Help a Mac guy buy a PC

[PSW]

I am about to buy a desktop. I am a mac guy so I am taking a step into the unknown...

It seems that w/ the online coupon (-$600) it will only cost me $648.

Thanks a ton in advance for responses.

This is the system:

Dimension 8400 Series, Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 (3GHz)w/HT Technology and 2MB cache Qty: 1 Unit Price: $1,248.00
[S630H ] - [221-8110]
--- DIM 8400,P4, 630 (3.0GHZ),HT,2
[512M4 ] - [311-3974]
--- 512MB DDR2 SDRAM AT 400MHZ - 2
[QK ] - [310-1582]
--- DELL QUIETKEY KEYBOARD,104,ENG
[19FREE ] - [463-4353]
--- 19IN (19.0 IN VIEWABLE) E193FP
[X300SE ] - [320-3934]
--- 128MB PCI-E X16 ATI RADEON X30
[80S ] - [341-1055]
--- 80GB SERIAL ATA,7200 RPM,DIM,P
[NFD ] - [340-8442]
--- NO FLOPPY DRIVE REQUESTED
[WMCE ] - [412-0721]
--- DELL SUPPORT 3.0,DIM 3000,4600
[WMCE ] - [412-0688]
--- IMAGE RESTORE, DIM
[WMCE ] - [420-4927]
--- WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER 10,DIM
[WMCE ] - [420-4920]
--- WIN XP MCE05,ENG,DIM,TIED
[WMCE ] - [463-2282]
--- THANKS FOR PURCHASING YOUR DEL
[SM ] - [310-1871]
--- DELL 2-BUTTON SCROLL MOUSE,DIM
[IN ] - [430-0742]
--- INTEGRATED INTEL PRO 1000 NIC
[DFAX ] - [313-2279]
--- V.92/56K PCI DATAFAX,INT MODEM
[AAREAD ] - [412-0705]
--- ADOBE ACROBAT READER 6.0
[DV16DVP] - [463-4682]
--- 16X DVD-ROM/ 16X DVD+/-RW, DIM
[DV16DVP] - [420-5079]
--- DECODING SOFTWARE,POWER DVD,DI
[SB1024 ] - [313-2431]
--- SOUND BLASTER LIVE! 24-BIT,DIM
[SB1024 ] - [313-2720]
--- FACTORY INSTALLED AUDIO
[A425 ] - [313-3213]
--- DELL A425 SPEAKERS,LF,DIM
[NIS15M ] - [412-0759]
--- NORTON INTERNET SECURITY,15 MT
[MMPLUSB] - [412-0779]
--- MUSIC MATCH 9.0 PLUS,BNDL,DIM/
[DPS ] - [412-0744]
--- PHOTO ALBUM 5.1 STANDARD,DIM/I
[AOLDHS ] - [412-0625]
--- DELL/MY WAY HOME PAGE
[AOLDHS ] - [412-0687]
--- NETZERO ISP,DIM/INSP
[AOLDHS ] - [412-0787]
--- AOL FOR BROADBAND
[AOLDHS ] - [420-3224]
--- BROADBAND ICON FOR CONSUMER
[WPOM ] - [412-0702]
--- WORD PERFECT OFFICE 12,ENG,DIM
[SQ3OS ] - [950-3339]
--- 3YR LIMITED WARRANTY
[SQ3OS ] - [412-0359]
--- SOFT CONTRACTS - QUALXSERVE
[SQ3OS ] - [902-4502]
--- NBD,DIM NW,QLX,S90,2YR EXT,DHS
[SQ3OS ] - [950-5462]
--- TECH SPRT,DIM,2YR EXT
[SQ3OS ] - [960-6380]
--- TECH SPRT,DIM,S90,INIT YR
[SQ3OS ] - [960-6160]
--- NBD,DIM NW,QLX,S90,INIT YR,DHS

[playersare]

I'm a mac guy and my advice is to not spend more than $300, including monitor.

hint: don't buy new

[PSW]

I assume you bought a PC just for poker. What did you get? Are you able to get up to 4 tables going at once? I doubt I will go over that but I want the option.

Turns out the deal was too good to be true. Can't get the $600 off on that one...

[PSW]

In terms of requirements, is a P4 needed or is the Celeron D good enough? How about Ram? 512 MB enough?

Thanks

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

No need for anything that snazzy. Get a basic Dell and bump up the memory to 512MB for standard play, 1G if you plan to use PT and PV or GT+. This latter bump is not needed, but will make things a bit snappier.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

[ QUOTE ]
In terms of requirements, is a P4 needed or is the Celeron D good enough? How about Ram? 512 MB enough?

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never noticed any difference in online sites whether I was using a P4 or Celeron. As noted before, the P4 may speed up PT a bit, as will more memory. You prolly don't NEED 512MB, but will appreciate it.

[PSW]

I do want to run PT. I don't know what PV is... My top requirements are 4 tabling and PT.... Would I need a G of Ram for that?

Thanks

[playersare]

1Ghz with 512MB RAM is plenty for 4-tabling. we're not talking 3D FPS here after all. PT runs fine though I guess the backups could go a bit faster sometimes.

I've seen used setups like this for less than $100 on ebay which come with "any old" 17-inch screen. you can upgrade to a 2001FP after your first month or two of accumulating signup bonuses.

you can configure a new Dell for about $400 which will probably last you at least 5 years worth of online poker and casino games.

[PSW]

Thanks very much for the input sofar.

Here is another machine. It comes in at $625 delivered and includes the 19 inch FP monitor.

Dell Dimension 3000 Series Intel® Celeron® D Processor 320 (2.40GHz, 533 FSB)
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Keyboard and Mouse Bundles Dell Quietkey Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
Monitors 19 inch E193FP Analog Flat Panel
Video Card Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2
Hard Drive 40GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices No Floppy Drive Included
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD or DVD Drive Single Drive: FREE UPGRADE! 48x CD-RW Drive
Sound Card Integrated Audio
Speakers Dell A215 Speakers
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
Security Software New! Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition 15-months
Digital Music Musicmatch® Jukebox Basic
Digital Photography Photo Album™ SE Basic
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 2Yr Ltd Warranty, 2Yr At-Home Service, and 2Yr Technical Support
Internet Access Services 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service and Support
Financial Software (Preinstalled) No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial
Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™

[playersare]

configuration is fine.

the 19-inch monitor in that package probably won't support 1600x1200, so see if you can save a few bucks by downgrading to 17-inch for now. or if you can upgrade to 2001FP for less than the price difference if purchased separately, then just do it all in one shot.