Suggestions for new system.

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Farber
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David Farber

I am assisting a client in purchasing a new PC. Since this person is not a
PC geek, I think a ready made Dell would be a good deal. The requirements
are that it be able to run the normal day to day MS office programs, photo
manipulation and printing, and play games like The Sims. They would also
like to be able to move up to 3d online gaming. Should I just have Dell put
the whole works together or is there a more efficient way to do this? From
my experience, the ready made systems don't leave you much room to upgrade.
 
go with HP -= HP m7170n =-

http://www.smokeypoint.com/My_PC.htm

HP m7170n features ATI. Covers everything you mention and more. Is less expensive than Dull.

Dull is getting expensive and offering less. oh yeah, it went with Nvieoduh - this is not a good thing.

Here is what I have done to my HP m7170n

My other PC System July 2005:


HP m7170n -- mainboard "intel Pentium D" 3.0ghz dual core cpu, 2 gb 4x512 PC2-4200 memory

Xtasy Radeon x850 XL 256meg DDR3 (16 pipes) (pci-e x16) Western Digital sata 250 gig
Windows XP pro media edition
Logitech laser cordless mouse
Kensinton cordless multimedia keyboard (black)
HP 1903 Lcd flatscreen 19" (DVI)
Realtec THX on main board (i have a spare Creative audigy 2 zs just in case)
Klipsch THX 5.1, woof! my dog (brendled Lab Retriever) sits and listens


hope this helps,

** No Fate **

cheers,
dracman
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===============================
** No Pili'kaia **
 
a P III 450 with 256 MB ram, and a 16 MB video card would do
everything you just described, and that is running XP. Anything more is
gravy if that gives you an idea of the power of todays computers.
 
farmuse said:
a P III 450 with 256 MB ram, and a 16 MB video card would do
everything you just described, and that is running XP. Anything more is
gravy if that gives you an idea of the power of todays computers.
Click to expand...
3d online gaming is going to require more horsepower. At least a p4 @2.8
and 512MB RAM with at least a 128mb vid card. Here is a suggestion: try
looking at an E-machines box. They are the cheapest Ive seen with an AGP
expansion slot. I built my own box so its just a suggestion. The
internet connection will also make a huge differenct in onine play.
 
farmuse said:
a P III 450 with 256 MB ram, and a 16 MB video card would do everything
you just described, and that is running XP. Anything more is gravy if that
gives you an idea of the power of todays computers.
Click to expand...


What? For 3D online gaming? Besides that, I've run Windows XP on
sub-500MHz PC's and it wasn't very nice.
 
Dell is a good choice.
They use high quality parts, have great pricing, and stand by their product.
For the things you want to do, especially Photoshop and 3D gaming, go with
NO LESS than 1gig of RAM! I would also recommend, for CPU, if going Intel
route, no less than 3.2ghz. If AMD route, no less than 64-3600+ or even
64-3800+ if you can afford it. I don't know if Dell right now sells
primarily AMD or Intel. Hopefully AMD, because right now, for the money, you
can get a bit more horsepower with an AMD CPU.
Either way, buy now thinking of the future or you'll be upgrading again
before too long. Buy a computer you will enjoy. Overkill is better than
regretting it every time you sit down in front of a slow/weak machine. For
video card get no less than a 6800GT. Also, be sure the video bus is PCI-E.
NO AGP because AGP is going out. The very newest video cards, for example,
do not come in AGP flavors.
The rest of the pieces, like hard drive, sound, etc., are more easily
upgraded so not as important as the pieces I mentioned above.
Good luck!
 
Not very appropriate suggestions for the stated use.
Click to expand...

I think that it is key that it should be a machine that can be
upgraded. PCI-E would be important but an X700 Pro (or Nvidia
equivalent) would be more than enough for now but a better card could
be switched to later if required. Although it is a personal choice, I
would go for an Athlon 64. It doesn't have to be the fastest one
because once again, if need be, it could be replaced at a later date.
Whatever the RAM, there should be space available for adding more at a
later date.

