PC Shopping - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

02/19/2007 02:51:24 PM · #1

I am almost ready to upgrade to a new PC. But I thought I'd run it by the folks here and see if anyone had any direct experience with it or the components.

(I currently have a Dell Precision 650, Dual Xeon Processors, about three years old--longer than I've ever held a PC before upgrading!)

I've read reviews, and it looks like a pretty good deal. See the config below. A review is here

Some specific questions:

1) Anyone have the FX530? Is it quiet?
2) It doesn't look like it's got any special cooling, like watercooling. So I'm a little hesitant about the overclocking. But the new processors are supposed to run cooler. Anyone with expertise on this--bad idea?
3) I am going with Vista Home Premium bedcause I don't need Windows Backup or their IIS server. I suppose/hope it supports Intel quad extreme processors. I would hope Gateway wouldn't offer it in this config if it didn't, but anyone know?
4) Experience with this graphic card? I don't play games on my PC and I would want to use the Dell 30" display with this.

Here's the config. Seems like a steal:

Gateway FX530XV
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Estimated Ship Date: March 12, 2007 $2,829.98
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Customized Customized Options
Processor IntelÂ® Coreâ�¢ 2 Extreme Quad-Core Processor QX6700 (3.20GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 2x4MB cache) - Factory Overclocked
Operating System Genuine Windows Vistaâ�¢ Home Premium (32-bit)
Customized Memory 4096MB 667MHz PC5300 Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM (4-1024MB modules) [$370.00]
Customized Hard Drive 1000GB 7200rpm Serial ATA II/300 hard drive w/ 16MB cache (2-500GB hard drives) [$370.00]
Optical Drive 16x Double-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer DVDÂ±/RÂ±RW/CD-R/RW
Video NVIDIAÂ® GeForceÂ® 7600GS 256MB Dual DVI - Dual Link w/ HDCP & TV-Out
Sound Sound BlasterÂ® X-FI PCI Card
Media Card Reader 9-in-1 Memory Card Reader
Application Software MicrosoftÂ® Works 8.5
Backup Media Cyberlink Power2Go (Download only)
Chassis GatewayÂ® 7-bay BTX tower case
Customized Color FX Logo Accent - Blue Carbon
Keyboard GatewayÂ® Elite Multimedia Keyboard
Modem 56K PCI data/fax modem
Motherboard IntelÂ® 975X Chipset with DDR2 and IntelÂ® Coreâ�¢ Duo support for QX6700 Overclocked Processors
Mouse Soft-touch USB Optical Wheel Mouse
Operating System Backup Media Genuine Windows Vistaâ�¢ Home Premium Media (32-bit)
Power Supply 700-Watt Power Supply
Security Software No McAfeeÂ® Security Subscription Selected (for Genuine WindowsÂ® Vistaâ�¢)
Software Documentation End User License Agreement for Non-Microsoft Software
Customized Warranty Desktop Value Plus Service Plan -- 2 Year Parts/labor/Onsite/ 2 year technical support [$89.99]

Message edited by author 2007-02-19 14:52:47.

lifternessjt

Canon EOS-50D

02/19/2007 05:23:57 PM · #2

Neil...
I don't know about the Gateway. I'm using a Dell XPS700 and to date,I'm happy. It's super quiet without any special cooling and I guess it could be overclocked. I think you could get a slightly better videocard with the 700 or thier 710 (New model).
Now, might I ask why you want to overclock if you don't play games? :)

02/19/2007 05:47:04 PM · #3

Originally posted by lifternessjt:

Thanks for your commentts. I do a heck of a lot of XML and other data conversion. I code in Python, and the faster the processor, and the more of them, the faster it goes. Disk speed also matters, but the code isn't IO bound, as far as I can tell (I am also still working on the PC while it's processing.)

A complete data run for me takes about 24 clock hours on my dual processor Xeon.

Since I don't do gaming, I don't presume I need top of the line graphics processor. With Gateway, I only get two choices of nVidia or an ATI. I don't buy ATI anymore due to my bad experiences with their drivers over the course of the years when I have gotten "stuck" with them.

I am a bit worried about the overclocking (reliability is #1 for me above speed). But since it's factory overclocked and under warranty, I have to hope/presume that they will make sure the cooling is sufficient. Right?

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

02/19/2007 11:29:35 PM · #4

Anyone else want to chime in--Gateway customers?

lifternessjt

Canon EOS-50D

02/20/2007 06:22:27 AM · #5

Originally posted by nshapiro:

A complete data run for me takes about 24 clock hours on my dual processor Xeon.

Then I bet you're really itching for that quad core!!!

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/20/2007 07:10:50 AM · #6

I had a Gateway two computers ago and was very pleased with it - lasted me nearly five years. They're great with customer service: my monitor is a Gateway and it died inexplicably when I unplugged it to move my system out of the way for something - I called Gateway, explained, gave pertinent info, and they shipped a replacement monitor that day with instructions and a prepaid shipping form to return the dead one. Can't beat that.

And should you get some really good 2 for 1 deal on the box you're looking at, I'd be happy to take the second one off your hands. :-)