Pimp my Computer

[surfdoc]

I know there have been a lot of threads on this subject but the search function has failed me yet again. I am not very well versed in the entire language of video cards and such so try to keep it basic and forgive my retardedness.

Here is want I want. Basically, a kickass poker setup. I already have 1 2001fp Dell monitor and running it off a laptop. It is okay but my system gets slow with PT and I am looking for a desktop. I want to be able to 8 table or 4 table do other things at the same time. I will get a second Dell monitor. I want to be able to use PT, playerview, and watch a DVD or TV at the same time. The local CompUSA guy showed me this windows media center thing. That looked pretty cool. Does it work well with all these other programs running? I am not all that concerned with saving a hundred dollars here or there. I want to ZOOM.

Here is what I have looked at so far: Sony VAIO VGC intel P4 550 3.4 GHZ with 1GB RAM and ATI Radeon X600 256 MB video.

also looked at: HP intel P4 540J with HT, 3.2 GHz, 1GB RAM, same video card.

other questions: in a recent thread on video cards Nightwish suggested the Geforce 6800 with dual DVI.

I think that card is $430. Do I need that to run dual DVI and TV at the same time or is that overkill? Should I pick the components one by one and buy online or just go back to the computer store and pick one off the shelf?

I know someone recently went through the same thing so if anyone has a link that would be a great start.

Thanks is advance for the help.

[lu_hawk]

Geforce 6800 is bad value, only get it if you want the best performance and don't care how much you spend. If you are just using it to play poker then you won't use any of the extra power on this card anyway and will just be throwing away a few hundred bucks. You can probably get a dual monitor capable video card for less than $100, if you are only using it for poker. If you want to play games then you would want something better the Geforce 6600 GT is about $200 and has pretty good performance.

IThe cheapest way is almost always to buy the components and put it together yourself, getting it from Dell would be the second best option and buying it from the computer store would probably be the worst.

[surfdoc]

[ QUOTE ]
Geforce 6600 GT

[/ QUOTE ]

Would this give me any problems running cable TV into one monitor?

Which Dell would be a good choice for my needs?

[csuf_gambler]

you should pitch this title to MTV.

[NoTalent]

You don't need the media center thing to run poker. All you need is a fairly up to date computer. look on bensbargains.net or something similar for deals from Dell. I wouldn't advise building one yourself unless you know what you are doing. With a Dell,HP, or whatever you will get a decent system for a cheap price (if you buy just the box for around ~300 to 500 bux).

[surfdoc]

[ QUOTE ]
You don't need the media center thing to run poker

[/ QUOTE ]

But I want to run television and poker stuff at the same time.

[bort411]

But I want to run television and poker stuff at the same time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Get a separate PCI TV tuner. I have an old one by Hauppage and it still works very well. The video cards with integrated TV tuners are generally overpriced, as are ones with dual DVI inputs. If you're not going to be doing any gaming, you don't need to spend $400-600 on video cards/ tv tuners.

A decent card for your needs would probably be something midrange, 128-bit and 128MB, costing $100-150 (ATI Radeon 9600xt perhaps). Processor speed, hard drive(s) speeds, and memory should be your big concerns for multitasking related to poker.

Note: I have absolutely no experience with Windows Media Center: my opinions are based on what I've done with XP Pro.

[SuitedSixes]

If you can wait, I've got a Dell 8400 with Microsoft Windows Media Center 2005 coming in the next two or three weeks. I can give you the low-down then.

[surfdoc]

Hi all. I have decided that the TV thing is overkill and just looking for dual monitor kick ass poker machine. Here is an update. I am wondering if anyone has specifically uced this video card. I think it is the most basic that Dell offers with dual DVI. Thanks.

Dimension 8400

Date & Time: January 14, 2005 8:54:17 PM


SYSTEM COMPONENTS




Dimension 8400
Qty

1

Pentium® 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Unit Price

$1,894.00

Dell Home Customers: ONLINE ONLY: Save 25% on the purchase of select Dimension™ desktop priced at $1199 or more (before tax and shipping)! (affiliate only online offer)


Limited Time Offer!



Remove Coupon



- $473.50



Catalog Number:
29


Module
Description
Product Code
Sku
Id

Dimension 8400
Pentium® 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB)
S328H
[221-5711]
1

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
WHXP
[412-0409][412-0688][463-2282][420-4834][420-4927][412-0749]
11

Memory
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x1GB)
2GB5
[311-3830]
3

Keyboard
Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
QK
[310-1582]
4

Monitor
No Monitor
N
[320-3000]
5

Video Card
256MB PCI Express™ x16 Nvidia® GeForce 6800 GTO Graphics Card
256GT68
[320-4076]
6

Hard Drive
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
80S
[341-1055]
8

Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices
No Floppy Drive Included
NFD
[340-8442]
10

Mouse
Dell Optical USB Mouse
OM
[310-4037]
12

Network Interface
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
IN
[430-0742]
13

Modem
56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
DFAX
[313-2279]
14

Document Management
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
AAREAD
[412-0705]
15

CD ROM/DVD ROM
Dual Drives: 16x DVD + FREE UPGRADE! 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write
DV16DVP
[463-4682][420-5079]
16

Sound Card
Sound Blaster® Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD™ Audio
SB1024
[313-2431][313-2720]
17

Speakers
Dell A425 Speakers w/Subwoofer
A425
[320-2479]
18

Productivity Software
WordPerfect®, Powerful Word Processing
CORELM
[412-0701]
22

Security Software
No Security Subscription
NS2
[412-0754]
25

Digital Music
Dell Jukebox - easy-to-use music player and CD burning software
MMBASE
[412-0741]
27

Digital Photography
Paint Shop™ Pro® Studio trial, Photo Album™ Starter Edition
DPS
[412-0744]
28

Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options
1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
S111OS
[950-1260][950-3337][950-9797][412-0360][960-2800]
29

Dial-up Internet Access
6 Months of America Online Membership Included
AOLDHS
[412-0585][412-0625][420-3224][412-0687]
37


TOTAL: $1,420.50

[stinkypete]

that's a lot of ram.

i wish dell had -25% deals in canada.