Buying a new desktop

nealmac

I'm sure this is the wrong forum, but seems the most suitable. Mods, feel free to move this.

So I went on the Dell website and for arguments sake, I selected the Inspiron 530 and I made customisations as I saw necessary. Here's the spec that I came up with:

PROCESSOR: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4400 Processor (2.0GHz,800MHz,2MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate - English
MONITOR: Dell™ 19" Value Flat Panel (SE197FP) - UK/Irish
MEMORY: 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
HARD DRIVE: 320GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache
GRAPHICS CARD: 256MB nVidia™ GeForce 8600GT graphics card
OPTICAL DRIVE: 16x DVD+/-RW & 16x DVD Drives
KEYBOARD: Dell™ Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
MOUSE: Dell 2 Button USB Scroll Optical Mouse - Black
SOUND SOFTWARE: Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
SPEAKERS: Dell™ A225 Speakers
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES: 1.44MB Floppy Drive
MODEMS: Dell™ v92 Data/Fax Modem without cable
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE: Microsoft® Works 8.0 - English

I want to use this machine for work (AutoCAD), viewing media and obviously for gaming too. Is it a good enough piece of kit for the job? Are there some aspects I should consider upgrading/downgrading? € 1,044.84 is the price it came up with and I really don't want to go past that figure if I can help it. I don't know a lot about all the above specs but I know a bit.

Here's my take on the specs. Help me out where you can:
Processor: Seems good to me. It's a step up from my current P4
OS: Do I really need ultimate? Is it a money spinner? Or is home basic/premium more than enough?
Moniter: Basic, but good enough for me.
Memory: I'm fairly certain 2GB is plenty for all new gen gaming.
Hard drive: well its bigger than my current 40 gig.
Graphics card: Not a clue. Is it good enough?
Optical drive: Can it burn DVDs and CDs? Good enough for me.
Keyboard: Yep, it's basic, but I don't want to pay for a blue tooth device when it will be sitting right in front of the monitor anyway
Mouse. See "keyboard". Also, it says "2 button" and "scroll" I assume this means 2 buttons and a central wheel/button?
Sound software: Basic, but that's fine.
Speakers: Again, I don't mind basic.
Floppy/media drives: Well you have to have a floppy drive, don't you?
Modem: All I know is that I need one to connect to the net.
Microsoft software: Ok so Works is a pile of crap, but I can get office in a torrent anytime.

Just help a guy out. Don't let him waste his money.

Thanks.

AlmightyCushion

A grand seems a bit expensive for that. I might go and spec one out later for ya and see what I get. On the other hand the keyboard and mouse are fine and you don't really need ultimate. The 8600 will be fine for a bit of gaming but if you want to play new games at high then you'll best get something better.

nealmac

If you could spec one out that would brilliant. Like I said, I'm totally out of my depth here. What do mean by "something better"? Because I would indeed be looking to play newer games, GTA, Tiger Woods, Oblivion, Flight Simulator etc....

AlmightyCushion

Do you like to play games with all the graphics settings maxed out. The games you picked there should work and look fine on an 8600 but, with newer games like bioshock you would probably want something like an 8800.

nealmac

Ah right. Well I suppose being "maxed out" wouldn't be essential. I could live with having to reduce the quality if I had to, but if you can spec out a cheaper one, then maybe I could upgrade the graphics card.

See what you can do anyway. And thanks for your help.

Kimbot

Components
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 Processor (2.33GHz,1333MHz,4MB cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate - English edit
HARDWARE SUPPORT Base Warranty - 1 Year Business Hardware Support edit
MONITOR Dell™ 19" Value Wide Flat Panel (E198WFP) - UK/Irish edit
MEMORY 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024] edit
HARD DRIVE 320GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache edit
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB NVIIDA® GeForce® 8300GS Turbocache graphics card edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 16x DVD +/- RW Drive edit
KEYBOARD Dell™ Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY) edit
MOUSE Dell™ 2 Button USB Scroll Optical Mouse - Black edit
Services & Software
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE SUPPORT No Accidental Damage Support edit
SECURITY SOFTWARE No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English edit
Accessories
SOUND SOFTWARE Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio edit
SPEAKERS Dell™ A225 Speakers edit
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES 1.44MB Floppy Drive edit
MODEMS Dell™ v92 Data/Fax Modem without cable edit
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 8.0 - English edit
Also included with your system
Dell System Media Kit Resource DVD - (Diagnostics & Drivers)
Shipping Documents English Documentation with UK/Irish Power Cord
Gedis Bundle Reference List D09V03 Vostro 200
Order Information Vostro Desktop Order - Ireland
Standard Warranty Base Warranty - 1 Year Business Hardware Support
Money Off - Shows in Strikethrough Save Euro 30 Ex VAT
Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs Dell Internet Order.


Total Price
€ 778.74



E-Value Code = 999-D09V03

AlmightyCushion

Much better processor on that one but given the graphics card I would not want to put oblivion on that.

nealmac

AlmightyCushion wrote:

Much better processor on that one but given the graphics card I would not want to put oblivion on that.

Well given the better price on that spec, could I not just upgrade the graphics card? and still be under a grand?

Thanks for that, Jonny.

AlmightyCushion

nealmac wrote:

Well given the better price on that spec, could I not just upgrade the graphics card? and still be under a grand?

Thanks for that, Jonny.

Sometimes dell won't let you upgrade certain components but if you could then yeah.

nealmac

Ah I see. Well I'll have a look and see. Does customising like this create extra expense? And if so, is it worth it? Would I be better looking for an "off the shelf" model?

