I need help buying a PC ....

ReefLady · 11-29-2003, 12:58 PM

Not a top of the line one, not a bottom of the line one. Something in the middle .. about $1,000.00 - $1,300.00

I've always bought Dell, always been happy with them. My current PC is 2 years old, 1.5ghz, 256mb RAM, nothing fancy. There's nothing wrong with it, but my husband needs a PC. He's running an old Gateway dinosaur (133mhz Pent., 64mb RAM, Win 95).

So, I'm giving him my PC, and I'm going to buy a new one. I really wanted to buy another Dell, but I've always been told not to buy "integrated" graphics or sound cards. Well, after messing around on thier site, it looks like the only way I can get a non-integrated card (sound/graphics), is to buy a desktop in the $1700.00 - $2,000.00 range. I can't afford to spend this much (don't want to).

I don't want anything out of the ordinary, maybe a 2-2.5ghz chip, 512mb RAM, 80g drive, floppy, CD Rom & RW CD (both) - no DVD needed, standard 17" monitor, no fancy software.

I have XP Professional & Office XP Prof. in the box. Have all the graphics software (PSP & PS) I need. Have a Linksys router (not wireless), cables, yadda yadda. We'll network the 2 PC's together.

Any ideas? Suggestions? Can I get what I want for what I'm looking to spend?

Oh yeah, and I want it yesterday, of course.

ReefLady · 11-29-2003, 01:16 PM

Okay - tell me how this sounds (Dell Dimension 4600):

Pent. 4 - 2.66ghz
Win XP Home (I have XP Prof)
512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (2x256M)
80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
3.5" floppy
16X DVD ROM Drive (1st bay)
48x CD-RW Drive (2nd bay)
Dell® Enhanced Multimedia Keyboard
Dell® 2-button scroll mouse
17 in (16 in viewable,.27dp) E773c CRT Monitor
128MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI
Sound Blaster Audigy™2 (D) Card w/DVD Audio and Dolby 5.1 capability
Harman Kardon® HK-395 Speakers with Subwoofer
Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
2 Year Limited Warranty plus 2 Year At-Home Service
Norton Antivirus 2004

Total price = $1,253.00 (before $150.00 rebate, so $1,103.00)

Anything that bears updgrading (within reason)? Any comments, suggestions, etc. - much appreciated!!!

Witfull · 11-29-2003, 01:36 PM

not bad Teri.
ask if they can subtract XP home and reduce the price.

ReefLady · 11-29-2003, 01:41 PM

Quote:

ask if they can subtract XP home and reduce the price.

Yeah, XP home is standard, XP Prof. would be a $70.00 upgrade. XP "Home" is the cheapest option.

Pro_builder · 11-29-2003, 01:44 PM

looks good to me. For what you are looking for. If you know a lot about adding cards (video) you may buy a bare bones system then put in a video card, sound card. Just a thought.

Travis · 11-29-2003, 01:49 PM

Hang on Teri, I can find you a much better deal than that.

I got a dimension 4500, 2.4/256/30/64mb video, 17in monitor for about $900 after rebate a year ago.

www.fatwallet.com check the "hot deals" forums.

T

Maxx · 11-29-2003, 01:53 PM

I would say go for it..I'm using a dell right now and I love it...
Nick

Travis · 11-29-2003, 01:53 PM

Here's a good start.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mess...&keyword1=dell

ReefLady · 11-29-2003, 02:00 PM

Thanks everyone ...

Travis, I looked at that link (not a bad deal!) -- by the time I added a monitor, bumped up sound & graphics card, 512mb RAM, 80g drive, etc. - I was pretty much back to where I was. I did however, find a $50.00 off coupon on that site.

So I'm going to get all of the above for a total of $1,058.00 after rebate. Not so shabby. ;-)

Thank you all very much!

Witfull · 11-29-2003, 02:22 PM

and free shipping offer too...check the site

ReefLady · 11-29-2003, 02:25 PM

Yeppers - $1,058.00 delivered to my front door. ;-) Now .... to start burning CD's full of data...pictures...music .... fun fun.

TDEVIL · 11-29-2003, 02:34 PM

RL, have you looked @ tiger direct yet, i have bought 2 pc's from them and have been happy so far
http://www.tigerdirect.com/indexus.a...d=0 039988861

just a thought

TD

wooddood · 11-29-2003, 03:01 PM

ive had different pc's in the past,now i have a laptop and so does my son.hes got both hooked up wireless so i can sit in the livingroom and so can he or where ever.i love mine and will never go back to a seperate monitor/hard drive/ect.just a thought they have come a long way with laptops.

jks1 · 11-29-2003, 04:17 PM

I agree w/ Wooddood, i also have a laptop w/ wireless LAN and I love it. I'm sitting on the couch watching the FL/FSU game as I'm typing this... just a thought.

