A little computer advice...for a christmas gift

from WinCustomize Forums
My sister wants to get her boyfriend a PC for Christmas (what a nice sister, huh?), anyway...her absolute limit is $1000, that has to include everything. I did a little research on companies other than Dell. Here's what I found, and would like to know if you think this is a good deal before I make her buy it...

Abit NF7 Motherboard (LAN, Audio, USB, etc.)
512mb Dual Channel DDR RAM
AMD Athalon XP 2600+
Western Digital 80gb HD
nVidia Geforce FX 5200 128mb DDR w/TV out & DVI
NEC Dual Format DVD Burner
6-in-1 Flash media reader (they give it to you for free)
17" Viewsonic E70fb monitor
XP Home Edition
Free ground shipping

Total cost: $972

His current PC has a nice set of speakers which he bought as an upgrade, audio and LAN are onboard, plus is comes with your generic keyboard, mouse and a ATX case etc.

What do you think?


BTW, this is from CyberPower Inc. http://www.cyberpowersystems.com
[Message Edited]
21,163 views 64 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Looks good to me...
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow!!! I think that's a great setup.. What is he currently running? A general rule as far as noticable performance increase is that unless he is doubling his CPU speed he probably won't notice a huge difference. Anyway, those are some great components, they aren't no name generics you're getting some good pieces for a great price and generally good parts will equal a good running system. Do they post any information about the RAM timings or the speeds of the DVD burner? Those are the only details I'd look into. As long as the RAM isn't the cheapest stuff out there I'd say tell her to go for it!

HTH!
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think you should talk to Dell.

As for that setup, ditch nvidia and get ATI and get XP pro. Try to get a AMD 2800 or 3000
processor.

All my opinion.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kona...

I did a little research on companies other than Dell.


Mean anything to you?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not really how about this:

you can get a better stup than that for 400 dollars less than a grand from dell.

You could get a nice top end AMD 3000 system for about 500 or 600 if you built it yourself.

But I stick by my Nvidia comment, ATI is the way to go.

Congrats on chossing AMD. Sorry for upseting you.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
stup


setup - spelling
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In other words...

Dell has already been looked at in this purchase (Which I think is a great deal... ) and will not be considered further...



Id like to see a better setup for $600...from dell.
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Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Kona, you really have no clue what you're talking about. I went to Dell, it was actually the first place I went too, but what they were offering for the same price did not compare when it came down to performance. So, try do a little research to back up your silly claims...

F0r3, the speed for the DVD burner is 4X DVD & 16X CD-R and they do not list the brand of RAM so I'm really in the dark on that one. This computer is probably 7x faster than the one he's currently got..

Thanks for the input guys!
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hus, sounds good!! I'd definitely say he will notice a huuuuuuge difference if he is currently working on something that slow. I would however agree with Kona on the XP Pro, it has more networking options if he decides to setup a home network or something down the road. If I'm not mistaken you can find XP Pro OEN on-line for arount $100. I'll see what I can find and post here if I find anything really good..
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well I did some research.

I was wrong. Dell priced the same system with a Pentium 4 @2.40 Ghz at $1013 dollars.

I did some research at my local computer shop website as well.

I could built a better system for about 700 bucks.

Sorry I was wrong, Dell sucks with their prices.

The setup you mentioned in the first post is outsatnding! Go for it.



Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
But change the video to ATI you will not regret it.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's ok Kona...but next time...I let EH take you out back and beat the snot outta ya!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hus...that system sounds fine.....
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That system does look good, but i'd try to get an intel.

Kona has guns I wouldn't mess with him
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I might look into changing the ABit to a ASUS mom board...
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hus - The set up is great as is (inspite of IP's fondness for ASUS). but for a little extra punch and no extra money, make sure the +2600 is a Barton core (333FSB)...drop down to a +2500 Barton if need be 'cause that extra on-die cache & FSB is a real boost. Also make sure that that 512 of memory is two sticks (2x256=512) so it can take advanage of the nVidia dual channel. It must be a minimun of PC2700 (333 FSB) to match the CPU speed. That Abit board (and it is a good one) supports all of the above and is even upgradeable in the future to any combo of 400 FSB>

Happy shopping


....oh..alright John ....Asus is good too!!!


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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I thought I was going to get some top secret computer advice....

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's there gm...you just can't see it



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Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
gm...hold the screen up to a bright light and you'll see the secret message...



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Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That system does look good, but i'd try to get an intel.


AMD = GOOD

INTEL = BAD

(and why does everyone here seem to like nvidia when we all now they suck compared to ATI? They are even cheaper I believe)
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
They are even cheaper I believe)


ATI is cheaper than Nvidia....
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey, thanks for the great input everyone! Really appreciate it...so will Rob! The system is officially on it's way...
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hus, don't forget to consider service. Dell does offer great service, but how about that shop you are looking at?  Personnaly, I'd pay a bit more, or get a few things less (who really needs a DVD burner?) and buy from a company with a solid reputation, that offers a good warranty and excellent service.  At work, we've been getting a few DELL computers, and have only good things to say about both the computers and the quality of their customer service. Well, at least in Canada anyway. Probably isn't different in the US.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Paxx, it came with a standard 3-year warranty, life-time technical support plus 1-year onsite service. I did a little search on CyberPower, they make a solid computer based on reviews...

Oh, btw Gary...thanks for that tip on the Barton thing, I switched for the 2500+...if you never said anything...I probably would have gotten the 2600+.