A64+UniChrome=?

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sempanator

Junior Member
Feb 13, 2005
7
0
0
What happened was that my computer that I built around a month ago just blew with a power surge. the company Belkin gave me $3200 to replace everything I had (I had to get another Belkin to get the additional $200).

Anyways, I have all the money to spend in one month on a new computer only. I cannot keep the money and any unused returens to the company. I am no longer building and already know what I will get. I will get a Alienware Hyperspeed (pretty basic A64 system 3200+).

What I don't know is that how the performance of basic computing will be affected by paring a A64 with a UniChrome Integrated Graphics vs. ATi Radeon 9550SE. I do not game so should I get integrated? I was planning on spending most of my money on a 30' NEC Monitor that Alienware sells.

Here is what I have so far (I am not building):

A64 3200+
1GB Alienware Brand RAM
160GB HDD
Integrated UniChrome S3 Graphics and Integrated Sound
30' LCD Screen

Thanks yall.

And to tell you the truth, it really sucks even when you get this much money. That Belkin was like a bomb. you should see my wall.
 
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sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
an A64 on some crappy integrated graphics is like buying a dodge viper and then get these 13-inch steel wheels with hub caps for it.
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Integrated graphics steal system memory and memory bandwidth, and perform badly if you ever need to run an application that needs 3D acceleration (including Longhorn if you upgrade to MS's successor to Windows XP in 2006 or 7).

Just in case you need 3D, you might want to get an ATI X300 or nVidia 6200-6600.
 
StrangerGuy

StrangerGuy

Diamond Member
May 9, 2004
8,443
124
106
I have used a Unichrome first-hand and the 2D performance is already subpar (black squares seen when maximising/minimising windows)...Let alone 3D.
 
S

sempanator

Junior Member
Feb 13, 2005
7
0
0
Well, as far as I can see, the only other option is ATi Radeon 9550SE. I only surf the net and type up papers most of the time anyways.
 
ViRGE

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
Originally posted by: sempanator
Well, as far as I can see, the only other option is ATi Radeon 9550SE. I only surf the net and type up papers most of the time anyways.
Click to expand...
Why a 9550SE? If you're going AGP, a 9600 of some sort would probably be a better idea in the long-run.
 
L

larry89

Senior member
Feb 8, 2005
639
0
0
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Originally posted by: sempanator
Well, as far as I can see, the only other option is ATi Radeon 9550SE. I only surf the net and type up papers most of the time anyways.
Click to expand...
Why a 9550SE? If you're going AGP, a 9600 of some sort would probably be a better idea in the long-run.
Click to expand...

alienware.
 
T

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,789
0
0
That just sounds like a terrible waste of money to me. You're talking about getting a mediocre and overpriced computer and a monitor that is $3,007.68 before shipping.

http://www.alienware.com/GearShop_Pages...op_Detail.aspx?ItemId=11315&CatId=1008

Dell and Amazon both sell it for a few hundred cheaper. TechOnWeb.com (which has reviews as good as Newegg) has it for $2664 delivered.

http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=A23914&src=PG

If you're going to use a 1280x768 display and you don't play games, you don't need that good a video card. You could get the whole system with the screen spending just the $3200 you're getting.

Biostar NF3 250 board: $56.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-247

Sempron 2800+: $88.99 + 1.99 = 90.98
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-104-224

Sapphire R9600: $69.00 + $3.00 = 72.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-305

1024MB (2x512) Corsair CL 2.5 = $87.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-440

160GB, 7200RPM, 8MB cache HDD = $87.50 + 3.99 = 91.49
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-145-061

NEC 3520A = $51.99 + 2.99 = 54.98
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-035

Antec 350W silent case = $60.50 + 15.99 = 76.49
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-150

I guess that only comes out to $3193, so I'd throw in a round ATA cable. With a near-silent case and a passive video card, it'd also be really quiet... but I guess you're not looking to build the system yourself. Still, you're wasting money at Alienware, especially if you're not planning on gaming.
 
F

fishmonger12

Senior member
Sep 14, 2004
759
0
0
i'd get a dell xps with as much stuff as 3,000 will get, and sell off the extra stuff you don't need (x850xt pe, extra ram, etc.)
 
A

Arcanedeath

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2000
2,822
1
76
I'd suggest staying away from intergrated graphics unless its ATI's new RS480, nothing really even compares to a Radeon 9600 at this point.
 
A

asintu

Senior member
Apr 8, 2005
628
0
0
Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
I have used a Unichrome first-hand and the 2D performance is already subpar (black squares seen when maximising/minimising windows)...Let alone 3D.
Click to expand...

hey!
what unichrome did u use? k8m chipset?
does it suck so bad? i mean for movies and stuff
 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,204
45
91
Yeah, if you want integrated video, check out this board.

With a big budget though, you might as well throw in a matrox card for really nice 2d.
 
M

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
voodoopc(premier custom builders, great techs, much faster than specs would suggest due to some tweaks and care they do to pc before they ship it to you)>

better than
falcon northwest/Vicious Computers(Great Custom builders, non indian techs from this level and up)>

better than
Ibuypower/Cyberpower/ABS PC(custom builders)>HP/IBM/OTHERS(no ocing capability, crappy customer service, less choice)>

better than
DELL/Alienware(overpriced without very big discounts, no oc,)

seriously, stay away from alienware.
 
A

aatf510

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2004
1,811
0
0
Originally posted by: sempanator
What happened was that my computer that I built around a month ago just blew with a power surge. the company Belkin gave me $3200 to replace everything I had (I had to get another Belkin to get the additional $200).

Anyways, I have all the money to spend in one month on a new computer only. I cannot keep the money and any unused returens to the company. I am no longer building and already know what I will get. I will get a Alienware Hyperspeed (pretty basic A64 system 3200+).

What I don't know is that how the performance of basic computing will be affected by paring a A64 with a UniChrome Integrated Graphics vs. ATi Radeon 9550SE. I do not game so should I get integrated? I was planning on spending most of my money on a 30' NEC Monitor that Alienware sells.

Here is what I have so far (I am not building):

A64 3200+
1GB Alienware Brand RAM
160GB HDD
Integrated UniChrome S3 Graphics and Integrated Sound
30' LCD Screen

Thanks yall.

And to tell you the truth, it really sucks even when you get this much money. That Belkin was like a bomb. you should see my wall.
Click to expand...

I don't get it. You are spending $3000 on a basic A64 system + intergrated graphics??
and you are getting the 30' LCD Screen to watch movie right? I don't think anyone would like to type papers on a 30' Screen.
 
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