Another new system thread...

[Ben E Lou]

I'd love a little feedback...



Pentium 4-3.0 GHz 1MB Cache/800
Intel 915GAVL Full-size motherboard with 5 PCI slots, 1 PCI Express port
Intel hyper-threading technology
Up to 800MHz Front Side BUS
2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB
120 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive
16X DVDRW +/- Drive, Dual Layer
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video CArd
Serial ATA 4 Port Controller
2 PCI Express X1 Bus Connectors
8 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
10/100 INtel Network Interface card
5.1 multi-chanell sound card for multi-speaker setup
Front and rear sound I/O ports
STandard serial and parallel ports
PS-2 keyboard and Mouse
2 USB ports accessible through front
complete 1-year parts and labor warranty
Windows XP Media Center
TV Tuner card

$1153.00 (includes sales tax)

Thoughts?

[Bee]

I'd consider getting a 6600GT video card instead of the 6200. Much better card and shouldn't be that much more money especially for a PCI-E one.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, fuck you! ;)

Of course, I got a CD-RW drive and no floppy drive, plus a 19 in. digital monitor. Still, compared to mine, it looks pretty good.

[Ben E Lou]

Yeah, fuck you! ;) But dude, you're gettin' a DELL!

[jeff061]

I agree with Bee, it's worth the extra hundred, the 6200 will be a pretty big bottle neck in an otherwise nice system. If it's an option I'd go the AMD route, if not no big deal. Overall it looks like a nice and upgradeable system for a decent price.

[Ben E Lou]

I agree with Bee, it's worth the extra hundred, the 6200 will be a pretty big bottle neck in an otherwise nice system. If it's an option I'd go the AMD route, if not no big deal. Overall it looks like a nice and upgradeable system for a decent price.In what way will it be a bottle neck?

[jeff061]

Not fast enough to keep up with the processor. For the most part it won't be noticeable, but in 3d games like Civ4 you'd see a performance boost and/or better graphics with the 6600gt. It'll also last you longer.

[Ksyrup]

But dude, you're gettin' a DELL!
Actually, I got it. And aside from the fact that I can't get a single blip of sound out of my Bose speakers, I'm enjoying it. It's going to be a mad rush to get home from work, eat, play with the kids, and try to get the speaker issue resolved before my in-laws get here. After that, my weekend is probably over (although the wife and I are going to the FSU/Maryland game on Saturday, which will be a welcomed break).

[dacman]

2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB
...


256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video Card
Thoughts?
Drop down to 1 GB RAM, and get a better video card!!

[Ben E Lou]

Drop down to 1 GB RAM, and get a better video card!!Now, is the 6600GT being 128 MB not a problem then?

[GreenMonster]

I'd love a little feedback...



Pentium 4-3.0 GHz 1MB Cache/800
Intel 915GAVL Full-size motherboard with 5 PCI slots, 1 PCI Express port
Intel hyper-threading technology
Up to 800MHz Front Side BUS
2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB
120 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive
16X DVDRW +/- Drive, Dual Layer
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video CArd
Serial ATA 4 Port Controller
2 PCI Express X1 Bus Connectors
8 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
10/100 INtel Network Interface card
5.1 multi-chanell sound card for multi-speaker setup
Front and rear sound I/O ports
STandard serial and parallel ports
PS-2 keyboard and Mouse
2 USB ports accessible through front
complete 1-year parts and labor warranty
Windows XP Media Center
TV Tuner card

$1153.00 (includes sales tax)

Thoughts?

3.5 Floopy Disk Drive...? Where is your 5.25 Floopy disk drive?

[Ksyrup]

3.5 Floopy Disk Drive...? Where is your 5.25 Floopy disk drive?
He still likes to play Tony LaRussa 3 straight from the disk.

[Bee]

Now, is the 6600GT being 128 MB not a problem then?

