A Few Noob Questions...

[goobafish]

Hey guys, im a little new to the forum,
I have two questions.

1. What's this I hear about Windows XP not being compatible to run a 256k graphics card instead it runs it at 128k. WTF?? Is this true, or will my system run the card?

2. Im thinking about buying a gaming system. I know what company I need to buy from (my parents chose) Dell. Kinda sucky but whateva. Im currently looking at something like.

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition 3.40GHz/HT Technology

Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

1024MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz

256MB DDR ATI RADEON™ 9800 XT

Sound Blaster_ Audigy 2™ sound card with DVD Audio

250GB SATA HardDrive(7200RPM)

Dual Drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD-ROM Drive

17 in 1703FP Ultrasharp™ Digital Flat Panel Display

Altec Lansing THX Certified ADA995 Surround Sound 5.1 Speaker System


Any one see any problems? or things that should be upgraded or adressed?

Let Me Know, Thanks Guys

[Rob R.]

I don't know who told you XP and video cards with 256MB of memory have a problem but they were wrong.

The computer you're buying looks absolutely great. My only problem with it is the 17" flat panel but that's personal choice. Although the flat panel would certainly be preferable if you're a LAN gamer and take it off to other locations, I would certainly rather be looking at the superior picture quality of a CRT and one in the 19" - 22" range.

[Strawbs]

You'll get better performance if you buy 2x 120GB SATA drives and set them to RAID 0 (striped) array (if the board supports it).

I agree w\ the monitor comment by Rob.R, a lot of TFT screens aren't up to handling fast graphics yet! make sure you get one w\ response times below 17ms if you insist on having one.

I've read that 256MB ATI cards don't have the same fast memory as the 128MB Cards ...that may be something to double check before you part with any of your hard earned ...

[goobafish]

Thanks guys,

one problem, cuz im new I dont know how to distinguish the name of the motherboard on the dell site, because they are not to clear, http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_xps?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs

that is the computer base model which i then costomized, can someone tell me what kinda board it is?

Strawbs

Thanks, but the 250gb is a free upgrade (lol im a sucker for free stuff) so it will be too expensive for 2 120s (300 dollars more) especially considering im not a hardcore gamer I only use about 30gb of space.

Both of You

Which to choose?

21 in (19.9 in viewable,.24AG)P1130 FD Trinitron® Monitor
19 in (18.0 in viewable) M992 Monitor

Also how do the speakers look? Im hardcore into music, one of the things I use the comp most for.


Thanks So Much For The Comments and Keep Em Comming

[DozerLYP]

Originally posted by goobafish


Also how do the speakers look? Im hardcore into music, one of the things I use the comp most for.

[/B]

you should go and buy 5.1 suround sound speakers if your in to music. because speakers that comes with a monitor are prety much crapy.

[goobafish]

they are 5.1

Altec Lansing THX Certified ADA995 Surround Sound 5.1 Speaker System

i meant company model ect...

[Rob R.]

If you're not a gamer, you won't really need that good of a video card really, but it's nice to have! ;) The SATA RAID array would be great but that huge HDD will suit your needs just fine. I'm sure you can fit a couple of million MP3's on that 250 gig'er. :)

I still think you're going to be a real happy camper with that computer. You could proabably just stay with the flat screen if you are just an occasional gamer and be more that happy with it I'm sure.

To get back to your original question though, I would get the Trinitron since it's basically top-of-the-line. Again, the flat screen is fine though.

[Dark Sonic]

Umm, no point in paying the extra cash for a 256 MB 9800 XT when you aren't going to get that much performance. Heck, you could go to a 9800 Pro 128 MB video card and be just fine. You probably won't even NOTICE the difference between them. Do you honestly need the 3.4 GHz?

[cloudsquall]

Originally posted by goobafish
Hey guys, im a little new to the forum,
I have two questions.

1. What's this I hear about Windows XP not being compatible to run a 256k graphics card instead it runs it at 128k. WTF?? Is this true, or will my system run the card?

