computer stats?

[aaron]

I got kinda curious what kind of computers you all have after shopping around for a new computer for myself the last few days. Right now I'm looking at a laptop at about $2150 with:
-Intel Pentium 4 Processor w/ HT Tech - 3 GHz
-1 GB of RAM
-80GB hard drive
-17" LCD display
-DVD-RW/CD-RW combo drive
-NVIDIA Geforce FX Go5200 graphics card w/ 64MG
I'm almost thinking I'm over doing it buy buying such a nice computer, but who can resist a $650 rebate.

 

[jr27430]

You want to spend that much get this one. AREA 51M Extreme. Its a laptop.





Alienware Magnesium Alloy Chassis
Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz Processor
Hyperthreading Technology
User-Upgradeable Graphics
ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 PRO 128MB
15.4"inch WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD
60GB 7200rpm HDD with 8MB Cache
Infrared Remote control
3-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader
4X DVD+RW Optical Disk Drive

http://www.alienware.com/system_pages/area-51m.aspx

 

[Tarvis]

Alienware is way overpriced. Don't go that route. Seriously, a $16000 computer? Ridiculous.
Anyways, my computer is:

<a href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80175-R" target="_blank">AMD Athlon XP Thoroughbred 2700+</a>
<a href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=370440" target="_blank">ThermalTake Volcano 12 CPU Cooler</a>
<a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=558336&sku=T925-2004" target="_blank">ThermalTake XaserIII V1000A Case</a>
<a href="http://www.bcd2000.com/itemdesc_campaign.asp?ic=18584&Tp=&source=Pricegrabber;ASUS;18584" target="_blank">Asus A7N8X Deluxe Motherboard</a>
<a href="http://www.shipitforyou.com/cgi-bin/sgin0105.exe?FNM=60&UID=2004021913172533&T1=P243+1053" target="_blank">XFX Geforce 4 TI 4200 Gamers Edition Video Card</a>
<a href="http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=290227" target="_blank">Creative Audigy LS Sound Card</a>
<a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z265&cat=RAM" target="_blank">2 x 256 MB Ram</a>
1 80 GB Harddrive
1 40 GB Harddrive
CD Drive
DVD Drive
CD-RW Drive

<a href="http://www.xeforce.com/myimages/computer1.jpg" target="_blank">Computer 1<a/> | <a href="http://www.xeforce.com/myimages/computer2.jpg" target="_blank">Computer 2<a/> | <a href="http://www.xeforce.com/myimages/computer3.jpg" target="_blank">Computer 3<a/>

 

[Joe]

I'm using a Dell Latitude D600 Laptop.
1.3 gigs
20 gb hard-drive
256 megs of ram
ATI Radeon 9000 video card

I dunno about the sound cards and stuff. Yeah, it's pretty basic, but it gets my schoolwork done and it plays Deus Ex.

 

[aaron]

Alienware was what I wanted originally, but then I started comparing prices and found much better stuff at a cheaper price. Alienware just looks pretty I guess. How would you compare Intel computers to Athlon computers? Is there anything better about one or the other?

 

[Tarvis]

AMD is usually the choice for gaming machines, Intel is usually more for business, which is why Intel use hyperthreading which is basically technology for more efficient multi-tasking. However, the clock speeds when you compare them are not very reliable. An AMD of 2.2 ghz, and an Intel of 2.2 will result in the AMD being faster, because the AMD can produce more clocks per cycle, than Intel (Its like 9 to 6 I believe), thus why AMD has weird names for their processors. In my system, I have a 2700.. which means that the processor is equal to that of an Intel Pentium 4 with a 2.7 ghz speed, whereas my processor runs at a 2.162 ghz speed. I have never owned a pentium, but I have worked with them at work, and at school. Personally, I prefer AMD over Intel since they are cheaper than Intel's processors. AMD used to have high heat output, but that has pretty much been brought down to the nearly the same level as Intels. I know Ultima prefers AMDs processors over Intels as well.

If you are planning for the future with 64 bit technology, then AMD would probably be the best way to go. Most experts believe that AMD will gain lead over Intel in the 64 bit stages, mainly because Intel hasn't really focused on 64 bit, whereas AMD already has a full line up for this year. I believe the highest one this year will be the 4000+ or 4200+, but we shall see. Of course, you can't switch out an Intel for AMD without replacing the motherboard.. that is also a big consideration when choosing a processor.

 

[Link182]

Intel Pentium 4 @ 1.6 GHz
512 MB DDR (PC 2100)
20 GB HDD
17" CRT monitor
CD-RW drive
nVidia GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)

 

[aaron]

I was shopping around for desktops and I came across a few computers with Windows XP Media Center. I know that I could just buy Windows XP Home and replace Media Center, but what exactly is the difference? I know that Media Center is made more for music and graphics editing, but I don't plan on using that very much.

EDIT:

I pretty much got my answer about the media center crap. My dad took me around the local computer retailers and I compared desktops and a few laptops. I've decided on an HP Media Center m490n Photosmart Desktop PC for about $2400 with a 19" LCD display. Extremely awesome deal for what I'm getting with this thing. Absolute best intel processor on the market as of now (I think). Not the greatest video card, but I can fix that.

EDIT:

Did you build your own computer, Travis?

 

[Tarvis]

Yes.

 

[aaron]

I'm pretty much done shopping for components for building my own computer now. I'm probably going to trim down on some of this stuff though. I don't think I really need this nice of a graphics card. I'm just going to use the monitor I'm using now for the time being. If you think I'm wasting my money then please, speak up. I think it comes out to something a little over $2000.

Lian-Li PC-60 Aluminum Case $96
Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Motherboard 2.0 $198
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.2GHz HT $284
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JD 250GB Hard Drive $218
Corsair TWINX1024-3200LLPRO 1GB Memory $325
XFX nVIDIA GeForce FX5950 ULTRA Video Card $405
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Sound Card $88
Logitech Z-2200 2.1 Speakers $130
Logitech Cordless MX Duo $76
Antec True550W PSU $94
Lite-On Black SOHC-5232K 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive $56
Mitsumi 7-in-1 Black Media Reader Drive $35

 

[Tarvis]

For the amount you are paying for those 2.1 speakers, you can get the Logitech Z-560 (the ones I want) for about $20 more, which will be way better than those 2.1s, as they are 4.1s (they rival kplisch's speakers). The PSU might be a bit of an overkill.. but, it will probably be fine if you keep at least those components. 550W is made mainly for OC.

 

[aaron]

I kinda thought that was the case. I was just trying to be cautious and not under-do it. I'll have to look into those speakers. I might add a TV- Tuner if I don't get a monitor that doesn't have one built in.

 

[Ultima9999]

Yes. You are wasting money.

=> Lian-Li PC-60 Aluminum Case $96
Gigabyte GA-8KNXP Motherboard 2.0 $198
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.2GHz HT $284
=> Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JD 250GB Hard Drive $218
=> Corsair TWINX1024-3200LLPRO 1GB Memory $325
=> XFX nVIDIA GeForce FX5950 ULTRA Video Card $405
=> Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Sound Card $88
=> Logitech Z-2200 2.1 Speakers $130
=> Logitech Cordless MX Duo $76
=> Antec True550W PSU $94
Lite-On Black SOHC-5232K 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive $56
=> Mitsumi 7-in-1 Black Media Reader Drive $35

Uh-ohes.

 

[Mitch]

my computer became shitware, I have destroyed it
I'll restore it someday.....

 

[aaron]

I dropped down to a Antec True 430 PSU. As of now thats the only change in what I've decided to get.

 

[Ultima9999]

Don't need wireless keyboard and mouse.

 

[aaron]

Maybe, but its not like its going to break my budget. I've made a few changes. I visited pcmech's forums and got some advice.

Samsung 191T Black LCD 19" Monitor $659
XFX nVIDIA GeForce FX5950 ULTRA Video Card $405
Corsair TWINX1024-3200LLPRO 1GB Memory $323
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.2GHz HT $285
WD Raptor 74GB SATA 10kRPM HDD w/8MB $220
WD Raptor 74GB SATA 10kRPM HDD w/8MB $220
ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe 875P Motherboard $176
Logitech Z-2200 2.1 Speakers $130
Antec P-160WF Aluminum Case $110
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Sound Card $88
Antec True 480W PSU $81
Logitech Cordless MX Duo $75
Lite-On Black SOHC-5232K 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive $54
Mitsumi 7-in-1 Black Media Reader Drive $35

All this tops out to about $2900. Honestly, price is not my concern here. Good quality with a reasonable price is all I am looking for. An extra $1000 doesn't bother me a bit if it means I wont have to upgrade any parts for another 4 years. We're getting $20000 in this coming week alone. I'd much rather go with the "deluxe" parts than the "value" parts.

 

[jr27430]

So you found that dream computer ? Did you won a lotto or something?

 

[aaron]

mhm

 

[Logan]

Cordless mice SUCK.