Could use a new computer..

[hazerfazer]

I'm looking for something under $700 new. I want to be able to do a little bit of gaming on it, nothing too extreme. The Dell Dimension E510 looks good, is it? Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[john123]

do not go with dell. i bought an HP a1240n for gaming, and upgraded the videocard, and its a really good pc. you can buy the pc itself for 699 here in canada. it has 1gb of ram, 200 gb hard drive, dvd-rw, dvd-rom, and the videocard u can upgrade.

[Hep Kat]

I just bought one of these (http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=T6420)


Excellent, well worth the money.

[john123]

emachines from what i hear is bad

[SKiLLeDcs]

If you're going to buy a PC thats already built like that, you might aswell go with Dell.

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Build one yourself. Use http://www.ibuypower.com/ to customize one if you are not familiar with build a PC an do not want to attempt to.

[Pop music sucks]

Yeah, I was unfamiliar with how to build a PC and went with ibuypower.

It's working good.

[JohnXDoe]

I'm looking for something under $700 new. I want to be able to do a little bit of gaming on it, nothing too extreme. The Dell Dimension E510 looks good, is it? Any other recommendations? Thanks!
I like the E510. It's on sale for $599 right now. Get an extra 512mb of RAM with it to make a gig for $60 more and you'll have an out of the box budget gaming system. I would also recommend the Ati X600 for $40 more over the standard X300. Neither card is great. One is low to medium end and one is low end, but the X300 is free and the upgrade is just $40 more. So you can't really complain about it for such a low priced computer. Pretty good deal. For $699 you get the whole thing, the gig of RAM, and the X600. Which you can play most any older game on, and some newer ones fairly well, too.

Also, for $599 it's a good starting unit. You have the latest tech, it's got 512mb of RAM, a 3.0ghz p4, pci-e mobo, and a staarter graphics card at least. Plus a warranty and support and in home service for a year. So even if you went that route and uggraded later that's still a pretty fair deal for $599. But I think the best deal is still the one for $699. You'll be happy with it out of the box. But if you don't upgrade the graphics now, get the 3.2ghz processor instead of the 3.0. Definitely get the RAM, though. Thats a must. And it's the same price it would be if you upgraded later.

So yeah, it's a fine computer and very upgradeable. I say buy it while the sale is on.


Edit: The hard drive is small by todays standards. Just 80 gigs. So consider that if it's a concern.

[Klown]

On this subject, can anyone recommend me a decent motherboard that isn't extremely expensive? I'm not very knowlegable on the subject. : /

I'm going to be putting together a new PC myself (mainly for gaming/multimedia purposes) and it's always good to start with a decent mobo.

I need something that will support SATA and IDE HDD's (I'm not sure if that's possible).

[hazerfazer]

How is the eMachines W3107 ?

[JohnXDoe]

How is the eMachines W3107 ?
I couldn't find that model at the emachines website or on the web. Got a link.? And that Dell is a good deal for a pre-built and at that price, IMO.

[Let's Chop Cats!]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4545567#top

$500
eMachines W3107 Desktop PC w/ 17CRT
1.8GHz AMD Sempron 3100+ processor
512MB DDR (1 x 512MB), 400Mhz (PC3200)Expandable to 2GB
100GB (7200 rpm, 2MB Cache)hard drive
Microsoft Windows XP Home (with SP2)
DVD +/-RW 16x
nVidia GeForce 6100 GPU up to 128MB of shared video memory

[Let's Chop Cats!]

You're better off with like an HP a1330e (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=a1330e_series&catLevel=2&category=desktops/hp_pavilion&storeName=computer_store), upgrading maybe the ram and buying a moniter to go with it.

[JohnXDoe]

How is the eMachines W3107 ?
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4545567#top
$500
eMachines W3107 Desktop PC w/ 17CRT
1.8GHz AMD Sempron 3100+ processor
512MB DDR (1 x 512MB), 400Mhz (PC3200)Expandable to 2GB
100GB (7200 rpm, 2MB Cache)hard drive
Microsoft Windows XP Home (with SP2)
DVD +/-RW 16x
nVidia GeForce 6100 GPU up to 128MB of shared video memory
You're better off with like an HP a1330e (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=a1330e_series&catLevel=2&category=desktops/hp_pavilion&storeName=computer_store), upgrading maybe the ram and buying a moniter to go with it.
Forget that emachines. It has a Sempron processor and is meh. The HP is ok, but once you configure it to match the Dell at $699 it's $529 without the monitor, uses old tech DDR SDRAM@400mhz, rather then the Dell's faster DDR2 RAM@533mhz, has a weaker graphics card with only 64mb of onboard memory, and isn't available with Windows Media Center Edition, which the Dell comes standard with. Plus the Dell has a stronger warranty and free in home service for a year. IMHO, the Dell is still the best and better deal. Even the base unit at $599. Has the new BTX case design, too. For better cooling.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

I really need a new PC too.

