Buying Computer - How'd I Do?

[Ksyrup]

I've been thinking about getting a new computer for a few months. Mine is a 4-year old HP that's starting to slow down. And while I didn't buy this one solely because Civ IV is coming out, I'll admit that I do want to get the game, which would be my first graphics-intensive game purchase in quite awhile, and that pushed me to start looking.

I was going to get an HP again, since I've had no problems with the last 2 I bought, but Dell is running an 18-months no interest deal right now, plus I stumbled on a $400 off coupon on the purchase of an XPS costing $1500 or more. So, I ended up spending about $1530 pre-tax for an XPS 400 with the following specs:


Pentium D 830 with Dual Core Technology, 3 GHz, 800FSB
Windows XP Media Center 2005
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz-4DIMMs
19 in. Ultrasharp 1905FP Dgital Flat Panel
256MB PCI Express x16 ATI Radeon X600 X600 SE HyperMemory
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
48x XD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/double layer write capable
Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS(D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, and IEEE 1394
MS Works Suite 2005
IEEE 1394 Adapter
36 mos. McAfee VirusScan


Did I make out OK? I assume with the $400 off I got more computer for the bang than I would have otherwise. Of course, if I got screwed, kindly keep your comments to yourself - I already bought it. :)

[Hurst2112]

if it doesn't say WANG, you got hosed.

[Hurst2112]

dola:

holy sweet computer!

[Ksyrup]

if it doesn't say WANG, you got hosed.
There are many ways to go with a response to this. I just can't decide which route to take.

[hukarez]

Sweet deal!

Now you can get Battlefield 2, and put FOFC as your clan tag! http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Some folks on VoIP have been pronouncing my tag as 'FOCK', however. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif

[pennywisesb]

It sounds like a great deal. I've been looking for a new computer too. Where did you find that $400 off coupon by the way?

[Ksyrup]

$300 off SELECT Notebook and Desktop XPS Systems $1499+ Coupon Code: SV5VMVH83W6H9H Exp 10/28 5:59am CT or after 4000 uses


I think this says $300 off, and not $400, because you automatically get $100 off of the purchase of any XPS. But altogether, you get a $400 price reduction.

[Airhog]

Sweet deal!

Now you can get Battlefield 2, and put FOFC as your clan tag! http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Some folks on VoIP have been pronouncing my tag as 'FOCK', however. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/mad.gif

Do we even have an FOFC Clan? I might have to jump into this :D

[Crapshoot]

K,
I'd return/cancel it - there's a small business deal where you can do much better- just list your name as the small business. I feel confident you can beat that price by some margin.

[Crapshoot]

Dola,
sorry - I didnt mean to be rude. I do know Dell has a return policy if you're interested.

[WrongWay]

K,
I'd return/cancel it - there's a small business deal where you can do much better- just list your name as the small business. I feel confident you can beat that price by some margin.
Show me a link to a better computer for a cheaper price.

[jeff061]

Show me a link to a better computer for a cheaper price.
http://newegg.com ;).

Nice system, was going to hassle you about the Intel route before I saw it was a Dell system.

[hukarez]

Do we even have an FOFC Clan? I might have to jump into this :D
Well, we don't have a 'server' or anything. With the latest patch, I just slapped the 'tag' on and it's been stuck ever since. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Of course, I haven't seen anyone else with an 'FOFC' like tag at all.

[MizzouRah]

The Dell XPS is one of the best pre-build high end PC's you can buy. The only thing I would want is two PCI Express slots so I could get 2 GeForce 6800 Ultra cards running in SLI mode. :)



http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q4/sli/doom3-delta.jpg

[jeff061]

I bought my 6800 ultra when AMD chipsets only offered AGP. Wish I had PCI express so I could add a second at some time. Oh well.

[cartman]

The Dell XPS is one of the best pre-build high end PC's you can buy. The only thing I would want is two PCI Express slots so I could get 2 GeForce 6800 Ultra cards running in SLI mode. :)


ASUS is coming out with a single board SLI solution. Two 7800 GPUs on the same board...

:D

[daedalus]

Nice rig, Ksyrup.

My first compie was a Dell and, even though I happily went the build-yourself route with my latest, I still think it's a good way to go if you don't feel like doing that.

Trying to look at that spec with a nitpicky eye and I am having a tough time coming up with something to knock. And, at that price point, it definitely works.

I *would* consider shelling out money for an Office Suite. If you know a college student, the school bookstore may have compies at reasonable price point. If you are comfortable with non-MS product, then definitely check out Open Office which is said to be able to handle MS Office files.

With that beast featuring the Media Center edition of XP, I would be temted to grab a Hauppage TV tuner card and turning it into a DVR. Especially with the burner handy. [I'm thinking about building a computer for that purpose, at the moment.]

[Ksyrup]

I can barely change my car's windshield wipers, so DIY was not an option.

I thought about the tuner thing, but I don't quite understand - what kind of tuner is it? Just plain old network broadcasts I could get with rabbit ears? I haven't found a need for a TiVo/DVR, so I passed this up. Although, it does seem like a neat option.

[cartman]

I can barely change my car's windshield wipers, so DIY was not an option.

I thought about the tuner thing, but I don't quite understand - what kind of tuner is it? Just plain old network broadcasts I could get with rabbit ears? I haven't found a need for a TiVo/DVR, so I passed this up. Although, it does seem like a neat option.

It basically allows you to get Tivo like functionality out of your computer. Your OS will support this, so it is an option to add later on. I've had mine for a little over a year, and I love it.

[Raiders Army]

It basically allows you to get Tivo like functionality out of your computer. Your OS will support this, so it is an option to add later on. I've had mine for a little over a year, and I love it.
ditto

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, but for what channels? Cable, or just free network stations? I guess I don't understand how TV reception and my computer intersect, outside of the rabbit ears concept. And if that's all it is, it's even less attractive to me then if it was the functional equivalent of adding TiVo to my DirecTV package.

I'm under the ignorant assumption that it is either network stations, or I'd have to pay for another hook-up for either cable or satellite. Outside of that assumption, I have no idea how this would work, but I'd like to know for future reference.

[cartman]

Yeah, but for what channels? Cable, or just free network stations? I guess I don't understand how TV reception and my computer intersect, outside of the rabbit ears concept. And if that's all it is, it's even less attractive to me then if it was the functional equivalent of adding TiVo to my DirecTV package.

I'm under the ignorant assumption that it is either network stations, or I'd have to pay for another hook-up for either cable or satellite. Outside of that assumption, I have no idea how this would work, but I'd like to know for future reference.

You would take the COAX OUT from your DirecTV box and run it into your computer. So whatever channel your DirecTV tuner was on would also display on your computer. If you wanted to watch something different on your TV vs. the computer, then you would need another DirecTV tuner.

[Ksyrup]

OK, thanks. I don't really think I need that. I don't record shows and I've got a TV within a few feet of my computer anyway.

[sterlingice]

There are many ways to go with a response to this. I just can't decide which route to take.
http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/7502.jpg?

SI

[General Mike]

That's better than what I got. :(

[MizzouRah]

ASUS is coming out with a single board SLI solution. Two 7800 GPUs on the same board...

:D
Now we're cooking with gas! :)