Help Me Build My New Computer

[Dynasty]

For a few reasons, I'm getting a new desktop computer. I'm good at using software but my hardware knowledge is rather weak. So, I could use some advice.

The primary uses of my computer over the next few years should be:

1. Playing online poker
2. Net surfing
3. Excel and occassional Word use
4. Occasional games

I went into Office Depot and got a price of $1,377.30 for a new Compaq Presario 8000T w/ Intel P4 HT Processor. Here are the details.

Processor: 3.0 GHz(HT) Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4
Operating System: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
Memory: 512 MB DDR/PC3200 (2 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 160 GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive
CD or DVD Drive: 48x max hp CD-Writer Drive (48x24x48)
Keyboard and Mouse: Compaq Home Professional Keyboard and Opt Mouse
Front Access Ports: Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports
Sound Card: Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ Front Audio ports
Video Card: 256MB DDR NVIDIA GeForceFX(TM) 5500, DVI& TV-Out
Monitor: CV7500 17in. CRT Display
Removable Storage: 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
Speakers: Altec-Lansing 221 2.1 Speakers
Business Productivity: Microsoft(R) Works 7.0/Money2004/MSN Encarta Plus

Any advice on where I can downgrade and save money as well as upgrading to meet my needs is very helpful.

It should be noted that I intend to have two monitors attached to this computer for multi-table online poker.

[MMMMMM]

Yay Dynasty! I've been wondering the same thing.

Curious also what upgrades I should get if I want to play high-intensity graphics games as well, and if there is any type of hard disk that permits much faster access than the usual...

[Clarkmeister]

You are getting cable modem, right?

[MarkD]

Alright, I'm going to do this from memory but that machine is overpriced for sure. Also, Compaq computers have been rated very low in terms of reliability for home computers. My sister has a compaq that was [censored] (needed new motherboard, hard drive, etc.)

Go to Dell and check prices there if you want a pre-built computer. In 10 minutes I priced out this system with the same amount of ram, similar video card, 2 monitors (1 15" LCD and 1 19" CRT) and a few other options for $1468.

EDIT: If you notice this machine has both a DVD rom and a DVD writer (I didn't research the modes it supports). If you want a cd-writer I'd just remove the dvd-rom when it comes and go buy an OEM cd-writer from your local computer shop for like $25. Anyhow, I also agree with boris about good speakers which means you should probably scrap the speakers that comes with the computer and buy some better ones (Klipsh for example).

If you want the best bang for your buck you should build your own, but if you want pre-built Dell is the only way that I would go.
----------------------------------------------------------
Dell Dimension 8300 Series Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3GHz w/800MHz FSB SP308H [221-2452] 1
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition WHXP [420-1921][313-7222][412-0409] 11
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz (2x256M) 512M4 [311-3001] 3
Keyboard Dell ® Quietkey ® Keyboard QK [310-1582] 4
Monitors FREE UPGRADE! 15 in (15.0 in viewable) E152FPb Flat Panel Display E152FPP [462-7966] 5
Video Card New 128MB DDR GeForce FX 5200 Graphics Card with TV-Out and DVI 128FX52 [320-3751] 6
Hard Drive 80GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 80 [341-0835] 8
Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD [340-8628] 10
Mouse Dell™ Optical USB Mouse OM [310-4037] 12
Network Interface Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet IN [430-0412] 13
Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem DFAX [313-2279] 14
CD orDVD Drive Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + FREE UPGRADE! 8x DVD+RW Drive DVD8DVP [462-7704][313-2559][430-0594][462-7813] 16
Sound Card Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio IS [313-2758] 17
Speakers Dell A425 Speakers w/Subwoofer A425 [313-2134] 18
Productivity Software Productivity Pack including WordPerfect® and Money® COREL [412-0395][412-0551][412-0555] 22
Security Software McAfee Security Center w/VirusScan, Firewall and Privacy, 90-day trial MCAFE90 [412-0632] 25
Digital Music Dell Jukebox powered by MUSICMATCH MMBASE [412-0516] 27
Digital Photography Dell Picture Studio, Paint Shop Pro Trial, Photo Album Starter Edition DPS [412-0521] 28
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options 1 Year Limited Warranty plus 1 Year At-Home Service S111OS [950-1260][950-3337][950-9797][412-0360] 29
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months America Online Internet Access Included AOLDHS [420-3224][412-0625][412-0587] 37
Multi-Media Players RealOne™ Player, with 14 day SuperPass trial REALBAS [412-0380] 40
Optional Second Monitor 19 in (18.0 in viewable) M992 CRT Monitor M992 [320-3826] 45
Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™ DMX [412-0519] 115
Dual Monitor Support DVI-VGA Adapter to connect 2 CRT Monitors to dual capable Video Card 2TI4600 [320-0456] 130

ACCESSORIES

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None selected Qty 1
Unit Price $0.00

TOTAL: $1,468.00

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[Boris]

1. For the desktop make sure that you have at least three USB ports and look for a model that has ports in the front. I would trade multiple USB ports for one firewire port.

