# Buying new desktop computer suggestions... **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [October 13, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373 "2005-10-13T15:47:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/1 "2005-10-13T15:47:37Z")
Alright, so the Mrs. and I have decided to get a new computer. I am really not sure what to get though. I looked at Dell but when you compare their prices to the ones at Best Buy and Circuit City, they seem expensive. BB and CC computers kind of scare me though since they are pretty much the bottom of the barrel mass produced computers. I thought about building one, but I have never done son and my fiance says she would rather just buy one. I would like to go with an AMD64 processor. This computer would be used for some gaming (I would like to take advantage of my surround sound computer speakers on Doom 3 and Far Cry) and photo editing, but mostly routine things. I’m trying to keep it around $1g. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/2 "2005-10-13T15:54:27Z")
Are You keeping Your current monitor / keyboard / mouse? You have a nice speaker setup, but does that mean a nice sound card too? If the answers to those are yes, then You should be able to get a decent peforming system for $1k out of a store. Just skimp on harddrive space initially and install Your current one also. If You are building one (it’s REALLY easy other then installing all the software / drivers), then You could build a kick-ass machine for $1k. You say that some gaming and photo editing are the primary uses (outside of internet of course), then spend the money on a Good CPU & lot’s’o’Ram. ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/3 "2005-10-13T16:02:15Z")
Current monitor is shit. Keyboard and mouse are cool. Flat panel monitors are going pretty cheap right now so I could hold off on that and stick with my 17" CRT for now. I have put together several systems on [Newegg.com](http://Newegg.com) (for about $600) but I have no way of knowing if there are any conflicts with my component selection. ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/4 "2005-10-13T16:07:15Z")
Post them up. People will tell you. It’s really very easy to build your own. ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/5 "2005-10-13T16:12:04Z")
This is what I built on the Dell website. No AMD64 from Dell though. Dell Dimension E510 Series: Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 w/HT Technology (3.0GHz,800FSB) Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (4x256M) 1GB4 Hard Drive: 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ 160S CD ROM/DVD ROM: Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability 16DVDRW ![http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif](http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif)Floppy Drive and Media Reader: No Floppy Drive Included NFD Modem: 56K PCI Data Fax Modem DFAX Monitor: FREE UPGRADE!! 17 inch E173FP Analog Flat Panel E173FPP ![http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif](http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif)Video Card: 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory X600SE Sound: Integrated Audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 capability IS Speakers: No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) ![http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif](http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/6 "2005-10-13T16:12:35Z")
Just a note if anyone is looking for a 17" CRT or two Amvets has 2 of them dirt cheap. One for 20, another for 12. ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/7 "2005-10-13T19:58:08Z")
> [@walter](#): > > Post them up. People will tell you. It’s really very easy to build your own. Here is the newest one I did. [http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1709761&WishListTitle=Computer](http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1709761&WishListTitle=Computer) ---
**Author:** ![RobtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@RobtC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RobtC)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/8 "2005-10-13T20:15:06Z")
every once in a while, dell posts up coupons where you can get a decent system with a 24" lcd for like 1200 ---
**Author:** ![Jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Jon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jon)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/9 "2005-10-13T20:21:50Z")
> [@JaysGreenLX](#): > > Here is the newest one I did. > > [http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1709761&WishListTitle=Computer](http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1709761&WishListTitle=Computer) Looks ok,add another stick of 512.Drop the video card and go with a NEC or pioneer burner. Buy this video card instead. [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150106](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150106) Not only will you be able to play far cry and doom 3,it will look fantastic while doing so.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/10 "2005-10-13T20:25:00Z")
> [@Jon](#): > > Looks ok,add another stick of 512.Drop the video card and go with a NEC or pioneer burner. > > Buy this video card instead. > > [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150106](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150106) > > Not only will you be able to play far cry and doom 3,it will look fantastic while doing so.🆒 1GB of ram isn’t good enough? Thanks for the info. That shouldn’t put me too far over 600 either ---
**Author:** ![Jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Jon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jon)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/11 "2005-10-13T20:30:21Z")
> [@JaysGreenLX](#): > > 1GB of ram isn’t good enough? > > Thanks for the info. That shouldn’t put me too far over 600 either ahhh sorry,didnt see that you had “2” quanity for the ram. Looks great though,if you stick with that it would probably kick any dells ass in the price range of $1500. 6800 is a real good vid card,can be unlocked to a 6800GT if you desire to do so. ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/12 "2005-10-13T20:36:22Z")
