±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 869
Total: 869
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Home
03: Member Screenshots
04: Photo Gallery
05: Community Forums
06: Photo Gallery
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Photo Gallery
11: Community Forums
12: Photo Gallery
13: Downloads
14: Downloads
15: Member Screenshots
16: Community Forums
17: Member Screenshots
18: Home
19: Downloads
20: Community Forums
21: Community Forums
22: Photo Gallery
23: Home
24: Photo Gallery
25: News
26: Photo Gallery
27: Member Screenshots
28: Community Forums
29: Photo Gallery
30: Community Forums
31: Home
32: Photo Gallery
33: Community Forums
34: Community Forums
35: Photo Gallery
36: Photo Gallery
37: Photo Gallery
38: Photo Gallery
39: Photo Gallery
40: Member Screenshots
41: Community Forums
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: Photo Gallery
45: Photo Gallery
46: Photo Gallery
47: Community Forums
48: Member Screenshots
49: Community Forums
50: Member Screenshots
51: Home
52: Community Forums
53: Photo Gallery
54: Photo Gallery
55: Home
56: Photo Gallery
57: Community Forums
58: Photo Gallery
59: Photo Gallery
60: Photo Gallery
61: News
62: Photo Gallery
63: Photo Gallery
64: Photo Gallery
65: News
66: Member Screenshots
67: Photo Gallery
68: Photo Gallery
69: Statistics
70: Community Forums
71: Photo Gallery
72: Community Forums
73: Photo Gallery
74: Community Forums
75: Photo Gallery
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Photo Gallery
79: News
80: Downloads
81: Community Forums
82: Photo Gallery
83: Community Forums
84: Home
85: Photo Gallery
86: Community Forums
87: Photo Gallery
88: Home
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Photo Gallery
92: Community Forums
93: Community Forums
94: Community Forums
95: Community Forums
96: Community Forums
97: Photo Gallery
98: Community Forums
99: Photo Gallery
100: Photo Gallery
101: Photo Gallery
102: Community Forums
103: Home
104: Photo Gallery
105: Community Forums
106: Photo Gallery
107: Photo Gallery
108: Photo Gallery
109: Photo Gallery
110: Photo Gallery
111: Community Forums
112: Home
113: Photo Gallery
114: Photo Gallery
115: Downloads
116: Community Forums
117: Community Forums
118: Community Forums
119: Community Forums
120: Community Forums
121: Community Forums
122: Photo Gallery
123: Member Screenshots
124: Community Forums
125: Downloads
126: Home
127: Photo Gallery
128: Community Forums
129: Community Forums
130: Community Forums
131: Community Forums
132: Community Forums
133: Photo Gallery
134: Home
135: Community Forums
136: Community Forums
137: Community Forums
138: LinkToUs
139: Community Forums
140: Community Forums
141: Community Forums
142: Member Screenshots
143: Member Screenshots
144: Photo Gallery
145: Home
146: Community Forums
147: Photo Gallery
148: Community Forums
149: Photo Gallery
150: Community Forums
151: Photo Gallery
152: Community Forums
153: Community Forums
154: Community Forums
155: Photo Gallery
156: Downloads
157: Community Forums
158: Community Forums
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Community Forums
162: Community Forums
163: Downloads
164: Community Forums
165: Community Forums
166: Community Forums
167: Community Forums
168: Community Forums
169: Community Forums
170: Community Forums
171: Downloads
172: Community Forums
173: Community Forums
174: Community Forums
175: Community Forums
176: Home
177: Photo Gallery
178: Member Screenshots
179: Community Forums
180: Statistics
181: Home
182: Community Forums
183: Home
184: Statistics
185: Community Forums
186: Community Forums
187: Home
188: Community Forums
189: Downloads
190: Community Forums
191: Community Forums
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Home
195: Community Forums
196: Community Forums
197: Community Forums
198: Community Forums
199: Home
200: Community Forums
201: Home
202: Photo Gallery
203: Home
204: Community Forums
205: Community Forums
206: Home
207: Home
208: Community Forums
209: Community Forums
210: Member Screenshots
211: Downloads
212: Community Forums
213: Home
