Upcoming Computer Purchase

[HighLordDave]

Just because it's a "default" video or sound card doesn't mean it's bad. On-board sound has gotten better over the past two or three years and most on-board video is actually pretty good; it won't be great, but it won't be horrible either.

If you can get an Audigy card for $75 (USD), I'd get it because the SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 card runs about $50 retail and the Audigy card really is a better card, so for $25 extra, you're really not out much.

You can add memory to any computer. It takes about three minutes from start to finish. The biggest trick is to find out what memory configurations your motherboard will support and what type of memory you need to buy.

Most generic memory is good enough for everyday applications. At Pricewatch, it's usually listed as either "generic" or "house" brand. It is my experience that name brand memory is only necessary for overclocking, but if you are uncomfortable with a generic brand, Crucial, Viking and PNY make reliable chips (but they'll cost you more than a house brand). I would avoid buying memory from Gateway because they (in my opinion) are horribly overcharging.

For instance, if you want to upgrade to 1024 MB of memory (up from 256 MB), they're going to charge you $360, which is highway robbery. You can buy a comparable amount of memory from a retail shop for about $100 (including shipping) and install it yourself, saving a bundle of money.

To see how easy it is to install memory, go here for the Gateway user guide for their desktop systems, scroll down the menu on the left and click on "installing memory". They've got illustrations and step by step instructions on how to put more memory in one of their computers.

[der Moench]

@HLD: I'll keep the Audigy card, thanks for the advice.

Re: memory. You're right: Gateway is overcharging, and I have decided to take the bare-bones 256 MB from them and upgrade to 1024MB afterwards. The computer tech at work said he would give me advice on chip type, and help me install if necessary. That should save me maybe as much as $250, as you say. Thank you!

The last issue remaining as a prickler is the LCD display. Gateway said they would take out the default display for a refund of $170. Then, to get the NEC 1860 they would charge full price: $564. That doesn't seem like a great deal to me. I looked for the NEC 1860 elsewhere, and the cheapest I found was $520, plus $20 shipping - so really no advantage over Gateway. This makes me think maybe just upgrading to the Gateway brand 18'' monitor, for an add of $250 would be a better bet. Any ideas as to whether an NEC is worth the extra ~$150?

Thanks all!

[HighLordDave]

I would never pay money for an LCD monitor. I think they are way too expensive; most 17" LCD monitors retail for about $400+ (USD), while a flat screen 17" CRT monitor will retail for about $200. The main reasons to get an LCD monitor are that they have a smaller footprint on your desktop, weigh less and generate less heat.

However, CRTs are better for gaming and in my opinion offer better bang for your buck.

Check out this thread for some more info on LCD monitors.

It is also my opinion that you would probably get a better deal on a monitor from a retailer than a computer dealer. Part of the way Gateway, Dell et al stay in business is selling you peripherals (monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) at higher than retail prices, while taking a hit on the profit margins of their computer components. You are paying for the convenience of purchasing everything at one time and having a single service contract cover everything.

If you shop around, both at local retailers (ie-Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Comp USA, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) and on the internet, you can probably get a monitor from a third party for less than you'd pay Gateway.

[der Moench]

OK, well, I think I'm all set. It will be purchased through Gateway, as follows:

Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.6GHz and 800MHz FSB
256MB DDR SDRAM @ 333Mhz (2x128 modules), but see below
80GB Ultra ATA100 7200 rpm hard drive
16x/48x DVDROM
48x/24x/48x CD-RW
1 year parts & labor warranty - no onsite, no accidental damage
No monitor
No speakers
128MB NVIDEA GeForce FX 5200G
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 Audio with IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
56K PCI data/fax modem
No floppy drive
MS Windows XP Home
MS Works Suite 2003
Keyboard, optical mouse

Cost: $1174. (Though I will get a whopping 2% discount by ordering through work.)

Now the memory will immediately be upgraded by adding (2) 512MB chips. Since the computer has 4 memory slots, that should total 1278MB. The monitor will be my current Gateway VX900 (a 19" CRT). The speakers will stay my current Boston Acoustics BA735. I figure monitor and speakers can get changed out anytime, if they go bad, or if I want. I'll save the money for now.

@HLD: I looked through the links to New Egg and Pricewatch. I had one last question: I could find DDR memory, but I could not locate any that said it was DDR SDRAM - ? Is just anything labelled as DDR ok? I matched up the 333MHz, so I am OK there. Also, another thing always listed is the number of pins. Is this something I should ask Gateway about when I order the computer, or is there one standard number of pins that are all I need to worry about.

Thanks all.

[HighLordDave]

For 333 MHz memory, you want to buy PC2700 DDR RAM. All DDR (double digital rate) memory is by definition SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory) but it is capable of processing twice as many data transfers per clock cycle as standard SDRAM. DDR RAM also comes in only one configuration: 184 pin DIMM (dual in-line memory module).

Standard SDRAM (PC66, PC100 and PC133) come in 168 pin DIMMs and will not fit into a DDR slot.

Gateway is not known for using proprietary memory modules, but before you buy any memory, make contact with the vendor and get their assurance (preferably in writing) that the memory you are buying is compatible with the machine you are buying.

Your machine specs look good; that machine should serve you very well.

One thing I would consider is getting an extended warranty for at least two years, and maybe three (depending on how long you expect to keep this machine in service). You may never need the extended warranty, but if you use it one time, it will have paid for itself. I don't know how close to your budget you are, but I would consider getting an additional year or two of coverage.

[smass]

If you buy your memory through crucial.com (micron memory) they have a nifty tool where you can use drop down menus to tell them what model computer you have - then it will only display the compatible memory options for that machine.

Crucial has decent prices and free shipping on orders over $40.

[der Moench]

@HLD: Thank you (again)! The PC2700 I actually figured out all by myself just by comparing lots of chips and reading the descriptions (at NewEgg and Pricewatch and such).

The warranty I may leave as-is. Not sure. But thank you for your input.

@smass: Interesting you should mention crucial. Since HLD recommended them, they were one of the makers I was looking at. Based on what I was reading, they were the top choice. I had planned on buying through NewEgg, but I will definitely look into the crucial website to check my system, and maybe buy.

I buy tomorrow.

Thank you all very much for your advice - it has been much appreciated.

[der Moench]

Whheeeee!

It is done. I placed the order through Gateway (just as shown above) today, and the machine should be here on or about 23 June, 2003. The memory I ordered through Crucial (Micron), and it should be here somewhat sooner.

So, after 23 June, you probably won't see me much around here, because I'll be having fun with all the nifty new games my current machine chokes on.

Thank you all very much for your input.

Gamebanshee is cool.