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New PC & OS recommendations

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by lilpea, Jun 19, 2008.

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  1. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    I find wayyy too many 64bit incompatibiliites still. Right now on Wintel its not worth the RAM headroom. 64bit on Wintel needs more time.
     
    flynnibus, Jun 20, 2008
    #21
  2. mhwwdman

    mhwwdman New Member

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    Awww, it's too bad that you don't have enough time to build a computer.

    Anyways, configured a Dell XPS 420:

    Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
    Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium w/ Digital Cable Support SP1
    3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
    500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
    Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
    nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
    Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Dell USB KeyboardDell Optical USB Mouse

    Total: $1,311.45 (w/ VA tax and 3-5 day shipping)

    The system is actually pretty decent. Bad part is that they didn't offer a lightscribe drive. ><

    I'm pretty sure that the 8800GT is beefy enough. Stronger than my 8800GTS 320MB (yeah, really).
     
    mhwwdman, Jun 20, 2008
    #22
  3. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    I bought way more then that 6 months ago for less then 1k

    Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P Mobo (RAID, DDR 1066, 16x PCIexp, 8 SATA133, HD Audio, 8 USB, 2 FW, etc)
    Core 2 E6750 2.66 CPU
    4 gigs of Corsair 800MHz DDR2 RAM
    2 x Seagate 7200.10 500gig HDs in RAID 1
    8800 GT 512
    Multi-card Reader
    Floppy
    Antec P182 Case - DEAD silent case
    Lite-On 20x DVDRW w/lightscribe
    CoolerMaster 750w PowerSupply - DEAD Silent PowerSupply

    Most laptops are louder then this machine when their fan turns on.

    The Dell Deals are great when they are in the 400-600 dollar range. Upgrade key components and you get a good machine cheap.

    After my last few gens though - I'm sold on controlling the case/power supply to get a nice quiet setup. Not going to get that with the upgraded Dells. After this last build.. never turning back. My last machine lasted over 6 years with only two upgrades. I expect this one to last similar.

    Here are some photos of the case (killer) and such when I first started putting it together - http://coreplex.blogspot.com/2008/02/what-does-100-dollar-case-get-you.html

    The flickr set has some near-complete photos too - http://www.flickr.com/photos/23000826@N07/sets/72157603867709750/
     
    flynnibus, Jun 20, 2008
    #23
  4. mhwwdman

    mhwwdman New Member

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    I really think you should build a computer instead of buying one (referring to the original poster).

    Flynnibus, that's an awesome system you have there. What heatsink are you running on that E6750?
     
    mhwwdman, Jun 20, 2008
    #24
  5. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    I chose to stick with the retail HSF because the other ones were not much quieter and I wasn't looking for big OC'ing. When you look at the real detailed comparisons, the retail HSF is not bad and actually better then many 3rd party ones.
     
    flynnibus, Jun 21, 2008
    #25
  6. Brassy

    Brassy Hiyah

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    Hmm, Dell, well any friends or family we know who bought them had to replace them pretty early.
     
    Brassy, Jun 21, 2008
    #26
  7. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Steve - have you gotten that crazy LightScribe to actually work? I've tried three times and so far it gets about 1/3 of the way thru and abends. Matters not what the label is - simple graphics or text - it abends the same way.
     
    Kaosdad, Jun 21, 2008
    #27
  8. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    I have not tried it. I didn't really buy that feature - just the cheap DVDRW drive :) The machine has been in storage now for almost 2 months now due to our home shuffle :(
     
    flynnibus, Jun 21, 2008
    #28
  9. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    I have a LITE-ON DVDRW LH-20A1L with LightScribe. Only done a couple lscribes so far, but did them just fine.
     
    hornerjo, Jun 22, 2008
    #29
  10. jmeggers

    jmeggers New Member

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    Actually, I think you'd be surprised for your budget. I've been very happy with Apple's refurbished program, bought three computers off there and had no problems. Just bought our latest iMac, a 20-inch all-in-one system. New, the iMacs start at $1200, the same system on the refurbished program is $950. So I'd recommend not counting it out purely on the basis of price.

    John
     
    jmeggers, Jun 22, 2008
    #30
  11. LKelly

    LKelly New Member

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    My primary system is a 5-year-old Dell desktop. Replaced the power source last year, but that's been my only issue. I chose to upgrade several of the major components when I ordered it. The 10-year-old Dell it replaced is still operational, too, FWIW.
     
    LKelly, Jun 23, 2008
    #31
  12. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    If you're going the Dell route, check out slickdeals.net, techbargains.com or other sites like that-- you'll find some great deals there compared to going straight to dell without coupons/etc.
     
    boomertsfx, Jun 23, 2008
    #32
  13. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    ok - my computer is up and running and I am now a Vista believer - thanks everyone for your help.
     
    lilpea, Jun 28, 2008
    #33
  14. LKelly

    LKelly New Member

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    Pea, would you mind posting the specs on your system?
     
    LKelly, Jul 13, 2008
    #34
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