2. upgrade to one flat panel LCD display. I play multi table with one screen and it works just fine for me. Trust me though when I tell you that LCD is far, far better than the CRT. The LCD is easier on your eyes and you will save lots and lots of space. It is also much easier to move around. With an LCD you can also adjust the background brightness to the "perfect" level for you. You will feel much better after sitting in front of the computer for hours at a time.

3. I wouldn't sacrifice on the audio. Internet radio is great and so is having your entire cd collection on your hard drive.

4. You will survive just fine without the floppy drive. A USB Flash memory stick is much more convenient.

[MarkD]

For high intensity graphics games the best investment is a top of the line video card. If you can wait a few months the next generation of video cards are coming out so this generation will drop in price.

Last I checked the top ATI cards are performing better than the top Nvidia cards at the moment so I would look at a ATI 9800 / 9700. There are various models that you will want to check benchmarks on and determine if the price / performance is worth it.

For hard drives the newest way to go is "Serial ATA". Instead of that big wide cable for your hard drive now it's just a little thin single wire and is a bit faster. The fastest drive I know of atm (and I haven't researched the benchmarks) would be the Western Digital SATA 10,000 RPM drive. Most non-scsi drives are 7200 RPM.

[MarkD]

Also, I only priced this system because it was about the same price as the one you quoted. You can quite easily get a much cheaper system that will suit your needs.

Go to www.arstechnica.com and check the system guides and look at the lower model ones.

[Sooga]

Yuck Yuck yuck yuck yuck.

I would really stay away from 'brand' computers, since a lot of them come with crapola onboard or other proprietary stuff that is a pain to replace or remove. Go to a computer superstore or online and just buy parts yourself. I'm not sure how much you know about buying parts, but you can probably find an out-of-work computer nerd around you to do it for a nominal fee. My mom bought a Compaq and that thing was the biggest piece of garbage I've ever used.

Mark


[ QUOTE ]
For a few reasons, I'm getting a new desktop computer. I'm good at using software but my hardware knowledge is rather weak. So, I could use some advice.

The primary uses of my computer over the next few years should be:

1. Playing online poker
2. Net surfing
3. Excel and occassional Word use
4. Occasional games

I went into Office Depot and got a price of $1,377.30 for a new Compaq Presario 8000T w/ Intel P4 HT Processor. Here are the details.

Processor: 3.0 GHz(HT) Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4
Operating System: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
Memory: 512 MB DDR/PC3200 (2 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 160 GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive
CD or DVD Drive: 48x max hp CD-Writer Drive (48x24x48)
Keyboard and Mouse: Compaq Home Professional Keyboard and Opt Mouse
Front Access Ports: Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports
Sound Card: Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/ Front Audio ports
Video Card: 256MB DDR NVIDIA GeForceFX(TM) 5500, DVI& TV-Out
Monitor: CV7500 17in. CRT Display
Removable Storage: 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
Speakers: Altec-Lansing 221 2.1 Speakers
Business Productivity: Microsoft(R) Works 7.0/Money2004/MSN Encarta Plus

Any advice on where I can downgrade and save money as well as upgrading to meet my needs is very helpful.

It should be noted that I intend to have two monitors attached to this computer for multi-table online poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Nepa]

Save yourself alot of trouble. Goto www.dell.com and built your system there.

P.S. I work in the computer field

[illunious]

For online poker, displays should be your #1 priority.

If you plan on playing 5+ tables (or are multitasking while playing less tables), two 19+" 1600x1200 resolution displays (and a dual output video card) are worth their weight in gold.

Online poker, net surfing and excel/word use are not really an issue with any bottom-of-the line $500 PC.

You can go to extravagent lengths when you get into any of the latest 3d games, but honestly, if you buy any year+ old game, it will run on any cheap newer system.

Spend your money on the displays, the desk, the chair, the headphones, the internet connection, the KB and mouse. If you plan on spending hours in front of your computer, these things are far more important than the box.