Computer Buying

[PeriscopeDepth]

Besides the usual suspects, does anybody know any good websites to buy a computer from in the USA?

PD

[mog]

A lot of people on another forum I frequent swear by http://www.newegg.com

[lesrae]

It depends what you want it for, in the UK I always point people at Dell if it's just for a routine wp/internet machine. Their prices are very competitive over here, although I don't know if the same applies in the USA. www.dell.com

[PeriscopeDepth]

Thanks for the responses.

I want a computer that can run SH3 that costs circa $800. Right now I'm thinking of the Dell E510 3.0 Ghz hyperthreading, 1 gig of RAM, and an Nvidia 6600GT. I know it's not top of the line, but it seems pretty well priced to me for an all in one package.

PD

[scandium]

Thanks for the responses.

I want a computer that can run SH3 that costs circa $800. Right now I'm thinking of the Dell E510 3.0 Ghz hyperthreading, 1 gig of RAM, and an Nvidia 6600GT. I know it's not top of the line, but it seems pretty well priced to me for an all in one package.

PD

If gaming is your goal then I would go AMD Athlon64 over Intel. Far more bang for the buck. Also an Nvidia 6600 GT is a mistake for two reasons: #1 is that its pretty well obsolete already and there are much faster video cards in the same price range (such as the Nvidia 6800 GS); #2 is that in a machine like a Dell the video is probably going to be integrated directly into the motherboard, and thus not upgradeable without replacing the system. So #2 compounds #1 by making the entire system obsolete before you even buy it, and this makes it a poor choice for gaming.

On the plus side you're in the right ballpark on the RAM (I wouldn't go less than 1 GB today).

My recommendation for playing SH3 with a good framerate, on the cheap, and with an eye to the future would be:

AMD Athlon64 3200+ or faster CPU

NVidia 6800 GS 256 MB PCI Express Video card or faster (ATI equivalent is good too, main thing being that its PCIe and thus upgradeable, and not an integrated solution)

1 GB, or more, of DDR400 RAM

The rest of the system is gravy but CPU, Video (especially Video), and RAM are the heart and soul that define the gaming experience and the system's longevity.

[SmokinTep]

I would get the parts from newegg and build one. With a Dell, you won't be able to upgrade.

I build one 2 1/2 years ago for $1200.

[GunnersMate]

Athlon64 3200 $152 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535)
Patriot 1GB PC3200 CAS2 $64 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220006)
Asus A8N-SLI $106 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131524)
BFG 7900GT $329 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143048)
BFG 7600GT $212 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143049)
XFX 6800XT $99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150130)

[Onkel Neal]

Gateway, I have bought three of them since 1998. Very happy. :up:

http://gateway.com/index.shtml

________________

[JSLTIGER]

Another option is Tigerdirect.com


Did my last build (Aquarius) through them and didn't have any problems at all.

[PeriscopeDepth]

Thanks all.

It seems to have come down between the Gateway DX300 and Dell XPS 400. Leaning towards the Dell because I can order it with an Nvidia 6800 and it has a 19 inch flat panel rather than a 17.

PD

[PeriscopeDepth]

Wondering if anybody has anything to say about the 256mb Nvidia 6800(vanilla, no GS or GT). It seems to me to be an adequate card for my purposes, but I don't know much about vid cards. So...BUMP!

PD

[scandium]

Wondering if anybody has anything to say about the 256mb Nvidia 6800(vanilla, no GS or GT). It seems to me to be an adequate card for my purposes, but I don't know much about vid cards. So...BUMP!

PD

The 6800 Vanilla is a bit slower than the GS but still faster than the 6600 GT. Its a decent card and faster than the 6800 LE (the "Lite Edition" of the 6800); I would certainly consider it, provided that its an upgradable PCIe discrete graphics card and not somehow integrated into the computer's motherboard.