214: Community Forums
215: Member Screenshots
216: Community Forums
217: Community Forums
218: Community Forums
219: Community Forums
220: Community Forums
221: Photo Gallery
222: Home
223: Community Forums
224: Photo Gallery
225: Home
226: Community Forums
227: Statistics
228: Community Forums
229: Member Screenshots
230: Community Forums
231: Community Forums
232: Home
233: Home
234: Community Forums
235: Community Forums
236: Community Forums
237: Community Forums
238: Home
239: Community Forums
240: Community Forums
241: Community Forums
242: Home
243: Community Forums
244: Community Forums
245: Home
246: Community Forums
247: Statistics
248: Home
249: Community Forums
250: Community Forums
251: Home
252: Photo Gallery
253: Community Forums
254: Home
255: Community Forums
256: Member Screenshots
257: Home
258: Home
259: Home
260: Home
261: Community Forums
262: Home
263: Home
264: Community Forums
265: Photo Gallery
266: Community Forums
267: Home
268: Member Screenshots
269: Community Forums
270: Home
271: Community Forums
272: Community Forums
273: Home
274: Community Forums
275: Community Forums
276: Community Forums
277: Community Forums
278: Community Forums
279: Home
280: Home
281: Photo Gallery
282: Community Forums
283: Home
284: Member Screenshots
285: Community Forums
286: Community Forums
287: Community Forums
288: Community Forums
289: Community Forums
290: Home
291: Downloads
292: Photo Gallery
293: Community Forums
294: Home
295: Statistics
296: Community Forums
297: Photo Gallery
298: Home
299: Home
300: Community Forums
301: Home
302: Community Forums
303: Downloads
304: Community Forums
305: Community Forums
306: Community Forums
307: Photo Gallery
308: Downloads
309: News Archive
310: Community Forums
311: Your Account
312: Community Forums
313: Photo Gallery
314: Home
315: Member Screenshots
316: Home
317: Downloads
318: News Archive
319: Photo Gallery
320: Statistics
321: Community Forums
322: Downloads
323: Photo Gallery
324: Home
325: Home
326: Community Forums
327: Home
328: Home
329: Photo Gallery
330: News Archive
331: Home
332: Member Screenshots
333: Downloads
334: Home
335: Downloads
336: Community Forums
337: Community Forums
338: Community Forums
339: Photo Gallery
340: Home
341: Community Forums
342: Community Forums
343: Downloads
344: Your Account
345: Community Forums
346: Community Forums
347: Home
348: Community Forums
349: Photo Gallery
350: Community Forums
351: Community Forums
352: Community Forums
353: Home
354: Home
355: Community Forums
356: Member Screenshots
357: Photo Gallery
358: Community Forums
359: Community Forums
360: Community Forums
361: Community Forums
362: Home
363: Downloads
364: Home
365: Community Forums
366: Member Screenshots
367: Community Forums
368: Community Forums
369: Community Forums
370: Community Forums
371: Home
372: Community Forums
373: Community Forums
374: Photo Gallery
375: Home
376: Community Forums
377: Your Account
378: Home
379: Community Forums
380: Photo Gallery
381: Community Forums
382: Member Screenshots
383: Home
384: Home
385: Community Forums
386: Member Screenshots
387: Community Forums
388: Home
389: Home
390: Member Screenshots
391: Community Forums
392: Member Screenshots
393: Member Screenshots
394: Statistics
395: Home
396: Downloads
397: Statistics
398: Community Forums
399: Photo Gallery
400: Photo Gallery
401: Community Forums
402: Community Forums
403: Home
404: Statistics
405: Community Forums
406: Downloads
407: Photo Gallery
408: Community Forums
409: Community Forums
410: Home
411: Photo Gallery
412: News Archive
413: Community Forums
414: Member Screenshots
415: Home
416: Community Forums
417: Community Forums
418: Community Forums
419: Home
420: Home
421: Your Account
422: Community Forums
423: Community Forums
424: Community Forums
425: Community Forums
426: Community Forums
427: Home
428: Community Forums
429: Home
430: Member Screenshots
431: Community Forums
432: Member Screenshots
433: News
434: Community Forums
435: Community Forums
436: Home
437: Home
438: Community Forums
439: Community Forums
440: Member Screenshots