> [@Jon](#): > > ahhh sorry,didnt see that you had “2” quanity for the ram. > > Looks great though,if you stick with that it would probably kick any dells ass in the price range of $1500. > > 6800 is a real good vid card,can be unlocked to a 6800GT if you desire to do so. I have never put together a computer before. The actual assembly I don’t think I will have issue with, its the software that scares me. What do you mean unlock to a 6800GT? ---
**Author:** ![RedDawg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@RedDawg](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RedDawg)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 4:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/13 "2005-10-14T04:49:36Z")
i’m building one for my g/f also and i’m in the same boat. Putting it together is no problem, its installing everything to get it running i’m nervous about. Can someone post a step-by-step list of the software process once everything is installed? Hopefully in really simple terms, like your explaining to a 6 y/o, Step 1 - open cd drive, step 2 - insert cd kind of method 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/14 "2005-10-14T05:38:12Z")
Jay - are You going to swap in Your current harddrive? or go with an all new harddrive & windows install? Reddawg - [http://www.directron.com/assemble.html](http://www.directron.com/assemble.html) and [http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/buildpc/](http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/buildpc/) ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/15 "2005-10-14T05:41:51Z")
> [@Nikuk](#): > > Jay - are You going to swap in Your current harddrive? or go with an all new harddrive & windows install? > > Reddawg - [http://www.directron.com/assemble.html](http://www.directron.com/assemble.html) and [http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/buildpc/](http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/buildpc/) Totally new harddrive. I am trying to replace my fiance’s old computer that she got as a freshman in college some 7 years ago. harddrive = t:down I have a copy of Windows XP Professional to install on the computer. ---
**Author:** ![taurusho](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/taurusho/32/7184_2.png) [@taurusho](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/taurusho)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/16 "2005-10-14T05:43:52Z")
My only word of advice is… if you are all into gaming, get a PCI Express card. AGP is all fine and dandy, but the Express cards will outperform any AGP card, and if you don’t want to worry about upgrading video compnents for a while, get one. ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/17 "2005-10-14T05:52:55Z")
> [@JaysGreenLX](#): > > Totally new harddrive. I am trying to replace my fiance’s old computer that she got as a freshman in college some 7 years ago. harddrive = t:down > > I have a copy of Windows XP Professional to install on the computer. Cool, current tech HDD’s are cheaps as hell anyhow. Wait for BuickGN & SilenceMachin and them to chime in. In the meantime - The only problems You’ll see when doing the software install (unless You are installing alot of warez/cracks/hackorz and don’t know them that well) is conflicting drivers. The way I’ve done it before (3x): Do the Windows format and install, let it run all out. Then run through the OEM Driver CD’s (CD Driver, Mobo, Vid Card, etc). Do disc at a time and reboot check for conflicts and move on. Takes a day or so, but it’s surefire. $0.02 > [@taurusho](#): > > My only word of advice is… if you are all into gaming, get a PCI Express card. AGP is all fine and dandy, but the Express cards will outperform any AGP card, and if you don’t want to worry about upgrading video compnents for a while, get one. IMO a cheap-o 256 AGp will do more then fine for what he seem’s to want to do. Again, $0.02 ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/18 "2005-10-14T05:56:35Z")
So what do you do in the event of a driver conflict? I’m sure that everything I have will conflict…thats just the way these things go with me. > [@Nikuk](#): > > Cool, current tech HDD’s are cheaps as hell anyhow. > > Wait for BuickGN & SilenceMachin and them to chime in. > > In the meantime - The only problems You’ll see when doing the software install (unless You are installing alot of warez/cracks/hackorz and don’t know them that well) is conflicting drivers. > The way I’ve done it before (3x): Do the Windows format and install, let it run all out. Then run through the OEM Driver CD’s (CD Driver, Mobo, Vid Card, etc). Do disc at a time and reboot check for conflicts and move on. Takes a day or so, but it’s surefire. > > $0.02 > > IMO a cheap-o 256 AGp will do more then fine for what he seem’s to want to do. Again, $0.02 ---
**Author:** ![JaysGreenLX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jaysgreenlx/32/7321_2.png) [@JaysGreenLX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JaysGreenLX)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 6:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/19 "2005-10-14T06:01:19Z")
Another question… The video card that Jon posted up has monitor plugs that look different than the conventional monitor plug. What is the difference and will that affect my monitor selection? ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2005, 6:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373/20 "2005-10-14T06:06:23Z")
DVI vs Anolog VGA DVI = more better Just make sure the monitor you get is DVI compliant [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/buying-new-desktop-computer-suggestions/3373.md?page=2)