Build My Dell [Archive] - SpursTalk.com Forums

timvp

05-19-2009, 12:55 AM

I'm getting a new computer for myself but I need some SpursTalk help. I'm not a gamer but I need something that can keep up with constant multitasking (Firefox, Photoshop, Word, Excel, etc). Speed is my number one concern. And I do need a new monitor.

I'm getting it a part of a larger deal so it needs to be Dell and $750 or less. Use this link as a starting point:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/desktops_great_deals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Thanks in advance.

PM5K

05-19-2009, 01:26 AM

Just get the one that's 699.00 and upgrade the processor for 50.00.

It's probably 100 times faster than what you already have anyway.

PixelPusher

05-19-2009, 02:02 AM

If you're honest-to-God-cross-your-heart not a gamer then I would recommend saving a couple more bucks and go with the Studio Slim Desktop starting at $599. The base processor (Core 2 Duo E7400 3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB) is more than adequate for multitasking the apps you mentioned. The only reason you might want to upgrade the processor is for Photoshop, which can never have too much horsepower. More importantly, you'll want as much RAM as you can afford (starts at 4GB, which is decent, 8GB is $125 extra) if you're going to be messing around with hi-rez images in Photoshop. I'm not sure which version of Photoshop you're using, but the latest one (CS4) is set up to also utilized the GPU, so you might want to go ahead and upgrade the graphics to the ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB (supporting HDMI) for an extra $60.

If you want to leave yourself the option to add a serious graphics card later on, then go with the Studio Desktop PM5K mentioned.

PM5K

05-19-2009, 02:10 AM

I'm not sure anyone else can really build YOUR Dell, everyone is different.

So for example I noticed that system at 699 doesn't include any speakers, and I personally wouldn't want anything less than a 2.1 system so I'd upgrade that.

Also, I noticed the burner isn't a dual layer burner, while I don't burn dual layer DVD disks all the time I do burn them often enough to find a dual layer burner a necessity.

Otherwise I'd say that my 1.6 GHZ Intel Core Duo with 2GB RAM is very capable of running CS4, Outlook, and a browser running a few tabs so even the base 599 Dell would do fine.

What exactly do you have right now?

PixelPusher

05-19-2009, 02:22 AM

The other consideration is how nice of a monitor do you need? The basic monitor included is a 20inch LCD, +$50 for one that includes webcam/mic, +$140 for a 24inch

balli

05-19-2009, 01:42 PM

Of those, I'd also get the Studio Slim. +1 on upgrading to the video card that supports HDMI. Maybe the processor too, but unless you're running several resource suckers at once, like graphics rendering type shit, you'd be fine.

How soon do you need it? Just to avoid Vista it might be worth waiting until late fall/early winter just so you get Windows 7. And... I have no clue if there's any veracity to this, but my hunch is that fairly soon here we're going to start seeing a lot more DDR3 and for cheaper. Like I said, I don't know a lot about computers, especially hardware, but I'd be kicking myself if I bought a new desktop with DDR2, right before DDR3 became the standard. Might be worth researching.

PixelPusher

05-19-2009, 02:15 PM

Looking back at what I posted last night, I think I need to walk back the part about getting as much RAM as possible. Unless you're messing around with Pro-level graphics and photography, the base 4GB is plenty. Hell, just thee years ago 4GB was considered a hardcore, elite upgrade. If I assume correctly that you use Photoshop for stuff like web graphics and desktop wallpapers, then you don't need to go crazy. I'd still go with the $60 upgraded graphics card though, and that leaves you $90 under your $750 budget to spend on things like a nicer monitor or other little upgrades.

balli makes a good point about DDR3 and Windows 7 - both of those will make for a "faster" system...but like PM5K was alluding to, it's all a matter of perspective. The Base system with no upgrades whatsoever will still be an order of magnitude faster than whatever 2, 3, 4 year old system you're running now, and no matter what you end up getting, there will always be slightly faster system just 3 months away.

All other thing being equal, if you can wait til Windows 7 comes out (Septemberish?), you'll probably be much happier with it than Vista.

Cry Havoc

05-19-2009, 04:01 PM

timvp

05-19-2009, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the help.

To answer some questions:

-Not a gamer at all. I had to force myself into retirement a couple years ago :depressed

-I don't do anything major in Photoshop. Just the basics.

-I'm on my notebook now but, IIRC, my computer is a two or three year old HP. It's still usable but it's definitely sluggish compared to new machines. And yeah, I'm sure whatever option I go with will be so much more powerful that my ultimate choices probably won't matter much.

