Buying a new computer - whats the best deal?

valor

Im planning on buying a new computer for playing poker.
The basic requirements are an ability to run a database program called poker tracker and Run a good resolution on Dual 20" monitors. Graphics/hardrive space etc are all irrelevant. Ill also want a wireless card in the computer.

What should I go for [and where to get the monitors?]


Thanks

Gavin

deckie27

Go To dell
Pick up a 1300 dimension and buy some memory else where
With 19" mon 512 or a gig or ram. 500 - 600 euro

Dec

gamer

you need at least 512meg ram main pc memory ,get pc with pci-x graphics card at least 128meg ram video memory.

Gurgle

gamer wrote:

you need at least 512meg ram main pc memory ,get pc with pci-x graphics card at least 128meg ram video memory.

Yes you really need this to play 3D virtual-reality strip poker in stereo with a resolution of 24000 x 16000 pixels :rolleyes:

A bargain-bin Dell will do you nicely, they're OK for monitor upgrades and second monitors but for Gods sake don't encourage them by paying their prices for extra RAM.

valor

So the basic Dell will be able to support 2 monitors? Sombeody told me their on board graphics cant deal with this? is 512 Ram definitely enough? It doesnt really need to be future proof or anything I have no intention of branching into gaming

FunkyChicken

Get more than 512mb ram whatever you do. 1gb to be safe but 2gb would be ideal.

valor

Why though? What can 1gb do that 512 cant?

Laguna

It's the strength of the graphics card that will determine how many monitors can be run off the machine Valor, not the RAM. Sure, 1gb of RAM is desirable as 512mb is bog standard these days and it won't cost you an arm and a leg for the 1gb.

Hitman Actual

Below is the reply I gave on the poker forum. Do any of you tech guys know if what I'm saying about the dual monitors/graphics cards/slots is valid? I've never seen a PCI graphics card which supports dual monitors.

lenny_leonard wrote:

The question is, will you only ever need it for poker and low-level apps (browsing, word apps, etc), or do you ever intend to use it for gaming and such. If just for poker, then my recomendations:

Graphics cards for dual monitors: I think you'll need a PC with either AGP or PCI-extended slots; AFAIK, standard PCI graphics cards dont support dual monitors (does anyone know different?), or at least if they do they're hard to find. That could be a problem with going with Dell, as their lower-spec'd systems seem to only support PCI slots. For an AGP card, something as simple as this will do : http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=318274.
Just connect one monitor using the DVI input, and the other using the standard DSUB. If you want to be sure your PC is future-proof, then you should get a system which supports PCIe (x16), although I cant see AGP being outdated for a while yet.

For RAM, get 512MB minimum. Dont worry about things like anti-virus running in the background. This should be disabled anyway. (Just update once a week and do a scan).

For HDD, an 80GB IDE drive will do fine, unless you intend to store a lot of media from your cousin in America.

Monitors: Not really clued in on monitors (I just have a 22" CRT), but komplett have some good cheap 20" LCDs.

For wireless connection, just buy a PCI card or USB dongle for about €50.

Thats a fairly basic system, and I'd say you could buy all the parts separate and build a system cheaper than the price you'd pay in Dell.

Edit: For processor, even a low spec'd celeron should be fine.