Key to all this is a good motherboard.
--

Julian Richards
computer "at" richardsuk.f9.co.uk

www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"
 
I agree, a good motherboard is the starting point. And the original poster
did not mention Adobe PhotoShop, just 'photo manipulation', printing, MS
Office, and games like 'The Sims'.

I think it breaks down into three paths; an inexpensive, reliable Dell
product with a questionable upgrade path, but good suport and warranty

#1. In the USA anyway, Dell Desktops are getting ridiculously inexpensive;
$299 US for an entry level Celeron D 2.4 GHz with 256 MBytes RAM, 80 Gbyte
hard drive, CD-RW, Windwos XP Home, and 17" CRT. Though it wouldn't be very
upgradable because of the motherboard limitations, the system would likely
do everything listed in the orginal post. Expecially since (at least in the
USA) a very fine 4 X 6 inch color print from a digital storage card costs ~
$0.24 done while-you-wait at the local pharmacy - cheaper and better results
than printing it yourself.

OR

#2. A custom system, easily upgradable, but MUCH more expensive and
requiring a more knowledgeable user who can choose upgrades in the future.

OR

#3. A customized Dell System @ ~ $1200 US with a mid-range video card and 2
year at home warranty service.

Dell seems only to offer Intel based desktops.

Phil Weldon
 
a P III 450 with 256 MB ram, and a 16 MB video card would do
everything you just described, and that is running XP. Anything more is
gravy if that gives you an idea of the power of todays computers.
Click to expand...

Complete unadulterated bovine scatology.

Bad advice is far worse than no advice.
 
You neglected to mention something very important the original posters said:
"They would also like to be able to move up to 3d online gaming."
And I'll repeat a very important concept that penny pinchers won't
necessarily get:
Either way, buy now thinking of the future or you'll be upgrading again
before too long. Buy a computer you will enjoy. Overkill is better than
regretting it every time you sit down in front of a slow/weak machine.
 
David said:
I am assisting a client in purchasing a new PC. Since this person is not a
PC geek, I think a ready made Dell would be a good deal. The requirements
are that it be able to run the normal day to day MS office programs, photo
manipulation and printing, and play games like The Sims. They would also
like to be able to move up to 3d online gaming. Should I just have Dell put
the whole works together or is there a more efficient way to do this? From
my experience, the ready made systems don't leave you much room to upgrade.
Click to expand...

Your needs are minimal.
The upgrade path may be a waste depending on how long you intend to wait.
If your friend isnt already a gaming geek, almost any 1 year old system
in todays market would suffice them for quite a few years. I'd go athlon
64 and stick with AGP cause its cheap, still very powerful and will be
around for quite a few more years despite industry tactics to migrate and
suck even more money out of us in a forced upgrade path. A 9800 pro will
be all you need.

All you really might decide is whether a btx case would suit you.

Gordon
 
'Gordon wrote, in part:
| Your needs are minimal.
| The upgrade path may be a waste depending on how long you intend to wait.
| If your friend isnt already a gaming geek, almost any 1 year old system
| in todays market would suffice them for quite a few years.
_____

Reasonable suggestions.

I'd guess that the newest nVidia chipsets that are now provided only for
PCI-Express slots will be available for AGP as soon as nVidai decides that
limitation has pushed motherboard nVida chipsets enough.

Phil Weldon
 
Folk said:
Complete unadulterated bovine scatology.

Bad advice is far worse than no advice.
Click to expand...
balderdash, but I did miss the online gaming part, my bad. but the
honest truth is that, besides gaming, it takes almost no processing
power to run basic soho stuff. right ? right. you know it, I know it,
but the general public doesn't.
 
Scotter said:
You neglected to mention something very important the original posters said:
"They would also like to be able to move up to 3d online gaming."
And I'll repeat a very important concept that penny pinchers won't
necessarily get:
Either way, buy now thinking of the future or you'll be upgrading again
before too long. Buy a computer you will enjoy. Overkill is better than
regretting it every time you sit down in front of a slow/weak machine.
Click to expand...
okay, if they have the money then buy 64 bit capable computer. that
is the only future proof path I recommmend, the rest is crap. PCI-E who
gives a rats arse. SLI ? total waste of money, a complete joke. there
are people starving in the world, and people want to blow another 600 on
a second video card so his fps jumps by 20 ? be real. how selfish.

screw Dell, buy from either custom local builders or buy used.
laptops are the only thing that you should buy new, for the warranty.
 
