New PC (finally)

[Whacker]

That whole setup sounds like $1000 is very, very expensive. What kind of warranty or service do they offer you and for how long?

[Husar]

Hmmm....

The second system seems quite a bit better, especially the graphics card, but 150EUR more may indeed be too much, is there no local store that sells single parts or so?

If they just sell them preassembled, go elsewhere, the good stores will let you choose all the parts and help you choose them and charge like 20EUR or so to build it together for you and make sure it runs.

[Andres]

Hmmm....

The second system seems quite a bit better, especially the graphics card, but 150EUR more may indeed be too much, is there no local store that sells single parts or so?

If they just sell them preassembled, go elsewhere, the good stores will let you choose all the parts and help you choose them and charge like 20EUR or so to build it together for you and make sure it runs.

Yeah, there's a store like that not so far from where I live. I'll probably pay them a visit first. They even offer to install parts of your current pc that are still usable in the new one free of charge.

Not that my current PC contains something that is still usable though...

I think I'm going to print out the offer of the other store and ask them if they can give me the same but
100 € cheaper.

Case seems different. Is that worth 80 euros?

Nope, same price.

[seireikhaan]

Well, I'm not sure about computer prices in Europe, but in America, that seems like it'd be awfully expensive given exchange rate and such, so it'd be about $1600 USD, which seems expensive compared to the stuff I've seen from the major companies. The processor is nice, but I just can't shake the feeling that the system is overpriced, especially given the relatively adequate graphics card. One thing you'll want to double check on is that you're getting the 64 bit version of Vista. The 32 bit version can only take advantage of up to 3 gigs of Ram, so you'd be adding extra cost for no benefit.

[Crazed Rabbit]

But 4GB of RAM isn't that much more expensive than 3GB, anyways.

You can get a 4850 - pretty much better than anything but nVidia's current top two cards - the 280 and 260, which retail for hundreds more, for less than $200. nVidia has dropped the 9800 GTX to 230 USD, as well.

I'm pushing the point because right now, this past month and the rest of the summer at least, is a good time to buy a graphics card because of the reinvigorated competition, and it seems foolish to get a last generation card for the equivalent of ~160 USD. But if this is a comp store, I guess they take a while to get the newer stuff in their builds. Still, it doesn't seem like a good deal.

CR

[Andres]

Hmmm, ok, I've looked at the website of the other shop (where they offer better service, so it seems, and are much friendlier and helpful on the phone)

I can have this:

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6400+ - AM2 - 3,20 GHz - with Original AMD Cooler
Mainboard ATX Asus M2N-SLI (AMD AM2, nForce 560, USB 2.0, gigabit lan, SATA, audio 8 channel, firewire, ...)
Memory DDR2 Dimm 2Gb 800 mhz (PC6400) (x 2)
Harddisk 320GB - 7200rpm - PATA133
Videocard PCI-E GeForce 8800GT- 512MB DDR3 - Silent fan
DvD Writer Dual Layer 16x black front - DVD +/- R(w) & CDr(w) - IDE
Case Antec Sonata III Low Noise + 500 watt power supply
Microsoft - Windows Vista64 Home Premium NL oem

for +/- 880,00 € (and the guy on the phone told me that I can get an additional discount if I order all components at his shop). Seems like a better deal. They don't seem to have the Radeon 4850 on stock, but maybe they can order it. I've compared prices, and it should be available for about 179 €, which is
30 € less expensive then the GeForce 8800 GT. But which is the better card? Or is the difference so small that it doesn't really matter? Isn't Radeon better compatable with AMD then GeForce (or does that question shows that I don't know about hardware )

Two questions about that system:

a) AMD vs INTEL : is this AMD processor good enough for gaming? I'm under the impression that AMD gives me a better price/quality... (a comparable INTEL system would cost me about 100 € more)
b) I remember something about cooling issues with AMD. Should I go for an additional CPU cooler or does that problem no longer exists with AMD ?

And to complete my display of total lack of knowledge: does Vista come with words/outlook/excel or do I have to buy that seperately? Or is there any decent freeware that does the same and is compatible with Windows Vista? Can I still use my good ol' Office 2000 package on a Vista PC?

[pevergreen]

And to complete my display of total lack of knowledge: does Vista come with words/outlook/excel or do I have to buy that seperately? Or is there any decent freeware that does the same and is compatible with Windows Vista? Can I still use my good ol' Office 2000 package on a Vista PC?

When my XPS1530 arrived with Vista preinstalled, i had a set of programs that are by looks the same, but called Microsoft Works. Seemed to have another version of Word/Excel maybe access, but not outlook, Windows Mail.

This is all Vista Home Premuim.

[Lemur]

a) AMD vs INTEL : is this AMD processor good enough for gaming? I'm under the impression that AMD gives me a better price/quality... (a comparable INTEL system would cost me about 100 € more)

Actually, as much as I love AMD, your info is out-of-date. Dollar-for-dollar, Intel is faster these days. However, a 3.2 mhz dual-core AMD chip should get you through most gaming situations just fine. It's that videocard that worries me ...

[Andres]

Just got back from the friendly guy at Bitz' computers.

This is what I ordered:

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6400+ - AM2 - 3,20 GHz - with Original AMD Cooler
Mainboard ATX Asus M2N-SLI (AMD AM2, nForce 560, USB 2.0, gigabit lan, SATA, audio 8 channel, firewire, ...)
Memory DDR2 Dimm 2Gb 800 mhz (PC6400) (x 2)
Harddisk 320GB - 7200rpm - PATA133
ATI Radeon HD4850 PCIE 512 MB
DvD Writer Dual Layer 16x black front - DVD +/- R(w) & CDr(w) - IDE
Case Antec Sonata III Low Noise + 500 watt power supply
Microsoft - Windows Vista32 Home Premium NL oem
+assembling.

All of this for 834,00 € (VAT (21%!) included)

He had to order the Radeon 4850. If all goes well, the PC should be ready next Friday

I have 200 GB on my current system which I can use for, eh, educational software.

Thnx for the advice guys. Very much appreciated

[Husar]

Well, I'm not sure about computer prices in Europe, but in America, that seems like it'd be awfully expensive given exchange rate and such, so it'd be about $1600 USD, which seems expensive compared to the stuff I've seen from the major companies.

1$ = 1€ when talking about computer hardware, and probably some other things as well, in some cases the number in € is even higher than in $...

I agree about Vista 64 bit though, but if you have an old digi cam or so, make sure it has appropriate drivers for whatever Vista you're getting, many companies seem lazy and release only 32 bit drivers.

[Andres]

That whole setup sounds like $1000 is very, very expensive. What kind of warranty or service do they offer you and for how long?

Welcome in Europe