Looking to Buy a new pc

[Dead_Eye]

i was looking around lately and i found this computer

Processor & Memory:

* Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q6600
* Clock Speed: 2.4Ghz
* 8MB L2 Cache
* 1066Mhz Front-Side Bus
* 3GB (3 x 1GB) DDR2-800 memory; max capacity 8GB

Motherboard:

* Asus P5N-E SLI NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI Chipset MotherBoard

Drives:

* 320GB (7,200 RPM) SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive w/ 16MB Cache
* 20x max DVD±RW drive with Double Layer Support
* 16x max DVD-ROM drive
* 12-in-1 Media Reader

Graphics:

* 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600GT graphics card
* 1x DVI, 1 x VGA, 1x S-Video (HDTV Compatible)

Communications:

* 1 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Audio:

* Realtek ALC883 Audio
Support S/PDIF out interface

Keyboard & Mouse:

* Logitech PS/2 Keyboard
* Logitech PS/2 Optical Mouse

Expandability:

* 5 x 5.25" drive bays (external)
* 2 x 3.5" drive bays (external)
* 3 x 3.5” drive bays (internal)
* 2 x PCI-Express x16
* 1 x PCI-Express x1
* 2 x PCI 2.2

Ports:

* 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x front, 4 x rear)
* 1 x RJ-45 (LAN)
* 1 x IEEE1394 Firewire (1 x top, 1 x rear)
* 2 x PS/2 (keyboard and mouse)
* 1 x coaxial S/PDIF Out
* 2 x audio I/O ports (1 x top, 1 x rear)
* 1 x Parallel Port

Operating System and Software:

* Microsoft Windows Vista™ Home Premium (32-bit)

Additional Information:

* 600-watt power supply
* Raidmax Sagitta II Case
* Dimensions:17" H x 18" D x 8" W

Warranty and Support:

* One year CyberPower limited warranty
* 24/7 Lifetime technical support

its priced at $900 plus shipping

i was wonder if i should wait longer for a better price later on in the summer or jump at this offer.

[Zephyr1551]

I'm not a complete expert at computer hardware and machines, but I have a general knowledge, and I'd have to say that is a really good deal for that machine. Just make sure that your graphics card is completely supported by Windows Vista, and drivers are available by NVIDIA. Or else you'll face the consequences.

[Pwnzilla]

Would not be my choice. The 8600GT GPU is a entry level marginal performing gaming video card. It is limited by it's 128-bit memory bus and if it is one of the models with GDDR2 memory instead of GDDR3, then it is really weak. I would not recommend less than a 9600GT/8800GT for decent gaming performance.

The 650i chipset does not support 45nm processors should you want to upgrade down the road. You would be better off with either an nVidia 750i or an Intel P35 based mobo as these both support 45nm CPUs.

I would not use a 32-bit OS. I would use Vista Home Premium 64-bit and 4Gb of ram.

If the case is the same as Newegg.com - RAIDMAX Sagitta ATX-921WBP Black/Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450watt PRESCOTT/ SATA Ready Power Supply - Computer Cases then I would not select it either. I am not a fan of cases with doors over the drive bays/front connectors. Essentially you have to open the door every time you want to access the optical drive or the USB/audio front connectors.

The PSU specifications are not listed. Would want to know what brand/model, what the efficiency rating is, and whether or not it has active PFC.

That is just my informed opinion with regards to it being used as a gaming PC. It is barely capable of running current gen games at low/medium resolutions (due to the 8600GT gpu) and not upgrader friendly.

[Zephyr1551]

well it seems that he knows it better then I do so i'd have to agree with him.

[Dead_Eye]

hmm alright then if i am looking for a high performance gaming computer what price range should i be looking at then?

btw thanks for the info and advice pwnzilla

[Pwnzilla]

If you care to build it yourself you can do a very nice system for ~$1100. You can make a few adjustments (slower cpu, smaller hard drive, weaker gpu, etc...) and get it close to $800. Just depends on what your budget is really. The bare minimum for a decent DIY gaming system is ~$700.

A couple of examples at either end of the price range:

Expensive System (relatively speaking; you could go much higher with quad core CPU/dual GPU/RAID, etc...)
Case: Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
$69.95
Optical Drive: Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
$28.99
Hard Drive: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
$79.99
Floppy Drive: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LBL1 - Floppy Drives
$7.49
Keyboard/Mouse: Newegg.com - Microsoft S82-00032S Black 105 Normal Keys 16 Function Keys USB + PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - Keyboards
$25.99
Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
$149.99
Memory: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
$94.99
Power Supply: Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, TUV - Power Supplies
$114.99
CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors
$194.99
Video Card: Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N800-TR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$159.99
Operating System: Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems
$99.99

$1001.36 + Tax (CA) $72.60 + Shipping $30.62 = $1104.58 - Rebates $55.00 = $1049.58 Final Price

Budget System (components below changed, all others the same)
Hard Drive: Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
$64.99
Motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
$83.99
Power Supply: Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, UL, FCC - Power Supplies
$84.99
CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors
$129.99
Video Card: Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$149.99

$711.36 + Tax (CA) $51.57 + Shipping $37.60 = $800.53 - Rebates $55.00 = $745.53 Final Price

If you feel concerned about doing PC build yourself, just review the links below and you may decide it is something you can handle.

PC DIY video
YouTube - How to build a PC

PC DIY walkthru
Build Your Own No-Compromises $1,500 PC | Maximum PC

If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, just spec a system that has an Intel Core2Duo or AMD Phenom processor and at least an ATI 3870 or nVidia 9600GT or higher video card.