BleepingComputer.com: What do you think?

I am planning to buy a computer for $829.99 with these stats, can you tell me if its a good deal.

* Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0Ghz Processor
* Asus P5N73-AM Motherboard
* nVidia 7050 Chipset
* 4GB DDR2-800 Dual Channel Memory (2x2GB)
* Western Digital 500B SATA-II Hard Drive
* 20X DVD-RW Burner w/Lightscribe Technology
* nVidia 9800GT 512MB GDDR3 Video Card
* PhysX Support
* DirectX 10 Support
* 22-in-1 Flash Media Reader
* RAID 0/1/0+1/5 Capable
* Integrated 10/100 LAN
* 4 x USB 2.0 Ports (Expandable to 8)
* (1) PCI-e x16 / (1) PCI-e x1 / (2) PCI
* 8 Channel High Definition Audio
* Clear Side Panel
* Multimedia Keyboard & Mouse Included
* 580 Watt Power Supply
* Vista Home Premium 64-bit

I also has some other questions, would this be able to handle a game like GTA IV, or the sims 3 with good graphics and a constant no lagging framerate?

I think you're overpaying, but the system doesn't look too bad.

Motherboard- $50 (you could probably get something better, but this one doesn't look too bad.)

Processor- $165

Ram- $40

Hard Drive- $60

Graphics card- $130 (some are cheaper though, some are mre, this is about the average price).

DVD- $25

Mouse/Keyboard- $20- $30

Power Supply, it's hard to say, but I bet whoever is building it didn't spend a lot on it. Maybe $50-$70, if that.

Case hard to say with this too. Probably $50-$80.

Vista-$100


The total using highest prices I mentioned is $750 on the dot. However, I bet they spent more like $700 or less. I'd advise you to build the system yourself and save money, plus get better parts. You could get a 9800GTX+ graphics card which is quite better for only $10 more.

This post has been edited by Sterling14: 29 March 2009 - 05:28 PM

Here if you want here is the page with info: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...734&CatId=0

Ya, that case is nothing special, and it doens't say anything specific about the pwoer supply so it's probably a cheapy. You could build a system with the same quality parts for less than $700. You could buy a system with a nice case that you really like (NZXT has some that look like that) and a better power supply.

Like I said before, it's overpriced, but it's not a bad system. GTA4 is very demanding game (it's ported over from the Xbox 360, and not optimized for computer very well) that you probably won't be able to play on highest settings smoothly, but pretty close to it. I'm not sure about Sims 3, but I bet you could run it on high smoothly.

"The total using highest prices I mentioned is $750 on the dot. However, I bet they spent more like $700 or less."

You left off 1 thing, LABOR .

If a person doesn't want to fool with building a computer & installing the OS , in this case Vista, it is well worth $100. - $129. to have it done.

Most people aren't going to buy the parts, build the computer, & install the OS, then sell it for exactly what the parts cost.

Based on the estimate given for the parts I don't think $829.99 is "excessive" .

Okay, thanks for your input, I think I am no experienced enough to build a computer so I will skip that and have the extra cash do it for me, now, but do you think I could play GTA IV smoothly on a lower details setting?

The computer in the topic post should run GTA IV nicely with one exception.
I don't think GTA IV is compatible wth Vista Home Premium 64-bit .

I think only 32 bit will work.

This post has been edited by fairjoeblue: 29 March 2009 - 10:01 PM

Yea, I just saw that too, what a bummer...

GTA IV is compatible with Windows Vista 64-bit, it says so on the back of the game box. I have the GTA IV and have logged over 45 hours in the game. I'm finally nearing the end! Remember, all Games for Windows titles, which GTA IV is, are required to be compatible with 64-bit. Know that there are performance issues with GTA IV, so a PC with higher specs, like mine, hit points where the game will slow down. Thankfully, those areas are rare.

This post has been edited by DJBPace07: 29 March 2009 - 11:12 PM

Doing a google for GTA IV & Vista 64 bit returned a lot of results that made it appear that people were having trouble with it .

[I tried 64 bit Vista & I only tried to install 1 program that didn't work .
If I remember right it was AVG .]

GTA IV is a very picky game, on some PC's it runs smoothly on others it's a mess regardless of 32 or 64-bit. A 100% legal, fully patched game with updated video card drivers and OS updates will make the game run well. Many users experienced a huge number of issues prior to patch 1.0.2.0. Like fairjoe, I rarely have issues related to using 64-bit Vista. The only times I do is with deep-level stuff like security programs.

Alright thanks guys for your input, I am going to pick this one up when I have enough $, I just got $20 more too, so I am on my way.