441: Community Forums
442: Community Forums
443: Search
444: Photo Gallery
445: Community Forums
446: Home
447: Home
448: Community Forums
449: Community Forums
450: Community Forums
451: Community Forums
452: Community Forums
453: Community Forums
454: News
455: Photo Gallery
456: Photo Gallery
457: Photo Gallery
458: Photo Gallery
459: Photo Gallery
460: Community Forums
461: Photo Gallery
462: Community Forums
463: Community Forums
464: News Archive
465: Community Forums
466: Community Forums
467: Community Forums
468: Community Forums
469: Home
470: Community Forums
471: Photo Gallery
472: Photo Gallery
473: Photo Gallery
474: Community Forums
475: Photo Gallery
476: Home
477: Community Forums
478: Photo Gallery
479: Photo Gallery
480: Photo Gallery
481: Member Screenshots
482: Photo Gallery
483: Community Forums
484: Downloads
485: Community Forums
486: Home
487: Home
488: Community Forums
489: Community Forums
490: Your Account
491: Community Forums
492: Community Forums
493: Photo Gallery
494: Photo Gallery
495: Photo Gallery
496: Community Forums
497: Member Screenshots
498: Community Forums
499: Community Forums
500: Community Forums
501: Photo Gallery
502: Photo Gallery
503: Community Forums
504: Community Forums
505: Photo Gallery
506: Community Forums
507: News
508: Statistics
509: Community Forums
510: Community Forums
511: Photo Gallery
512: Community Forums
513: Photo Gallery
514: Community Forums
515: Community Forums
516: Photo Gallery
517: Community Forums
518: News
519: Photo Gallery
520: Photo Gallery
521: Photo Gallery
522: Community Forums
523: Community Forums
524: Community Forums
525: Photo Gallery
526: News
527: Photo Gallery
528: Home
529: Community Forums
530: Your Account
531: Community Forums
532: Community Forums
533: Downloads
534: Community Forums
535: Community Forums
536: Photo Gallery
537: Home
538: Home
539: News Archive
540: Photo Gallery
541: Photo Gallery
542: Community Forums
543: Photo Gallery
544: Community Forums
545: Community Forums
546: Community Forums
547: Photo Gallery
548: Home
549: Photo Gallery
550: News
551: Photo Gallery
552: Community Forums
553: News
554: Photo Gallery
555: Community Forums
556: Community Forums
557: Community Forums
558: Photo Gallery
559: Photo Gallery
560: Photo Gallery
561: Photo Gallery
562: Community Forums
563: Photo Gallery
564: Photo Gallery
565: Photo Gallery
566: Community Forums
567: Community Forums
568: Community Forums
569: Photo Gallery
570: Community Forums
571: Community Forums
572: Downloads
573: Community Forums
574: Photo Gallery
575: Photo Gallery
576: Community Forums
577: Community Forums
578: Member Screenshots
579: Community Forums
580: Member Screenshots
581: Community Forums
582: Photo Gallery
583: Photo Gallery
584: Community Forums
585: Community Forums
586: Community Forums
587: Community Forums
588: Downloads
589: Community Forums
590: Community Forums
591: Community Forums
592: Community Forums
593: Community Forums
594: Member Screenshots
595: Community Forums
596: Community Forums
597: Member Screenshots
598: Photo Gallery
599: Community Forums
600: Community Forums
601: Photo Gallery
602: Photo Gallery
603: Community Forums
604: Photo Gallery
605: Community Forums
606: Community Forums
607: Downloads
608: Photo Gallery
609: Community Forums
610: Your Account
611: Photo Gallery
612: Community Forums
613: Photo Gallery
614: News Archive
615: Member Screenshots
616: Community Forums
617: Photo Gallery
618: Photo Gallery
619: Home
620: Home
621: Community Forums
622: Downloads
623: Home
624: Downloads
625: Photo Gallery
626: Community Forums
627: Community Forums
628: Photo Gallery
629: Photo Gallery
630: Community Forums
631: Home
632: Home
633: News Archive
634: Community Forums
635: Community Forums
636: Photo Gallery
637: Home
638: Community Forums
639: Community Forums
640: Community Forums
641: Community Forums
642: Member Screenshots
643: Home
644: Community Forums
645: Home
646: Photo Gallery
647: Community Forums
648: Community Forums
649: Home
650: Statistics
651: Photo Gallery
652: Photo Gallery
653: Photo Gallery
654: Home
