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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Windows 98 on Tue Aug 16th at 6:50am 2005

OK guys, I think its time for me to get a new computer. I have been looking for about 2 weeks now and I think i have found the one I want. The HP d1400y Series desktop. Of coursethey give you options to customize, and this is what I came up with. Keep in mind that I'm only 14, and my parents aren't paying a dime for this computer, so I am gunna pay monthly. And I didn't completely go all out on pimping it in the options do to me not being able to ge ta job until January. (P.S. in the specs you cant see that I also ordered a nice headset and a nice fancy gaming mouse, because I don't have a spare laser mouse, and my brother broke my headset)

image

image


So is that worth buying? Taking into my money issue. Also, what settings do you think I can run on it to get at least 25 - 30 fps on CS:S?



http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8521/windows981dk.jpg

Nickelplate is my dad



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by xconspirisist on Tue Aug 16th at 7:20am 2005

Its nothing at all special. Looks like you're paying a lot of money for it, too. HP are evil. Check out www.ebuyer.com, I can assure you that they'll cut a significant chunck out of your final bill. Also, why on earth are you buying work's and encarta? Google superseeded encarta years ago, works, is just evil too. I wouldent order this if I were you.



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Crono on Tue Aug 16th at 7:46am 2005

No, it isn't worth it.

For $1,400 you could have a computer with a 7800 GTX and 2 gigs of ram (64-bit processor too)

Not worth the price at all.

I would suggest, not going with any "brand name" computer. This includes, but isn't limited to: Gateway, Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.

Honestly, I'd recommend building your own ... it's fairly simple, has a tremendous amount of documentation, and well worth the effort. But, if you're up to that or not, that's up to you.

The only downside would be there's no customer support for "the whole package", but customer support is really never that helpful from Dell and the likes.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Junkyard God on Tue Aug 16th at 8:10am 2005

that's kinda expensive innit <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> try cheaper sites <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif">


Hell, is an half-filled auditorium



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by KoRnFlakes on Tue Aug 16th at 8:11am 2005

Hopeing to finaly build one myself at some point soonish. so far im playing about with:

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=603828 - Motherboard [?93.91 including VAT]
http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=604050 - gfx card [?209.74 including VAT]
http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=3C326C07A5CA7304&WSMD=A8N%2DSLI&WSPN=CT2KIT6472Z40B - Memory[?96.34]
http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=603779 - HDD [?60.98 including VAT]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Seagate2.html [?74.32 including VAT]
http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=603779 [?60.98 including VAT]

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=604897 - Case [?38.80 including VAT] *
http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=603754 - CPU [?103.78 including VAT]
http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=602960 - PSU [?58.63 including VAT]
http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=604774 - DVD [?34.37 including VAT]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/lcd17.html [?170.32 including VAT] *
?941.19



My Pit



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Leperous on Tue Aug 16th at 9:00am 2005

9-in-1 card reader? Do you need that?! Save yourself dinner money and get a 5-in-1

And, do you really want to trust the Intel on-board sound card?





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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Saint on Tue Aug 16th at 9:20am 2005

I would buy a AMD-System cause its cheaper and better <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">, i have AMD Systems only.

(CPU) 1-AMD Clawhammer 3400 1024 L2, 2199MHz (0% Load) (RAM) usage: 285/512MB (55.66%) (HDDs) 160GB (VGA) NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 (OS) Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 1 (5.1 - 2600)




Mess with the best, die like the rest



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by keved on Tue Aug 16th at 1:13pm 2005

? quoting Crono
I would suggest, not going with any "brand name" computer. This includes, but isn't limited to: Gateway, Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.

Honestly, I'd recommend building your own

I bought a new Dell last week instead of building one myself (I've built 2 of my previous PCs). I found it to be the most competitive pre-built PC in terms of price I could find in the UK, indeed not much more than buying all the bits separately and assembling it myself. Plus it rids me of the headache of finding a problem, isolating the problem component and dealing with getting it replaced.

Ultimately not everyone is interested in the satisfaction of building their own PC, eeking out every last bit of performance or getting the absolute best value-for-money around. Horses for courses I guess.





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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Crapceeper on Tue Aug 16th at 1:59pm 2005

Hi Windows,

I am currently using a pre-built PC. And I have to admit: I don't like it at all. I've got a Pentium 4 simulated 3 GHz dual processor. Which is like a joke. Hyper threading for nothing; only higher costs.

By your components very cheap (I advise: AMD; or if you want NO Pentium) and merge them together by yourself or go for a noname brand.

And I would think about that card reader thingy. Do you need one at all? And you should consider doing a system with two hard drives. One small 20 GBish for OS and swap file only. The other one for programmes and games. This will make your computer faster and more relyable (if you use defrag regularily). But they need to be two physical Hard drives. No partition. Thats crap. You could use folders as well if you use partitions.


And what do you need MS money for? I would leave it and go for a decent Anti Virus Software.


Regards.


Don't be offended; I think I sounded a little arduous. I'm just stressed out right now. Nothing personal.


Never try to be perfect - just try it and make the best out of it



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Dark_Kilauea on Tue Aug 16th at 2:08pm 2005

I'd suggest checking to see what alienware has: http://www.alienware.com

Until Later...