NightSky said:
What? For 3D online gaming? Besides that, I've run Windows XP on
sub-500MHz PC's and it wasn't very nice.
Click to expand...
prolly wasn't the processor but the I/O that was the issue. Tweek
it dude. I used a P II 450 with 384 MB ram, and it ran fine, except the
slow hard drive. Drop a promise controller card in there, and a fast
drive and you would have a hard time telling it from newer machines when
using soho apps. That machine is still in use next door. Actually it is
pretty cool to have the oldest machine in the building that still gets
the job done.
 
farmuse said:
balderdash, but I did miss the online gaming part, my bad. but the
honest truth is that, besides gaming, it takes almost no processing
power to run basic soho stuff. right ? right. you know it, I know it,
but the general public doesn't.
Click to expand...


You also missed the part where the OP mentions photo manipulation.
Photoshop and its clones will run on the machine you mentioned, but not
as well as a newer computer.
 
Phil Weldon said:
I agree, a good motherboard is the starting point. And the original poster
did not mention Adobe PhotoShop, just 'photo manipulation', printing, MS
Office, and games like 'The Sims'.

I think it breaks down into three paths; an inexpensive, reliable Dell
product with a questionable upgrade path, but good suport and warranty

#1. In the USA anyway, Dell Desktops are getting ridiculously inexpensive;
$299 US for an entry level Celeron D 2.4 GHz with 256 MBytes RAM, 80 Gbyte
hard drive, CD-RW, Windwos XP Home, and 17" CRT. Though it wouldn't be very
upgradable because of the motherboard limitations, the system would likely
do everything listed in the orginal post. Expecially since (at least in the
USA) a very fine 4 X 6 inch color print from a digital storage card costs ~
$0.24 done while-you-wait at the local pharmacy - cheaper and better results
than printing it yourself.

OR

#2. A custom system, easily upgradable, but MUCH more expensive and
requiring a more knowledgeable user who can choose upgrades in the future.

OR

#3. A customized Dell System @ ~ $1200 US with a mid-range video card and 2
year at home warranty service.

Dell seems only to offer Intel based desktops.

Phil Weldon
Click to expand...

When I called Dell asking for the model numbers of the Intel motherboards
they use is their systems, the sales rep said that their motherboards are
made by Dell. That's a good one.

I found that the Dell Dimension 9100 appears to be a good choice. It comes
standard with a P4 630HT 3GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 160GB hard drive, 19"
flat panel, *128MB ATI RadeonT X300 SE*, and an optional DVD burner and
cheap speakers, MS Office basic, XP home edition, inkjet printer, and some
lightweight photo software. Final total with tax and shipping is about
$1,200.

Thanks for your reply.
 
The guy telling you a PIII 450 with 256 MB of RAM would do the trick is
deluded or using his computer to control his tractor with some old DOS app.
XP would probably run on that system but OMG how slow! It would be paging to
the hard drive to do ANYTHING. Maybe the guy is running old DOS apps only?
Or just word processing.
Again, original poster mentioned PHOTO manipulation and 3D GAMES. Get a
clue, embracers of obsoletion!
It may be fun for some people to be rebels and go against the stream but
listen up, computers become obsolete fast. ESPECIALLY if you play games. And
yeah, you can play many of the newer games on old hardware but at low rez.
So it really depends on if you want a snappyfast system that will last a
couple years and WHILE it is lasting, you can crank the graphics up high in
games.. OR...
Save a few hundred bucks and buy a piece of shit that will frustrate you
(your client) and they'll have to upgrade sooner AND they will curse your
name every time they sit down in front of the cheapo piece of crap you
recommended they buy. BTW 512MB RAM is not enough for the year 2005, year of
XP and and approaching the next Windows version which is already out in
Beta. Get a gig.
 
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