seen on these things: little, wee, tiny Al block on the chip and two heatpipes going to a wide open radiator with a fan exhasting out the back. no incoming air on the proc. at all, nothing blowing down on it.

[DarkyShines]

Re: New Computer Help

It should be here by Friday, i chose to get Vista (I can't help it, it looks sexy) so I'll let you know how it goes. I can see myself getting some faster RAM though.

[TheButler208]

Re: New Computer Help

it should be fine. It'll most likely just have an intel motherboard which is only going to perform slower by a fraction compared to other boards. Lots of builders use intel motherboards. It'll be good, don't worry. You have a good amount of ram, good video card, good processor, and your all ready to use DX10.

[=98=]

Re: New Computer Help

I can't believe you don't even get speakers or a monitor with this....

[Skaggy]

Re: New Computer Help

I'd buy it just for the case...:S

And thanks for that link Alex, I was looking for something like that.

[=98=]

Re: New Computer Help

Yeah, that's a very good deal.

[DarkyShines]

Re: New Computer Help

Alright, you guys win.

Dell are bloody useless.


I was told i'd get it on the 18th (I start Uni on the 17th which is what i need it for ) so i thought okay, should get it in time.

Used the dell order tracking thingymabob, says pre-production, checked 3 days later, still pre-production.

I gave them a quick ring, had a nice english speaking person on the phone (Sarcasm), i was told it is being built, they do have the parts and that the order tracking site is just a bit slow.

"WIN" i thought.

Checked again today, estimated date of delivery "10th October, 2007"

"WTF!!!!!!!"

I ring them again, yet another native english speaking person (Do i have to tell you again?) and im now told they dont have the parts and 10th of October is the expected date.

Screw them, im cancelling it and going to PC world, 640mb 8800 gts computer system, i know it's not as sexy but it'll do just fine for saying i need a computer in 3 days.

[TheButler208]

Re: New Computer Help

yes. Dell has gone to crap. When they first came about a good long time ago they were good, but somehwere in the middle of their reign, their customer service went to absolute crap.

off shore customer service, in my opinion, slowly drives customers away and is clearly a sign of weekness of that corporation just to save a damn buck. I don't want to call tech support for my 7950GT and have a hard time communicating because eVGA are cheap asshats.

It has also gotten to the point that people in my clan are building computers for member that want a new computer with good stuff in it. So they order stuff on newegg, send it to firebreather's house, forebreather then sends the final computer to chunkymonkey. All cuz Manufactured computers suck. (of course these are made up names)

[DarkyShines]

Re: New Computer Help

If i was brave enough to do it myself then i would, i can just see myself installing the 8800 and snapping half the board off :/