655: Photo Gallery
656: Home
657: Your Account
658: Home
659: Member Screenshots
660: Community Forums
661: Home
662: Community Forums
663: Community Forums
664: Home
665: Community Forums
666: Community Forums
667: Downloads
668: Photo Gallery
669: Member Screenshots
670: Home
671: Home
672: Home
673: Home
674: Community Forums
675: Community Forums
676: Home
677: Photo Gallery
678: Home
679: Community Forums
680: Home
681: Community Forums
682: News Archive
683: Community Forums
684: Home
685: Photo Gallery
686: Downloads
687: Community Forums
688: Your Account
689: Home
690: Downloads
691: Community Forums
692: Member Screenshots
693: Photo Gallery
694: Community Forums
695: Community Forums
696: Community Forums
697: Community Forums
698: Community Forums
699: Home
700: Community Forums
701: Community Forums
702: Member Screenshots
703: Community Forums
704: Community Forums
705: Home
706: Community Forums
707: Photo Gallery
708: Community Forums
709: Home
710: Community Forums
711: Photo Gallery
712: Home
713: Community Forums
714: Community Forums
715: Your Account
716: Photo Gallery
717: Community Forums
718: Community Forums
719: Home
720: Photo Gallery
721: Community Forums
722: Community Forums
723: Home
724: News Archive
725: Home
726: Community Forums
727: Community Forums
728: Your Account
729: Member Screenshots
730: Community Forums
731: Home
732: Home
733: News Archive
734: Home
735: Community Forums
736: Community Forums
737: Home
738: Community Forums
739: Downloads
740: Home
741: Community Forums
742: Home
743: Community Forums
744: Home
745: Home
746: Community Forums
747: Home
748: Home
749: Home
750: Community Forums
751: Community Forums
752: Home
753: Community Forums
754: Community Forums
755: Photo Gallery
756: Home
757: Home
758: News
759: Community Forums
760: Home
761: Community Forums
762: Community Forums
763: Community Forums
764: Photo Gallery
765: Home
766: Community Forums
767: Downloads
768: Downloads
769: Home
770: Downloads
771: Member Screenshots
772: Community Forums
773: Community Forums
774: Community Forums
775: Community Forums
776: Community Forums
777: News Archive
778: Community Forums
779: Home
780: Photo Gallery
781: Home
782: Community Forums
783: Home
784: Downloads
785: Photo Gallery
786: Community Forums
787: Statistics
788: Community Forums
789: Home
790: Community Forums
791: Downloads
792: Photo Gallery
793: Community Forums
794: Photo Gallery
795: Home
796: Community Forums
797: Home
798: Community Forums
799: Home
800: Home
801: Community Forums
802: Community Forums
803: Home
804: Member Screenshots
805: Community Forums
806: Community Forums
807: Community Forums
808: Home
809: Community Forums
810: Downloads
811: Home
812: Community Forums
813: Community Forums
814: Home
815: Member Screenshots
816: Photo Gallery
817: Community Forums
818: Community Forums
819: Community Forums
820: Downloads
821: Home
822: Member Screenshots
823: Community Forums
824: Community Forums
825: Downloads
826: Home
827: Statistics
828: Home
829: Member Screenshots
830: Community Forums
831: Community Forums
832: Community Forums
833: Community Forums
834: Community Forums
835: Home
836: Home
837: Community Forums
838: Community Forums
839: Community Forums
840: Photo Gallery
841: Community Forums
842: Community Forums
843: Community Forums
844: Home
845: Community Forums
846: Community Forums
847: Home
848: Community Forums
849: Community Forums
850: Community Forums
851: Community Forums
852: Photo Gallery
853: Home
854: Community Forums
855: Statistics
856: Community Forums
857: Photo Gallery
858: Member Screenshots
859: Home
860: Community Forums
861: Downloads
862: Community Forums
863: Community Forums
864: Downloads
865: Home
866: Community Forums
867: Community Forums
868: Member Screenshots
869: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this? :: Archived
Resolve issues with your computer problems here or read about the latest computer parts and information.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Revive this topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  Hardware

