Buying a new PC <HELP>

Wiever · Post by **Wiever** » September 11, 2003, 1:22 pm

The following are the specs of a PC I configured and want to purchase from Dell:

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Dell Dimension 4600 Series
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.60GHz w/800MHz front side bus/ HT
Technology

Qty: 1
SALE PRICE
Price: $1,163.00
[save $50.00]

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2003 11:13:29 AM CDT
Catalog Number: 29 19
Dell Dimension 4600 Series: Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.60GHz w/800MHz front side bus/ HT Technology GP268H [221-2531]
Memory: 512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz (2x256M) 512M4 [311-9002]
Keyboard: Dell® Quietkey® Keyboard QK [310-1582]
Monitor: FREE UPGRADE! 19 in M992 Monitor M992P [461-7273]
Video Card: New 128MB DDR GeForce FX 5200 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI 128FX52 [320-0735]
Hard Drive: 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 80 [340-3274]
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices: 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD [340-8860]
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹² WHXP [420-1921] [412-0409] [313-7222]
Mouse: Dell™ Optical USB Mouse OM [310-4037]
Network Card: Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet IN [430-0412]
Modem: 56K PCI Data Fax Modem DFAX [313-1313]
CD or DVD Drive: 48x CD-ROM Drive CD48 [313-1476]
Sound: SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 Digital Sound Card with Dolby Digital 5.1 capability SB1024 [313-6010] [313-1932]
Speakers: Harman Kardon® HK-395 Speakers with Subwoofer HK395 [313-7284]
Bundled Software: WordPerfect® Productivity Pack with Quicken New User Edition COREL [412-0397] [412-0396] [412-0395]
Security Software: Dell SecurityCenter by McAfee, 90-day introductory offer MCAFE90 [412-0326]
Digital Music: Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH MMBASE [412-0298]
Digital Photography: Dell Picture Studio, Image Expert Standard DPS [412-0271] [412-0273]
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options: 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year At-Home Service SQ111OS [412-0359] [950-3337] [950-4430] [950-9797]
Internet Access Services: 6 Months of America Online Membership Included AOLDHS [420-3224] [412-0439]
Multi-Media Players: RealOne™ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial REALBAS [412-0380]
High Speed Internet Access: Find a high speed Internet service provider in your area HISPEED [462-0984]
Surge Protectors - Protect Your Investment: Belkin SurgeMaster Gold - 10 Outlet with Coax (for Broadband) GOLD10 [A0109553]
Special Offer: $50 Special Offer OFF50 [460-8164]

Price
Sub-total: $1,163.00
Shipping: 1 $104.50

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I have never built my own PC so figured Dell would be my best route. This will primarily be a gaming PC. I was wondering if there is anything in here that I can install myself to bring the cost down further, and what changes I should make to this configuration.

Thanks in advance. I am sure these "i am retarded and don't know how to pick out a computer" posts get old to some of you.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » September 11, 2003, 1:28 pm

It really just depends on how much Dell charges you. I think you can get the video card for ultimately cheaper, as well as most of the things on there.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 11, 2003, 1:30 pm

See if you can get them to put an ATI 9800 Pro in the system, and see what it would cost. If they won't, see whether they'll omit the video card so you can install the ATI.

The performance on the 5200 is not very good.

Wiever · Post by **Wiever** » September 11, 2003, 1:34 pm

64MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce4 MX™ Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI [subtract $15]
New 128MB DDR GeForce FX 5200 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI Incredible Graphics
64MB DDR ATI All-in-Wonder® 9000 Pro(w/TV/DVD/Video Functionality) [add $65 or $2/month1]
New 128MB DDR ATI RADEON™ 9800 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI [add $115 or $4/month1]

These are the Video Card "prices." Can't get an acurate price they are charging for the 9800 but to upgrade from the 5200 will be an additional $115. This about right for what I should pay?

Syenye Squirrellyelf · September 11, 2003, 1:39 pm

try http://www.techbargains.com/... they have coupons and stuff for dell and sometimes they stack.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 11, 2003, 1:48 pm

Well, I'm not certain that's a 9800 Pro they're quoting you there.

The 5200 is the least expensive of the new NVIDIA FX cards, so somewhat budget card (for the FX line anyway). You can actually get the GeForce 4 Ti 4600 for less money than the 5200, and get similar performance to the FX 5600. The FX line goes in order, least expensive to most: 5200, 5600, 5900.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » September 11, 2003, 2:10 pm

You should also look at Alienware. They are geared towards gamers more than mainstream consumers, and it never hurts to shop around.

Davel · Post by **Davel** » September 11, 2003, 5:28 pm

If you're looking for a higher end PC from dell, you might look at the dimension xps series rather than the 4600 series that you were looking at. The xps series is a new line designed to challenge Alienware in the high end pc department. If you try to customize one of these rather than a normal dimension pc, you will be given a lot better options in terms of hardware. I'm positive that those ones will let you put a 9800 pro in there instead of just the normal 9800. I think you can also add some other slick stuff like raid 0 for your HD's if you really want to get maximum performance. The price will be more in the range of an Alienware pc, but so will the hardware.

Deneve · Post by **Deneve** » September 11, 2003, 8:31 pm

you'll regret only having 512mb of RAM, i am building one myself this fall for my first time, but know from friend's comps that anything less than 1gb is not going to cut it too well, im opting for 2x corsair XMS 512mb 400mhz sticks, they come with heat sinks and they're shiny

Wiever · Post by **Wiever** » September 12, 2003, 6:53 am

I assumed upgrading to 1gb after I get my pc would be less expensive.

Morgrym · Post by **Morgrym** » September 12, 2003, 8:34 am

Question about RAM...

I have heard from several sources in the past that XP will not use more than 512 for RAM even if there is 1 GIG on board. Is this true, and if so, is there a way around it? Other than reverting back to an old OS.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » September 12, 2003, 9:27 am

XP can handle a lot of RAM. Not sure how much exactly but I fairly certain it is more than 512.

If you are goign to get that Dell then I would get a onger warranty on it. Almost any computer will last a year but by getting a two year then you protect yourself and you can scam some free upgrades by saying the video card or somethign went bad. They will send you a new one of whatver their current tech is like since they usually won't have old stuff in stock anymore.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 12, 2003, 12:21 pm

XP can address up to 4GB of RAM.

The 512MB limitation was 9x, and ME.

Morgrym · Post by **Morgrym** » September 12, 2003, 12:26 pm

Ahh ok, Kick Ass..going to go out and buy another 512 then

Tantolar · Post by **Tantolar** » September 13, 2003, 2:17 am

The 9800 showing as available on this system is a 9800 non-pro. Basically it is a 9800 pro that is clocked slower. I would say it is probably worth the upgrade, as the Geforce FX 5200 is often substantially slower than even a Geforce 4 Ti.

If you're somewhat familiar with installing hardware in a computer, you can purchase an 80 gig hard disk for what it costs to upgrade that drive from the 40 gig model. However, if you detest rebates and don't want to muck with it, then I'd say it's a good upgrade to make.

If you're thinking about going with more memory, choose the 256 MB option and purchase some good memory elsewhere for less (you'll probably have to give away or ebay the 256 MB, but you still come out less than what they charge)

The only other comment I would make is that chassis on this system is quite small. For some people that is a good thing, for those thinking of adding another hard drive and other toys in the future it might get a bit cramped. Also worth noting is that you will have only 1 available PCI slot. Just something to keep in mind.

Lastly, don't forget to use code B036FDAB63CA at checkout! ($25 off)

edit: Just noticed it has 4 DIMM slots, so you shouldn't have to toss the initial 256 MB that comes with it