2. Im thinking about buying a gaming system. I know what company I need to buy from (my parents chose) Dell. Kinda sucky but whateva. Im currently looking at something like.

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition 3.40GHz/HT Technology

Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

1024MB Dual Channel DDR SDRAM at 400MHz

256MB DDR ATI RADEON™ 9800 XT

Sound Blaster_ Audigy 2™ sound card with DVD Audio

250GB SATA HardDrive(7200RPM)

Dual Drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD-ROM Drive

17 in 1703FP Ultrasharp™ Digital Flat Panel Display

Altec Lansing THX Certified ADA995 Surround Sound 5.1 Speaker System


Any one see any problems? or things that should be upgraded or adressed?

Let Me Know, Thanks Guys



WHOA WHOA WHOA! did you say 250 gb harddrive!?? you'll never need that, unless your parents work for the CIA and keep evryone's information in the states on it, overkill, 80 will do it.:confused:

[Dark Sonic]

The 250 Gig is a free thing, according to him. Plus, I've only got about 20 gigs left on my 80 gig drive...

[bblqj78]

The 250 Gig is a free thing

Nothing is ever FREE!


Save some cash on that system.....you dont need a 3.4Ghz P4...9800XT(if you aint a serious gamer) and 250Gig HD.

A P4 2.8 800FSB would be easliy ample along with a 9800pro and a 120Gig 8Mb HD. That would half the cost of the hardware you are looking at and I honmesly bet that you wouldnt notice any difference when using both systems. Technology is about to change big time in the next year or so with new graphics cards, CPU's and motherboards and you want to be able to upgrade some stuff maybe in a year or two. You probably probably wont be able to upgrade to the latest whatever you buy...so save some cash now!

[neverwhere]

Originally posted by bblqj78
Nothing is ever FREE!


Save some cash on that system.....you dont need a 3.4Ghz P4...9800XT(if you aint a serious gamer) and 250Gig HD.

A P4 2.8 800FSB would be easliy ample along with a 9800pro and a 120Gig 8Mb HD. He is right. Unless you are a serious gamer a 9800 XT is overkill. That video card will only make a difference (between it and the 9800 P) on extremely new games. And by that I mean games that arent even out yet. You could half the size of the HDD (120GB) and be set. I've got an 80 with 3000+ Mp3's and all my games (games that I run more than once every two months) full installed and Ive still got 20 GB of HDD space free. Other than the monitor (which I would go with the 21" personally) the rest of his suggestions are right on. 2.8 with 800 FSB, 9800 Pro, 120GB 8Mb cache HDD is good enough for what it appears like you need.

[Rabbitrunner51]

These guys are giving you some good advice..ditto on all of it..listen to them.....

The biggest and best isn't always the best....save a little..esp. with the processor.....2.8 -3.2 is enough for anything....and the difference from the 2.8 and the 3.2 is very minor..and they are very low in cost now......( the 2.8GHZ 800FSB )

if you are getting the 200 GB HD for free ( theres a catch somewhere ( then go for it.... I would check out the brand name though....

Trinitron monitoris great...

9800 or pro is OK .....but not the XT models as they have problems....

Also..this Sata thing on hard drives is overblown.....most ppoele use IDE just fine with no problems...just get a fast HD...that is up to date 7200 + with 8MB buffer.....

Aso..pick up an Audigy Platinum ZS sound card as they are the best ......and you can afford it with the processor savings and still have money left over for games or other goodies....

[seanieboy77]

Ya an 80 gig is not enough. Unless you don't copy songs from your CD's onto your computer. I have about 15 gigs left and I wait for te prices to go down on an 120 gig hard drive. But if he's not a hardcore gamer maybe he doesn't need an 80 gig hard drive.

Goobafish, what are you using your computer for? I mean do u game at all???

-BTY

[Direct1]

I agree with almost everything they are saying too... Except, I would get 2 120 GB HDD's like Strawbs said (using RAID or not) because if one goes bad, you still have one working.

Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD1200JD, OEM Drive Only (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-151&depa=0) = $110 USD shipped each (with a 3-year warranty).

Good luck! :D