Question about Computers

BigMember · 07-11-2006, 03:38 PM

I know this is off topic, but I hope you will bare with me a bit as I value the opinions of the people here along these lines.

Guys, my computer is about to go out on me and it's time for a new one. I need one that can not only handle OOTP2006 but one that can more than handle games like Madden and etc.

Do any of you have any opinions on a brand that is top of the line that can handle big graphic games too? Maybe some one even knows where to find one at a low price pretty quick, as this one is about to kick it. I would like to not spend over $750 to $800.

Thanks in advance.
Greg

turdfurgeson · 07-11-2006, 03:45 PM

I am kind of in the same boat here. I have had my comp for a few years and am thinking about upgrading now while I have the cash as opposed to waiting until I must. If any of these comp whizzes can direct me to any links about picking out a good processor, video cards or what ever that would be awesome.

turdfurgeson · 07-11-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMember

Do any of you have any opinions on a brand that is top of the line that can handle big graphic games too? Maybe some one even knows where to find one at a low price pretty quick, as this one is about to kick it. I would like to not spend over $750 to $800.

Thanks in advance.
Greg

I have been looking around and it was suggested to me to try to buy direct from the manufacturers, and it is generally easier to pick and choose the specs. The prices always seem reasonble until I get to the "warranty" otiojn which adds about a third to the price.

Syd Thrift · 07-11-2006, 03:49 PM

Fry's Electronics usually has good deals if you have one near you. Actually, I bought my last one from a little mom and pop store; you can find some of the best deals around in those places. Well, technically I bought my *last* computer from Fry's but that was a laptop and that's a whole different ballgame.

zekester91 · 07-11-2006, 03:49 PM

if your looking for the source to get good prices on computers check out: http://www.pricewatch.com/computers/

in the 750 to 800 range I'd recomend the Athlon 64 X2 4400 System(s)...

gordyhulten · 07-11-2006, 03:55 PM

If I were you, I'd build my own from the exact components I wanted. Most of the components have their own warranty, and you can get a lot more computer for your buck.

I'd never done it before, but did it in April. It took me a weekend to figure things out, but now I'm thrilled and I've got a machine that is exactly what I want and that I'm not afraid to fix if something breaks.

There are also a ton of websites and gracious people/forums out there that will help you if you're interested in building your own.

Syd Thrift · 07-11-2006, 03:58 PM

Up until my last (well, last 2) computer(s), I built everything from the ground up too. I actually found I spent more to do this, though. Quite a bit more, actually. You do end up with much better components.

BigMember · 07-11-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zekester91

if your looking for the source to get good prices on computers check out: http://www.pricewatch.com/computers/

in the 750 to 800 range I'd recomend the Athlon 64 X2 4400 System(s)...

I just saw some PCs on the CurcuitCity website that has the Athlon 64 X2 4400. It's pretty good? If I got a HP with that processor and 1 GB of memory, it should handle any game on the market wouldn't it?

zekester91 · 07-11-2006, 04:08 PM

Would depend on your graphics card as well... but it can play just about every game I've seen so far.

BigMember · 07-11-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zekester91

Would depend on your graphics card as well... but it can play just about every game I've seen so far.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

Could you go to the link above and give me your opinion on this computer? Is the video card it has pretty good?

gordyhulten · 07-11-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

Up until my last (well, last 2) computer(s), I built everything from the ground up too. I actually found I spent more to do this, though. Quite a bit more, actually. You do end up with much better components.

Really? I built a superb machine for about $1600, with the comparable Dell running about $2500. For me, it was a no brainer, especially as I didn't need to have the best-of-the-best for everything.

turdfurgeson · 07-11-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMember

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

Could you go to the link above and give me your opinion on this computer? Is the video card it has pretty good?

The reviews on that page seem to be pretty solid, compared to some of the reviews that I read for other machines from the same site and higher priced

BigMember · 07-11-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turdfurgeson

The reviews on that page seem to be pretty solid, compared to some of the reviews that I read for other machines from the same site and higher priced

Yeah, may try for one like this, just have to find it in local store. I don't trust UPS to ship.

Thanks guys for your help. Again, your opinions are most valued.

Greg

Syd Thrift · 07-11-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordyhulten

Really? I built a superb machine for about $1600, with the comparable Dell running about $2500. For me, it was a no brainer, especially as I didn't need to have the best-of-the-best for everything.

Okay, well that's why. I haven't spent $2500 on anything in my life. Or $1600 for that matter. I bought my last computer for $400 (the lapton cost $600) and probably spent around $1,000, all told, in all the components that made up the device before that one. At that price point you can trade a lot of future customizeability for a computer that is 90% as fast as the top of the line machines.

Simply put, I am cheap.

Exodor · 07-11-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMember

Yeah, may try for one like this, just have to find it in local store. I don't trust UPS to ship.

Thanks guys for your help. Again, your opinions are most valued.

Greg

From your link

Quote:

Ready for your multimedia: This desktop features integrated nVIDIA® GeForce 6150LE graphics with up to 256MB of shared video memory, plus high-definition audio support for up to eight speakers.

A 6150 with shared video memory?

