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10-29-2001, 12:25 AM
|  | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Gamebanshee Asylum
Posts: 10,197
| |  A new computer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gateway 500X
$1399.00 ($1483.00 with shipping)
Processor
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 1.5GHz
Memory
256MB SDRAM
Hard Drive
40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Floppy Drive
3.5" 1.44MB diskette drive
CD-ROM
Recordable/ReWriteable CDRW
Video
32MB NVIDIA™ GeForce2 MX200 AGP Graphics
Keyboard
Multi-function Keyboard
Sound System
Integrated Stereo Audio
Case
Gateway Micro-Tower Case
Expansion Slots
3 PCI and 1 AGP
Controller
Integrated Ultra ATA Controller
Modem
56K PCI Modem
Network Adapter
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Internet Service Provider
1 Year America Online Internet Access
Anti-Virus Software
Norton Anti-Virus
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Application Software
Microsoft® Works Suite 2001 - Including Microsoft® Word and Encarta
Monitor
15" LCD Flat Panel Display (15" viewable) (Limited Time ONLY)
Mouse
Logitech PS/2 Wheel Mouse and Gateway mouse pad
Speakers
GCS300™ Speakers
Home Network Solution
10MB USB Home Networking Adapter ........[ +US$59.00]
Limited Warranty Program
1 Year Limited Parts / Labor / Support
Joystick
Gravis Game Pad Pro USB ........[ +US$19.00]
Software Offer
I elect NOT to take the Two-$59 Software Bundles (By selecting this option, you elect NOT to get any $59 Software Bundles-Please remove the $59 Software Bundles that are selected for you) ........[ -US$99.00]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*First : Expansion Slots 3 PCI and 1 AGP ?
Is this enough?
*Second : Home Network Solution
10MB USB Home Networking Adapter ........[ +US$59.00]
Needed to run two computers thru one ISP?
*Third : Internet Service Provider 1 Year America Online Internet Access and Application Software Microsoft® Works Suite 2001 - Including Microsoft® Word and Encarta .
I'm going to try to have these took off.
*Fourth : Video
32MB NVIDIA™ GeForce2 MX200 AGP Graphics
There wasn't an option to move up to a 64MB one, but when I go to the Gateway store I will ask.
*Fifth : Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
I'm using Windows 98 Second Edition now and really don't know if I want to move up to XP.
Thoughts
__________________
"Vile and evil, yes. But, That's Weasel" From BS's book, MD 20/20: Fine Wines of Rocky Flop. |
10-29-2001, 01:27 AM
|  | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: the edge of night
Posts: 1,098
| |
Why a Gateway? Dell has consistently better customer service and equal or better systems. Or, if you are looking at a gaming machine, Alien Ware has some very attractive machines.
Processor
I prefer an Athalon. Benchmark scores are better, plus I would rather support them than Intel
Hard Drive
Which kind? I would do some research and see if you can specify. There are differences in quality.
CD-ROM
Again, which brand?
Video
Have you considered a GeForce 3 or GeForce 2 Ultra. 'Course, they are pricey...
Definitely dump AOL. Been on it for 4 years. Bites.
Operating System
In my experience, you usually don't have a choice of operating systems. Are they allowing you to choose? I'm using Windows SE, but I understand XP is more stable, which would be nice. The product activation feature of XP sounds like a pain, though.
__________________
Those who will play with kitties must expect to be scratched.
Many are cold; few are frozen.
Absence is to love what wind is to fire... it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great. |
10-29-2001, 01:55 AM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Gamebanshee Asylum
Posts: 10,197
| | 
Quote:
Originally posted by thantor3:
<STRONG>
Why a Gateway? Dell has consistently better customer service and equal or better systems. Or, if you are looking at a gaming machine, Alien Ware has some very attractive machines.</STRONG>
| The computer I'm on now is a Gateway...and I have had little trouble with it. I guess it's like buying a car. I only buy GM, will not touch a Ford. Might think about a Toyota.
