Will this be enough for HL2?

Bartokomus

Golden Member
Mar 15, 2002
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unless you are completely unable to use your hands and eyes, you could sooooo build a better machine than that thing. But if that's not your cup-of-tea, check out some of the built to order companies. But if you really want that one., do yourself a fave and double up on the memory asap.
 

Astu222

Senior member
Sep 7, 2004
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Well my mother doesnt trust that I have enough knollege to put together a PC (i feel I do but thats a different argument in it self). I've tried dell but the cheapest PC they have (with an open graphics port) is the 4700, and it has a pci-e slot, which is good but it limits my choices for video cards and the dell is also more expensive than the emachines. I just need a passable rig for games like HL2 and CSS untill I have saved up enough money for a better, probably A64, based machine. and I can get a 512 meg stick for cheap anyway so thats no big deal.
 

OnEMoReTrY

Senior member
Jul 1, 2004
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If you build it yourself you will be able to upgrade when you have more money a lot easier then if you get a Dell. You could probably find a neighbor or someone that could help you put the pc together when you get it, or go to a build to order site as was previously suggested. Upgrading a dell is pretty close to upgrading a mac, throw it out (sell it) and buy a new one.
 

IceMole

Senior member
Sep 28, 2004
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So get the lowest video card for the 4700 and buy a 6600GT for the same price as that 9800Pro and have a much better machine.

Edit: Don't think I'm voting to not build one because that would be the #1 thing to do.
 

Astu222

Senior member
Sep 7, 2004
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if i could do one thing it would be to build it myself but my mother isnt going to shell out 600 bucks for something I havent done before, or go with a company she has never hear of (tried recomending Monarch PC and ABS). All I need is something that will last me 9 months tops THEN i will build an A64 machine myself. and like ive said the dell is almost $200 more than the emachines.
 

IceMole

Senior member
Sep 28, 2004
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How so? I just priced it at $649 w/ a 17" LCD, emachines is just hte box.

$649
3ghz P4
XP Home
512mb dual ddr2
Free 17" LCD

E-Value Code: 6V468 - d47rs


$650 with an 17" LCD?? Can't go wrong. I'm sure there are some coupons out there for these also. Look in hot deals.
 

Astu222

Senior member
Sep 7, 2004
330
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... I dont need the LCD (especialy a 24ms LCD), and its with only a 40gig HDD and 1 16x DVD drive. the emachines gives me a 160 gig drive and a DVD RW drive. as much as it hurts you guys to see a person go with an emachines, it seems to make the most sense now. espcialy when I dont plan on keeping it for more thn 9 months.
 

Astu222

Senior member
Sep 7, 2004
330
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well I dont need this bashing just because I'm going to buy a PC that will serve me wellenough to play HL2, sorry it isnt going to use a topshelf motherboard, sorry I'm not building it myself. jesus christ not like you are having to buy it.
 
Jan 31, 2002
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Put the following wager down for your mother:

She gives you the $600 to build-a-box. If you can't make a functional rig ("functional" being "plays HL2") then you have to pay the money back. If you can, then not only have you shown her that you can assemble the machine yourself, but you get to keep it.

- M4H
 

Avalon

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2001
7,567
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Originally posted by: IceMole
It's called ebay. But whatever go w/ your crap box.

And that's called bashing. No need to keep arguing to the point where you're no longer helpful.
I fail to see how that system is crap compared to the Dell. The only reason I'd get the Dell is if I didn't already have a monitor. He may already have one. If that was the case, it probably wouldn't matter which rig he got, because they'd be roughly equal to the point where he wouldn't notice a difference.
I don't know why you say everyone thinks emachines is crap. Don't speak for everyone, because I don't believe that. They are the only brand of OEM PCs I've gotten that haven't had any problems. Most of the help calls I get are to figure out what's wrong with someone's Dell. On the plus side, I'm glad emachines at least offer an AMD solution.

Still, I agree with the others here who say that if there's a way to DIY, do it.
 
Jun 14, 2003
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Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Put the following wager down for your mother:

She gives you the $600 to build-a-box. If you can't make a functional rig ("functional" being "plays HL2") then you have to pay the money back. If you can, then not only have you shown her that you can assemble the machine yourself, but you get to keep it.

- M4H

throwing down the gaunlet...i like it!!


Originally posted by: Astu222
... I dont need the LCD (especialy a 24ms LCD), and its with only a 40gig HDD and 1 16x DVD drive. the emachines gives me a 160 gig drive and a DVD RW drive. as much as it hurts you guys to see a person go with an emachines, it seems to make the most sense now. espcialy when I dont plan on keeping it for more thn 9 months.


seems a reasonable idea to me mate, jus get it, it'll play HL2 jus fine, then by the time u are ready to build a rig (ie u can upgrade ur knowledge on here first) ull have alot more choice in the PCi express and A64 department, instead of being stuck with jus new out (potentially buggy) NF4 etc hardware..

makes sense to buy that and wait
 

BW86

Lifer
Jul 20, 2004
13,114
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Originally posted by: OnEMoReTrY
Yes, however you could get a much better deal by building it yourself through sites such as www.newegg.com

 

dklingen

Member
Sep 24, 2004
127
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Astu222,

If you can't build it yourself (using parts from NewEgg or Zipzoomfly). Pick a system from ABS or custom configure it at monarchpc.com or cyberpowerpc.com. I would never buy a system with integrated video!
 

sph1nx

Member
Sep 3, 2004
86
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Serioulsy man, this is as much for your mother as it is for you, don't buy an e-machine or a dell. Go with ABS if anything. No offense to your mom, but she probably does not know that much about computers if she is basing it off who she has heard of more. ABS is a good company, just go to cnet and show her reviews on systems. Not trying to bash man, but as was mentioned before, there is a reason that people are "bashing" the companies.