Witfull · 11-29-2003, 04:31 PM

laptops are nice, using one right now too, but the power of them to match the desktop will cost alot more than the range she is looking at. as a secondary PC laptop is the way to go.

11-29-2003, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,025 View Gallery Karma Komment	I need help buying a PC .... Not a top of the line one, not a bottom of the line one. Something in the middle .. about $1,000.00 - $1,300.00 I've always bought Dell, always been happy with them. My current PC is 2 years old, 1.5ghz, 256mb RAM, nothing fancy. There's nothing wrong with it, but my husband needs a PC. He's running an old Gateway dinosaur (133mhz Pent., 64mb RAM, Win 95). So, I'm giving him my PC, and I'm going to buy a new one. I really wanted to buy another Dell, but I've always been told not to buy "integrated" graphics or sound cards. Well, after messing around on thier site, it looks like the only way I can get a non-integrated card (sound/graphics), is to buy a desktop in the $1700.00 - $2,000.00 range. I can't afford to spend this much (don't want to). I don't want anything out of the ordinary, maybe a 2-2.5ghz chip, 512mb RAM, 80g drive, floppy, CD Rom & RW CD (both) - no DVD needed, standard 17" monitor, no fancy software. I have XP Professional & Office XP Prof. in the box. Have all the graphics software (PSP & PS) I need. Have a Linksys router (not wireless), cables, yadda yadda. We'll network the 2 PC's together. Any ideas? Suggestions? Can I get what I want for what I'm looking to spend? Oh yeah, and I want it yesterday, of course. __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

11-29-2003, 01:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,025 View Gallery Karma Komment	Okay - tell me how this sounds (Dell Dimension 4600): Pent. 4 - 2.66ghz Win XP Home (I have XP Prof) 512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (2x256M) 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 3.5" floppy 16X DVD ROM Drive (1st bay) 48x CD-RW Drive (2nd bay) Dell® Enhanced Multimedia Keyboard Dell® 2-button scroll mouse 17 in (16 in viewable,.27dp) E773c CRT Monitor 128MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI Sound Blaster Audigy™2 (D) Card w/DVD Audio and Dolby 5.1 capability Harman Kardon® HK-395 Speakers with Subwoofer Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet 56K PCI Data Fax Modem 2 Year Limited Warranty plus 2 Year At-Home Service Norton Antivirus 2004 Total price = $1,253.00 (before $150.00 rebate, so $1,103.00) Anything that bears updgrading (within reason)? Any comments, suggestions, etc. - much appreciated!!! __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

11-29-2003, 01:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	looks good to me. For what you are looking for. If you know a lot about adding cards (video) you may buy a bare bones system then put in a video card, sound card. Just a thought. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-29-2003, 01:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,330 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Hang on Teri, I can find you a much better deal than that. I got a dimension 4500, 2.4/256/30/64mb video, 17in monitor for about $900 after rebate a year ago. www.fatwallet.com check the "hot deals" forums. T __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

11-29-2003, 01:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would say go for it..I'm using a dell right now and I love it... Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

11-29-2003, 01:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,330 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Here's a good start. http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/mess...&keyword1=dell __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

11-29-2003, 02:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,025 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks everyone ... Travis, I looked at that link (not a bad deal!) -- by the time I added a monitor, bumped up sound & graphics card, 512mb RAM, 80g drive, etc. - I was pretty much back to where I was. I did however, find a $50.00 off coupon on that site. So I'm going to get all of the above for a total of $1,058.00 after rebate. Not so shabby. ;-) Thank you all very much! __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

11-29-2003, 02:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,025 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yeppers - $1,058.00 delivered to my front door. ;-) Now .... to start burning CD's full of data...pictures...music .... fun fun. __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

11-29-2003, 02:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
TDEVIL Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marion, INDIANA Posts: 1,170 View Gallery Karma Komment	RL, have you looked @ tiger direct yet, i have bought 2 pc's from them and have been happy so far http://www.tigerdirect.com/indexus.a...d=0 039988861 just a thought TD __________________ my web site <-- needs updated

11-29-2003, 03:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	ive had different pc's in the past,now i have a laptop and so does my son.hes got both hooked up wireless so i can sit in the livingroom and so can he or where ever.i love mine and will never go back to a seperate monitor/hard drive/ect.just a thought they have come a long way with laptops. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

11-29-2003, 04:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree w/ Wooddood, i also have a laptop w/ wireless LAN and I love it. I'm sitting on the couch watching the FL/FSU game as I'm typing this... just a thought. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

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