[Mike 'Red Ocktober' Hense]

with the rapid advance of technology, i usually wind up buying a relatively inexpensive eMachines computer...

that way i can 'turn em over' without taking too much of a hit in the pocket, as the tech advances... so far they've been great performers for what i need em to do, and i've had little to no problems with em...

my server is an old 733mHz eMachines that has been running 24/7 for years now...

--Mike

[JSLTIGER]

I swear by my eMachines laptop (from which I write most of my posts), but I don't think that I'd buy an eMachines desktop, not when I can build my own. Either way, I don't think that eMachines deserves the bad rap that it gets. Since Gateway took over, their machines offer what is potentially the best bang for the buck on the market, and they are extremely reliable.

Most of my friends with Dells have had multiple headaches with their machines: messed up screens, dead hard drives, bad drivers, etc. Never had a single problem with my eMachines laptop.

[PeriscopeDepth]

It is a PCIe x16 card, so I assume it's removable.

As for Dells in general, I've owned a Dell laptop for 3 years and haven't had a single problem. I have nothing against eMachines either, my first gaming machine was a 1ghz eMachines. It served me well and for a looong time. I just prefer Dell because they offer far more customization (is that a word?) on their website.

PD

[MadMike]

After my old HP Windows ME went kaput (along with all my SH2 campaigns, SH2 and PA), I got online and checked out Wal Mart. Actually, it's the infamous Zonealarm bug which I can't fix, even in safemode...
That afternoon, purchased an eMachines W3107 Desktop PC w/ 17CRT, 1.8GHz AMD Sempron 3100+ processor for $478 (not counting state sales tax).
No problems running SH3 (except for a small driver issue, grey colored crewman's faces occasionally while surfaced). Otherwise it runs great.

Yours, Mike

Display: 17" Flat CRT (16" diagonal viewable), 1280x1024 @ 60Hz

Processor: AMD Sempron 3100+ processor, Operates at 1.8GHz 256KB L2 Cache 1600MHz System Bus

Memory: 512MB DDR (1 x 512MB), 400Mhz (PC3200)Expandable to 2GB

Hard Drive: 100GB (7200 rpm, 2MB Cache)hard drive

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home (with SP2)

Optical Device: DVD +/-RW, 16x Multi-Format Double Layer(up to 8.5GB with Double Layer media)

Expansion Slots: 1 PCI-E x16, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI

Communications: 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem
(RJ-11 port)10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)

Graphics & Audio: nVidia GeForce 6100 GPU up to 128MB of shared video memory
6-Channel (5.1) AC?97 Audio w/ Amplified Stereo Speakers

Measurements: CPU: 14.25(H) x 7.25"(W) x 16.00"(D)
Monitor: 16.5"(W) x 16.0"(H) x 17.25"(D)

Weight: 22.5 lbs (CPU only, no packaging)
Monitor: 39.0 lbs. (17.7 kg)

External Ports: 5 USB 2.0 Ports, 1 in Media Manager, 4 in back, 1 VGA External Connector, 1 Serial Port, 1 Parallel Port, 2 PS/2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse), 5 Audio Ports (2 in front and 3 in back)

Misc: Standard Multifunction Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse

Software: Productivity Software: Microsoft Works 8.0, Microsoft Office 2003 60-day trial, Microsoft Money 2005, Microsoft Encarta Online, Adobe Acrobat Reader 7

Digital Media Software: CyberLink PowerDVD support, Nero 6 Suite, Microsoft Windows Media Player 10, Microsoft Digital Image (includes 60-day Digital, RealNetworks RealPlayer, Quicktime

Connectivity / Utilities: Microsoft Internet, AOL 9.0 (6 months), Google Toolbar

[PeriscopeDepth]

In case any of you are interested in what I went with...

Today I ordered a Del XPS 400 2.8 Ghz (dual processor), 1 gig of RAM, and an Nvidia 7600GT. I can't wait, my first gaming machine in over 5 years!

PD

[JSLTIGER]

PD...

Dual processor is NOT the same as Dual CORE....do not confuse the two. Dual core is two processors on a single chip, Dual processor is two distinct processor chips plugged into the same board. They operate differently.