You can get them with 256MB as well, but even with the 128 MB, it will blow away the 6200/256MB. It also supports alot of future technology stuff that the 6200 doesn't, so you'd be more "future safe".

[Ben E Lou]

3.5 Floopy Disk Drive...? Where is your 5.25 Floopy disk drive?Comes with their "standard" rig. They have a standard setup with most everything I mentioned above, and you choose your processor, ranging from $619 (2.6GHz/1MB Cache/533) to $1389 (3.8GHz/1MB Cache/800). Mine was $769, with the following "extras..."

Media Center installed-->$159
1GB additional RAM-->$110
tuner card-->$39

[jeff061]

If possible I'd stick with the 2gb as well. Just to future proof yourself. But if it comes down to 2gb or the 6600gt, I'd take the video card.

[KWhit]

I have a Leadtek 256mb NVidia 6800 TDH card that has been great. You can find them for around $200 now I think. I'm not sure how the 6600GT stacks up against the 6800 TDH, but I am very happy so far with my video card. I also have 2gig of RAM and still feel good about getting that much.

[Ben E Lou]

If possible I'd stick with the 2gb as well. Just to future proof yourself. But if it comes down to 2gb or the 6600gt, I'd take the video card.Gotcha. Of course, it will be much easier to just add some RAM down the road, too. I made the mistake of already telling my wife about the $1,153, though, so I probably will need to stay right around there for this purchase. Sounds like I'll drop down to 1Gig of RAM and move to the 6600GT. I just called the place and there's a $100 difference to upgrade to 6600GT, so that'll be pretty much a wash.

As far as upgrading my RAM later on, I've never put RAM in myself. It is fairly simple?

[jeff061]

Yeah, you just snap them in right next to the already installed ram, no driver or software changes needed.

[Bee]

Gotcha. Of course, it will be much easier to just add some RAM down the road, too. I made the mistake of already telling my wife about the $1,153, though, so I probably will need to stay right around there for this purchase. Sounds like I'll drop down to 1Gig of RAM and move to the 6600GT. I just called the place and there's a $100 difference to upgrade to 6600GT, so that'll be pretty much a wash.

As far as upgrading my RAM later on, I've never put RAM in myself. It is fairly simple?

Very simple. Even I can do it, which is saying a lot. :D

[Ben E Lou]

Wait a sec....what if I drop down to 2.8GHZ/1MB Cache/800 and save $50? How much of a difference would that make?

Or...I could even drop down to 2.6GHz/1MB/533 and save $150.

Thoughts on either of those moves?

[Bee]

Wait a sec....what if I drop down to 2.8GHZ/1MB Cache/800 and save $50? How much of a difference would that make?

Or...I could even drop down to 2.6GHz/1MB/533 and save $150.

Thoughts on either of those moves?

Replacing a processor on the motherboard is generally an expensive upgrade, so I tend to go for the highest speed processor I can afford within my budget and if I skimp, I do so somewhere else that can be upgraded cheaply and easily later on. At least, that's always been my approach. Others may do it differently.

[jeff061]

The processor is also driving force behind any text sim game. Ultimatly in the $50-$200 range you get what you pay for and it is relativley more difficult to upgrade in the future.

[Bee]

Gotcha. Of course, it will be much easier to just add some RAM down the road, too. I made the mistake of already telling my wife about the $1,153, though, so I probably will need to stay right around there for this purchase. Sounds like I'll drop down to 1Gig of RAM and move to the 6600GT. I just called the place and there's a $100 difference to upgrade to 6600GT, so that'll be pretty much a wash.

As far as upgrading my RAM later on, I've never put RAM in myself. It is fairly simple?

If you go with dropping down on the RAM, I'd check to see if the 1GB is a single module or 2 -512MB modules. Later on, if you upgrade to 2GB, that might make the difference between a $100 upgrade and a $200 upgrade.

