Off Topic: Buying A New Computer & Need Input
- Thread starter beth
- Start date
miner
Member
I got a Dell 4300 last Mo. It was a lemon !!!
Nothing worked right, didn't get the software it said I would get, the tech. support sucked !!
If you really want any help with a Dell, you best go to Dell Talk. The owners of the Dells knew a lot more then the so-called Techs. They only give you 30 days phone support, takes on a average over 40 min. to get no help. Said they were going to send a tech. to my house to replace a MB. but no one even called !!!!! No one ever came !! I sent it back before my 30 days were up, otherwise I would have been out the $600.+ They can out Dell where it belongs !!!! NO DELL for me DUDE
Nothing worked right, didn't get the software it said I would get, the tech. support sucked !!
If you really want any help with a Dell, you best go to Dell Talk. The owners of the Dells knew a lot more then the so-called Techs. They only give you 30 days phone support, takes on a average over 40 min. to get no help. Said they were going to send a tech. to my house to replace a MB. but no one even called !!!!! No one ever came !! I sent it back before my 30 days were up, otherwise I would have been out the $600.+ They can out Dell where it belongs !!!! NO DELL for me DUDE
What do you mean "build my own"?? If that means that I should do the building, then no way! LOL I can't build a computer! But I will consider letting the guy who fixes this old dinasaur build one for me.
However, if you look at the specs on that Sony machine, it looks like they are selling brand name componets, not their own stuff. Also, does it get better than Sony, anyway? I do know what you mean, though. The PB I now have came with a whole bunch of worthless stuff and its own "bundle"...which amounted to a bundle of junk. I've since reformated the machine to get rid of all the PB add-ons.
However, if you look at the specs on that Sony machine, it looks like they are selling brand name componets, not their own stuff. Also, does it get better than Sony, anyway? I do know what you mean, though. The PB I now have came with a whole bunch of worthless stuff and its own "bundle"...which amounted to a bundle of junk. I've since reformated the machine to get rid of all the PB add-ons.
david s
Member
If u know a computer guy i would show him that pic with wr/dvd and stuff video capture card and stuff and also ask him about a raid 0 i run a abit kr7a-133 it has raid and is good u would get more computer for your money if he is a resonable computer guy the advantage of goin to him is upgrade ability its like reefs when u first get it it dont seem like a big deal but 2 years from now u will be happy u went that way when u upgrade
indy1
Member
Retail sucks and is overpriced!!! Find an online computer store, like <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com" target="_blank">Tiger Direct</a> and buy a system from them. I would go with an AMD CPU. Cheaper than Intel and will outperform an Intel all day long!!! i also built my system. 900mhz AMD Athlon,80gig WD hard drive, TNT2 32mb video and 288mb sdram. Works great except for the usual microsoft problems...
david s
Member
if u do buy it call them make sure the dvd/rw and dvd are name brands they dont specify i see u get a gforce 2video card gforce 4 is out, but if your not gameing a 2 is more than enuff and name of nic card and modem and sound card make sure its not onboard stuff if they are i would stay away other than that it looks like a nice computer
bizkit
Member
On the list I made up Beth every part maker offers a 3 year warrenty on there parts. Find someone who can help you build it. If not you can fly me down there and I will do it for you for free
I work now for Ford Motor and all our machines are cheap Dell systems. But we buy them like that because business user need nothing more than a cheap machine. to tell you the truth we never have a issue with them. Gives me more time to focus on our file and print servers and web servers.
On the other hand home user that buy dell's are very happy with them. When you get the system built they let you know what is going in that system. The quality on a Dell home system is very good and they offer great preformance from a OEM computer maker.
I work now for Ford Motor and all our machines are cheap Dell systems. But we buy them like that because business user need nothing more than a cheap machine. to tell you the truth we never have a issue with them. Gives me more time to focus on our file and print servers and web servers.
