Can someone explain why PC makers do this?

[Topshelf]

I was walking through Sam's Club today so I took a stroll through the computer section. They had a few high end pc's for sale in there. 2 from HP(1Gig and 900Mhz) and 1 from Compaq(1Gig). They are all loaded up with 128MB RAM, 60Gig HDD's, CDR-W's and all that fun stuff. Seems pretty good. But why in the world do they put TNT's in there? One was a Vanta and the other were TNT's! Even a TNT2 at this point is totally lame. And the chances are that it's shared memory too. Ahhhhhhhhh!! Why would you put such a cheesy vid card into a $2000 1Gig system? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a 1Gig cpu? It just amazes me. Not that I would ever buy a pre-built system, but I just don't understand the thinking behind such a decision. That is all.

 

[Modus]

A few reasons:

1) All brand name PC's are inherently evil.

2) To market a computer you must pander to what the ignorant masses THINK makes a computer good. And these are the clock speed of the CPU, the amount of RAM, and the size of the HD. Nothing else is important. Sure, you can throw in goodies like larger monitors or DVD's or CDRW drives, but the big three (CPU, RAM, HD) are what really counts. Even five years after the 3D revolution, the vast majority of the public has no idea that most modern games require a decent 3D accelerator. What's worse, there is no "magic MHz rating" to tell them which video card is better.

3) All brand name PC's are inherently evil.

Modus

 

[Gunbuster]

If you put a $300 video card in a $2000 machine it's now a $2300 machine and sams club people only see MHZ. It's all about price point
Do you want to support a geforce on a 135 watt micro atx power sup?


It also pushes customers to CTO machines that cost more if they want the hot video cards.

 

[Electric Amish]

Because the people that buy those systems don't know any better.

Anyway, you could build a 1gig system yourself for $1500 or less with the vid card of your choice.

amish

 

[Mday]

manufacturers cut costs as much as they can.

those items are old and cheap.

besides, i don't buy prebuilt systems.

 

[HaVoC]

I've found BY AND LARGE that the average person with a layman's knowledge of PCs thinks that the AMOUNT OF MEMORY in the video card, not the chipset is what's most important. So, a 32MB GF2 GTS would be automatically worse than a 64MB ATI Rage Fury MAXX.

As all of us Anandtechers know, the general public is pretty stupid so you have to design a pretty stupid computer to sell to these people.

 

[Topshelf]

I would never buy a pre-built system either. I build all mine and my friends systems for them. I just can't not walk down an aisle when I see pc's there, hehe. I guess you guys are all right though. The uninformed have no idea at all that that awesome vid card in there is really a piece of junk. Oh well, guess that answers my question. Next time I see an aisle full of pc's, I'm just going to turn away and look for the pr0n aisle.

 

[CQuinn]

Talk about missing the point...

Guys, if your a large OEM like HP, Compaq, etc. your first concern
is not getting hot video cards to put in machines, it is in getting
video cards at all to put in machines.

These companies make contracts for cards like TNTs because they know
that if they order 10,000 they will get 10,000... not some sob story
about how demand was too high in the retail channel and the card makers
just couldn't keep up.

Even if they could get the higher-end cards, they can get the others
cheaper in bulk order and have a better gaurantee of mature drivers
and known hardware support issues.

 

[brassmonkey7]

I think it all boils down to the bottom line.....
all of them are out for the money

 

[Guygye]

What audacity, imagine companies trying to make money?

that takes the cake

 

[NicColt]

Most of the people who buy brand names are not your typical HardCore gamers and I have a TnT2 and it's still more than enough to run any game available today, yea getting a Radeon or GTS2 if fine but is still very expensive, it's just not for everyone nor is it an absolute requirement.

 

[HaVoC]

I'm saying that's fine about trying to make money and all but the companies WOULD NOT make money if the public wasn't so mis-informed about graphics choices. People one a shoestring budget could at least demand GF2 MX cards which will certainly run rings around a TNT2 at lower resolutions.

EDIT: Like someone else eluded to, it is the 1Ghz that really sells the machine.

 

[Davegod75]

well guys all took what I was gonna say. you all nailed it in my opinion

 

[hans007]

ATI xpert2000. a rage128 with 64bit memory, but 32megs of it. its in sooo many computers

 

[Cosmic_Horror]

most people that buy brand name computers use it as an e-machine anyway so they don't really need a geforce 2 gts.

i helped a friends parents buy a computer (p3 733, 128mb ram, 10Gb hdd) and they said they never wanted to play any games etc on it, just sure the net, write email and use voice recognition software, so i suggested a TnT2 M64. The system is 6 weeks old and i had won another copy of NFS: PU so i gave them the extra copy as i already bought it, and they love it!

Glad i suggested the tnt2 and not intergrated video.

ps i run NSF: PU on a cel450A 192Mb and TNT1)

 

[HaVoC]

Good call, Topshelf. I've found people who say they don't game but use PCs just haven't experienced games on a decent video card.

When nVidia gets into chipsets, hopefully, cheap, decent performance video will finally arrive to the low end computers.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Yes the public is pretty stupid when it comes to computers but so are the people selling them. Today me and my dad went too look at laptops. One has a k6-2 450 and another a celeron 466. My dad asked the guy witch one was faster and for what type of aplications and the guy just said something complely irrelevant because he had no clue.Heh im 15 and I know alot more than than most of the salesmen who sell the POS prebuilt systems.

 

[digme]

ok...with all this... i got to say.... i was keepin up till i started work....
@ least somebody.....somebody lead me to hardware....reviews....
I was going to buy an OEM comp(not that i lack the skills to put one together but time ....time my men)...anyway, links....need links to hardware review sites.....
and by the way PIII or AMD? U think PIII ever gonna come back..?




<< remember, Not Knowing Was Never A Ssin..... >>

 

[Topshelf]

I know most people who buy OEM systems aren't hardcore gamers. And I have to agree with everything said here. Some very good points made. It just seems to me that when you are selling a 1Gig system, whether for gaming or e-mails, you deserve a half decent video card too. Like mentioned earlier, the GF2 MX would be fine for these machines. I have one friend who went out and bought a Compaq and he just left my house. After a few minutes on my machine I now have to head over to the Sale forum, hehe...He wants a CPU upgrade, Video upgrade and a HDD upgrade. And this isn't even 1 year old. Oh well, guess I'm no better really.

 

[SSP]

TNT 2 is more then enough for any game. It might not be the fastest in Q3A, but still a pretty good card (keep in mind, not everyone play Q3).

 

[MikeHelvey]

$$$$$ Is there any other answer?

 

[Sloakie]

Tell me if you can build a system like this for $800: 17&quot; monitor, 30 gig harddrive, 256 megs of Ram, 900mhz Pentium III, DVD, printer, scanner, software, modem, soundcard.

You can't. So there are some good reasons to by pre-built systems.

Nationwide Warehouse

 

[Eug]

Uh, not everyone plays games???

For most people reasonable 2D quality is all they need.

I couldn't care less what 3D acceleration my office computer has, as long as the 2D is good (which it isn't ).

 

[adamone11]

<<< Tell me if you can build a system like this for $800: 17&quot; monitor, 30 gig harddrive, 256 megs of Ram, 900mhz Pentium III, DVD, printer, scanner, software, modem, soundcard.

You can't. So there are some good reasons to by pre-built systems. >>>

17&quot;: $140
30 gig harddrive: $90
256MB: $83 * 2 = $166
860mhz p3....ouch $335
8x dvd drive: $60
printer: cheapie $5 rebate deal
scanner: $30
modem: $10
soundcard: integrated $0
mobo: $110
(videocard) integrated $0
ONE DISGRUNTLED Junior Member: Priceless

I'm sure you can be a little more...unscrupulous...to knock the extra 190 off the cpu price
As for your proposed prebuilt OEM system: Looks good, can we get a link?

 

[Sloakie]

First of all, where are you buying your stuff? Second, the total is $946. Third, you forgot the software. Finally, try it with a decent sound and video card.