 need advice on buying a new computer |
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 Oct 9 2008, 02:42 AM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767  |
can someone suggest me a good computer in the price range of 300-400? my computer: intell pentium 3 processor 1.01 ghz 384 mb of ram some that i was looking at: computer one. computer two bascially, i just want the computer to be faster. a lot faster. and able to play a few games. ports for usb/headphones would be GREAT if they were in the front of the computer, cause i have to put my computer in this shelf and its a pain to have to pull it out, connect a cord, disconnect, etc. i know those computers have vista (id prefer xp) and i heard vista takes up a lot of memory? so i dont know if those are any good. but if you guys could atleast let me know if those are good computers, or maybe suggest a better one that is in my budget? id much appreciate it. thanks!! |
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Oct 9 2008, 07:10 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 108 Joined: 20-April 08 Member No.: 204,168 |
Of the two systems the HP is the better machine. Running Vista with less than 2gigs of memory (especially with integrated graphics) can be a lesson in masochism. The HP has a full speed PCI Express x16 slot so you can upgrade to a real videocard. Purchasing a machine on that budget is tough, but the HP will be better out of the box and has much better upgrade possibilities.
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Oct 9 2008, 10:25 AM
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arachibutyrophobia Group: BC Advisor Posts: 4,961 Joined: 4-March 05 From: Northern CA. Member No.: 13,532 |
I definitely would go for the HP, better CPU, more RAM. As for adding a dedicated graphics card, most cards are pretty power hungry, you need to see what the wattage and what the total amperage is on the 12V rail/s.
-------------------- Lord, may we please have a little more chlorine in the gene pool?
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Oct 9 2008, 11:47 AM
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#4
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767 |
how come you guys keep talking about the video card/integrated graphics? is the one on the HP not good enough or something?
how much better is that computer than mine? do you think its worth the buy? |
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Oct 9 2008, 12:14 PM
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 Computer Masochist Group: Moderator Posts: 9,089 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Cleveland, Ohio Member No.: 108,618 |
No offense meant, but anything built today will be a vast improvement over a 14 year old computer.
If you buy a computer with onboard video and it doesn't have an extra expansion slot, that means you're stuck with that configuration. If you get one with a video card and after a while you decide you want to improve your graphics for a newer game, you can do so Hp has a better track record than eMachines. I you keep your eyes open, you might run across a sale where you can get a new, not refurbished, with a i year garantee -------------------- Mark
 why won't my laptop work? Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around Avatar by Handplane |
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Oct 9 2008, 12:37 PM
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#6
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767 |
QUOTE(garmanma @ Oct 9 2008, 12:14 PM)  No offense meant, but anything built today will be a vast improvement over a 14 year old computer. If you buy a computer with onboard video and it doesn't have an extra expansion slot, that means you're stuck with that configuration. If you get one with a video card and after a while you decide you want to improve your graphics for a newer game, you can do so Hp has a better track record than eMachines. I you keep your eyes open, you might run across a sale where you can get a new, not refurbished, with a i year garantee haha, no dont worry you cant offend me when it comes to my computer or the knowledge that i have with them, im not in denial or anything. what exactly makes computers "break?" cause ive had this computer for a very long time, and i havent ever had to replace anything (well the cd- drive is dust but...) and like i said, im more than open to other computers. i just dont know a good one from a bad one. i know to look for the ram and processor, but after i look at that i dont really know if the computer will be a good computer or a bad one. thats one bad thing about the HP. i think its like home-built. well not home-built, but they build mass quantites of it, and then sell them. its not an actual factory product. and plus like you said, its refurb. This post has been edited by allecb: Oct 9 2008, 12:39 PM |
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Oct 9 2008, 12:48 PM
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Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 6,841 Joined: 3-September 05 From: Killeen, TX Member No.: 33,068 |
FWIW: I think the Inspiron 530 is a much better buy than the two you seem to have earmarked.
No monitor with either of your choices...LCD included in price of Inspiron 530. http://www.dell.com/content/products/produ...;l=en&s=dhs Louis |
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Oct 9 2008, 12:49 PM
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#8
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767 |
one computer
two computer three computer okay. out of all five. best one? sorry...  