On the other hand home user that buy dell's are very happy with them. When you get the system built they let you know what is going in that system. The quality on a Dell home system is very good and they offer great preformance from a OEM computer maker.
fshhub
Active Member
lets see, i would not buy ANY brand name, i work for a computere store, and we get more repairs from alll of them, esp dell and compaq and e machines, all of them, hp too
eithere have it built, or special order it, you can almost always do much better witha custom built form a local shop, for the same dollar, the one i work at kills dell computers forthe same buck, as for which processor i am amd all the way, price is better and speed kills th pentiums, not to mention you have upgradeability(much more than intel), but they are both good and reiliable, as far as which is better, you can ask 20 techs and get 10 of each(average), 5 yrs ago, you would not, but now they are pretty much evenly split, if you are looking at business, though i would go for the intel, for gaming and streaming video and things like that, go for the amd(we carry both, so i am offering unbiased advice)
for pics and music, get plenty of memory-256 minimum, adn windows xp or 98, me is no good(i have ME and runs very well for me, but i am one of a very few people who actually use it and hard, not just run it, that can kep it stable and fast), if you are going to do alot of pics, then i would also have a cdrw for storing tehm
another thing about the brand names, not only are they not nearly as good for the same price, but their service generally sux in comparison, and if you do get good service, it goes through the local shops anyway, emachines and hp and compaqs all come to us from best buy and staples and all those places for warranties
as for the taid, it is not necc unlss you are going to have multi drives, but for what you want, one 20 or 30 gig HD is plenty
man, i could go on for hours in what to look for and what most of it does(item by item), but this would get real long, so if you want more, go ahead and email me, just title it from beth at swf, i'd be gald to help
for those of you who know i am a salesman, i sell cars, and work pt as a comp tech(b/c i enjoy it, i do not live off computer sales, so don't think this is a pitch here )
eithere have it built, or special order it, you can almost always do much better witha custom built form a local shop, for the same dollar, the one i work at kills dell computers forthe same buck, as for which processor i am amd all the way, price is better and speed kills th pentiums, not to mention you have upgradeability(much more than intel), but they are both good and reiliable, as far as which is better, you can ask 20 techs and get 10 of each(average), 5 yrs ago, you would not, but now they are pretty much evenly split, if you are looking at business, though i would go for the intel, for gaming and streaming video and things like that, go for the amd(we carry both, so i am offering unbiased advice)
for pics and music, get plenty of memory-256 minimum, adn windows xp or 98, me is no good(i have ME and runs very well for me, but i am one of a very few people who actually use it and hard, not just run it, that can kep it stable and fast), if you are going to do alot of pics, then i would also have a cdrw for storing tehm
another thing about the brand names, not only are they not nearly as good for the same price, but their service generally sux in comparison, and if you do get good service, it goes through the local shops anyway, emachines and hp and compaqs all come to us from best buy and staples and all those places for warranties
as for the taid, it is not necc unlss you are going to have multi drives, but for what you want, one 20 or 30 gig HD is plenty
man, i could go on for hours in what to look for and what most of it does(item by item), but this would get real long, so if you want more, go ahead and email me, just title it from beth at swf, i'd be gald to help
for those of you who know i am a salesman, i sell cars, and work pt as a comp tech(b/c i enjoy it, i do not live off computer sales, so don't think this is a pitch here
)
ren
Member
I have to agree here that a you build it is by far the best - and DO stay away from all the onboard junk. I built mine a year and a half ago - p3 650 (was a high cpu then lol)/256ram / 30G hd / gforce 2 gts / soundblaster live 5.1 with cambridge 5.1 speakers / dvd / cd-rw.
Still a lil
[hr]
gamer system lol but point is you can get the best for alot cheaper - cmon fla techs ya all know its no big deal putting one together - someone near her step up to the plate.
I'm on the other side if the states or I would do it.
Anyways, Beth if you want to look for a name brand system also check MySimon.com - good lil price comparison site. Ubid.com has generic systems pretty cheap also if ya wanted to do like a base and add on to it.
Still a lil
[hr]
gamer system lol but point is you can get the best for alot cheaper - cmon fla techs ya all know its no big deal putting one together - someone near her step up to the plate.
I'm on the other side if the states or I would do it.