The only games this thing runs in CS and DoD.

[SKiLLeDcs]

Dell is the way to go when your buying ready built/programmed PCs really.

I have a Dell and a computer I built myself. Although the computer I built myself was cheaper, the Dell has more power and is generally a better product.

[Pop music sucks]

On this subject, can anyone recommend me a decent motherboard that isn't extremely expensive? I'm not very knowlegable on the subject. : /

I'm going to be putting together a new PC myself (mainly for gaming/multimedia purposes) and it's always good to start with a decent mobo.

I need something that will support SATA and IDE HDD's (I'm not sure if that's possible).Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI Socket 939 nVIDIA nFORCE4 SLI ATX AMD is a decent mobo.

That supports S-ATA and IDE HDD's, is PCI-E, and supports Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, and Athlon X2 (dual core) processors.

It runs around $96 on newegg.

Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128301)

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Forget that emachines. It has a Sempron processor and is meh. The HP is ok, but once you configure it to match the Dell at $699 it's $529 without the monitor, uses old tech DDR SDRAM@400mhz, rather then the Dell's faster DDR2 RAM@533mhz, has a weaker graphics card with only 64mb of onboard memory, and isn't available with Windows Media Center Edition, which the Dell comes standard with. Plus the Dell has a stronger warranty and free in home service for a year. IMHO, the Dell is still the best and better deal. Even the base unit at $599. Has the new BTX case design, too. For better cooling.Is the Dell an Intel machine though? or did they finally start using AMDs?

[hazerfazer]

Would there be a problem with me buying a used E510 or one on Ebay?

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Well there is always the chance it doesn't mwork or has something wrong with it.

[john123]

ya, i wouldnt buy a computer on ebay unless the computer was new, the hard drive formatted, and there was a picture of the real thing on the listing, cuz most of the computers there have like advertising photos

[hazerfazer]

ya, i wouldnt buy a computer on ebay unless the computer was new, the hard drive formatted, and there was a picture of the real thing on the listing, cuz most of the computers there have like advertising photos

What does it mean that the hard drive is formatted? I see lots of new/refurbished ones on ebay and they are quite a bit cheaper and still have the warranty so that's how I'm thinking.

[JohnXDoe]

Is the Dell an Intel machine though? or did they finally start using AMDs?
It's an intel. And you make a good point. And it is not 64 bit. But I think that's it's only disadvantage. It's not dual core, either. But niether are the AMD's offered with the HP.

I would suggest to the TS that if he were interested in 64 bit computing down the road to consider the HP. And in fact may want to consider it anyway with the 3400+, as it's a good gaming chip and is future ready. My bad in dismissing it out right. Do a little homework about 64 bit computing/applications and make a choice, TS.

pwned by REINER. :upset:

Other then that, I think the 3.0 intel is quite capable. And while it's not 64 bit, a 32 bit processor should get most general use computer people by for at least a few more years to come. And beyond in many cases. And it's not dual core, either. Which is fine. Neither is the AMD.

That said, I still think intel makes a decent chip. I've been playing FEAR with my 2.8a p4 on high settings across the board with 4xAA, volumetric lights set to medium, and 1024x768 screen res with no trouble whatsoever. Game runs super smooth and fast. I haven't tried tinkering with the settings yet because I pretty much know the limits of my 6600GT, but so far as the CPU is concerned, that's pretty good performance.

[SKiLLeDcs]

The TS said he wanted to play some games.... "Nothing too extreme". Intel will be fine for him.

[Let's Chop Cats!]

But AMD's are better and cost less.

[Pop music sucks]

They also don't generate as much heat as the p4's.

[hazerfazer]

Is upgrade hertz possible or is it just not worth doing all this upgrading when I could have a whole new computer?