Topic Archived View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:41 pm
Post subject: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Just put this together on the Dell site. Would this be a good setup for the price for now and the future? XP, lots of HD space, 2 Gig mem, decent vid card. Nicer monitor than I have now...
And what the hell is "RAID"? And why would I need a drive controller? An' stuff.....?

This would be my replacement desktop.

I don't see where they spec the number of USB ports...and experience says you can never have enuff of 'em....

Whaddya' think?


_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:07 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

I would say - and I'm qualifying this with the knowledge you're not interested in building your own - that these Dells may do the job but having had one, they are not capable of many upgrades since they use some unique parts. Dell makes a good laptop, an excellent one, actually, but I would not go to them as the first choice of a Desktop.

The slower processor in that one is a killer as far as I'm concerned. In the other thread here, for $200 less than this total price, there's a Gateway spec'd out that's a full Gigaherz faster (2.66 Ghz), twice the video ram (512MB), and bigger hard drive (500GB). And that price is a month old or so. Thing is, there's some careful parts-swapping but it's easy.

Oh...on USB ports, don't worry they usually have lots (4 to 6) and you can buy a USB hub for cheapo that plugs into one USB port and gives you 4 more USB ports that sits on your desk.

_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:15 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Yo! Just what I was lookin' for...if they'll do with XP, I may just do it...

AND, I may just ask you to spec it out to a budget and post it so I can call 'em and order. No consultant fee, though, unless you work for strawberries.

MAYBE I'll do this before I leave, what could you put together for $2K or just under with ONLY a bigger monitor than I have now (17")? I have a good printer. Not even sure I want a new monitor but they're so cheap now.

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:22 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Uh-oh.......

Well okay I put this together befire coming back here and seeing your request - this is an exmaple based on similar pricing and NEEDS to be tweaked, but take a rough look here:



Note the faster CPU, bigger disk, and better vid card. Oh. sorry the HD don't show, but it's 500GB. My 250GB is gettin' full!!!!

Don't order it tho! I couldn't stand the responsibility!

I DID yank out the service stuff, so it's one year, you swap the parts. And I'm not settled yet on that exact CPU.

You need to know that Intel is on the verge of coming out with their next CPU which will drive current Core 2 Duo processor prices down further......I'd urge ya to wait until ya get back and get the new ;atpop all dialed in. Two new 'puters at a time makes for some busy and harried evenings at home when the new babies are settling down and need to be "burped" for this-thing or that-thing!

_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:27 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

And I think it would be GREAT if someone here commented on those NVidia 7950GT cards. Don't know much about 'em, and have become an ATI owner (and satisifed).

I do hear that the ATi's are working better with that New-O/S-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named (or installed on this system). That's about it.

_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:34 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Well, think it over....I don't wanna' swap the parts though...I want it delivered ready to rock. I travel too much now and I'm not as patient as I used to be...don't want to fiddle about. It doesn't have to scream, I'll settle for wail. Laughing If it has to be dialed back a notch to do that, I'm OK with that. In some ways, a "too large" monitor is a liabilty too, 22" is max.

Sharpen your pencil, Mr. Stoopy! Laughing

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:09 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Hmmm. Well, in trying again a time or two, it looks like my pencil wasn't too dull - can't seem to do too much better. A few caveats:

- One thing I like about those options is the sound card. I just finished putting that VERY SAME ONE in my son's PC because there's a very EVIL thing going on nowadays and it's called "Intel VIIV technology". You can't get away from it innewer off-the-shelf systems it seems, it's a build-in sound card on the motherboard and comes with it's own drivers. But, get this - the speakers are USB (ewww!!) and also, Microsoft XP Media Center Edition managed to drop the drivers 4 times in as many weeks, resulting in no sound and annoying pop-ups on bootup about "No Windows Mixer Device Available". The solution? Get a real sound card, that uses real speakers with real cables, and real drivers. Disable the on-board audio, and THEN also rename the folder for the Intel Audio Studio software (that strangely CANNOT be Uninstalled or removed!) so that Windows can't even TRY to load it and then give annoying pop-ups. The LAST STRAW was when I had them all working together but Intel Audio Studio complained when we switched his screen to very hi-res with large (120 dpi) fonts - "Intel Audio Studio requires a font size of 96 dpi"....oh for the love of......SCROO'T!

- The CPU is "Non-HT" or, non-Hyperthreading. I chose it because it was fast and cheap.....clock cycles are the Holy Grail in flight simming! But non-HT means it'll stumble somewhat when tasked with running other thnigs in the background. However the HT-capable 2.40 Ghz CPU is another 600 bones or so, so I'm queasy on this choice right now. Ideally I've got my eye on the 2.66 Core 2 Duo CPU's which are HOT STUFF and coming down slowly but surely.

