New Gaming Computer Help!

[Benny]

Im buying a new computer for gaming (Joint Ops, a little Halo) and I was wondering if this would be a good setup. Thanks for any help!

Dell XPS 400
-Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB
-XP Media
-256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
-1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
-250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache

Any suggestions?

[penguinrusty]

NO NO NO NO NO. Don't buy, build! How much are they charging you for that little gem? $1500?

[lilwillis]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You could build the same computer for less than half the price Dell will charge you, and can build a computer more than twice as good for the price of whatever Dell you wanted to buy. DONT BUY!!! Listen to Penguin and build!

[Benny]

I cant build one guys. My parents are just gonna order me this. Its $949 and I pay $140 if I want a 3 ghz processor.

[lilwillis]

Dual 3.0's would be pretty good. If you are set on buying that computer, definately upgrade to the 3 gig proc. First upgrade would be a 512 meg vid card, and that should be good. Building is still better though.

[penguinrusty]

It's not dual processor it's dual core.

[bubba069]

I would hate to say it for a noob builder the dell is the safe bet, the 7300 will hold its own for most games, may have to turn the eye candy down but it will play the game (you can allways upgrade later) 1 gig of ram min. 2 gig would be best.

and yes its doul core NOT dual cpu, a dual core 3ghz cpu does not and will not yeild 6ghz. its that miss understanding that allows this (http://cgi.ebay.com/6-8-GHZ-PENTIUM-D-CPU-MOTHERBOARD-COMBO-830-840-940-950_W0QQitemZ190001526465QQihZ009QQcategoryZ80143QQssPageNameZWD9VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) ding-gus to rip people off.

[lilwillis]

Doh...

[penguinrusty]

I just emailed him asking how he can rip people off like that.

[Benny]

Well. I ordered the comp last night. I got the following.

-3 Ghz Dual Core Pentium D 930 800 FSB
-250 GB HD
-16x CD
-Nvidea GEForce 7300 Turbo Cache
-1 GB Duall channel Ram
-Intergrated Sound Blaster HD
-30Watt speakers with sub
-Office Small buisness package
-XP media

It should be here by the 26th.

[penguinrusty]

At least it's DDR2. I wish AMD coulds followed in INtel's footsteps and had come out with DDR2 memory controllers right after Intel.

[bubba069]

well if you go with the AM2 socket you can get DDR2, but at this point I would go with the new conroe core intels.

granted you dont notice the differance gaming (because the vid card the limit/choke point now) but the gains on the other stuff is insane, like power, the new conroe uses 20w less than the fx62 at idle and 62w less under laod. less power usage = less heat.

[penguinrusty]

well if you go with the AM2 socket you can get DDR2, but at this point I would go with the new conroe core intels.


I was talking about before the AM2 came out. But you're right, the conroe is going to be a powerhouse. I wish I woulda set up an intel machine instead of an A64x2 rig.

[bubba069]

you might liike this then..

http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/itnews.php?tid=633569&starttime=0&endtime=0

July 24th is the planed date for price roll back by AMD to keep the lead for "bang for buck"

fx chips will drop $200, the x2's will drop WAY down