Anyways, Beth if you want to look for a name brand system also check MySimon.com - good lil price comparison site. Ubid.com has generic systems pretty cheap also if ya wanted to do like a base and add on to it.
ren
Member
BTW- FWIW I dislike sony from a few years back. My sister-in-law bought a large sony boombox and dropped it - well it broke a circuit board and she sent it in for repair. Sony didn't replace the broken card just soldered jumper wire onto it. Poor Poor Poor in my book. Just me but I stay away from sony after seeing that.
fshhub
Active Member
ddr is not as good as mentioned, i have it and on the best boards, it only gives you a 5% increase, NOT double even though it does say double data rate, IMO, most non geeks should do better with more pc133 ram, and it is cheaper too,
the sonys are a bit overpriced, IMO, mostly name, and it is the same parts mostly
and since some of us are comparing,
mine ( tower only and is 8 months old)
gigabyte ddr mobo(7dxr going to be a 7vrxp), i like gigbyte, reliable and darn near outperforms most now, but only shyly behind the higher benchs
768 mb of ddr kingston ram(will be 333 soon)
santa cruz sound, may upgrade that too(didn't go sb, b/c compatibilty w/ other non sb components, creative hates non creative parts)
1400 mhz tbird(going xp2200+, after released, but even my 1400 out benches the 2.0 p4 without mods)(266 only)
radeon 8500(getting gforce 4/128 mb)
dvd, sony
cdrw, lg(24x10x40)
52xcd, ??(who cares, they are all cheap and disposible now)
2x 30 gig wd HD's
nic(forget which one)
diamond modem(can't beat tehm for the buck, and have no probs yet, 2 yrs)
4 usb's(gonna be 2.0 in new board)
win ME(will be xp, when i get my parts next week and have to reformat anyhow)
the sonys are a bit overpriced, IMO, mostly name, and it is the same parts mostly
and since some of us are comparing,
mine ( tower only and is 8 months old)
gigabyte ddr mobo(7dxr going to be a 7vrxp), i like gigbyte, reliable and darn near outperforms most now, but only shyly behind the higher benchs
768 mb of ddr kingston ram(will be 333 soon)
santa cruz sound, may upgrade that too(didn't go sb, b/c compatibilty w/ other non sb components, creative hates non creative parts)
1400 mhz tbird(going xp2200+, after released, but even my 1400 out benches the 2.0 p4 without mods)(266 only)
radeon 8500(getting gforce 4/128 mb)
dvd, sony
cdrw, lg(24x10x40)
52xcd, ??(who cares, they are all cheap and disposible now)
2x 30 gig wd HD's
nic(forget which one)
diamond modem(can't beat tehm for the buck, and have no probs yet, 2 yrs)
4 usb's(gonna be 2.0 in new board)
win ME(will be xp, when i get my parts next week and have to reformat anyhow)
reeferx
Member
Guys c'mon!
This thread is turning into a geek trap!!!
If people walk into your store and want to buy a computer and you tell them, 'I have all the latest and greatest parts and I will give you a great price, all you have to do is assemble it.' How many computers are you going to sell?
You can sit there and tell them how this overclocked chip or this fat bus is going to make it fly and after a while many of them are just going to watch your mouth move.
Beth doesn't want to build a computer, she wants to BUY one!!!
Judging from her 'dream machine,' I would say she wants a pretty good machine with some oohs and ahhs and some style. Personally, if I were in the market for an overpriced computer with style, I would get an Alienware or that cool computer with the glass door on the front, but, hey, if you love the Sony, get the damn Sony!
I give her credit for at least not biting on the new Apple 'ilamp.'
Just recommend a box, don't reinvent the wheel.
<img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" /> <img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" /> <img src="graemlins//silly.gif" border="0" alt="[silly]" /> <img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" />
This thread is turning into a geek trap!!!
If people walk into your store and want to buy a computer and you tell them, 'I have all the latest and greatest parts and I will give you a great price, all you have to do is assemble it.' How many computers are you going to sell?
You can sit there and tell them how this overclocked chip or this fat bus is going to make it fly and after a while many of them are just going to watch your mouth move.
Beth doesn't want to build a computer, she wants to BUY one!!!
Judging from her 'dream machine,' I would say she wants a pretty good machine with some oohs and ahhs and some style. Personally, if I were in the market for an overpriced computer with style, I would get an Alienware or that cool computer with the glass door on the front, but, hey, if you love the Sony, get the damn Sony!
I give her credit for at least not biting on the new Apple 'ilamp.'
Just recommend a box, don't reinvent the wheel.
<img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" /> <img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" /> <img src="graemlins//silly.gif" border="0" alt="[silly]" />
<img src="graemlins//evilwhorn.gif" border="0" alt="[Evil Horn]" /> 
hockeyplyr
Member
I agree with Stevew Dell is the only way to go.
No ather advise just, DELL
"Your gettin a dell dude"
No ather advise just, DELL
"Your gettin a dell dude"
richard rendos
Active Member
Build my own. My choice is always to spend money locally. Support your LFS and your local computer shop.
bammbamm74
Member
AMD is the best!!
