OT - Need Computer Advice - Page 3

v6sonoma · 08-16-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mblock66

Problem is that i have a 512 chip and a 256 in there. In order for me to swap them out and put in 2 1gb chips it would cost over $100. Is it really worth investing $100 in a 9 year old computer that is out of warranty with just old technology all around?

It can't do DVI or HDMI right now amongst other things.

I wouldn't put another dime Into the old system. More RAM would help but the processor and video of the older machine are whats holding you back now. The options Dell offers over the integrated graphics are better but for the money you can get a much better GPU elsewhere. Building a PC is super easy these days.Everything is color coded and for the most part jumper free. Plus the board in the custom setup offers more options then the dell unit. Usually they don't put anymore into a PC then they have to. Dell used to be a great company but lately their quality makes me question them a lot. My friends laptop screen died twice and after replacing it the first time they only warrantied the new one for 90 days then it crapped out again. They told him It would be $400. He currently has it hooked up to a desktop LCD while he waits for me to get a new screen off the internet for $100 and put it in for him. The benefit of building it yourself is you can spend and skimp where YOU want and the options are endless. Everything has it's own warranty and for the most part they last a long time. One of my systems was built in 2001 and still ticks today. Plus you feel good that you did it yourself.

Mblock66 · 08-20-2010, 04:29 PM

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I did some more research on all of the chips and what I really needed and a deal slapped me in the face that I couldn't really refuse. I was going to go for a desktop since $600's was the most I really wanted to spend. But check this out. Got a

Dell Studio 15 Laptop
Intel Core,i5-450M (2.4-2.66Ghz, 3M/4 threads)
6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
15.6 inch High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife and Camera
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470, 1GB
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Disk Drive
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
Wireless N

And a bunch of other "standard" stuff

MSRP $1,119

Minus $339 Online
Minus $90 Coupon Code that I found expired and worked lol
Minue Free Shipping ($19) code that worked
Minus 5% for using my discover card

Final cost $654 + tax (unfortunate but probably would have paid tax anyway to buy parts from Comp USA anyway)

So I got a laptop for the cost of the desktop I wanted to spend. I know the i-5 450M is only a dual core with 4 threads but after reading up on dual vs quads it seems that this chip with 6gb of ram should be more then enough to edit some video and play Warcraft III casually. I also know the GPU is a lower middle end chip but again I am not really doing gaming so it should be more then enough with 1gb dedicated.

Sure I could have gotten a more powerful desktop with the same $650 but #1 did I need it and #2 now I can take this anywhere!

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08-20-2010, 04:29 PM	#30
Mblock66 Drives: 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 312	Thanks for all the advice everyone. I did some more research on all of the chips and what I really needed and a deal slapped me in the face that I couldn't really refuse. I was going to go for a desktop since $600's was the most I really wanted to spend. But check this out. Got a Dell Studio 15 Laptop Intel Core,i5-450M (2.4-2.66Ghz, 3M/4 threads) 6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz 15.6 inch High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife and Camera ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470, 1GB 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Disk Drive Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive Wireless N And a bunch of other "standard" stuff MSRP $1,119 Minus $339 Online Minus $90 Coupon Code that I found expired and worked lol Minue Free Shipping ($19) code that worked Minus 5% for using my discover card Final cost $654 + tax (unfortunate but probably would have paid tax anyway to buy parts from Comp USA anyway) So I got a laptop for the cost of the desktop I wanted to spend. I know the i-5 450M is only a dual core with 4 threads but after reading up on dual vs quads it seems that this chip with 6gb of ram should be more then enough to edit some video and play Warcraft III casually. I also know the GPU is a lower middle end chip but again I am not really doing gaming so it should be more then enough with 1gb dedicated. Sure I could have gotten a more powerful desktop with the same $650 but #1 did I need it and #2 now I can take this anywhere!