[Ben E Lou]

If you go with dropping down on the RAM, I'd check to see if the 1GB is a single module or 2 -512MB modules. Later on, if you upgrade to 2GB, that might make the difference between a $100 upgrade and a $200 upgrade.Elucidate, please.

[Ksyrup]

I think he means - if you have 2 512s and want to upgrade to 2GB, you'd have to buy 2 1GB modules instead of being able to buy 1 1GB module and adding it to what you currently have. I guess it depends on how much of an upgrade you can make and what configurations are allowable.

[Ben E Lou]

I think he means - if you have 2 512s and want to upgrade to 2GB, you'd have to buy 2 1GB modules instead of being able to buy 1 1GB module and aadding it to what you currently have. Hmmmm....why is that?

[Ben E Lou]

Oh wait, are there only two slots for memory sticks?

[Ksyrup]

Because you wouldn't have room for the 1GB and/or the configuration wouldn't be allowed.

[Ksyrup]

Here's an example with my new computer. I got 2GB of memory, but I believe they are 4 512 modules. I only have 4 memory slots (I think). So if I ever wanted to max out at 4GB, I would have to buy 4 1GB modules to replace the 4 512 modules.

[Ksyrup]

Oh wait, are there only two slots for memory sticks?
Depends on your computer. Mine has 4.

[dacman]

You generally want RAM in matched pairs to take advantage of dual channel. 1 GB would be 2 sticks of 512MB -- most vendors won't even sell you a single stick configuration, and you really don't want to do that anyway.

[dacman]

Depends on your computer. Mine has 4.And with the quirky way Intel motherboards are right now, if you have 4 sticks and want to take advantage of dual channel, you have to drop to a lower bus speed, so any advantage of extra RAM is offset by lower overall memory speed.

Edit: Everything I've said in my last 2 posts only applies to DDR RAM -- DDR2 doesn't have those limitations. I'm assuming PC3200 is DDR (otherwise it should be called PC2 3200).

[Icy]

As some said, you need to put the Memory sticks in pairs to be able to get the dual channel benefits. Most of motherboards have 4 slots for memory sticks.

Now the examples:

- 2Gb means probably 2x1Gb sticks in duach channel, so you still have 2 free slots to instert another 2x1Gb sticks in the future, for 4GB total.

- 1Gb means 2x512kb sticks in dual channel, so you have 2 free slots where you can add 2x1gb sticks, for a total of 3Gb. There is the limitation, 3Gb max instead of 4Gb.

Anyway, not even high specs internet servers use more than 2Gb of ram so even if in the future you need to upgrade, the 3Gb limit will be more than enought. Of course you will always have the option to sell the 2x512k sticks in ebay and buy 4x1Gb sticks.

Also as has been posted, to add more ram takes you 10 minutes and not any skill, just push the stick into it's place. If you are worried about it, i'm sure you know some friend/parent/neighbour, etc that have done it lots of times.

About the card, i have the 6600GT and it's awesome for 3D games (it's not a 6800 but the 6800 is damn expensive and knowing you, i doubt you play a lot of 3D Shooters), you will notice it way more than the extra Gb of ram.

In resume, 1Gb Ram is enought for a standard Win XP system, RAM is cheaper and cheaper every month and it's so easy to install in the future so i would take the 6600GT over the 2nd Gb of RAM and i would add more RAM in the future if needed.

[GrantDawg]

As others have suggested, you might consider AMD. It should save you 100+ dollars on the processor of the same speed, and works just as well, if not better.

[Ben E Lou]

As others have suggested, you might consider AMD. It should save you 100+ dollars on the processor of the same speed, and works just as well, if not better.That's interesting to note. I'll call 'em tomorrow and find out if I can go AMD/6600GT/2GB for somewhere in the same financial ballpark.

[Ben E Lou]

What about ATI cards?

[Coffee Warlord]

What about ATI cards?

If I recall, the 6600GT blows the comparable ATI card out of the water. At that price range, I'm fairly certain Nvidia is the way to go.

