comp help

[skriFF]

So Ive been shopping for a new computer lately. My main uses for it are going to be mostly CD/DVD play and writing, e-mail/web browing, some school work, and online gaming. I don't know a whole lot about computers and I decided I wanted to customize my own with the help of a friend. This is what we found:

Processor:
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 540J w/ HT Technology 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB 1MB Cache

Memory:
512MB Alienware® Single Channel Low-Latency DDR PC-3200 at 400MHz - 1 x 512MB

System Drive:
250GB Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache

Optic Drive:
NEC® ND-3520 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Drive

Storage:
Alienware® 10-in-1 Digital Media Reader / Writer

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS High Definition 7.1 Surround Firewire (IEEE® 1394)

Graphics Processor:
ATI RADEON™ X300 PCI Express 128MB DDR w/Digital and TV Out

Now my question is, how well will all of that work together? Will there be significant lag during games/CD and DVD downloading or anything along those lines?

Thanks for any help in advance.

[andrew.brandon]

alienware is some really expensive stuff. are you buying their components or an alreay built computer from them? if your buying a pre built computer I would suggest looking at some local computer shops first. they can build you the same thing for much less.

everything looks good cept the memory. you need at least twice that much. that much of a sound card isn't really needed but it is nice to have.

[99V6Camaro]

Personally i wouldnt buy a Pentium.. im an AMD guy and everyone that has ever used my laptop or desktop have been amazed at how fast it is compared to their pentiums.. And i have also very bad things about Alienware customer support..

Just my 2 cents

[skriFF]

Wow, I just looked at the AMD website and I understood very little of it. It makes me realize how little I know about computer internals. I'm starting to think I need somebody with good knowledge and experience help me build what I want.

Looking at all the different types and specs for the processors, memory, etc. just confuses the crap out of me.

Anybody got any suggestions?

[andrew.brandon]

barebones kit

at least 1 more stick of ram to go with the one included in the barebones kit.

a nice video card. or maybe something a little faster for your gaming needs.

DVD/CD burner

bad *** sound card

speakers

odds and ends

you will need an operating system. I have an opened but never used copy of windows XP home ed. if your intrested.


build it yourself and save loads of money. and don't forget that many of us here have done the same so we are more than willing to help you out on anything.

[Fredless]

I've had my P4 2.40Ghz with HT since June 2003 and I'm extremely happy with it still.

One thing, do yourself a huge favor and go ahead and get 1GB of memory. About 5 months ago, I added another stick of kingston hyperx pc3200 memory to my system, and it was quite a big help on games.

[99V6Camaro]

andrew brandon has the right idea.. if you dont know how to build a computer ill build it for. Email me if your interested, i can save you a lot of money.

[skriFF]

I have a semi idea of what im looking for/need:

Processor: 2.8-3.2Ghz @ 533-800Mhz
Memory: 1Gb @ 400Mhz
Hard drive: 250Gb 7200rpm

^^^ Is that correct? Also is there anything else I would really need besides whats on the list than andrew.brandon created? btw thanks a lot for that andrew, it really helped.

Then other various things like CD/DVD, sound and video cards, speakers and things like that. I just need to find some good prices. I do like the barbones kit though.

[ July 02, 2005, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: skriFF ]

[shenanigans]

Honestly just a tip...

check out dell.com... year or two ago.. I would have said build your own... but recently computers are getting sick in price. Check out the small business section as well and cruise www.fatwallet.com and such sometimes they have good deals.

today we got my coworker a computer 2.4ghz, 512mb ram, 40 gig HD, winxp home 15" Flatscreen monitor for $400 shipped, and a $100 mail in rebate...

not as much as you were looking for but prices like that are hard to beat.

[95Batmobile]

I agree with the rest of the guys, get at least a gig of ram.
I am also an AMD fan, my 3000+ would constant load games and whatnot faster than my friends 3.06HT pentium.
However, the computer to priced in the first post is not a bad computer, just get more RAM and you will be fine.

[LD]

Originally posted by shenanigans:
Honestly just a tip...

check out dell.com... year or two ago.. I would have said build your own... but recently computers are getting sick in price. Check out the small business section as well and cruise www.fatwallet.com and such sometimes they have good deals.

today we got my coworker a computer 2.4ghz, 512mb ram, 40 gig HD, winxp home 15" Flatscreen monitor for $400 shipped, and a $100 mail in rebate...

not as much as you were looking for but prices like that are hard to beat.

my work uses Dell, except they paid 6,000 or so for my workstation :eek: