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Home > Archive > General Discussion > September 2004 > Need your opinion on which system is better
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Need your opinion on which system is better
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| lillian40 2004-08-24, 6:43 pm |
| hi everyone.
I would like you all's opinion on a thing or two....
I am in the market for a new computer. I am having one built instead of buying directly from manufacturer. I have three quotes from three different computer shops around town. I am going to share with you the specs of each system that I can have built, and I would like an opinion on which would be better. My use for the system would be basic word processing, web surfing and maybe some piture scanning and cd burning. Nothing elaborate like gaming, etc.
System #1
Celeron or P4 2.6 or a 3000 Mhz P4 with Hyper threading
256 PC 2700 DDR or 256 DDR Dual Channel memory
40 or 80 gig hard drive
cd/cd-rw
floppy (extra, which I think I want)
1 year parts labor warrenty
17" monitor
Office XP home edition
between 600 w/Celeron
and 800 w/ P4
System #2
MSI KM3M-V Motherboard 333FSB with onboard Sound and video card
AMD Athlon XP2600 processor
256 DDR pc2700 memory
80 gig hard drive
free dvd with purchase of complete pc
cd-rw
floppy( optional)
windows XP home
3 yr limited parts and labor
$944 (tax included, price good for 15 days)
System #3
Intel Celeron 2.4ghz or P42.8 processor with H/T ( choice between celeron or P4)
with the Celeron:
XP Professional
256 DDR SDRAM
40 gig hd
cd-rw
floppy(optional)
intel Extreme Graphics 2
10/100 Lan
2 year parts and labor
with P4:
512 DDR400 SDRAM
40gb hd
dc-re/dvd rom combo
graphics, connectivity, same
$700 w/Celeron processor
#950 w/P4
I think my main concern is which is the better processor, pro and cons of each and what exactly is Hyper Threading, I know it has something to do with multi=tasking.
And then the warrenty is important too.
so..
what's your opinion?
any information will be appreciated
Lillian
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| smrkdown 2004-08-24, 7:07 pm |
| Don't buy a Celeron. No matter what its Mhz are, it'll yeild much less performance than either the Athlon or the P4. Hyperthreading is a relatively new technology which allows the processor to execute multiple threads per clock cycle which in theory should make the CPU act like multiple logical CPU's in on physical chip. Realistically, they still share the same cache, bus, etc. and not much software takes advantage of hyperthreading yet. CPU's are not really a bottleneck anymore anyway unless you're doing intense graphics rendering or gaming. | |
| curiousgeorge 2004-08-24, 7:16 pm |
| Get System #1 with the P IV processor and tell them you want 512 MB RAM.
putting only 256 MB of RAM with a P IV 3.0 GHz processor is like putting retread tires on a Ferarri. I actually have 1 GB of RAM in my computer, but 512 MB is good.
I've worked on Dell, Compaq, and IBM desktops over the last five years. Dell by far has been the most reliable. | |
| smrkdown 2004-08-24, 7:35 pm |
| Personally, I would spend a little more and build my own system. In the long run it'll be cheaper to maintain and upgrade than it will be replacing cheap proprietary parts while trying not to void the warranty. | |
| curiousgeorge 2004-08-25, 2:12 am |
| Dell doesn't use proprietary parts. You can get all replacement parts from any computer store.
There's no sense in spending MORE and not having a warranty at all. | |
| Deja-vue 2004-08-25, 2:55 am |
| hmmm, agree with George, go with P4 ant at least 512 megs.
System #2 should cost no more than $699.00 and they will make still plenty of profit, you can build a complete XP2600+ today for a mere $375.00, including a valid XPHome license.
I do it all the time.
just my $0.02 | |
| smrkdown 2004-08-25, 7:02 am |
| Dell's older models used motherboards and power supplies which had the wires switched so if either the motherboard or power supply died, you couldn't replace them with standard parts. Also, the mounts in the case were in non-standard positions, so standard ATX motherboards wouldn't work. If you didn't want to buy an overpriced proprietary power supply from dell, you'd be buying an new power supply, new motherboard, and new case while voiding the warranty. | |
| lillian40 2004-08-25, 6:21 pm |
| so the majority thinks that Systm#1 the Dell Barebone system, may be the best choice over the other two?
Another question concerning cd-rw and floppy. I am still use 1.4 floppy disk to save information. What advantage over the floppy is the cd-rw? I notice most machines built now does not have a floppy. Are you able to save information to a cd-rw the same as you would a floppy? and now there is the dvd-rom....
any information will be appreciated.
thanks
Lillian | |
| wayne62682 2004-08-25, 6:54 pm |
| CD-ROM can store more, basically. I would still get a floppy drive installed, though. It's only like $10 extra or so. | |
| Factor>G< 2004-08-30, 6:35 am |
| Hi Lillian,
I hope the following helps...
In this day and age..personally I would not consider a Celeron Processor. A few years ago maybe, however due to stiff competition (AMD v Intel) premium Processors are now very affordable.
Intel has once again slashed the price of it's Intel P4 range (1/3 off). Thus bear this in mind, and hopefully you can benefit, by taking advantage of the Processor price war.
A CD-RW disc can store an average of 450 floppy disc's, and yes it can be used just like a floppy. You should have no problem with recording software, Windows XP has Roxio burning software built in..if all else fails.
As for DVD-Rom..well to be honest I would wait for recording purposes. Next year sees the start of yet another looming war between standards..BluRay v HD-DVD storing a potentially massive 50GB and 30GB respectively.
-G | |
| Deja-vue 2004-08-30, 11:48 am |
| Factor>G<
with all due respect:
Blue-Ray is at least 3 years away and was designed to record HDTV-Signals in Future DVR's (Digital Video Recorders).
It was intended for this purpose only, due to the gigantic Bandwith of HDTV. I don't see any Blue-Ray recorders going into PC's anytime soon.Besides, HD-DVD (27 gigs capacity) may have won the new Format-war already, which is backwards-compatible with today's DVD's. Blue-Ray is not compatible with any of today's Formats.
You want to recommend waiting for this Format?
We are already recording Dual Layer DVD's (8.1 Gigs) successfully and prices of DVD-Burners are as low as $59.00 for an 8X and $63.00 for the newest Dual-layer Recorder.
FYI only.
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| Factor>G< 2004-08-30, 1:35 pm |
| Respect as always my friend.
However...I beg to differ with your comments regarding the launch and hence time-frame surrounding BluRay Technology.
FACT: BluRay recording technology is already alive and kicking in Japan.
You may or may not be aware..Sony will now include such technology in it's next generation PS3, which may possibly debut as early as 2005.
Add to the fact..pun intended (smile) many movie moguls are also expressing a great interest in the technology. I'm talking from experience here..after spending the last three years in and around Hollywood.
You claim the battle (format wars) may already be won, once again I beg to differ.
When you have a major electronics BluRay consortium such as..Sony, Matsushita, HP, Dell..the battle is a far cry from being over.
Deja-vue, I was not advising Lillian to literally wait..it was just a figure of speech..merely highlighting the fact that once again new technology is on the horizon.
Lillian does not need the after mentioned super storage capacity. Especially if she still happens..to be contemplating the use of a good ol floppy drive.
Respect given always..and NEVER taken! | |
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| anthonyb 2004-09-01, 8:37 pm |
| Hello You ALL
I would say the last system looked pretty good. If you want a good quality system you have to pay a little money for it. To do internet surfing and word processing you can bet buy with a $300 or $400 dollar system. I would recomend a $900 0r $1000 dollar system at least so it will be good for a few years. I have a Dell 4150 System with Pentium 4 2.0 GHz, 256 MB Memory, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, Floppy, Windows XP Home, 20 GB Hard Drive, etc. Anyways I am going to sell that for $500 dollars and try to get a $1500 dollar system. Sorry for refering to the dollar system here. That is how I benchmark my systems. If you want quality material you have to pay for it. I would like a DVD-RW, Pentium 4 3 GHz Processor, 512MB or 1024MB Memory, 80 to 100 GB Hard Drive, Windows XP Professional, Office XP, etc. I do not do extensive things either like gaming or graphics, but when doing other stuff I like the top of the line |
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