You'll be fine for OOTP, but Madden and other graphic-intensive gammes may be a lot slower than you'd think. You'll wind up dropping another $150-$200 for a decent video card if you want to play at decent resolution and framerates. (I have a 7600GT that's in that price range and is a great card).

BigMember · 07-11-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exodor

From your link

A 6150 with shared video memory?

You'll be fine for OOTP, but Madden and other graphic-intensive gammes may be a lot slower than you'd think. You'll wind up dropping another $150-$200 for a decent video card if you want to play at decent resolution and framerates. (I have a 7600GT that's in that price range and is a great card).

Yeah, I just noticed the "shared" memory thing myself. I hate that and won't go there again. The link below is the one I will probally be going with, plus it's in stock.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

Tell me what you think if you would.

turdfurgeson · 07-11-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMember

Yeah, I just noticed the "shared" memory thing myself. I hate that and won't go there again. The link below is the one I will probally be going with, plus it's in stock.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

Tell me what you think if you would.

What is "shared memory"? And isnt that what the one linked above has also?

Exodor · 07-11-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMember

Yeah, I just noticed the "shared" memory thing myself. I hate that and won't go there again. The link below is the one I will probally be going with, plus it's in stock.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

Tell me what you think if you would.

Quote:

nVIDIA® graphics: This desktop features nVIDIA® GeForce™ 6150 LE with TurboCache graphics with up to 256MB of video memory. TurboCache technology uses both dedicated video and dynamically available system memory, turbocharging performance and providing more total graphics memory.

Sounds like the card has some onboard RAM, but it's still using system RAm as well. It's less of a problem since the machine has 2 GB, but a 6150LE is pretty slow card compared to the latest and greatest. I wouldn't expect to run anything at resolutions higher than 1024x800.

According to the anandtech review, that board struggles to run Doom3 or Far Cry at anything over 800x600 - of course, those are pretty demanding FPSs.

Still, that's a LOT of machine for $719!

Exodor · 07-11-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turdfurgeson

What is "shared memory"? And isnt that what the one linked above has also?

Shared memory means the video card (or onboard video in this case) uses system memory instead of having it's own separate memory. The first PC he linked apparently had no separate memory for the video, while the second has some (possibly as much as 128 MB, although it doesn't specify)

krahkin · 07-11-2006, 06:51 PM

Highly suggest building your own. My current PC has an AMD 64 4000+, 4GB RAM, 7900 GTX 512MB. Way cheaper than any dell, alienware, or any other advertiser out of a gaming mag. I stayed away from the x2 processors due to certain games I play, but would recommend.

For a laptop, the Acer Aspire 5670 is a sweet deal.

07-11-2006, 03:38 PM	#1
BigMember Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Independence MO Posts: 168	Question about Computers I know this is off topic, but I hope you will bare with me a bit as I value the opinions of the people here along these lines. Guys, my computer is about to go out on me and it's time for a new one. I need one that can not only handle OOTP2006 but one that can more than handle games like Madden and etc. Do any of you have any opinions on a brand that is top of the line that can handle big graphic games too? Maybe some one even knows where to find one at a low price pretty quick, as this one is about to kick it. I would like to not spend over $750 to $800. Thanks in advance. Greg __________________ "Is that my shoe over there? No, that one! Give it to me!"

07-11-2006, 03:55 PM	#6
gordyhulten All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,175	If I were you, I'd build my own from the exact components I wanted. Most of the components have their own warranty, and you can get a lot more computer for your buck. I'd never done it before, but did it in April. It took me a weekend to figure things out, but now I'm thrilled and I've got a machine that is exactly what I want and that I'm not afraid to fix if something breaks. There are also a ton of websites and gracious people/forums out there that will help you if you're interested in building your own. __________________ Gordy Hulten Owner / General Manager Red Willow Roadrunners -- Kennel Series Champions: 1951, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1983 Dog Days Baseball - "The World's Best Online OOTP League" Creator inactive: Republican League - OOTP 2009 Dynasty inactive: Republican League Dynasty - Version 2.0 inactive: Republican League Dynasty

07-11-2006, 06:51 PM	#20
krahkin Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 34	Highly suggest building your own. My current PC has an AMD 64 4000+, 4GB RAM, 7900 GTX 512MB. Way cheaper than any dell, alienware, or any other advertiser out of a gaming mag. I stayed away from the x2 processors due to certain games I play, but would recommend. For a laptop, the Acer Aspire 5670 is a sweet deal. __________________ SKBL Commissioner and Owner of the Atlanta Raiders

07-11-2006, 03:45 PM	#2
turdfurgeson Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 421	I am kind of in the same boat here. I have had my comp for a few years and am thinking about upgrading now while I have the cash as opposed to waiting until I must. If any of these comp whizzes can direct me to any links about picking out a good processor, video cards or what ever that would be awesome.

07-11-2006, 03:49 PM	#5
zekester91 All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,122	if your looking for the source to get good prices on computers check out: http://www.pricewatch.com/computers/ in the 750 to 800 range I'd recomend the Athlon 64 X2 4400 System(s)...

07-11-2006, 04:08 PM	#9
zekester91 All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,122	Would depend on your graphics card as well... but it can play just about every game I've seen so far.