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Oct 9 2008, 12:50 PM
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#9
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767 |
QUOTE(hamluis @ Oct 9 2008, 12:48 PM) FWIW: I think the Inspiron 530 is a much better buy than the two you seem to have earmarked. No monitor with either of your choices...LCD included in price of Inspiron 530. http://www.dell.com/content/products/produ...;l=en&s=dhs Louis oh no, not another one!  what makes that any better? |
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Oct 9 2008, 12:59 PM
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#10
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767 |
the Dell Inspiron 530s is only 279 without the monitor (which i wouldnt need cause i have one already ..just to save money) and its getting good reviews. plus its new and has a warranty.
should i just go with that? it seems affordable, and a big upgrade from mine considering it has double the ram, and faster processor. one thing i noticed is its not dual core processor? isnt that kind of bad? the base model comes with this: Intel® Celeron® processor 450 (2.2GHz, 800 FSB) if i add this for 60 more dollars would it make much of a difference? Intel® Pentium® dual-core processor E2200 (1MB L2, 2.2GHz, 800 FS i know to some of you, it might not be that great but i think of it like this. i was used to driving an old 1988 plymouth sundance. its kind of like a civic hatchback. then i got a 1995 toyota camry v6 with sunroof and leather. its tons faster, and feels tons luxurious. definately nothing to a mercedes, but levels ahead of the car i used to have. is that what this dell would be like for me?cause if so, then i think i should just go with the dell than fork over the extra 150-250 for one of the other mentioned computers when all i use this one for is movies,videos, photos, browsing. This post has been edited by allecb: Oct 9 2008, 01:08 PM |
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Oct 9 2008, 01:35 PM
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Computer Masochist Group: Moderator Posts: 9,089 Joined: 27-January 07 From: Cleveland, Ohio Member No.: 108,618 |
In all honesty, I'd go with the Dell.
By the way, the first 2 computers you linked to were refurbished. Which is not a bad thing, but I'd still go with the new one with a one year warranty. The important thing to do is: Register your computer with Dell Read you manual thoroughly then take it, the CD's that came with it plus all of the paperwork that came with it, and put it in a secure place where you will remember where it's at. Also, copy all of the numbers off of various stickers on the back of the computer. Keys, service tag number, whatever. Keep the interior lint and dust free. Overheating will kill a computer. Here's a link on how to do that: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial118.html Last but most important-Keep Windows Updates, anti-virus updates and anti-spyware updates current. After your free Norton anti-virus runs out, don't forget to renew it or look in our freeware section for replacements: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic3616.html You should enjoy your computer for a long time This post has been edited by garmanma: Oct 9 2008, 01:37 PM -------------------- Mark
why won't my laptop work? Having grandkids is God's way of giving you a 2nd chance because you were too busy working your butt off the 1st time around Avatar by Handplane |
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Oct 9 2008, 03:52 PM
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#12
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Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 6,841 Joined: 3-September 05 From: Killeen, TX Member No.: 33,068 |
I think we need to be realistic
.Going from a PIII to a Sempron...will be quite a change. If money is no object...then I would always suggest for buyers to purchase on impulse and get what they want. If money is a consideration, then I think the concept of "value" ought to be implemented by the buyer. I can't tell you what "value" means in your world...I can only tell you what it means in my world, which is probably significantly different from yours. Whichever system you choose to buy...please put away all documentation and CDs in a safe place. You will need them at some point in the future. Happy purchase .Louis |
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Oct 9 2008, 09:13 PM
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 SPAM Magnet Group: Global Moderator Posts: 13,894 Joined: 6-May 04 From: SW Louisiana Member No.: 363 |
Also, with the Dell running Vista, I would load up with the maximum memory the computer will take (4GB).
I would purchase the additional RAM from somewhere else, besides Dell. You'll be able to find it cheaper from some place like, NewEgg. Stick with one of these manufacturers: Crucial Kingston Corsair A-Data G.Skill GeIL Mushkin OCZ Patriot -------------------- I love being married.
It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy, for the rest of your life. |
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Oct 9 2008, 10:03 PM
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#14
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arachibutyrophobia Group: BC Advisor Posts: 4,961 Joined: 4-March 05 From: Northern CA. Member No.: 13,532 |
I haven't looked at the specs on this machine, but I would be surprised if the RAM can't be run in dual channel which has a large advantage, it's faster. But to run the RAM in dual channel there must be an even number of modules, and they need to have the same specs for the best performance. You will need to find out what the modules are that are installed in you new machine, and then match the specs for those modules.
tg1911 is right on, Dell is a lot more expensive than Newegg. -------------------- Lord, may we please have a little more chlorine in the gene pool?
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Oct 9 2008, 10:22 PM
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#15
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 9-October 08 Member No.: 244,767 |
QUOTE(tg1911 @ Oct 9 2008, 09:13 PM) Also, with the Dell running Vista, I would load up with the maximum memory the computer will take (4GB). I would purchase the additional RAM from somewhere else, besides Dell. You'll be able to find it cheaper from some place like, NewEgg. Stick with one of these manufacturers: Crucial Kingston Corsair A-Data G.Skill GeIL Mushkin OCZ Patriot 2gb isnt enough ram on that dell computer? nothing would be more upsetting than for me to spend a 300 dollars on a new computer expecting it to be a vast improvement over what i have now, and have it be just a bit better because vista is such a hog with memory. |
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