OT- Suggestions for a computer

gixer02 · 03-19-2002, 06:12 PM

We are going with Dell again for our next comp- It's definitely Dell but what's debatable is how to set it up. We're doing the feature where you go on their web site and custom set all the options. Any suggestions? Any must have features? I want-
1. Internet as fast as possible
2. to be able to run as many programs at once that I can(my comp right now always runs low on system resources and is real real sluggish)
3. Want to be able to play alot of types of games
4. I want to upload video from my camcorder-what do I need, a firewire I think it's called?

Thanks for any "must have/ not have" type tips. I trust alot on this board know alot about this. Thanks again in advance

Pat

Timm · 07:07 PM

My $0.02...
If you are going with Dell, get the Dimension 4400 or Dimension 8200. All depending on how much you want to spend. Customizing the box is only necessary if there is something that you want, but is missing from the standard setup. Some things, like the FireWire card, are cheaper if you buy it at the store and add it in later.

Now let's address your specific questions:
1) Faster Internet speed requires a DSL, Cable or Satelite connection. Unless you are using an old 14.4 or 28.8 modem, you won't see a vast improvement (if any) with the included 56K modem.

2) In order to run multiple programs simultaneously, without getting memory errors, you need two things. 1) A good amount of RAM. 2) An operating system that can utilize the RAM that you give it. Windows 95/98/ME do not effectively handle multiple applications and are not as stable as available alternatives. For the "average" user with a new machine, go with at least 256MB of RAM. More is always better, but you can get so much that you'll never utilize it. Go with Windows XP (yeah, I hear the boos already). If you're skiddish about XP at least get Windows 2000.

3) With enough horsepower in the machine (i.e. P4 or AMD Athalon processor), and enough RAM and a good video card, you'll be able to play any game currently on the market. For the video, stick with an Nvidia GeForce 3 or better card for better gaming performance. Frag fest anyone?

4) To upload video from your camcorder you need whatever type of connection that your camcorder states you need. Yes, this is typically FireWire (or IEEE-1394). Double check your camcorders documentation to be sure. You will also need a video editing program to do anything with the video that you uploaded. Adobe Premiere is a good one, so I've heard.

Ok, so maybe that was $0.98 more than I offered initially. But hey, when you're rolling why stop. Right?

Later,

dproshek · 03-19-2002, 09:43 PM

I'll agree and disagree with Timm on this one.

Timm hit the nail on the head on the specs. Go with cable or dsl for internet, load up on the RAM, but anything over 512MB is wasted unless you're using NT, 2000, or XP; and get a GeForce3 video card...and make sure it's actually a video card, not integrated video. And as far as XP, I've been running it almost non-stop (i never turn off my machine) for 5 months now without a single crash. XP Professional that is.

Find a REPUTABLE builder/integrator in your area. Not only does that keep your money in your local economy, but more often than not you'll get some value added service as well...much like Wayne's business here at Pelican. Dell's may be inexpensive, and they're ok machines, but 9 times out of 10 they're not using the best components, just the least expensive lot they could get their hands on that month. If gaming's your thing, check out hardware reviews and recommendations at Gamespy.com, and you can build a kick@$$ gaming machine from the ground up.

Of course I'm a little biased since I work for an independent system builder myself.

overkill · 03-20-2002, 06:19 AM

DUDE BUILD IT YOURSELF! Its alot cheaper and youll appreciate your computer more knowing that you built it! Also, you'll learn somthing new about computers! It's not hard at all! Just do some research on the WEB and your off! Here are some good places to visit for info on this:

This place here is good for learning everything you need to know about the mysterious underworld,... inside you PC! They have alot of articals, reviews, and forums full of helpful people!
www.motherboard.org

This place,... what I said above,... it's just as helpful!
www.tomshardware.com

This is where you can find pretty much all your hardware needs,... They will list the cheapest to the most expensive hardware here.
www.pricewatch.com

I purchase my RAM here,... they have good **** here,...
www.pcboost.com

Also, why would 512mb of RAM on an OS < NT, 2000, XP? That is the reccomended amount and anything more than that is not really needed, but it's not waisted,... I ran 768mb on win98, the only problem i had was that the DIMMS werent pattern matched with each other on my motherboard, and that has nothing to do with the OS. Windows 98 runs terabytes of RAM, but why you would be running terabytes of RAM with win98 is totally by me?!?!?

