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So i'm in the market for a new computer. My current one is a Pentium 4 2.40GHz with 504MB RAM that is about 4-5 years old.
I'm getting ready to go to college so I want to get a nice new computer. I was considering building my own but I know very little about the process and how part compatibility works. I know some resident computer pros roam TL.net like Izzycraft and I was looking for the thread (I wanna say it was Intothewow) who had a thread where TL guided them on their parts buying process.
Actual Question: Just from my rudimentary knowledge getting a computer like this for lets say $600-800 is a pretty good deal right? It looks to have nice specs (although still waiting on an answer if it is 32 or 64 bit vista ultimate.)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alienware-Area-51-Computer-P4-3-4-GHz-4-GB-RAM_W0QQitemZ160291805837QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160291805837&_trkparms=72:1205|39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1309&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Also... A processor having a higher GHz doesn't necessarily mean it's faster right? I mean the really good processors now don't have a GHz number that is all that higher, but they are duo/quad core which means it's like x2 or x4 of whatever the GHz number is?
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Your current one is fine since all you do is play starcraft anyways!
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On October 17 2008 12:59 rA.BreeZe wrote:
Your current one is fine since all you do is play starcraft anyways!
If something is good is impossible to tell unless you know what you are going to be doing.
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Haha yea that's actually true... I just have some (Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller) video card which is just a crappy integrated thing I think. It ran WoW just fine surprisingly though (although maybe I was missing out on better graphics but it ran just fine.)
I tried playing a trial of Chrysis and some other new games and they wouldn't start... WoW said it wouldn't work because the video card wasn't supported but I just clicked play anyway and it was fine.
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just build it yourself better deal, you get some fun over the summer
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On October 17 2008 13:35 iceburn wrote:
just build it yourself better deal, you get some fun over the summer
heh yea that's definitely what I hope I end up doing, I guess I just want to start getting exposed to what's what so I have a rough idea of what I'm dealing with.
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just to remind: u need a power supply that could handle all that power consumption
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On October 17 2008 12:56 Jonoman92 wrote:
Also... A processor having a higher GHz doesn't necessarily mean it's faster right? I mean the really good processors now don't have a GHz number that is all that higher, but they are duo/quad core which means it's like x2 or x4 of whatever the GHz number is?
not true. A dual core CPU that is said to run at 2.0 ghz runs at 2.0 ghz. It does NOT run at 4.0 ghz.
anyways, it seems like you don't really even a new computer. Consider getting a new computer when there's actually something you can't do well on your current computer.
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On October 17 2008 13:59 Elvin_vn wrote:
just to remind: u need a power supply that could handle all that power consumption
400w might handle it ionno what the power consumption of a 9800gt is but i doubt that will use more then 300w =P
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On the issue of quad core, I wouldn't do it at the moment. While theoretically programs will be coming out that use more than a single core, they're aren't here yet. Modern programs are optimized to run on a single core, and a dual core offers enough multitasking to do the things that the average gamer does (Game + Browser + Media Player). Quad Cores in this day and age offer less performance for more price, so its my contention that a value oriented computer should always use a dual core. Better performance than any quad core you could get for the price in 90%+ current applications.
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If you don't play games, then pretty much any computer is fine. Just get XP and you're fine.
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Are custom built computers stable? I know that my friend's comp tech class a few years ago made custom built computers but most of them are either dead or dying D:
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customs are awesome because you know exactly what you have. Its good when you want to update drivers and tinker around with settings.
general, you should save a few hundred bucks going the custom route as well.
that alienware comp in the link looks like a good deal, Id get it.
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The Alienware is at a great price at the moment but I can't see it finishing under $800 or so.
Custom computers are fine as long as you do your research, buy good reputable parts, and make sure that everything is compatible with everything you have.
In the example I've shown, I assure you that all the components synergize well.
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I don't think that Alienware computer is terribly bad... but I'm not sure it is worth 600 bucks (certainly not 800). Although I say that knowing I could build one pretty easily. There is certainly value in it already being assembled and having lots of software though.
As far as CPUs go, performance is much less correlated to the frequency these days. Core 2 Duos were the big shift. I know I'm upgrading my CPU and actually going down in frequency (from a Pentium 805, 2.66 ghz, 533 mhz fsb, to a E7200, 2.53 ghz, 1066 mhz fsb), which is a first. I know Intel and AMD have tried to use numbers so people can have a better grasp of actual performance instead of just a straight up clock speed.
This is kind of old (so the newer 45 nm Wolfdale's aren't on here, or the Quad Cores), but this should give a rough idea regarding performance between various CPUs... http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=8
Basically, any Core 2 Duo is going to be a lot better than a Pentium D (the particular one on the Alienware one is a Pentium 950). Quad cores are a bit expensive yet (especially the 45 nm ones).
