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Need advice for budget build for speech recognition computer for disabled

S

SsupernovaE

Golden Member
I am disabled and use Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software to control my computer. My current computer is just dog slow when it comes to multitasking, and by its very nature using speech recognition to control other programs benefits from multiple cores.

So my Pentium D system is getting a little long in the tooth for what I use it for and I need some advice on a budget build for a quad core system.

I already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, DVD drive, speakers, and video card. I'm not going to reuse my hard drive because I want to keep the old system in a state ready to be used as a backup at a moments notice. There will be no overclocking or other fancy modifications. I need this system to be stable above all else because I depend upon this computer for my independence.

So geniuses, any advice? Try to keep it as cheap as possible without compromising too much on quality. No budget, just trying to see how low I can get it. Thanks in advance.
 
Get a Dell or HP. Then you will have relaibility as well as a warenty with customer support. You can go online and order just the tower since you already have the other periphials. Shouldn't cost you more then about $500 tops. You can even go to your local Office Depot or Staples and pick one up.
 
Yes. On a basic system like what you need, i.e. none gameing, its hard to build a system for the same price as the OEMs with similar specs. The get all sorts of discounts for purchasing in bulk. Not to mention the bloatware thats put on them. The makers of that software pay the OEMs to put it on there system. This helps to cut the cost of the system further. Then you have there mass licensing of the OS which also saves money.
 
I would think a nicely configured Dell Inspiron or Vostro would work well.
Something with a fast dual core processor and 2-4GB of memory.
I'm assuming that the "operating system" you already have is 32-bit, since DNS doesn't support 64-bit OS.

* One thing, since your dependant on DNS for operation, is adding an Audigy2 or X-Fi sound card.

Reason: The sound card is very important, specifically with DNS.
Dragon Naturally Speaking has a list of sound cards that it rates for "Accuracy" called "Nuance Certified".
Contact DNS about "Nuance Certified" X-Fi cards.

Support: "The most important factor in determining the level of performance for NaturallySpeaking is actually the quality of the sound card.
If you're sound card does not provide adequate sound levels, NaturallySpeaking will dictate slower than real-time.
The only way to fix this is to use a sound card that has been approved and listed in hardware compatilibity list."

 
Originally posted by: Blain
I would think a nicely configured Dell Inspiron or Vostro would work well.
Something with a fast dual core processor and 2-4GB of memory.
I'm assuming that the "operating system" you already have is 32-bit, since DNS doesn't support 64-bit OS.

* One thing, since your dependant on DNS for operation, is adding an Audigy2 or X-Fi sound card.

Reason: The sound card is very important, specifically with DNS.
Dragon Naturally Speaking has a list of sound cards that it rates for "Accuracy" called "Nuance Certified".
Contact DNS about "Nuance Certified" X-Fi cards.

Support: "The most important factor in determining the level of performance for NaturallySpeaking is actually the quality of the sound card.
If you're sound card does not provide adequate sound levels, NaturallySpeaking will dictate slower than real-time.
The only way to fix this is to use a sound card that has been approved and listed in hardware compatilibity list."
Click to expand...

Great point. Maybe upgrading the integrated sound on this computer will improve the speed.

Yes, I have 32-bit Windows XP. I'm looking at configurations and you guys are definitely correct. I'm going to research for one more week and then make my decision.
 
Originally posted by: jae
Are you sure a fresh install of windows xp wouldnt suffice?
Click to expand...

Lol, first thing I did! I even made a system image of the fastest configuration I could get by stripping out unnecessary processes and other bloatware. When it seems slow, I'll reimage the OS partition.

Thing is, many websites are becoming more demanding on CPU power and I'm definitely noticing that navigating the Web can become sluggish. Additionally, I'm taking a C++ programming course and Visual C++.net tends to be pretty tough on this Netburst space heater.
 
You could install a PCI Audigy2 or X-Fi (if it's "Nuance Certified"), in your current system and see how things work out.

At worst you've got a sound card ready for your next PC. 😉



BTW, Are you using a good quality mic for your input?
What's the rest of your Pentium D configuration?
 
Originally posted by: Blain
You could install a PCI Audigy2 or X-Fi (if it's "Nuance Certified"), in your current system and see how things work out.

At worst you've got a sound card ready for your next PC. 😉



BTW, Are you using a good quality mic for your input?
What's the rest of your Pentium D configuration?
Click to expand...

I'm using a Plantronics CS 50. Very good mic.

Don't know about the motherboard, but the rest is 2 GB 800 MHz DDR2, 160 GB HD, ATI X1600 PCI express 256 MB, 375 watt PS, generic DVD RW, and the usual peripherals.
 
The 32-bit XP shouldn't be pushing the 2GB all that hard.
* Are you running a Smithfield or Presler Pentium D?
Smithfield
805 / 2.66GHz / 533fsb
820 / 2.8GHz / 800fsb / 90nm
830 / 3GHz / 800fsb
840 / 3.2GHz / 800fsb

Presler
915 / 2.8GHz / 800fsb / 65nm
920 / 2.8GHz / 800fsb / 65nm
925 / 3GHz / 800fsb
930 / 3GHz / 800fsb
940 / 3.2GHz / 800fsb
945 / 3.4GHz / 800fsb
950 / 3.4GHz / 800fsb
960 / 3.6GHz / 800fsb

* Do you have XP "Performance Options" set for "Best Appearance" or "Best Performance"?
 
Originally posted by: Blain
The 32-bit XP shouldn't be pushing the 2GB all that hard.
* Are you running a Smithfield or Presler Pentium D?
* Do you have XP "Performance Options" set for "Best Appearance" or "Best Performance"?
Click to expand...

Best performance.

I'm afraid you have me on the processor. I do know it's 65 nm and 2.8 GHz.
 
DNS minimum requirements are pretty slim... P4 or AMD 1GHz, 512MB for XP.

If I were you, I'd give the OS a good scrubbing to clean it up and then give the sound card option a shot.
You might get away with spending very little $$ to snap the system back in shape for what you need.

As you can tell, I'm all about "Bang For The Buck"! :laugh:
 
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