If you're looking to buy a computer...read this.

[Dputiger]

This is a column done by Kevin Rice, over @ Dailyradar.com. He's the tech editor there and does a really good Q&A on hardware questions people send to him. He posts it on a daily basis so I recommend checking it out for help sometimes. Anyway, this is an article he wrote about buying a machine--it's worth a read:

http://www.dailyradar.com/columns/game_column_353.html

[Warthog]

Thanks Dputiger! I'm going to order a new computer tomorrow (yay!). It confirmed the choices I had made after several months of deliberating. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[Dputiger]

What're you getting, Warthog?

[Warthog]

I will be buying a Dell - I know, I know, building your own is better, but I don't have the tech know how, as of yet AND I'm not a super duper tinker techy who o/c, leaves case off, etc http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. And I don't want to debate about it cause I'm not changing my mind. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Now that that's out of the way...

800mhz
128mb PC133
10gb hard drive
64mb Geforce2 DDR
8/4/32 CD-RW
SB Live
19" FD Trinitron monitor

I wanted the latest and greatest. I know that it won't be the best for long, but I don't care http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. I want a system that I'll be able to have as long as possible while still able to play the latest games w/ some upgrades.

IMO, the notion is the a "gaming system" has to be super duper powerfull. My last comp - 400mhz, 192mb RAM, 4mb onboard video - could easily play all the latest computer games. Albeit, the graphics weren't the best it could've been, but I didn't care. In Rogue Spear, it ran smoothly, without a pause. Keep that in mind before you disagree with my statement about "a system that I'll be able to have as long as possible while still able to play the latest games w/ some upgrades". http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

The hardware on this comp was chosen after literally months of deciding. No, I'm not that slow at making decisions, I had to save up the money first http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. But the long wait helped me be absolutely sure of my decision.

Some of you may think that I shouldn't have the currently top video card on the market on my computer. I know that, at the moment, there will only be miniscul difference between the 64mb DDR Geforce2 and 32mb DDR Geforce2. Then again, I won't have to upgrade for a long, long, long time (remember my last computer with the 4mb card). I don't care that much about having the best graphics - I just want to be able to play a game without any slowdowns.

Ok. I'm done. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[Dputiger]

Only TWO small points, Warthog (keeping in mind what you just said):

Make sure your Pentium III 800 is an EB and running on the 133 Mhz bus. This processor COSTS the same, is upgradable, and runs much faster.

2) Everyone should buy at least one rig, particularly if they ship software CD's. Getting your OS and apps on disk is where you'll REALLY save money if you build in the future.

One more thing (I lied about two):

The review @ Sysopt seems to say that WindowsME is much better than Win98. Might think about it. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Warthog]

Thanks Dputiger http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif.

Sorry if I got kinda defensive. Everyone that I've told about my new comp, has badgered me about why I'm building my own.

I do want to get Windows ME eventually. Maybe at the beginning of next year or something. I want to wait and see what everyone else thinks of it first. The comp comes with Win98 and a "Millennium upgrade coupon" so I can get ME when I'm ready.

The P3 runs on the 133mhz bus. What is an "EB"?

Thanks again. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[flash4master]

if you are looking for o/c'ing power (are ya), i would get an 800"E" instead of an "EB". point being is that the "E" runs at a lower FSB, but it also has a higher multiplyer (see? intel can be your friend, so it is better for overclocking. The "EB" as stated, has a higher FSB, while making it run faster in that department in the long run, it also has a lower multiplyer so it wont o/c as high.

like i said, i dont know what you are going to do with it, but if you overclock, be sure to get an 800E. if you are getting a P!!! that is.

chris

edit- this is a recomendation if you do become "super duper tinker techy who o/c, leaves case off, etc http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif "

another edit- the P!!! 800E runs at 8*100 and the P!!! 800EB runs at 6*133...even that small difference in multiplyers can make o/c that much more different



[This message has been edited by flash4master (edited 08-04-2000).]

[Warthog]

Thanks for the words of incouragement, Dputiger. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I was thinking of maybe building a companion to this comp in the spring or summer next year. When I build a comp, I want it to be my "secondary" screw around comp - not my main "primary" power comp, so incase something happens, it won't matter as much. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I still don't know if it is an "E" or "EB" but I don't do overclocking so I guess it doesn't matter much. Not like I can change my mind now anyway - Just ordered it today!

hahahaha...I am 16, this is my second comp (last one was Dell, but wasn't powerful enough for me) http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. All my friends are buying cars, while I am buying computers http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif. Oh well. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[CalGuyInFL]

Warthog,
As far as building 'em, 1st one is a pain, after that, they get much easier. My first on was a Micron in '95-'96. Ive built my own and others since and I am no brain surgeon. Just dont skimp on components and buy from reputable dealers. As always, consult sysopt first http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Mike

Actually my first was an 8086, but that was a long time ago.

[This message has been edited by CalGuyInFL (edited 08-04-2000).]

[Warthog]

As always, consult sysopt first

Will do just that. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I want to do it - eventually - for several reasons:
(a) It will give me valuable knowledge of the inside of a comp
(b) It sounds like fun - equivelent to my friends working on cars
(c) I have dreams of playing Rogue Spear over a network with my buddies http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[Dputiger]

Warthog,

As I recall, you aren't a big Overclocker or major techie yet--which is absolutely totally cool. Frankly, it wasn't until the last six months or so that I got really interested in Overclocking and other techie work.

The truth is, if you know what you're doing and enjoy it, building a system is a lot of fun. But, if you don't have time, don't want the hassle or the headaches, there's a lot to be said for buying a computer from a major company. Of all the mainstream manufacturers, Dell is one of my top choices--so I bet you'll do great.

I wouldn't worry too much about Overclocking, but I overclock for the performance gain, not just for the heck of it. If I had a Pentium III 800 I wouldn't start looking to OC it until it started to creak--which is quite a ways in the future. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Just remember, the real point is that you get a computer you want and have fun with it--and if you don't consider building a computer fun at the moment, more power to you. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dputiger]

Building a computer IS fun, but that first one usually IS a *****. Still, you can find some good guides around the 'Net on how to build one--and they're helpful.

The first computer I built was actually my Dad's (very trusting guy, isn't he?) That component part can't be stressed enough--here's a good example for you.

Just last week I was building a computer for a friend and he had an old modem he wanted me to use in it. Well this modem was so old it wasn't Plug & Play compatible and wouldn't share any system resources. I had to manually configure all of its settings without really having a guide on how to do so (Took me hours)

Moral of the story: Buy good hardware. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif