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Computer Idiot buying new box. Your opinion welcome!
home ^ | 010306 | Sally'sConcerns

Posted on 01/03/2006 7:10:43 PM PST by Sally'sConcerns

I am looking at buying the computer linked below and need some feedback. I'm not very computer savy.

I only use the computer for browsing the web and email. My son took a look at this computer and he stated it had enough power for him to play his online games when he comes to visit.

I would appreciate any feedback or information. Thanks!


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: help; isthisok; newcomputer; nongeek
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Here's the computer I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16883102654

1 posted on 01/03/2006 7:10:45 PM PST by Sally'sConcerns
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Live link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16883102654


2 posted on 01/03/2006 7:11:07 PM PST by Sally'sConcerns (SW Ok, N Stephens County)
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To: Sally'sConcerns
Get a grey one, I like them better than them there off white ones.
3 posted on 01/03/2006 7:13:24 PM PST by HoustonCurmudgeon (I will not support evil just because "It's the Law.")
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To: Sally'sConcerns

It depends upon what you want to do. You might want to go to 1G memory and a larger hard drive. I'd do 160G min.


4 posted on 01/03/2006 7:13:40 PM PST by MarkeyD (Cowards cut and run. Marines finish the job. I really, really loathe liberals.)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Are you aware that it doesn't appear to include a monitor?


5 posted on 01/03/2006 7:14:28 PM PST by nycgal
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To: Sally'sConcerns

I just bought a HP Media Center PC, updated the video card and now I can run all the new games without lag time. Even City of Heroes runs without lag time and that's saying something.


6 posted on 01/03/2006 7:14:58 PM PST by glaseatr (Proud Father of a Marine, Uncle of SGT Adam Estep A. 2/5 Cav died Thurs April 29, 2004 Baghdad Iraq)
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To: Sally'sConcerns
Nice box, IMHO. If your son is ONLY an online gamer then 80 GB on the hard drive might be enough.

One recommendation from a scarred veteran - pay the money for a good antivirus package and download a decent anti-spyware package. It pays dividends.

7 posted on 01/03/2006 7:16:00 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Never mind, that should be enough. But if you want to store photos, sound, or video a larger hard drive might be good.


8 posted on 01/03/2006 7:16:18 PM PST by MarkeyD (Cowards cut and run. Marines finish the job. I really, really loathe liberals.)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

For what you want to use if for it should be more than adequate and it appears to be easily expandable if you decide to do any upgrades. It doesn't say how much video memory the onboard video card has, but if your son says it will support his online games then probably has enough to give you good graphics support.


9 posted on 01/03/2006 7:17:09 PM PST by RJS1950 (The rats are the "enemies foreign and domestic" cited in the federal oath)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Box looks fine; I'd suggest looking for a similar box with an LCD screen, but there's nothing to object to in the unit. I'm no big fan of on board video, so it wouldn't be a good unit for me. (Couldn't play my Black and White 2 or Civilization IV on it, likely...)


10 posted on 01/03/2006 7:18:22 PM PST by kingu
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To: Sally'sConcerns
More memory never hurts. In fact, you can never have too much. The hard drive is too small. While 80gigs is a popular size, it's too small to hold up far into the future.

The future is moving towards integrating home entertainment and the PC and all that video stuff that you may think you don't need now might make you kick yourself later.

In my desktop, I have 4 200 gig SATA drives. But then again, I'm insane, so there's probably a good neutral ground. :)

512mb of ram is really too little though. Otherwise, the system looks fine and Newegg is a great dealer. I just got a sound card from them today in fact.

11 posted on 01/03/2006 7:18:46 PM PST by 302damnfast
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To: Sally'sConcerns

If you're just doing Net surfing and email, I'd say it'd be fine with what you need. BUT...you mentioned your son is a gamer. Different games have different memory/video requirements. He'd have to check the system specs on his games to see if the games would work. But for YOU, yeah, I'd say it'd do just fine.


12 posted on 01/03/2006 7:20:24 PM PST by Severa (I can't take this stress anymore...quick, get me a marker to sniff....)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Not bad, but I just speced out a PC for a client on this base configuration http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=SR1730Z_series&catLevel=2&category=desktops/compaq_presario&storeName=computer_store

if you up the memory to 512 from 256 and up the optical drive to the 16X DVD burner you would get a better machine for under 400 bux. Just click the customize button


13 posted on 01/03/2006 7:20:31 PM PST by toddly
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Make sure it has a goood fan to keep the components cool. Some computers have weenie fans.


14 posted on 01/03/2006 7:21:37 PM PST by Chickensoup (The water in the pot is getting warmer, froggies.The water in the pot is getting warmer, froggies.)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

For internet surfing and email, that computer is overkill. Add a cheap printer and a cheap monitor and you are up and running. Newegg is a good company.

If you want cheap, a non-Windows machine will do the job and save you a bunch of money.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3762911

That's a Linux machine with everything but a monitor. It includes the operating system, browser, word processor, spreadsheet and presentation management software.

Of course, it's not Windows.

A cheap Dell will do the job as well for about the same money as the Newegg.


15 posted on 01/03/2006 7:24:39 PM PST by Poser (Willing to fight for oil)
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To: Sally'sConcerns
It's got the AMD which is IMHO crap. Intel is the only CPU to buy. I have had two AMD's and they both died untimely deaths. I have an old P2@ 300MHz 9 years an still going.

get a Dell.

16 posted on 01/03/2006 7:27:05 PM PST by Ouderkirk (Funny how death and destruction seems to happen wherever Muslims gather...)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

It's s good overall box. Not for serious gaming though. The integrated video card will use part of the 512MB of RAM.

Your son will not dominate in online version of Unreal Tournament.


17 posted on 01/03/2006 7:30:49 PM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: nycgal
Are you aware that it doesn't appear to include a monitor?

Yes.

I have a monitor and I have a keyboard, mouse, speakers and all that kind of stuff.

18 posted on 01/03/2006 7:31:46 PM PST by Sally'sConcerns (SW Ok, N Stephens County)
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To: Ouderkirk

If you buy a modern intel box be prepared to turn the AC on year round(only slightly kidding). Their next generation looks very promising and may actually allow them to regain the price performance crown with low heat from AMD, but with what they have out now I would be afraid to leave it on overnight.


19 posted on 01/03/2006 7:32:40 PM PST by toddly
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To: 302damnfast

My current system is as follows:

Windows XP Professional Version 2002.
AMD Duron Processor, 797 MHz, 368 MB RAM, 12 GB

:^]


20 posted on 01/03/2006 7:43:00 PM PST by Sally'sConcerns (SW Ok, N Stephens County)
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