I believe Leedog has a Dell, so I might check in to one. Do you know if they have a site like Gateway where you can choose some of the options? Quote:
Originally posted by thantor3:
<STRONG>
Processor
I prefer an Athalon. Benchmark scores are better, plus I would rather support them than Intel</STRONG>
|
See my answer above.  Quote:
Originally posted by thantor3:
<STRONG>
Hard Drive
Which kind? I would do some research and see if you can specify. There are differences in quality. </STRONG>
| How can I find out the name? When I turn on the computer the writing at the beginning says something like Phoenix Fireball? Name brands? Speed? Quote:
Originally posted by thantor3:
<STRONG>
CD-ROM
Again, which brand?</STRONG>
| The one I have has a MITSUMI CD-ROM FX4821T!A.
Good brand? Quote:
Originally posted by thantor3:
<STRONG>
Video
Have you considered a GeForce 3 or GeForce 2 Ultra. 'Course, they are pricey... </STRONG>
| I'm going to try to go with a GeForce card....a 64MB one if possible. Quote:
Originally posted by thantor3:
<STRONG>
Operating System
In my experience, you usually don't have a choice of operating systems. Are they allowing you to choose? I'm using Windows SE, but I understand XP is more stable, which would be nice. The product activation feature of XP sounds like a pain, though.
</STRONG>
| This is my worst thought.  I'm still running DirectX 7 because of the fear.
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"Vile and evil, yes. But, That's Weasel" From BS's book, MD 20/20: Fine Wines of Rocky Flop. |
10-29-2001, 05:47 AM
|  | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Dead End Street
Posts: 11,275
| |
@PCI AGP yep that should be enough Are you going to add a lot of peripheral devices?
I don't think you need all that processer power, you should be alright with about a Gig
That system seems a bit expensive to me, you might want to check out Dell, they seem to more reasnoable in my experience, they also have better customer support
AOL infect your machine with crap, they change files and alter your machine so it is AOL specific, avoid if possible
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I'd have to get drunk every night and talk about virility...And those Pink elephants I'd see.
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10-29-2001, 07:58 AM
|  | Twisted Sister | | Join Date: May 2001 Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
Posts: 8,572
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@Weasel - check this out, click on home and office, select one of the featured desktops then click on the customise button to adjust specification... www.Dell.com
btw all - I have had AOL for over three years and no problems 
[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]
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Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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10-29-2001, 08:02 AM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Dead End Street
Posts: 11,275
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I'd have to get drunk every night and talk about virility...And those Pink elephants I'd see.
|
10-29-2001, 08:05 AM
| | Twisted Sister | | Join Date: May 2001 Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
Posts: 8,572
| |
@Mr Sleep - LOL! 
I would not call the occasional crash problematic, or even AOLs fault. I had more problems with Freeserve that you wouldn't believe 
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Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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10-29-2001, 08:20 AM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Dead End Street
Posts: 11,275
| |
True, however SOL are also not the internet as they try to claim, they are more like a small network, who happened to have a connection to the internet.
__________________
I'd have to get drunk every night and talk about virility...And those Pink elephants I'd see.
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10-29-2001, 08:35 AM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 219
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Weasel, 1 AGP slots, 3 PCI slots, intergrated sound and a micro tower case. Wow, sounds like a cut down system to me. Personally I would avoid it if at all possible.
I would go for a midi tower case with a full size mainboard instead with no intergrated sound or intergrated display, that way you can upgrade in the future to whatever takes your fancy.
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Just remember, everyone is entitled to my opinion
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10-29-2001, 08:39 AM
|  | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: The Hundred Acre Wood
Posts: 605
| |
Quote:
Originally posted by Saruman:
<STRONG>Weasel, 1 AGP slots, 3 PCI slots, intergrated sound and a micro tower case. Wow, sounds like a cut down system to me. Personally I would avoid it if at all possible.
I would go for a midi tower case with a full size mainboard instead with no intergrated sound or intergrated display, that way you can upgrade in the future to whatever takes your fancy.</STRONG>
|
i second that. in the long run you will save money. aahhh money - I love the smell of sterling in the morning.
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I didn't really bounce Eeyore. I had a cough, and I happened to be behind Eeyore, and I said "Grrrr-oppp-ptschschschz."
Tigger
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10-29-2001, 08:39 AM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 219
| |
Oh yeah, one thing that I forgot to mention in my last post is that although flat screen TFT displays look pretty nifty in your home office and have a much smaller footprint than a traditional CRT screen they are rubbish for playing games on due to the screen update not being as good as a CRT, besides for the same money you spend on a 15" TFT you can get a decent 19" CRT.