[Lonnie]

Here are the VGA charts from the summer tests, obviously leaving out the very latest 7800 and X1800 stuff. But you should be able to compare the ones you are looking at.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050524/vga_charts-02.html#3d_mark_2005

[mauchow]

Over the next few months, I'll be looking into getting a computer. I'd like a computer that can handle text sims smoothly, and also the top end graphical games. Should I copy SkyDog here and pretty much get what he's getting? I'm computer stupid!!!1

[jeff061]

If you don't want to spend more than he is, then I'd say yes. If you can pony up some more it maybe worth looking at a faster video card.

[Ben E Lou]

Here are the VGA charts from the summer tests, obviously leaving out the very latest 7800 and X1800 stuff. But you should be able to compare the ones you are looking at.

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050524/vga_charts-02.html#3d_mark_2005Thanks!

[Ben E Lou]

OK. They are running our credit card as I speak.I'd love a little feedback...




Pentium 4-3.0 GHz 1MB Cache/800
Intel 915GAVL Full-size motherboard with 5 PCI slots, 1 PCI Express port
Intel hyper-threading technology
Up to 800MHz Front Side BUS
<s>2 GB PC3200 RAM running in dual channel mode, upgradeable to 4GB</s> Dropped down to one MB. Four slots on board, so I can easily upgrade in a few months if necessary.
120 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive
16X DVDRW +/- Drive, Dual Layer
3.5" Floppy Disk Drive
<s>256MB nVidia GeForce 6200 Video CArd</s> E-GeForce 6800GT
Serial ATA 4 Port Controller
2 PCI Express X1 Bus Connectors
8 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
10/100 INtel Network Interface card
5.1 multi-chanell sound card for multi-speaker setup
Front and rear sound I/O ports
STandard serial and parallel ports
PS-2 keyboard and Mouse
2 USB ports accessible through front
complete 1-year parts and labor warranty
Windows XP Media Center
TV Tuner card
<S>$1153.00 (includes sales tax)</s> $1,216.59 (includes sales tax)

Thoughts?

[Samdari]

If I recall, the 6600GT blows the comparable ATI card out of the water. At that price range, I'm fairly certain Nvidia is the way to go.

Lonnie's shows the 6600GT and X800 as virtually indistinguishable in performance. PriceWatch shows them as virtuallyindistinguishable in price. This was definitely not the case when I bought my 6600GT early this year.

[Lonnie]

You'll be very happy with the 6800GT

[Ben E Lou]

You'll be very happy with the 6800GTIn the final analysis, I decided that it will be much less of a hassle to upgrade RAM than try to sell an old video card to "upgrade" to a new one.

[mauchow]

If you don't want to spend more than he is, then I'd say yes. If you can pony up some more it maybe worth looking at a faster video card.
I may or may not want to spend more than what SkyDog did. My future wife will probably have something to say about it as she thinks it's a waste of money to have anything but Word on the computer! :D What does she know!

[Ben E Lou]

Got it. They changed my video card to GeForce 6800 256MB. I'm using it now. Going over to the system testing threads to see how I'm lookin'. :)

[Lonnie]

Hope they didn't charge you for the GT model. There is a bit of a performance and price difference between a standard and a GT. Still a lot better than the 6200 you had planned on originally.

[jeff061]

Well he was planning on the 6600GT not the 6800GT.

[Airhog]

its all relative skydog. You could own that computer for the next 4 years, not upgrade it at all and still play 99% of every thing out there. Now thats relative, because some people enjoy playing their stuff at max resolution with all the bells and whistles, and some people just want to play the game.

[Samdari]

Well he was planning on the 6600GT not the 6800GT.

His edit above says 6800 GT (when he dropped to 1GB of RAM). I agree, if they priced out a GT and then gave you a non GT with 256MB, you got screwed.

Is this Monarch, btw?

[jeff061]

ah, skimmed over that post.