Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

This isnt really a tech PROBLEM, so I didnt post this in wit (admins, if you think it belongs there, please wait 24 hours before moving it).

So, Im getting a new computer, but I want to know the opinions of those who are MORE technically inclined than I am.

Following are links to a few different setups Im considering. Im not buying a new monitor because I just got a new 19 inch a few months ago. I have great speakers, etc already...so Im not concerned about that.
I do need to get a completely new inner system, though.
I dont have an awful lot of money, but am willing to spend UP TO $1000 on it.
Id prefer to keep it in the 7-800$ range.
I have to get it at best buy because only 500$ of it will be cash. The rest will be on my best buy credit card. So please dont recommend anything not sold by them.
Here are the main few I have been considering. I will be buying the one I decide on Saturday morning.
Those who personally have experience with these processors(all i have is a pentium 2) please let me know how much faster I can expect everything to be.
Also, if anyone knows anything about video and sound cards, please let me know what you think of the ones they list in components.
Thank you, sweet thangs.

links:

This is the one I like best so far:

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?&...8&scat=2839

the runner up(how much of a difference do you think the feature variances will make?):

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e...8&scat=2839


Im avoiding celeron, and will not buy one of those setups built by "e-machines"(have heard really bad things about that company)...so if you look at any of the others, please keep that in mind before recommending them.

Preferably, tell me what you can about the computers I linked. Advise on what else I need to consider would be good too.




and just as an aside, I saw this thing at best buy yesterday...it looked awesome :

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e...8&scat=2839


no way in hell i can afford it though.

Last edited by karen on 02-14-2003 at 05:25 PM

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

One more thing... both of these have windows XP installed on it. Ive always used windows 98SE.
How much of a problem should I expect in putting my old software on there?
Is there even much of a real difference between the two(besides graphics)?

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Bangor, ME
Posts: 10153

Sounds good, Integrated Video isn't great (crap actually) especially the savage line of cards. You can always buy a new card later down the line.
The other stuff sounds good.

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Posts: 1055

quote:

---

Originally posted by karen
Im avoiding celeron, and will not buy one of those setups built by "e-machines"(have heard really bad things about that company)...

---

I wish I'd known that's what I was buying.
I hate my machine.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

the celeron, sg? I had a celeron before this one. Complete and utter crap.

i actually almost bought an e-machine last night...the price was in the same range, but the SALESPEOPLE told me basically that its a piece of shit. I tend to trust salespeople that are my age. We tell the truth for the most part. I tell people an album(again, i work in a music store) is crap before they buy it, just so theyre warned. hehe

and thank you, fiend.
but again, does anyone know how much faaster/better the athlon XP is?

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 10178

you'll probably hate XP as most people do. See if you can get it with windows 2000 pro

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

does it really cause a lot of software conflict?

win2k is not an option. the comp only comes with win XP and a recovery disc

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: MadCo
Posts: 1801

I love my XP, but my problem is that only about 50% of my software works with it. I had to upgrade to Office XP since I had office Mid 90's, and about half my games don't work. It's a pain in the ass since that included most of my old favorite games, but I love the stability of XP. I used to reboot 98 twice a day, but XP I reboot once or twice a week. That doesn't matter so much unless you leave your computer on 24/7, which I do.

And I love Athlons, I have an older on in this box and I would never go back to a Pentium unless they come out with something earthshaking. I'm a huge fan of brand loyalty.

Integrated video is pretty much all subpar, but for that price range, any video is going to be sub par. Eh.

Melesse

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35561

What you need is a computer with a monitor and a keyboard and you pretty much need a mouse, as well. As you have a monitor already, you can reduce your shopping list to: computer, keyboard, mouse.

You might want to keep your current mouse and keyboard, in which case you just need to buy a computer. Red ones are fastest.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Hilbert Space
Posts: 35561

Although I have heard that black computers make up for what they lack in speed with their laid-back cool.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 5526

Mine's black *and* XP. It seems to work. Although the monitor already blew up once. I didn't associate that with the color, but I didn't realize that it might be making it go too fast.

Edit: I didn't read carefully enough. Maybe the black is making it go too slow and it froze the transistor motors.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: b0ulder
Posts: 5126

The second one is fine. Are you going to make movies or play unreal tournament 2003 or create 3d models or make cd quality music with it?

The second one will be way faster than any celeron and be mucho affordablo.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

I lied. I went and got it today instead of tomorrow.
they were out of the second one.
so.... I ended up getting THIS ONE and am using it right now.
Its soooooooo much faster.

and its black.



laid back cool.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

just thought Id mention again that this computer rocks.
hallelujah and amen.



(/bragging)

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: seattle-ish
Posts: 11266

HOLY SHIT. Look at this.


must...win...lottery...

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 2936

That monitor gives me major wood.

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Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 5073

If you're using a Mac, the Apple 23" HD display is just as big, same res, and $1000 cheaper...

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 7113

Dell has a really nice and cheap something or other monitor.
The ass kicker I think it's called.

That computer looks fine, just don't try to play any games or listen to any high quality music.
Though if you aren't doing either of those, you can get by with a cheap duran based computer for ~400-500

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