Graduation present, need advice

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timmay586

Member
Feb 14, 2005
31
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I built a PC a few months ago. Here are the specs:

Athlon 64 3500+
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR400
Geforce 6800 Ultra
74GB Western Digital Raptor 10k RPM
DVD+/-RW
DVD+RW
CD-RW
Antec 480W TrueBlue
Dell 2001fp 20.1 inch LCD monitor
Logitech MX700 cordless optical mouse
Logitech Z640 5.1 speakers

For my graduation present, my parents told me they'd either get me a new laptop (I'd choose the parts) or I could keep one of the family laptops (which I basically already own) and get upgrades of my own choosing to my desktop/laptop. Here are my laptop's specs:

3.2GHz Pentium 4
1GB DDR400
Geforce 5600
60GB 7200 RPM HDD
DVD+/-RW
Built in wireless card

I really think my laptop is fine, and I think buying a new one would be a waste. On the other hand, upgrading my desktop would be almost impossible too without spending a ton of money on a relatively trivial improvement. One thing I would really do need is a printer/copier in one (add scanner/fax would be fine but I'll mostly just use it for printing and copying). I was also thinking about getting water cooling, but I have no idea what brand or anything to get. I'm sure you people have some ideas about what I could get for my computer, so please let me know! Don't go insane, but since it's my graduation present, my parent's are certainly willing to spend some money. Here are a few final things to consider:

1. I don't pirate anything, so I don't need much hard drive space. I don't listen to music or watch DVDs much either. My hard drive is less than half full at the moment.
2. I use this computer mostly for gaming, and I'm going to be a CS major (I'm going to Carnegie Mellon), probably with an emphasis on graphics.
3. I'm used to using low quality headphones that break after about 3 months. I'd like to get some good ones that won't break. Also, I'd love something with a microphone attached so I can talk in games like CS:S and UT2004.
4. My motherboard has integrated 5.1 audio (maybe even 7.1?), but maybe I should get a sound card?

I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have.
 
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t3h l337 n3wb

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2005
2,698
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W00t go CMU! If you already have a really powerful desktop, maybe you should consider an ultraportable laptop to carry around campus. I doubt that laptop will have much battery life, and it probably weighs a lot too.
 
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theMan

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2005
4,386
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yes, a very portable laptop is very good to have at college. just keep the desktop in your room. just upgrade to an xp-90, and overclock to fx-55. there isnt much you can upgrade to on your desktop. you wont need a soundcard, unless you are really into high quality sound, which would still cost you a ton of money (or your parents) and wouldnt be a very good upgrade. maybe you will want to get a super high quality CRT monitor for your graphics work?
 
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agnitrate

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
3,761
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Whatever you upgrade, I'll take the old parts :)

Seriously though, both your machines rock pretty hard. If you want some nice headphones, you can't go wrong with Senneheiser HD-280s (closed) or Grado SR-80s (open) for some nice bang for your buck. Get a standalone mic for games that costs more than $10 and it will perform fine.
 
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ProviaFan

Lifer
Mar 17, 2001
14,993
1
0
If that was a normal laptop I'd see no reason for another, but it appears to be a hot-running short-battery-life desktop replacement type, so a small Pentium M-based ultraportable would be a great thing to have for college. I can't comment on headphones because my current ones suck more than a commercial central vacuum system, but based on what I've heard, I lust after the Sennheiser HD-280's as well. :p

Also, if you don't have one, you might want to think about a small digital camera (something like the Canon A85). If you've never taken a picture in your life and don't think you ever will, then scratch this idea. ;)
 
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timmay586

Member
Feb 14, 2005
31
0
0
Thanks for your advice everyone, I think I will go with a small Dell laptop. As for the headphones, I'll look into those brands (my birthday is coming up too, so I can probably get both the headphones and the laptop). I don't ever really take pictures, but that might be because I don't have a camera, so I'll think about the digital camera too. Thanks everyone for your input!
 
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aatf510

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2004
1,811
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Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
W00t go CMU! If you already have a really powerful desktop, maybe you should consider an ultraportable laptop to carry around campus. I doubt that laptop will have much battery life, and it probably weighs a lot too.
Click to expand...

Your desktop looks great.
I am a CS Major in college, and I think getting a portable laptop would help.
 
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imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
1,788
0
0
A present for graduation! I graduated last year, so my parents said i could keep living at home without paying board or rent! Personally, Id say put the money towards a car, those computers are both fine.

But if the money's going to go towards a computer, then Id say get an intel centrino laptop. My dad got one about 18-24 months ago, and they rock. Small, light, integrated wireless networking and will easily give 6 hours on a single battery charge. I wont go into the details, but they use a technology similar to "AMD Cool 'n Quiet" or "Intel Speed Step" to do it. And dont wory that they have max clock speeds of around 2GHz. My DAD's centrino 1.6 outperforms his 2Ghz pentium 4. Sure, they're not for gaming, but you've got a desktop for that.

RoD
 
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mettleh3d

Senior member
May 6, 2005
330
0
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Thats the computer I just bought, only better. Why would u even dream of upgrading the upgrade?
 
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aatf510

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2004
1,811
0
0
Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
A 2.13 Ghz Pentium M can probably rival like an FX-55 in gaming o_O;
Click to expand...

Actually it takes a 2.4-2.5GHz P-M to rival like an FX-55.
 
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t3h l337 n3wb

Platinum Member
Apr 22, 2005
2,698
0
76
Yeah, something like that. I remember some site got an overclocked 2.13 to like 2.4 and rivaled the FX-55.
 
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