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05/23/2005 09:17:49 PM · #1 |
My Birthday is this Saturday (May 28th), and my wonderfull mother said she wanted to get me a new Computer, because mine has major issues and still freezes all the time.
She said between 500-600 dollars, all I need is the tower, everthing else I got is great (monitor/speakers, etc).
I know it would be cheaper and more productive to build my own, but its a gift, and she doesnt wanna buy me parts, or just gimme money and have me purchase the stuff and build it, plus I dont wanna mess with building another PC, I built this Piece of Crap..
I found this one--
Athlon 64
Im kinda weary of the E-Machine name, but from what I have read they have gotten alot better.
Im also aware of the Shared Vdeo, but it is also real expandle and later on I could get another Video card and more Ram. (when I get rich again), :)
It seems like a very nice price-- and beats the crap outta what I got now--
(Athlon 950, 256 Pc 133 ram, 32 meg Geforce 2 card, cd- burner, dvd-rom, and 80 gig HD)
any ideas, or other Tower Suggestions? |
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05/23/2005 09:25:54 PM · #2 |
Dell has some pretty good deals right now. I would suggest looking at them. Right now, they are offering free shipping and free upgrade to an LCD monitor.
I have purchased two machines from them in the last year and have been quite happy with both. Looking now to replace my kid's old PC (also a Dell - old 500 mhz) with something that will play the newest games.
Message edited by author 2005-05-23 21:26:59. |
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05/23/2005 09:28:14 PM · #3 |
Emachines as a brand isn't to bad. They mostly all use the same parts from manf. You are getting a pc with upgradeablity. It uses the ATI chipset...and hase the built in shared video but does have a 16x pci xpress slot. So you can get a better card at a later date. Also with 64bit OS's coming out soon (not the Win Xp 64 version). You will have a ready to run pc. Not sure on what type of speed of ram it uses. I am sure it is made for pc3200 (400mhz ram) but it just says 512mb of ram. In some machines they put slower ram like pc2700 in their. Other then that it should work load sbetter then your current rig.
Besides mainstream manfs. like hp/compaq,emachines,dell and the like it will be hard to get the best price. Piecing it togeter is more affordable but liek you said it is a gift so best to get a pre configured one.
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05/23/2005 09:29:59 PM · #4 |
Take a look at these. I configured the YB04 choice with a 3500+ processor, 1GB of RAM, and a DVD writer for about $550. Add a hard drive and you're set. Still integrated video, but as you say, you can upgrade that later.
Advantage with this path is that you have very flexible configuration options. I've had great luck with MWave over the years, both in initial sales experience and customer service.
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05/23/2005 09:30:38 PM · #5 |
Just a quick reply. My husband builds computers and he says that isn't really a very good one. He has built some awesome computers for under $500.00. You can send a build-sheet to Newegg.com and get a much faster system for a lot less than what you are talking about.
My husband said he will do a build-sheet for you, if you want. Just email me if you are interested.
Message edited by author 2005-05-23 21:46:28. |
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05/23/2005 10:16:12 PM · #6 |
e-machines in the old days just flat out sucked due to space restraints and heat on the inside of the box (they packed too much in a small area). At the point that Gateway picked up e-Machines they became quite a bit better. e-Machines is Gateway's way of selling computers throught the Bestbuy, Circuit city channels, while they sell consumer goods (much like Dell) on the internet. They are ok but you never know what you get for a mobo and components (much like Dell).
HP owns Compaq so your money is going to the same place. They get you one way or another if brand name is important. About the same quality as the e-Machines...maybe a shy bit better.
Dells (I have to support em at work and I am certified on their entire line...Servers to Laptops) is all plug and pray like a big lego set. Parts break all the time and you just snap a new piece in (except for the failed Integrated IDE controller or Integrated video I have had). Personally I wouldn't get a Dell right now.
With the Mom & Pop build to suit shops on the internet you ultimately will get a better performing machine as you get to pick and choose, and support from a lot of them is better as you talk with one person and your support call is not routed all over the world.
Just got to know what to get.
AMD 64 good choice as you get more bang for the buck and a better multi-media machine in the end, but watch what mobo you get. Production on AMD64 Socket 754 processors is about to cease to allow the AMD64 937 Processors to move forward.
Getting a 754 now and your only choices for upgrade will be whats available right now...New Processors are being made in the 937 package.
The GeForce2 that you mentioned is quite old technology a good budget nVidia card to start might be a GeForce FX 5500 or GeForce FX 5700 which are pretty decent cards at a lower price.
I'll see if I can find a couple sites that I have used in the past.
Message edited by author 2005-05-23 22:16:35.
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05/23/2005 10:32:46 PM · #7 |
thanks for all the replies--
Still debating, and hoping for more input--
Awpollard-- I guess this machine has PCI Express slot x 16, and it has a MSI MS-7093 motherboard with a 939 AMD 64-bit socket and an ATI chipset.
Or Maybe thats a 937 socket, like you said, coulda been a typo, but Its not the older technology you mentioned.
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05/23/2005 11:10:51 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by northrop3:
Dell has some pretty good deals right now. I would suggest looking at them. Right now, they are offering free shipping and free upgrade to an LCD monitor.
I have purchased two machines from them in the last year and have been quite happy with both. Looking now to replace my kid's old PC (also a Dell - old 500 mhz) with something that will play the newest games. |
I actually would advise never, ever to get a Dell. I had one monitor blow, and three computers (two desktop, one laptop) that were seriously buggy. One started having problems well within the warranty period (and I called them and reported the problems, but they wouldn't come look at it until they jumped me through a series of hoops that were supposed to fix it), but when it finally died one month outside the warranty period they said too bad. I know, I know... four Dells when each gave me fits? I got a discount on them for an unrelated reason so I kept at it, but now that my discount is gone I'll never go back. (By the way, I have no compunctions about advising people against buying Dell every chance I get because I warned the tech support people I would do so if they didn't fix my fourth Dell and they still didn't.) |
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05/23/2005 11:19:39 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by buzzrock:
thanks for all the replies--
Still debating, and hoping for more input--
Awpollard-- I guess this machine has PCI Express slot x 16, and it has a MSI MS-7093 motherboard with a 939 AMD 64-bit socket and an ATI chipset.
Or Maybe thats a 937 socket, like you said, coulda been a typo, but Its not the older technology you mentioned. |
The price is actually looking pretty good compared to some of the configure yourself type places...for what you are getting in the box. I would rather have 1G of RAM and really don't care too much for Integrated Video which Shares RAM but they could be upgraded later.
I just another 512M PC3200 for my work pc for 55 bucks (locally) and a multi-headed (db-15 x2) GeForce FX 5500 for 89 bucks...
This Coupon the just started today might help you out even 10% off more...I found it on Techbargains but they pointed to bottom right of MSN home page (there is a link).
ED: Never mind on the coupon [reads fine print] has to be used today and then they only mail you a gift card for 10% of your purchase [/reads fine print]
Also note: my bad it is 939 way too many numbers to deal with... :)
Adding a couple of reviews:
cnet
pcmag
Message edited by author 2005-05-23 23:38:41.
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05/28/2005 04:06:25 PM · #10 |
Well for My Moms Budget--
We decided on the E-Machines 6212..
I plan on adding the ATI Radeon x700 later to upgrade the graphics, and it should be a very nice System for the price.. |
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05/28/2005 04:13:14 PM · #11 |
Don't get this one - it doesn't look like it was well made.
edit: ooops, sorry. Responding to the topic line again. :-P
Message edited by author 2005-05-28 16:14:06. |
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