King Needs a new Computer (in Off-topic)


King June 26 2008 8:06 PM EDT

I'm currently looking to buy a new computer because the one I'm currently working on is about 20 years old and has been frankensteined to stay alive for the past few years.

My budget for a computer at the moment is about $1,300 CDN and I've currently found 2 that look somewhat usable for basic gaming/home use and I'm looking for opinions.

Computer #1 $1150
Processor: Intelᆴ Pentium Dᆴ Processor E2140 with Dual Core Technology
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vistaᆴ Home Basic
Monitor: 22 inch Analog LCD Monitor
Memory: 2GB High Performance DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- with enhanced thermal performance and Guaranteed Lifetime Warranty
Hard Drive: 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive: DVD Burner
Graphics Card: ATIᆴ Radeon X1600 Series
Sound Card: 5.1 High Definition Audio - Dolby Digital Surround Sound supporting the latest Dolby Pro Logic IIx. Designed for Glitch Free Audio Playback

Computer #2 $1200

PROCESSOR: Intelᆴ Coreル 2 Duo Processor E8400 (6MB L2 Cache,3.0GHz,1333FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM: Genuine Windows Vistaᆴ Home Premium Service Pack 1
MEMORY: 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
HARD DRIVE: 320GB - Seagate 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
GRAPHICS CARD: 256MB Radeonル ATI HD 2600 XT
OPTICAL DRIVE: Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
MONITOR: 19 inch SE198WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
SOUND CARD: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

Neither comes with a non-wireless network card which is somewhat inconvenient for me atm. Also I'm aware the specs aren't similarly formatted but this is a cut/paste job.

Opinions on the two and any other desktops you may have seen at similar prices on/in Canadian sites/funds would be greatly appreciated.

King June 26 2008 8:47 PM EDT

forgot to mention I'm just looking for something with basic 3d capabilities and the ability to stream obscenely-high definition video. hard drive size doesn't matter(i currently work on a 40gb and it's only 74% full)

also i know vista sucks, it can't be helped in most cases.(computer #1 is somewhat lacking in information on all hardware though)

and thanks to raveshaw for pointing me towards ebay but other sites would be welcomed.

QBsutekh137 June 26 2008 8:56 PM EDT

Have you seen this:

New HP.

Closer to $1300, but a decent piece of kit for pure Vista use... Mossberg think it kinda sucks for the touch stuff. Might be a nifty option though, and 4 GB of RAM (plus 64-bit Vista installed).

PearsonTritonRaveshaw June 26 2008 8:57 PM EDT

you're welcome =) etc. computers uses ebay shops as an online way to distribute their products. their computers have a warranty. Basically it's like buying from dell but at half the price, and their computers are more than twice as cool anyway.
For anybody else looking to purchase a computer, go to ebay and shop for "etc. computers". They are a Canadian company, but the USD/canadian exchange rates are a 1:1 ratio, give or take a few fractions of a penny.

QBsutekh137 June 26 2008 9:19 PM EDT

Slight edge to the USD, Ravenshaw! *grin* I'll take a look if I ever need a PC again!

Flatcap [East Milwaukee Devival] June 26 2008 9:30 PM EDT

check out Cyberpowerpc.com It's where I got mine, really cheap, good support, can get more than you've got listed there for less. And go for an AMD chip, <3

ResistanZ2 [The Knighthood] June 26 2008 9:40 PM EDT

The second computer has a better graphics card, but if you want the best advice, stay away from ATI at all.

ScY June 26 2008 11:54 PM EDT

Once you go Alienware, you don't go back...

BrandonLP June 26 2008 11:57 PM EDT

...because you don't have money to go back.

Lord Bob June 27 2008 12:01 AM EDT

Pay someone to custom-build you a new machine. That way you're more likely to have an opportunity to avoid Vista.

AdminQBnovice [Cult of the Valaraukar] June 27 2008 12:03 AM EDT

Dell's Vostro line (small business section) really can't be beat...

ResistanZ2 [The Knighthood] June 27 2008 12:17 AM EDT

I just tried making my own laptop on Alienware's website. I guess the priciest laptop you can make is over $6000. That absolutely blows my mind. You could buy a car for $6000. Geeeeeeez. I just hope one day I have enough money to blow on a laptop like that.. but I guess by the time that rolls around, we'll have laptops made of light and stuff. >.>

Flatcap [East Milwaukee Devival] June 27 2008 12:23 AM EDT

Alienware is a subsection of Dell now by the way

ResistanZ2 [The Knighthood] June 27 2008 1:25 AM EDT

Yeah, but since Alienware has direct access to Dell's product line, Alienware products are CHEAPER than they were before, as hard as that is to believe.
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