- You're going with XP Pro, right? Or maybe XP Home (which I have, and is fine). Not XP Media Edition.....please. Did Dell give you any price breaks for NOT going with VISTA? I know it's not likely.

- I chopped the extended warranty stuff out since I was focusing on parts. I don't know how much you're married to it so you'll need to add that in. Might put me over budget.

I think, subject to good feedback about the non-HT-capable CPU, that system should cook....it wont SCREAM like a $3000 system, but it shouldn't be any slouch at'all! 300HP Mustang GT as opposed to the 400HP GTO with higher price tag. Wink

I'll keep trying to tweak the pencil tho....

_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:22 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

- JG300-Stoopy
Hmmm. Well, in trying again a time or two, it looks like my pencil wasn't too dull - can't seem to do too much better. A few caveats:

- One thing I like about those options is the sound card. I just finished putting that VERY SAME ONE in my son's PC because there's a very EVIL thing going on nowadays and it's called "Intel VIIV technology". You can't get away from it innewer off-the-shelf systems it seems, it's a build-in sound card on the motherboard and comes with it's own drivers. But, get this - the speakers are USB (ewww!!) and also, Microsoft XP Media Center Edition managed to drop the drivers 4 times in as many weeks, resulting in no sound and annoying pop-ups on bootup about "No Windows Mixer Device Available". The solution? Get a real sound card, that uses real speakers with real cables, and real drivers. Disable the on-board audio, and THEN also rename the folder for the Intel Audio Studio software (that strangely CANNOT be Uninstalled or removed!) so that Windows can't even TRY to load it and then give annoying pop-ups. The LAST STRAW was when I had them all working together but Intel Audio Studio complained when we switched his screen to very hi-res with large (120 dpi) fonts - "Intel Audio Studio requires a font size of 96 dpi"....oh for the love of......SCROO'T!

- The CPU is "Non-HT" or, non-Hyperthreading. I chose it because it was fast and cheap.....clock cycles are the Holy Grail in flight simming! But non-HT means it'll stumble somewhat when tasked with running other thnigs in the background. However the HT-capable 2.40 Ghz CPU is another 600 bones or so, so I'm queasy on this choice right now. Ideally I've got my eye on the 2.66 Core 2 Duo CPU's which are HOT STUFF and coming down slowly but surely.

- You're going with XP Pro, right? Or maybe XP Home (which I have, and is fine). Not XP Media Edition.....please. Did Dell give you any price breaks for NOT going with VISTA? I know it's not likely.

- I chopped the extended warranty stuff out since I was focusing on parts. I don't know how much you're married to it so you'll need to add that in. Might put me over budget.

I think, subject to good feedback about the non-HT-capable CPU, that system should cook....it wont SCREAM like a $3000 system, but it shouldn't be any slouch at'all! 300HP Mustang GT as opposed to the 400HP GTO with higher price tag. Wink

I'll keep trying to tweak the pencil tho....


Laughing I didn't get one word of all that sound / H-T stuff Rolling Eyes Give me something where I don't have to understand or even deal with it. I have decent sound on my two lil' speakers and one subwoofer thingy now on my old system. Don't need anything mo' betta'.

No, I spec'ed XP Pro....have XP Home on my current system. Pro is the only option at Dell I think.

We got the three year warranty with on-site service for wifey notebook..$100...I think I want that...24hours call time, plus parts delivery time...worth it if the cost is comparable with Gateway.

Oh, my boss bought a silver lefover GTO last week for $25K, one of three left, less than my Mooostang cost. So sharpen than pencil! Mr. Green

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:17 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

EXACTLY my point on the sound-card thingy. You don't wanna know about or deal with it - it's gotten ugly and I'm disappointed that such a simple, inexpensive part of any system has now been screwed up for people. Getchya a proper built-in sound card like that one, with the system and properly integrated, and you'll happily plug in the cables and hear stuff the way it's s'posed to work.

Gateway is like 200 bones on the on-site 3-year warranty stuff, probably becuase it's a desktop and not a laptop...kind of comparing apples & oranges there.

The 22" LCD monitor at $160 is optional, but I'll tell ya this came with my son's rig and it is a SWEET monitor! Very nice. Something to think about is how you're gonna transfer all your old stuff from the old machine to the new. You could either get an external USB hard drive with that money and transfer everythign via it (plus, have it all backed up when you're done) or go with the new monitor and keep the old rig set up with the old monitor while you move stuff over via thumb drive or whatever - that's kinda like moving all the water from one bucket to another with a ladle, though.