That Windows 7 angle is interesting. I've never used Vista so waiting for Windows 7 probably makes even more sense. But .... this is part of a larger Dell business order that is being completed by the end of the week. So unless Vista is still horrible enough and Windows 7 will be improved enough that it makes it worth the wait, I'd rather just get it over with.

Right now, I'm leaning toward the $599 model with the $60 upgraded graphics card. Again, thanks for the help.

Now I have to decide whether or not to upgrade the monitor to the 24" Full HD Widescreen Flat Panel monster and whether or not to wait for 7 . . .

baseline bum

05-19-2009, 04:47 PM

All other thing being equal, if you can wait til Windows 7 comes out (Septemberish?), you'll probably be much happier with it than Vista.

What makes you excited about Windows 7? Or is it just the every other release is good theory?

i.e.,
Windows 3.11 - good
Windows 95 - dogshit
Windows 98 - ok
Windows ME - crap
Windows 2000/XP - excellent
Windows Vista - underwhelming (except to the processor :lol )

IronMexican

05-19-2009, 04:50 PM

-Not a gamer at all. I had to force myself into retirement a couple years ago :depressed

http://live.universal-collectibles.com/product_images02/40339-1.jpg

koriwhat

05-19-2009, 04:52 PM

Windows 3.11 - ah hahahaha! oh man 3.11 wow. i still have a floppy somewhere with that on it, well about 30 floppies to be exact.
Windows 95 - my real first computer had this shit OS on it, then again i had a shit acer aspire then too.
Windows 98 - clouds in the back as a splash screen? hahaha.
Windows ME - total pos!
Windows 2000/XP - i wouldn't say excellent but to date i would say usable. 2000 was my fav.
Windows Vista - big pos! waste! and glad i use OSX!

Cry Havoc

05-19-2009, 04:57 PM

What makes you excited about Windows 7? Or is it just the every other release is good theory?

i.e.,
Windows 3.11 - good
Windows 95 - dogshit
Windows 98 - ok
Windows ME - crap
Windows 2000/XP - excellent
Windows Vista - underwhelming (except to the processor :lol )

Windows 98 first edition might very well be the worst operating system ever devised. It famously crashed while they were DEMOing it on their top-notch hardware during a Windows conference.

vzFUcDKC64E

98SE was decent, but so far only 2000 and XP are really really good, although I have had absolutely NO problems with Vista. Vista is horrible for lower-end laptops, but it actually runs faster for me than XP does.

baseline bum

05-19-2009, 05:01 PM

3.11 was way more stable than 95 (especially 95A). I actually really liked it, before 95 turned me off to Microsoft products altogether. :lol

baseline bum

05-19-2009, 05:02 PM

Windows 98 first edition might very well be the worst operating system ever devised. It famously crashed while they were DEMOing it on their top-notch hardware during a Windows conference.

vzFUcDKC64E

98SE was decent, but so far only 2000 and XP are really really good, although I have had absolutely NO problems with Vista. Vista is horrible for lower-end laptops, but it actually runs faster for me than XP does.

:lol I never had to use 98 until SE. It can't possibly be worse than the first edition of 95 though. That shit crashed hourly.

koriwhat

05-19-2009, 05:02 PM

^^^ hahaha great video.

i could see bush playing gates in that vid.

PixelPusher

05-19-2009, 05:26 PM

What makes you excited about Windows 7? Or is it just the every other release is good theory?

i.e.,
Windows 3.11 - good
Windows 95 - dogshit
Windows 98 - ok
Windows ME - crap
Windows 2000/XP - excellent
Windows Vista - underwhelming (except to the processor :lol )
I just dloaded the RC yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to try it out on any of my stuff, but my Dad had it running on his 4 year old Dell laptop with 1G of RAM and a 2.13gHz Centrino - and it ran just fine. Every review I've seen or heard says it's actually leaner and faster than Vista, as evidenced by the fact that you can actually run it on a netbook, unlike Vista.

I need to get my hands on an external DVD drive so I can try it out on my Toshiba M200 Tablet, I'll let you know how that goes.

baseline bum

05-19-2009, 05:27 PM

Rosey O'Donnell is leaner and faster than Vista.

Cry Havoc

05-19-2009, 05:30 PM

Rosey O'Donnell is leaner and faster than Vista.

My machine boots in ~54 seconds with Vista, powers down in about 12, though I haven't timed that part. There is virtually no delay opening most programs, although photoshop still takes upwards of 10 seconds or so.

It runs every game, I never really worry about running out of RAM, and I don't remember the last time it crashed. If you're going to criticize it at least provide solid numbers for the opinion. Yes, Vista sucks for smaller laptops because it initially uses a large amount of RAM, but it doesn't increase the RAM usage repeatedly like XP does.

