Buying a new computer, need some advice.

[Snowman]

Ok... so the computer i am using right now SUCKS, and, I am looking into buying a new computer. Here are the stats of the computer I want to buy:

 

 

 

Monitor: 19 inch E196FP Analog Flat Panel

 

 

 

Proccesor: PentiumÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâî D Processor 940 with Dual Core Technology(3.2GHz, 800FSB)

 

 

 

Memory: 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x1GB,2x512M)

 

 

 

Hard Drive: 250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 8MB cache

 

 

 

Optical Drives: Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

 

 

 

Video/graphics card: 256MB PCI ExpressÃÆââââ¬Ã¾Ãââ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory

 

 

 

Sound Card: Integrated Sound BlasterÃÆââ¬Å¡ÃâîAudigyÃÆââââ¬Ã¾Ãââ HD Software Edition

 

 

 

Speakers: Dell 5650 5.1 100 Watt Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer

 

 

 

Operating System: Genuine WindowsÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâî XP Media Center Edition 2005

 

 

 

Also comes with keyboard, mouse, and surge protector.

 

 

 

This is a Dell computer.

 

 

 

Total Cost: $1,518

 

I want this computer to last me for a while, I want to know if this is a good deal or not? Because i don't want to get ripped off. Thanks for any help.

[killordie18]

Well, that is a great computer, and no computer place (such as Dell) is far cheaper than its comptetators. However, that computer will last you a long time and for that price, I would get it. Dell I have noticed is a bit cheaper than most other places. Also, I have an Alienware laptop, that is not quite as good as that and I payed double what you did and it is far good enough. So, I would say it is a good deal and would get it, but make sure it is Windows Vista capable (the new Windows version). Or, wait until Vista is avaialble and get a computer that comes with it. Otherwise, it will cost you a couple hundred to legally get your copy of Vista as an upgrade.

[Cruiser]

Dell isn't the end all, be all of cheap computers. I just threw together the same setup (With a 19" LCD and keyboard/mouse) for $1300 after shipping on Newegg. :P Coulda gone lower if you were tight about what you picked, but just throwing it together still beat Dell. :lol:

 

 

 

Either way, that computer will definatly last you a while after a video card upgrade. :mrgreen:

 

 

 

Edit: Regarding the last posters comment on Vista. Don't worry about that. By the time it's widly adopted and XP is no longer supported, it'll be time to buy a new computer anyway. XP MCE is more than enough for any typical home user/gamer. It's also not the greatest of ideas to buy the very first versions of Vista because of possible bugs that weren't found during the beta process.

[Stuart_G]

If your able to build a computer yourself, you should because you would be able to build a computer that is as good, if not better than the one listed there for the same price or cheaper.

 

 

 

And if thats the way you decide to go, i would be more than happy to select parts for you arent up to date with all the current parts or are just unsure if everything will be compatible.

 

 

 

Just my 2 cents.

[Nadril]

The card you selected is a pretty outdated card already (the X600). If your going to be playing any up to date game's i'd recomend a 7600GT or X1900xt.