Going down to a less-expensive model and building it up to the same specs makes it more expensive and I note the disclaimer about "give us a call about WIndows XP" is missing on those systems. So I have to say I think I got it pretty much right with that first stab - the one change I'm making is specify ONE 500GB hard drive, as opposed to a RAID setup which is two 250MB drives paired together. Helps keep heat and power draw down, against the arguable advantages of a RAID setup.

So......here she blows, WITH 3-year on-site: Yanked the speakers too, since the ones you have now seem to be making perfectly adequate bleeping, blooping and crashing noises. Also, added one more item there at the end, don't know if you've heard of it but it's kinda neat Laughing



Quote is saved under fake email name of "[email protected]" so you can call it back up - for some reason, an earlier system I'd been playing with is saved there too, just ignore it (it's from the other thread).

Your boss is a smart cookie.....not that I'd ever say anything bad about those weird Aussie cars either, even with that fine LS2 motor and excellent rolling hardware. Hopefully the price isn't gonna be balanced out by family chiropractor visits from trying to get in & out of the back seats...

_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:28 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

- JG300-Stoopy
EXACTLY my point on the sound-card thingy. You don't wanna know about or deal with it - it's gotten ugly and I'm disappointed that such a simple, inexpensive part of any system has now been screwed up for people. Getchya a proper built-in sound card like that one, with the system and properly integrated, and you'll happily plug in the cables and hear stuff the way it's s'posed to work.

Gateway is like 200 bones on the on-site 3-year warranty stuff, probably becuase it's a desktop and not a laptop...kind of comparing apples & oranges there.

The 22" LCD monitor at $160 is optional, but I'll tell ya this came with my son's rig and it is a SWEET monitor! Very nice. Something to think about is how you're gonna transfer all your old stuff from the old machine to the new. You could either get an external USB hard drive with that money and transfer everythign via it (plus, have it all backed up when you're done) or go with the new monitor and keep the old rig set up with the old monitor while you move stuff over via thumb drive or whatever - that's kinda like moving all the water from one bucket to another with a ladle, though.

Going down to a less-expensive model and building it up to the same specs makes it more expensive and I note the disclaimer about "give us a call about WIndows XP" is missing on those systems. So I have to say I think I got it pretty much right with that first stab - the one change I'm making is specify ONE 500GB hard drive, as opposed to a RAID setup which is two 250MB drives paired together. Helps keep heat and power draw down, against the arguable advantages of a RAID setup.

So......here she blows, WITH 3-year on-site: Yanked the speakers too, since the ones you have now seem to be making perfectly adequate bleeping, blooping and crashing noises. Also, added one more item there at the end, don't know if you've heard of it but it's kinda neat Laughing



Quote is saved under fake email name of "[email protected]" so you can call it back up - for some reason, an earlier system I'd been playing with is saved there too, just ignore it (it's from the other thread).

Your boss is a smart cookie.....not that I'd ever say anything bad about those weird Aussie cars either, even with that fine LS2 motor and excellent rolling hardware. Hopefully the price isn't gonna be balanced out by family chiropractor visits from trying to get in & out of the back seats...


Interesting....
Now, does this include XP Pro for sure? And, I already have CFS3...can I not install that on my new system? Why is that in there? Would I need another one?

If I call 'em, can they find this quote if I have trouble?

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:45 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Yup - the quote can be retrieved using the link at the top-right of their website and entering the fake email I made for ya, or tell 'em it's quote #26734

One thing tho - that quote has a price of $3,439.95 because it has TWO different computers spec'ed out, it includes that other system I was playing with about a month ago. Just tell 'em it s for the Gateway FX530XM computer which is sub-listed at $1,836.98, and all the details are nested underneath it

Apart from cost, it doesn't includes WIndows XP because it sayz you gotta call 'em to "discuss" (I believe they mean, just ask for it instead, like your Dell dudes handled it). Thats for you to specify but I doubt they'll argue, since Dell can't be alone in getting a LOT of requests for same. However, this price DOES include Vista (which was the only option on the choice list), so XP should not cost you one PENNY more.