PixelPusher

05-19-2009, 05:32 PM

Rosey O'Donnell is leaner and faster than Vista.

The Vista beta almost gave a friend of mine a nervous breakdown. He switched to OS X and has never looked back.

balli

05-19-2009, 05:35 PM

I have the beta disc lying around somewhere, but I haven't tried it on anything yet. However, every review I've read about Win 7 has been positive. We all know that there are better options for an OS, but hey, it's Windows and people are going to be using it. Under that concession and those parameters, it's going to be judged against Vista... and by all early accounts it's a much better OS.

And Havoc brings up a good point, I haven't used Vista, but I know plenty of friends and family who do and they seem to be getting by just fine. I'm sure it has all sorts of subtle detriments I don't know about, but for the average user with a modern system, it seems perfectly usable.

balli

05-19-2009, 05:41 PM

Now I have to decide whether or not to upgrade the monitor to the 24" Full HD Widescreen Flat Panel
I didn't notice how much extra that would cost, but if you're upgrading the video card specifically for the use of the HDMI output, you might as well go with the monitor that'll put it to good use.

PM5K

05-19-2009, 06:28 PM

Just get a laptop if that's what you have already. It sucks to get used to all the wires and shit you need when you have a desktop:

Monitor VGA
Monitor AC
Speakers
Keyboard
Mouse
CPU AC

Possibly: Webcam, Microphone, Ethernet, etc.

Also, I just bought a 20.1 inch monitor for my son and it's been hard to get used to, it's just so damn enormous, I can't imagine sitting a couple of feet away from a 24 inch monitor.

koriwhat

05-19-2009, 06:33 PM

PM5K

05-19-2009, 06:41 PM

1 wire... the power cord.

What do you mean?

I know you can option it up to get rid of some of the wires, you can get a wireless keyboard and mouse, you can get the monitor with the microphone and webcam built in, etc.

koriwhat

05-19-2009, 06:42 PM

What do you mean?

http://images.csnw.com/lrg/imac_2007_1.jpg

PM5K

05-19-2009, 06:44 PM

http://www.equip-u.com/shop/images/products_computers/apple_imac_20.jpg

I don't think he's looking for a Mac...

koriwhat

05-19-2009, 06:44 PM

I don't think he's looking for a Mac...

i know that... but i also know cry baby will be back in this post to make more assumptions about me in 3...2...1...

U.S.A.F.

05-19-2009, 09:07 PM

Hey LJ I need some PC parts if you have any your not using let me mow your lawn!

velik_m

05-19-2009, 11:50 PM

Now I have to decide whether or not to upgrade the monitor to the 24" Full HD Widescreen Flat Panel monster and whether or not to wait for 7 . . .

If you really mutlitask so much, why not 2 monitors? :king

timvp

05-29-2009, 06:48 PM

Got it today.

:smokin

timvp

05-29-2009, 06:50 PM

24" HD widescreen flat panel :smchode:

Kori Ellis

05-29-2009, 06:55 PM

Just get a laptop if that's what you have already. It sucks to get used to all the wires and shit you need when you have a desktop.

He had a desktop and a laptop already. But his desktop sucked. We now have five desktops and a laptop in our house. Yeah, there's two of us. :lol

Kori Ellis

05-29-2009, 06:55 PM

24" HD widescreen flat panel :smchode:

Yeah, your HD speakers are better than mine and your monitor is bigger. Looks like I'll have to upgrade soon. :downspin:

PM5K

05-29-2009, 09:06 PM

Yeah, your HD speakers are better than mine and your monitor is bigger. Looks like I'll have to upgrade soon. :downspin:

Kori Ellis with E-Penis envy?

I can't imagine getting used to sitting two feet away from a 24 inch screen...

mookie2001

05-30-2009, 08:47 AM

timvps ballin out of control

Libri

05-30-2009, 11:25 AM

OK. Time for me to upgrade.

TDMVPDPOY

05-30-2009, 10:38 PM

24" HD widescreen flat panel :smchode:

i assume u got the basic TN flatpanel right? still better than nothin...shouldve gone for the IPS panel, but they cost an arm and a leg. Enjoy the 1920x1080 resolution porno, maybe u can see how big me e-penor is now.:lmao

did you use the 10%-20% dell coupons??

ElNono

05-31-2009, 06:23 PM

Yeah, your HD speakers are better than mine and your monitor is bigger. Looks like I'll have to upgrade soon. :downspin:

I'm rocking a Viewsonic VX2640W

http://www.slipperybrick.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/vx2640w.jpg

26" and Full 1080P HDMI input... both DVI and HDMI are HDCP compliant...

1920 x 1200 native rez