Kimbot

Yes but you would have to buy the card seperate from Komplett or Elara or somewhere like that!!
Its just a matter of taking the existing card out and popping the new one in!!

Kimbot

nealmac wrote:

Ah I see. Well I'll have a look and see. Does customising like this create extra expense? And if so, is it worth it? Would I be better looking for an "off the shelf" model?

Well at that price plus the warrenty you are grand for under 1000 even if you spend 200 on a new Graphics Card and if anything fails its a business system so next day call out from Dell!! Just remember to switch the graphics cards back before they get there or they might void your warranty.

nealmac

jonny24ie wrote:

Yes but you would have to buy the card seperate from Komplett or Elara or somewhere like that!!
Its just a matter of taking the existing card out and popping the new one in!!

Haha, I don't even know what a graphics card looks like, let alone be able to locate it.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

Kimbot

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=334329

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=334578

Kimbot

Well open the case where the two black screws are, then look at where your monitor is plugged in and you will see the card inside your open case!
Take it out, place new one in and away you go!

AlmightyCushion

Yes dell charge a fortune for upgrading components. There are problems with buying a crad from Komplett and putting it in. Your power supply might not be powerful enough and the card may not fit in the case. This card would be good though. I'd say it will fit and your power supply will be sufficient but I would wait for someone else with more knowledge to confirm this.

nealmac

jonny24ie wrote:

Well open the case where the two black screws are, then look at where your monitor is plugged in and you will see the card inside your open case!
Take it out, place new one in and away you go!

Well that sounds easy enough. Even for someone like me. Thanks.

nealmac

AlmightyCushion wrote:

Yes dell charge a fortune for upgrading components. There are problems with buying a crad from Komplett and putting it in. Your power supply might not be powerful enough and the card may not fit in the case. This card would be good though. I'd say it will fit and your power supply will be sufficient but I would wait for someone else with more knowledge to confirm this.

Thanks mate. I'll check back later to see if anyone confirms it.

Anti

yeah, a 8800 might not fit in a dell case, and also the powersupply will more then likely not be powerfull enough for a high end card. Honestly a x1950pro wll do you fine.

AlmightyCushion

Anti wrote:

yeah, a 8800 might not fit in a dell case, and also the powersupply will more then likely not be powerfull enough for a high end card. Honestly a x1950pro wll do you fine.

Cheers for confirming that anti. Looks like you're sorted OP.

nealmac

Cool thanks for that. Where do you recommend I get a x1950pro?

AlmightyCushion

nealmac wrote:

Cool thanks for that. Where do you recommend I get a x1950pro?

The one I linked to should suffice. It's around €130 and I think Komplett charge €20 for p&p. So €150 altogether.

nealmac

Great. Thanks a million. Sorted. Sorry for the dumb questions and n00bieness.

AlmightyCushion

nealmac wrote:

Great. Thanks a million. Sorted. Sorry for the dumb questions and n00bieness.

We were all noobs at one stage.

nealmac

Sorry to annoy people again, but I just thought of something. Do I need a modem? Aren't modems only for dial up?

AlmightyCushion

As far as I know every broadband provider gives a free modem when you sign up so you are fine.

Kimbot

Modems are for Dial up, mainly if you have Broadband your onboard network card is what you will use!

nealmac

Woohoo. Another few quid saved

RoyalMarine

also be careful with dell.
dell charge a LOT of money to upgrade harddrives, and ram.

it would be A LOT cheaper if you bought the standard ram and harddrive possible, and if you want to upgrade, then do it your self.

to upgrade these, its as simple as opening the case, and plugging the new ones in. 10 mins max and a leprachaun could do it blind.

nealmac

Yeah I thought of that, but upgrading stuff like that for me is like working as an engineer for NASA. I'm totally clueless on it. Hey, I'm gonna attempt installing a video card. This is a small step for man, and a giant leap for mankind

Or should I say, a small step for mankind, but a giant leap for man:p

AlmightyCushion

nealmac wrote:

Yeah I thought of that, but upgrading stuff like that for me is like working as an engineer for NASA. I'm totally clueless on it. Hey, I'm gonna attempt installing a video card. This is a small step for man, and a giant leap for mankind

Or should I say, a small step for mankind, but a giant leap for man:p

It's a lot easier than you think. it's literally pull out old insert new. Maybe connect a cable or two along the way. I'm sure there are step by step guides on the internet.

nealmac

Well if it's that easy, I suppose I could give it a lash. I've heard you can suffer an electric shock when doing stuff like that. Is that true?

AlmightyCushion

nealmac wrote:

Well if it's that easy, I suppose I could give it a lash. I've heard you can suffer an electric shock when doing stuff like that. Is that true?

If the computer is turned on then yes. Just make sure to touch something to ground yourself (e.g. radiator) before touching any of the components so you don't damage them.

nealmac

Tell me this: Does a poorer quality graphics card slow things down? Or does it just give poorer quality graphics? I mean is there more a chance of a game freezing/lagging with a lower end graphics card? Because if there isn't, I'm happy enough with that. Performance is more important.

AlmightyCushion

nealmac wrote:

Tell me this: Does a poorer quality graphics card slow things down? Or does it just give poorer quality graphics? I mean is there more a chance of a game freezing/lagging with a lower end graphics card? Because if there isn't, I'm happy enough with that. Performance is more important.

You will get a lower frame rate which may result in slowdown.