So I'd specify they KNOW it and repeat it three times while spinning around in their cubicle chairs before processing that order!!!!!! Actually the quote isn't so much for them, in that respect, it's for you to reference. Let 'em know the quote # only after it's clearly understood it needs to be modified for the Vista/XP thing, or otherwise used as the basis for a new order specifying XP right up front.

I was kiddin' about CFS3. A'course you can install yours.....if the disks haven't petrified by now. J/K!!!!! Laughing Had to have some fun with ya while I was there, everything else is legit.


_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
Shades
Forum Tree-Rat

Offline Offline
Joined: Mar 07, 2005
Posts: 6475
Location: 3rd Branch up, 'Ye Olde Oak', Green Wood.
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:19 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

THIS may help you with the graphic card bit.
That 7950 is quite a high spec gaming card.

_________________
Skwerl's place.

Com-Central's cutest, fluffiest, twitchiest, tail.
CPU > Intel i9-9900k (o/c 4.9GHz); COOLING > BeQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 4;
MOBO > ASUS PRIME Z390-A; RAM > 2x32GB Corsair LPX 2666MHz;
GPU > Gigabyte GEFORCE GTX650Ti PCI-e 3.0 2Gb GDDR5;
AUDIO > Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music (plus - Universal Audio UAD2 Quad Custom accelerator);
HDD > 3x1TB+ M.2. SSDs; LCD > DELL - S2419HGF (1920x1080);
PSU > 650W be quiet Straight Power 11 - 80+ Gold;
CASE > BeQuiet! SILENT BASE 601; OS > Windows 11 Home Advanced (64-bit).
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website ICQ Number
JG300-Stoopy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 5840
Location: Group W bench
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:26 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

Thanks Shades! Had heard good thigns about it but no personal input....for about $200 it's got as much RAM as my ATI 1650 PRO card but is even faster....and cost about the same as I paid.

Oh hey Ascout.....be sure that, although you do need MS Office Home and Student 2007, do NOT buy it from either Dell or Gateway with a computer....because you don't usually REALLY get the install media - they pre-install it for ya and that's that.....so installing it PER the license agreement on another system can be, of course, impossible.

Get that when you make your side-trip to Best Buy or CompUSA for that Linksys Wireless router,,,,and FSX Deluxe...

It's one other thing I'm not crazy about how things have transpired these days......used to be, you got software bundled with the system, you got the install media too.

_________________
"Once your reputation is ruined, you can live quite freely."
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:32 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

- Shades
THIS may help you with the graphic card bit.
That 7950 is quite a high spec gaming card.


Well, that's because this is Stoopy's idea of a tidy little Mustang engine:

Stoopy's "small" V8 idea

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
JG300-Ascout
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 05, 2005
Posts: 6257
Location: Cyberspace
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:37 pm
Post subject: Re: So, while I'm shopping, what sayeth the forum to this?

- JG300-Stoopy
Thanks Shades! Had heard good thigns about it but no personal input....for about $200 it's got as much RAM as my ATI 1650 PRO card but is even faster....and cost about the same as I paid.

Oh hey Ascout.....be sure that, although you do need MS Office Home and Student 2007, do NOT buy it from either Dell or Gateway with a computer....because you don't usually REALLY get the install media - they pre-install it for ya and that's that.....so installing it PER the license agreement on another system can be, of course, impossible.

Get that when you make your side-trip to Best Buy or CompUSA for that Linksys Wireless router,,,,and FSX Deluxe...

It's one other thing I'm not crazy about how things have transpired these days......used to be, you got software bundled with the system, you got the install media too.


No problemo, already planned on that for both the Office software AND the wireless router...in fact, the Dell guy was even pretty much down with that plan without actually sayin' as much...
I'm a "Continuing Medical Education Program Coordinator" so I qualify as a "teacher", among my many hats, and have the certificate to back it up, so I can breeze in to buy on that basis and install on all our systems since the wifey is a biochemist. I'm not sure who's the student here, come to think of it, her credentials are better than mine. Rolling Eyes

_________________
"All facts go to clearly prove that Shades is a thrice-cursed traitor & mentally deranged person steeped in inveterate enmity toward mankind"
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Revive this topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  Hardware
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next

Archive Revive
Username:
This is an archived topic - your reply will not be appended here.
Instead, a new topic will be generated in the active forum.
The new topic will provide a reference link to this archived topic.