Goku · Goku's Garage

Building yourself is cheaper...but warrentys and RMAs from places like Dell is a life saver. GET A 3 YEAR WARRENTY! Also RAM RAM RAM for everything...it is cheap. Also for games Video cards, ALWAYS get a Geforce. Nvidia makes them. They just came out with the GeForce 4 TI for you top of the line. P4 is more stable but AMD XP processors are great too and a bit cheaper. ANyone who tells you either is crap doesn't know what they're talking about ;-) I have a Dell, they are great..just don't buy a compaq, gateway, or HP and you'll be fine =D

dproshek · 03-20-2002, 07:42 AM

Technically, Win9x is designed to handle up to only 1GB of memory; real world however, it only handles 512mb. XP on the other hand, being a 64bit OS, can theoretically handle up to 16GB of memory. Terrabytes of memory on Win9x? Sorry, that just ain't gonna happen.

Straight from Microsoft's mouth (tech article #Q311871)...

Windows Me and Windows 98 are not designed to handle 1 GB or more of RAM. 1 GB or more of RAM can lead to potential system instability.

RESOLUTION
To work around this problem, reduce the amount of memory that is installed in your computer to 512 megabytes (MB) or less.

Of course that does say "potential" instability. Everyone knows Windows is finicky. You are less likely to have problems with more than 512MB if using PCI video card, but you definitely don't want to go there.

Blah...enough about computers.

944 LT1 · 03-20-2002, 08:13 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by overkill
[B]DUDE BUILD IT YOURSELF! Its alot cheaper and youll appreciate your computer more knowing that you built it! Also, you'll learn somthing new about computers! It's not hard at all! Just do some research on the WEB and your off! Here are some good places to visit for info on this:

I'll second that!!!! I've build my most recent two computers (have five on my home network) they are by far the best I've ever had!!! (I've bought a dozen prebuilt in the past always had problems)

There is a place in town that sells parts and they have a free build area with free Tech support, you can even buy the three year warranty!!!

P.S. If you go this route I would not recommend an integrated mother board (on board video, sound, modem etc...) add these cards to a good moterboard. (I used iwill boards and athlon chips both times )
IF YOU CAN WORK ON YOUR CAR, YOU CAN BUILD A BOX!!!!!!!!

951carter · 03-20-2002, 06:06 PM

If you are in to multi-tasking, as i am, then you would benefit from a duallie. Yes , that's right, dual processors! No, forget about intels' overpriced xeon crap, get a Tyan MPX chipset board and 2 AMD processors, preferably MP's, but XP's or even Durons will work. You can build, or have a local shop build you a dream duallie system with SMP luvin for less than that Dell junk.

http://www.tyan.com/products/html/tigermpx.html

gixer02 · 03-20-2002, 06:38 PM

Hey guys thanks for the responses. Before I read this I decided on the Dimension 8200 with:
512ram
1.8ghz P4
XP pro edition
GeForce 3 graphics card
80 GB hard drive
24x/10x/40x cd-rw drive
16x dvd-rom drive
19inch trinitron monitor

I would have no prob building it but it will be the "family" computer and my dad wants Dell's tech support for when I'm away at school and can't fix what he messes up (haha). But he doesn't feel the price difference matters, we just want to get rid of the 5 year old daily-crasher we have now.

One question- Do the flat screens have better/worse picture quality and are they more or less reliable than the regular ones?