Dark_Kilauea
DVS Administration
http://www.dvstudio-production.com/



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by ReNo on Tue Aug 16th at 2:38pm 2005

I'm with Crono here - every time I see a brand name PC I find myself amazed at how over priced they are for their spec. In this case, if you are paying that sort of price its really not right to be getting onboard sound, no DVD drive and only a standard 6800. For that money, even if you do go for prebuilt, I'd be wanting an Audigy ZS or something, a decent DVDRW, and at least a 6800gt if not a 7800 range. I'm not up on US pricing, so I could be way of the mark, but Crono seems to be in the know about whats good for your money. A quick look at Alienware also left me quite unimpressed - a lot of cash considering most of the PC's weren't exactly cutting edge spec.




Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Windows 98 on Tue Aug 16th at 3:51pm 2005

The problem is I can't pay for everything at once and I need to pay monthly. I don't have a job and im 14 years old guys. I'm like mowin lawns and doing anything I can get money from, my parents say that aren't paying for anything. So that kinda cuts out my custom computer because you cant pay for it monthly. Unless you how I could do this....



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Nickelplate is my dad



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by keved on Tue Aug 16th at 3:52pm 2005

? quoting ReNo
A quick look at Alienware also left me quite unimpressed - a lot of cash considering most of the PC's weren't exactly cutting edge spec.

I had a look at Alienware when considering what to buy. Looked mighty expensive - bascially the same spec PC ended up ?400 more than what I paid for my Dell.





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 Re: New Computer
Posted by rival on Tue Aug 16th at 4:05pm 2005

i thought you had to be older then 14 for credit reasons to go for the monthly payments.
and just for the sake of talking about PCs my dream is:
Athlon FX-57
Dual 7800s
4 gig of RAM
4x100gb hard drive
8.1 Headphones (should they exist that is!)
with a fibre optic internet connection

but seriously though. go for a cheap comp and upgrade the components that you need to upgrade. thats what i did with my dell. (though i run css on low spec to get half decent fps, it needs an upgrade again)




Bullet Control: $5000 for a bullet.
&quot;I would blow your f**king head off! ...if I could afford it. I'm gonna get another job, start saving some money... then you a dead man!&quot;



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Windows 98 on Tue Aug 16th at 4:08pm 2005

Yeah, the process is that they technically buy it but i support the money, and if i dont, im gunna be a sorry little kid.

Anyway, I thought that was a decent computer, I mean it cant be any worse then my computer right now.



http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8521/windows981dk.jpg

Nickelplate is my dad



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by rival on Tue Aug 16th at 4:15pm 2005

? quoting Windows 98
Yeah, the process is that they technically buy it but i support the money, and if i dont, im gunna be a sorry little kid.

Anyway, I thought that was a decent computer, I mean it cant be any worse then my computer right now.

the computer you mentioned above is pretty good (go for a 64-bit processor they are faster i have had experience). in fact it is really good. but expensive. but hell if you can pay for it go for it!




Bullet Control: $5000 for a bullet.
&quot;I would blow your f**king head off! ...if I could afford it. I'm gonna get another job, start saving some money... then you a dead man!&quot;



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Windows 98 on Tue Aug 16th at 4:42pm 2005

So you think I should buy it for my circumstances. I also have a Atholon 64 on the computer im on now.

Also im gunna mention, with the extra money Im making after January (im makin like $100 a month, which is an extra liek $49) Im gunan keep and save for better parts to upgrade.



http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8521/windows981dk.jpg

Nickelplate is my dad



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Madedog on Tue Aug 16th at 4:45pm 2005

Agreed with rival though, get a computer that has a 64bit processor. I have one and to tell the truth, it's REAL good and fast <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
The graphics card is good.
Ram is also enough to be true, but leave out the Intel s**t.




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 Re: New Computer
Posted by Windows 98 on Tue Aug 16th at 4:52pm 2005

Well, i can upgrade the proscessor, but its gunna cost a crap load. A crap load I dont have.... Also I thought 3.0 ghz would be fast enough



http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8521/windows981dk.jpg

Nickelplate is my dad



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 Re: New Computer
Posted by fraggard on Tue Aug 16th at 5:30pm 2005

I haven't read the entire thread but I agree with Crono and ReNo. I'll list out a few things I can think of

- Don't buy a branded machine. It's not worth the trouble. You're only going to get a s**tty warranty and really horrible tech support. Instead, build it yourself, or, if you can't do that, find a trusted store run by a friend or some acquaintance and ask them to assemble one for you.

-Look out for the AMD Dual cores as well. I have heard that they draw lesser power and heat up less, AND they're a whole lot cheaper. I haven't been following dual-cores too closely of late though, so please verify this.

-DVD drive? I don't see a DVD drive. At least get yourself a DVD reader, they're very cheap. A combo DVD/CD writer would be excellent TBH.

-Not enough USB ports. Only two? You will use them up and have no space left

-Go for a separate audio card if you can afford it. Heck, my five-year-old es1371 gives better sound than my "new" intel onboard card.

-Encarta?! Works?! Waste of money. Use Wikipedia, and you'll eventually "acquire" Office anyway (it's inevitable, methinks).

I have recently seen a machine with similar specs built for around $1100 give or take 50 based on the conversion rate and inflation and suchlike. And don't worry about your CSS framerates. They should be very good with this setup.

Edit: Just saw your post above. Gigahertz aren't the best indicator of performance. Look for benchmarks and stress-tests on the net for a gaming PC with a similar setup. You'll often notice that all the gigahertzes and megahertzes that Intel and AMD claim don't equate to performance gains.





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