__________________
Just remember, everyone is entitled to my opinion
|
10-29-2001, 09:11 AM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hell if I know
Posts: 15,231
| |
I like XP. so far I am haing no problems with it.
I don't like Gateway, personal choice though.
I agree with Sleep, 1 gig is plenty, and costs a lot less.
Why not buy the parts and build yourself? I bought a case, motherboard and 1 gig processoer for les than 300 dollars. It is an Athlon, not a pentium, but I love it. Memory is cheap nowadays too.
Have you tried going to TigerDirect? They have great deals, and you should be able to put a system together for less than what you are talking about.
By the way, on board sound is awful in my opinion. 
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Lord of Lurkers
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell! |
10-29-2001, 09:25 AM
|  | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Home of the straw men
Posts: 907
| |
Quote:
Originally posted by Weasel:
<STRONG>Hard Drive
40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
</STRONG>
| Make sure it's an ATA100 with lowest possible seek time. Quote:
<STRONG>CD-ROM
Recordable/ReWriteable CDRW
</STRONG>
| I dont know how good they are, but I'd opt for a DVD/CDRW combo anyway. Quote:
<STRONG>Sound System
Integrated Stereo Audio
</STRONG>
| Depends... Games tend to be more fun with a super 3d surround whatever sound system, so if games is a high priority, I'd choose something else. Quote:
<STRONG>Monitor
15" LCD Flat Panel Display (15" viewable) (Limited Time ONLY)
</STRONG>
| "Limited time" as in "the price will drop the week after"? I like TFT screens, but they're no good for fast action games, and so-so for movies. Quote:
<STRONG>*First : Expansion Slots 3 PCI and 1 AGP ?
</STRONG>
| Depends... Sofar I've never managed to use up more than three PCI slots, except on servers. Quote:
<STRONG>*Second : Home Network Solution
10MB USB Home Networking Adapter ........[ +US$59.00]
</STRONG>
| What for? IIf you need another network card, buy a 10/100MB PCI card instead. They're about $20 for a decent one. Quote:
<STRONG>Needed to run two computers thru one ISP?
</STRONG>
| In that case, there are plenty of better solutions than using one machine as gateway. Forinstance, Dlink has a small router/firewall that does address translation. Quote:
<STRONG>*Third : Internet Service Provider 1 Year America Online Internet Access and Application Software Microsoft® Works Suite 2001 - Including Microsoft® Word and Encarta .
</STRONG>
| Sounds painful. Most of those mess up your system (IMO) and clog up memory even though the programs aren't started. But then, I'm no great fan of M$, so don't trust me too much on this one Quote:
<STRONG>*Fourth : Video
32MB NVIDIA™ GeForce2 MX200 AGP Graphics
</STRONG>
| As with sound, if games is a high priority, go for whatever is "state of the art" according to game magazines. They usually do the appropriate tests (ie run all the latest games on them ). Quote:
<STRONG>*Fifth : Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
</STRONG>
| Well, it's M$, so I say "stay away". On the other hand, you need to run some version of Windooze to run games, in which case I think ME is the current winner. There's something about XP in general that doesn't quite feel right, but at the moment I cant put my finger on it.
Hope this helps...
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The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations David Friedman |
10-29-2001, 03:49 PM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Somewhere beyond the sea
Posts: 4,984
| |
Weasel, could you tell us what is your main usage of this computer, apart from spamming?
It really will make different how you use it. If your main purpose is power gaming, you should get the best graphic card and maybe sound card you can get. But, for example, I don't need them at all, because I mostly use Word processor and internet search.
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"Strength without wisdom falls by its own weight."
A word to the wise is sufficient
Minerva (Semi-retired SYMer)
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10-29-2001, 03:54 PM
| | Exalted Member | | Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Gamebanshee Asylum
Posts: 10,197
| |
Quote:
Originally posted by Minerva:
<STRONG>Weasel, could you tell us what is your main usage of this computer, apart from spamming?
</STRONG>
| Apart from communicating, gaming is the main use. In my line of work, a computer doesn't help to much.
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