Attention computer nerds: Pete needs your assistance

[Pete]

They list 6 GB, but not that they have Vista 64 bit, which is odd. You need a 64 bit OS for anything over 4 GB. So I assume that's what they mean. Anyways, it would be a fine system.

When it comes to graphics cards, don't judge it by the memory it has. You need to judge it by it's model number. That indicates how fast the GPU is. Another thing to watch out for is the higher end cards have a much higher power cooling system on it, so they are thicker. Look up reviews or call and ask if the computer will accept a double slot video card, and if the power supply in the computer can handle it.

Excellent tips.  Much appreciated.

One more thing to consider...would I be better off just paying $829 for this new one below...would it need a video card upgrade immediately as well?

Product Specifications
Operating System    Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor    Intel® Core(tm) i7 Quad Processor 920
Processor Speed    2.66GHz
Level 2 Cache    8MB Level 2 Cache
Data Bus Speed    4800 MT/S
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported    6GB Tri Channel DDR3-1066 SDRAM
Hard Drive    640GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
Multimedia Drive    DVDRW Drive with Double Layer Write Capability
Display Type    Display Not Included
Video Card    ATI Radeon HD 4670
Video Card Memory    512MB Video Memory
Sound Card    High Definition Audio Chipset
Sound Output Mode    7.1 Channel Surround Sound
Network Features    10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Network
Input Device    USB Multimedia Keyboard, Premium Laser Mouse
Included Software    McAfee SecurityCenter 30-Day Trial, Microsoft® Works, Roxio Creator 10 Dell Edition, Adobe® Reader 9
Manufacturer Warranty    1 Year Limited Warranty

[steve dave]

That one will play most stuff Pete.  Unless you are going to want to play cysis or something it will do well. 

[ew2x4]

The 4670 is a midrange card I believe, so it will run alright, but not great for a 22".

[Pete]

That one will play most stuff Pete.  Unless you are going to want to play cysis or something it will do well. 

Is that a game I should want to play? I mean, crap, I don't want to be limited in what I can play.

[steve dave]

That one will play most stuff Pete.  Unless you are going to want to play cysis or something it will do well. 

Is that a game I should want to play? I mean, crap, I don't want to be limited in what I can play.

meh, it's one of those shooty games you like so maybe.  I don't think it's known as that fun of a game though.  It's just, like, the most taxing to graphics cards or something.  When people talk about their computer set-up they use what settings on crysis they can play as a gauge of their computer's good'ness or something. 

[hemmy]

Crysis is an ok game, not much replay value and a poor multiplayer aspect though

[hemmy]

Also, the AMD Phenom II chips really are pretty good now.  The original Phenom line sucked a lot, but the newer stuff is much better, and affordable.

Also also - you could wait until Intel releases their Core i5 line - similar to Core i7, but cheaper versions, dual instead of triple channel memory, etc

The i7 920 is pretty much the cheapest i7 CPU you will ever find, Intel has no plans to make cheap CPUs for it.

[Pete]

The i7 920 is pretty much the cheapest i7 CPU you will ever find, Intel has no plans to make cheap CPUs for it.

What do you mean by this? 

Would it be a bad thing to get a PC with an i7 920?

[steve dave]

Would it be a bad thing to get a PC with an i7 920?

No, they are good.

[hemmy]

The i7 920 is pretty much the cheapest i7 CPU you will ever find, Intel has no plans to make cheap CPUs for it.

What do you mean by this? 

Would it be a bad thing to get a PC with an i7 920?

It depends if you can accept the fact that, unless you buy one used, there will likely never be any extremely cheap upgrade paths.  The Core i7/X58 platform is an enthusiast line, and priced as such.  That is the rumor at least.  Intel has never come out and flat said it, but many have speculated that unlike the Core 2 line, which was all on Socket 775, the enthusiast products and the mainstream products will be on different motherboard sockets. (Core i7/Core i5)

[Pete]

The i7 920 is pretty much the cheapest i7 CPU you will ever find, Intel has no plans to make cheap CPUs for it.

What do you mean by this? 

Would it be a bad thing to get a PC with an i7 920?

It depends if you can accept the fact that, unless you buy one used, there will likely never be any extremely cheap upgrade paths.  The Core i7/X58 platform is an enthusiast line, and priced as such.  That is the rumor at least.  Intel has never come out and flat said it, but many have speculated that unlike the Core 2 line, which was all on Socket 775, the enthusiast products and the mainstream products will be on different motherboard sockets. (Core i7/Core i5)

I see.

So, if I understand this correctly if I went with the one with these specs....

Processor    Intel® Core(tm) 2 Quad Processor Q6600
Processor Speed    2.40GHz
Level 2 Cache    8MB Level 2 Cache
Data Bus Speed    1066MHz Frontside Bus


...then I may actually have a better chance of keeping the PC relevant for longer because I'd have greater odds of being able to upgrade the processor at a later date.  What about the motherboard/bus, would that always be a bottleneck anyway and thus limit the "upgrade-ability" of the Core 2?

[ew2x4]

Honestly, that CPU will remain pretty good for a while. I'd worry about SLi slots for upgradability as well as ram slots (don't get a mobo that maxes out at 4 or 6 GB).

In all honesty, the biggest thing you may want to wait for that would hinder your upgradability would be USB 3.0. No idea when it will be released though.

[hemmy]

I have a Q6600 sitting in my closet going unused if you wanna take it off my hands  

Also, what I was saying was actually the exact opposite.  Core 2 CPUs have no viable long term upgrade path.  Core i7 does, just they aren't cheap.

Core i5 will replace mainstream Core 2 CPUs

[LimestoneOutcropping]

So, if money were no object and I just wanted to get a computer that is better than Pete's in order to clown on him in social settings, what would I need to get?

TIA

[ew2x4]

So, if money were no object and I just wanted to get a computer that is better than Pete's in order to clown on him in social settings, what would I need to get?

TIA

Google "Cray".

[ew2x4]

So Bing.com has a cash back feature for certain websites. Tigerdirect.com is up to 12% off. So if you got something like http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4831089&CatId=2630 this, it would be $649.99 - $81.25 Cash Back = $568.74. Throw in http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4369731&Sku=E145-0264 for $159.99-$24 CB = $135 and it's a pretty good deal. You'd be only $100 over budget, due to saving $100 from cashback. It's not an i7, but it's closer to your price range.

To get the cashback to work, go to bing.com, search for "tiger direct" and an ad should say you're able to save 12.5% or whatever on the top. click on it and it will redirect you to TD and anything you get will qualify for CB and will be emailed to you. Sometimes I had to wait a month or so to get it back, but i get it directly to my paypal account. They can also mail you a check.

[steve dave]

So Bing.com has a cash back feature for certain websites. Tigerdirect.com is up to 12% off. So if you got something like http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4831089&CatId=2630 this, it would be $649.99 - $81.25 Cash Back = $568.74. Throw in http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4369731&Sku=E145-0264 for $159.99-$24 CB = $135 and it's a pretty good deal. You'd be only $100 over budget, due to saving $100 from cashback. It's not an i7, but it's closer to your price range.

To get the cashback to work, go to bing.com, search for "tiger direct" and an ad should say you're able to save 12.5% or whatever on the top. click on it and it will redirect you to TD and anything you get will qualify for CB and will be emailed to you. Sometimes I had to wait a month or so to get it back, but i get it directly to my paypal account. They can also mail you a check.

That's a lot of computer for that amount of money

[hemmy]

So Bing.com has a cash back feature for certain websites. Tigerdirect.com is up to 12% off. So if you got something like http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4831089&CatId=2630 this, it would be $649.99 - $81.25 Cash Back = $568.74. Throw in http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4369731&Sku=E145-0264 for $159.99-$24 CB = $135 and it's a pretty good deal. You'd be only $100 over budget, due to saving $100 from cashback. It's not an i7, but it's closer to your price range.

To get the cashback to work, go to bing.com, search for "tiger direct" and an ad should say you're able to save 12.5% or whatever on the top. click on it and it will redirect you to TD and anything you get will qualify for CB and will be emailed to you. Sometimes I had to wait a month or so to get it back, but i get it directly to my paypal account. They can also mail you a check.

You would have to get a power supply if you wanted to use that video card.  The one that comes with it is crap.

[jeffy]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5078737

[willie83]

No operating system, but gives you a good idea what good bargain parts can be had.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/dream_machine

[hemmy]

Still trying to max this thing out

[ew2x4]

A note- the bing.com cashback i described above now marks HP.com as 25% off. That's a crazy deal. Just search for "HP" and click on the ad up top.

[hemmy]

Just installed Windows 7 Pro RTM, highly recommended.