The one real downside to building your own computer is the cost of software. It isn't actually hard at all to build your own, although the first time you do you're not going to really have much of an idea of what you're doing. It's all pretty simple though.
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On October 17 2008 16:07 Equinox_kr wrote:
Are custom built computers stable? I know that my friend's comp tech class a few years ago made custom built computers but most of them are either dead or dying D:
I own a custom built computer, and I absolutely think customs are stable. The only thing about buying the parts separately is that one part might be bad. This happens with Newegg often. I had to RMA my video card twice and my processor once before I got working ones.
But as long as you triple check and make sure that everything will work together, and then make sure every part is working correctly, you're made in the shade.
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I'm not sure with US prices but a pc rig would depend on how it is used.
If you're the average guy that multitasks, like downloading while making vids load and surfing the net, go get a dual core that's around 3.0Ghz. Maybe 1gb of ram will suffice.
But if you're going super multitasking, get a quad core. But keep in mind that you will need a good pc box with good vents to keep your quad core cool. Get a 2gb ram at your own risk, it might overheat *or maybe its just the weather here that makes me say it*
Oh yeah, I don't want to put you in the pain of going through specs like PCI-E and those shit, but you have to. I'm not sure if the guys over the desk there knows if your shit is compatible with your motherboard so you'll have to check it yourself.
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O yeah, talkin about power supply, get a branded one PLEASE!
Its not that I want you to spend a lot but branded PSU (power supply units) are so efficient in converting the electricity you need and there's minimal power loss from the socket itself to the output of the psu.
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On October 17 2008 22:51 SilverSkyLark wrote:
I'm not sure with US prices but a pc rig would depend on how it is used.
If you're the average guy that multitasks, like downloading while making vids load and surfing the net, go get a dual core that's around 3.0Ghz. Maybe 1gb of ram will suffice.
But if you're going super multitasking, get a quad core. But keep in mind that you will need a good pc box with good vents to keep your quad core cool. Get a 2gb ram at your own risk, it might overheat *or maybe its just the weather here that makes me say it*
Oh yeah, I don't want to put you in the pain of going through specs like PCI-E and those shit, but you have to. I'm not sure if the guys over the desk there knows if your shit is compatible with your motherboard so you'll have to check it yourself.
Quad cores aren't all that hot unless you're going to overlock, and are about on par with the old Pentium D's as far as heat goes. I know my Pentium 805 tended to run quite hot at above 50 degrees Celsius on average (and people tended to overclock it with the stock fan on top of that without too much issue...), and quad cores seem to run lower than that (and most Pentium D's did too). They're hotter than the Core 2 Duo, but heat isn't really a huge concern. Although I am drooling over my Wolfdale upgrade... 65 W, 45 nm... mm mm, good.
As far as RAM goes, you really need to be on the brink for 2 GB of it to overheat your case if it wasn't already before.
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United States22883 Posts
Vista Ultimate includes both the 32bit and 64bit version, I believe.
Personally, I wouldn't get the computer. The thing is over 2 years old ("3-YEAR 24/7 WARRANTY (APROX. 9 MONTHS REMAINING") and I'm not sure if the warranty will transfer. The specs might look decent, but the sad reality is that motherboards and harddrives don't have very long lifespans so you probably won't get more than a couple more years out of it, especially if he has a RAID 0 going on.
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On October 18 2008 01:57 Jibba wrote:
Vista Ultimate includes both the 32bit and 64bit version, I believe.
Personally, I wouldn't get the computer. The thing is over 2 years old ("3-YEAR 24/7 WARRANTY (APROX. 9 MONTHS REMAINING") and I'm not sure if the warranty will transfer. The specs might look decent, but the sad reality is that motherboards and harddrives don't have very long lifespans so you probably won't get more than a couple more years out of it, especially if he has a RAID 0 going on.
Yeah Vista ultimate has both dvd's The rest you have to order and pay like 6 bucks for shipping.
I've had a computer for nearly 5 years now and it still is a performer =) But i spent like 3k when i got it.
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Thanks for all the advice/information!
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On October 18 2008 06:35 Jonoman92 wrote:
Thanks for all the advice/information!
Yeah, just check the components if they will fit in your motherboard, check them yourselves if the guy at the counter doesn't know anything about the stuff they sell (like the ones in our country).
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United States22883 Posts
If you know where you're going to college, you might also want to check if they have any specials. Most schools get discounts from Dell/Apple and some other companies.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/8537/mytakelc4.png)