Thank you so much guys

Pat

stupenal · 03-20-2002, 07:36 PM

gixer, before you buy, PLEASE check out the link i'm posting below

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=18&threadid=76019

a GREAT deal, but you dont get the 512k cache because it is a 4400. If money is an issue, the computer that i posted above is a GREAT bargain. If you dont feel like clicking, i'll post specs:

Dimension® 4400 Series,Pentium® 4 Processor at 1.8 GHz DS4418G [461-4163]
256MB DDR SDRAM 256M [311-1282]
Dell® Enhanced Performance USB Keyboard EPUSBA [310-0731]
Please Select if Choosing Flat Panel Monitor Below NOMON [461-3456]
64MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX 4X AGP Graphics Card with TV-Out 64NVMX [320-0164]
FREE Upgrade! 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive 80P [461-4921]
3.5 in Floppy Drive 3 [340-1927]
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition WHXP [313-7222] [420-3079]
Microsoft® Intellimouse® Explorer OM [310-0692]
10/100 PCI Fast Ethernet NIC CNET [430-5353]
56K Telephony Modem for Windows 56KWSXP [313-1583]
FREE UPGRADE! 16x/10x/40x CD-RW Drive with Roxio's Easy CD Creator® 16CDRWP [461-1635]
Integrated Audio IS [313-0847]
Select Monsoon Speakers Below DLWRSKP [461-3821]

All for around $640 shipped (but no monitor)

For your flat screen monitor question: The flat screen is definitely a better way to view the monitor, provides less stress. The trinitron is THE BEST you can go because of the crisp, clear, and bright pictures. However, I have heard that for graphics editing, the flat tubes are not good. NO clue about that.

overkill · 03-20-2002, 08:06 PM

3 year warranty? Is he going to have this computer for 3 years? I hope not

About the RAM, my bad:P

Bob's944 · Bob's944's Garage

If you want a computer that will last into the HDTV era that is coming, make sure you have video capabilities of 1380x1024 resolution with a 60 hz refresh rate. The previous post on flat screens is correct about resolution for graphics, flat screens with a 1024 verticle pixel count are very expensive IF they are even being made yet in a desktop size, tubes monitors can do 1380x1024 for much much less money.

All the Pentium 4 machines have a processor speed compatible with HDTV . Get the fastest processor you can afford. They are going to be getting extremely fast here shortly with a few of the IBM improved chips hitting the market shortly. Processor speeds of 5 gigs will come first, then the HUGE advancement that IBM announced just a few weeks ago that sent their stock soaring up again.... 110 gig clock speeds is so fast for todays standards that I'm not sure what advantages the chips will provide... I'm sure the military is going to get first crack at that anyway.

gixer02 · 03-21-2002, 06:15 PM

Wow 110 gig!!! I remember when the "awesome" laptop we had had a 133mhz processor! hahaha Well we decided to go with what I listed above and the trinitron 19 inch screen. Thanks for all the suggestions. And Bob, we could have got and afforded the 2.2 gig processor but if we buy a new one in 2 years or so than it is probably cheaper this way in the long run and it is more than sufficient for our purposes. Thanks again guys. I expected a big response but was still impressed, once again, by the value of the info on this board

Forget the 911 guys idea for a SCWDP... I say we set up a PPWDP (Pelican Parts World Domination Plot). We really could take over the world... hehehe

Pat

marky522 · 03-21-2002, 07:08 PM

I know this is late just wanted to get my .02 in.

About the internet surfing if you want to get techincal the amount of RAM up to a certain point will allow faster loading of web pages. AMD Processors are GREAT, I dont have the exact specs w/me right now but i believe that the AMD XP processors do 2/3 more per clock cycle than the P4!!!! And about someone bashing HP and Compaq, hey i have had probs with both also BUT i build my own towers also i have probs with them also, its all in how you use your puter... About the vid card i agree with getting the GeForce 4, its a sweet card... And the integrated mother board is a pain in @$$ when one thing goes it all needs to be replaced.....

Just my .02

Mark

fty · 03-23-2002, 07:37 PM

If you want ill build you a cheap ass computer. If anyone needs any hardware or software let me know-chris

PS I have my little hands on free stuf too..that I can dish out..