We *might* be getting a new computer!

[KennyTheGreat]

computers are outnumbed to people in my family too.

like my dad and mom own like 5 of them to themselves

i got 3

and my bro got 4

 

[TallBill]

we got 3 people here.. technically our network only has 3 pcs on it.. but i have at least 1 or 2 others runnin

at work.. we have almost 2 pcs per employee

 

[Kadarin]

johnjohn320, what's the budget like for the new box? Since it's going to be pre-built, I'm wondering if your dad's going the Alienware or the E-Machines route.. In addition to all the other advice here, you might also want to stay away from the P4/SDR route (have nothing against the P4 per se, but the combo with SDR blows monkey chunks).

Athlon systems will probably be a bit harder to find. (That's my guess, as I build systems rather than go hunting for a bargain on a pre-built setup)

 

[Sepen]

Originally posted by: Maggotry

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
This is big news for johnjohn and family. I'm 16, and we operate a single family computer (as far as I and my parents can see, what's the point of each kid having their own computer like *cough hack* some teenagers and their families).

Computers outnumber the living in my house.

Here here!

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: Maggotry

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
This is big news for johnjohn and family. I'm 16, and we operate a single family computer (as far as I and my parents can see, what's the point of each kid having their own computer like *cough hack* some teenagers and their families).

Computers outnumber the living in my house.

6 computers (2 not hooked up to anything though) 4 people in my house.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: Maggotry

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
This is big news for johnjohn and family. I'm 16, and we operate a single family computer (as far as I and my parents can see, what's the point of each kid having their own computer like *cough hack* some teenagers and their families).

Computers outnumber the living in my house.

Computers and people are currently equal in my house, but we still fight over the hub connections to the broadband line. We really need to get a router and a bigger hub.

 

[bonk102]

you can probably just wait for th enext dell hot deal and get a good system through them, i picked up a p1.7, 256 RDram, 80gig hd, 64meg video card, 8xdvd, 16xcdrw, 19"flat screen Trinitron montior, for $1299 after rebates, tnen throw in the visioneer scanner, klipsch 4.1, lexmark e210 printer, and epson photo 785epx printer, and the overall total was : $1599 for the whole setup, which i dont think is too bad, it's all about browsing hte hot deals forum now and then

 

[johnjohn320]

Well, so far, my dad's been looking at Dell (dude!) and Compaq (NO!!!!). I really hope he goes with the Dell if it's between these two. Here's the stats on the Dell that he has printed out (as in, this is what he's seriously considering, he still hasn't talked about it, this is just sitting on the desk next to our current computer).

256MB PC800 RDRAM (what's the diff between SD and RD anyway?)
80 Gig ATA/100 HD (woot!)
3.5 inch floppy
Win XP Home edition
17 in m782 Flat Screen CRT Monitor
64 MB DDR Nvidia GeForce 3 Ti200 w/ TV OUT (is there a big difference between the GeForce 2, 3, or 4?)
Some Harman Speakers w/ Subwoofer, a DVD ROM, a CD-RW
SB Live! Digital Sound card
56k modem
10/100 PCI Fast ethernet NIC

The compaq stats were similar with a GeForce 4 instead of 3.

 

[etalns]

RDRAM is far faster, more efficient mb vs performance ratio.

 

[etalns]

Up the sound card to a Santa Cruz, it's worth the few extra dollars.

edit: Santa Cruz is a sound card, not a video card. Duh, I'm stupid

 

[Freejack2]

Looks pretty good. I assume a Pentium 4. What mhz?
As for memory if I recall correctly pc800 rdram is slower than 266mhz ddr ram, not a huge thing but rdram is a little more expensive.
17" Isn't the biggest in the world but having a flat screen is a good thing. Went to a LCD flat screen last week and it's a huge difference!
All in all looks like a good system.
Do yourself a favor though, whatever system you get, order another 256mb from crucial.com. 512mb will help a bit.

 

[Torghn]

Dell is good, but usualy a bit pricy. I really don't like Compaq, but they do offer an AthlonXP system which in my optionion is a much better deal.

As far as memory the best is DDR, then RDRAM, then SDRAM. Some people will argue that RDRAM is better for really fast P4s (above 2.2Ghz) but in this case I'd just go with DDR 333.

 

[RossMAN]

Three important questions we need answers to:
1) How much is your father going to spend? If you don't know, find out.
2) What does your father/you/the rest of the family plan on doing with the PC? Why get a Dodge Viper when a Honda Accord will suit your needs.
3) One of the biggest costs of a new system is the monitor, are you getting a new monitor or using your current one?

 

[johnjohn320]

Well we're getting the computer mentioned above, with P4 2 ghZ, and 512 RAM instead of 256. I'm happy. Oh and a Santa Cruz Sound card.