HEY SEA WRAITH
How do you like that ECS K7S5A? I just got it along with an AMD Duron 1Ghz for $90, the thing ROCKS. Even my buddy with a ASUS and a P4 1.7Ghz was amazed at how fast it was. Maybe the 7200rpm Hard drive has a hand in it, but all the reviews give that motherboard 9 out of 10!!
I just built mine for under $300....I have a case, motherboard/cpu combo, ATI 32MB video card, 80 GB hardrive, 56K modem, 52x cdrom, had a burner already, floppy, had RAM already
HEY SEA WRAITH
How do you like that ECS K7S5A? I just got it along with an AMD Duron 1Ghz for $90, the thing ROCKS. Even my buddy with a ASUS and a P4 1.7Ghz was amazed at how fast it was. Maybe the 7200rpm Hard drive has a hand in it, but all the reviews give that motherboard 9 out of 10!!
I just built mine for under $300....I have a case, motherboard/cpu combo, ATI 32MB video card, 80 GB hardrive, 56K modem, 52x cdrom, had a burner already, floppy, had RAM already
Well, guys, as this thread progressed, I'd have to admit that I got to the point of understanding about only 50% of what you said! <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> Let me synopsize:
Have the computer built for me, not retail.
G4 is out so, since I am a gamer, I should get that---I need the best card I can get for games, so tell me what is the best.
Bag Intel, get ADM.
I should build it myself, but I'm not...but I am seriously considering the local guru to build one for me .
Now let me ask you great people a few more ????
Why do you need a DVD and CD drive [both]? Or do you? Does a DVD drive handle software, or not? And, I should get ones that write, right?
Why are hard drives so big? Who can use up 120G's?
What is the difference between the type of rams and the type of hard drives....some are better than others, in other words.
Thanks for all your help here....but remember, I'm a laywoman!
Have the computer built for me, not retail.
G4 is out so, since I am a gamer, I should get that---I need the best card I can get for games, so tell me what is the best.
Bag Intel, get ADM.
I should build it myself, but I'm not...but I am seriously considering the local guru to build one for me .
Now let me ask you great people a few more ????
Why do you need a DVD and CD drive [both]? Or do you? Does a DVD drive handle software, or not? And, I should get ones that write, right?
Why are hard drives so big? Who can use up 120G's?
What is the difference between the type of rams and the type of hard drives....some are better than others, in other words.
Thanks for all your help here....but remember, I'm a laywoman!
D
dwf
Guest
The best deal going is at asseenontvpc.com. Systemax computer with the fastest amd processor available, tons of upgrades and extras I think for around 1600 bucks. I have an older AMD Athalon processor thats running at 975 mghz and it works great. The new ones are more than twice as fast. good luck <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />
david s
Member
dvd is just that it plays dvd movies and /wr stand for read write so u can record ahh unless u goin do movie thing beter with a regular read write as for gaming get a gforce 4 and go with soundblaster live for sound card they hardly have problems with games and if really want to fly go with the new raid0 for ata 133 hard drive i couldnt believe how much faster pullin from 2 drives is
my mother board is a ABIT, KR7A-133 will cost u like 30 bucs more but has the raid and alot of other godies like heat sink and fan on bus only other thing is the 80 bucs or so for a extra dive too but well worth it for speed and smothness
my mother board is a ABIT, KR7A-133 will cost u like 30 bucs more but has the raid and alot of other godies like heat sink and fan on bus only other thing is the 80 bucs or so for a extra dive too but well worth it for speed and smothness
nmoran
New Member
No you don't need a DVD drive and a CD-ROM drive. When you get a DVD drive it is a DVD-ROM. The only way you need two drives is if your getting CD-RW, and even then you can do a combo drive. I disagree about AMD Athalon processors, but that's my opinion. I don't think there as fast and there pushing their stuff so fast on the market to compete with Intel that they don't care what they put out there. I think dell's the way to go. Espically since all their prices have gone done as of late. You build the Dell how you want it. I have also had wonderful support from they when I needed. When my DVD, CD-RW drive broke, they replaced and it was at my door within a week. No questions asked. But then again everybody has their own opinios. But I say go Dell. Only build your own if you know what you're doing. No it's not hard, but if you don't know what you're you might end up making something worse then what you've got now.