New PC Help!

lonewriter · 05-21-2008, 12:48 AM

I'm looking at buying a new pc and I found this one that I like but some have said HP isn't any good, should I get it. I need a new one soon, this one is about to die and with my writing and 3d work, I need the RAM and large hard drive. I have no experience at building one and I need it soon. Is this a good deal? Thanks.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...836&pCatg=5816

PC eye · 05-21-2008, 01:09 AM

First the price tag is steep even for an HP only seeing 512mb of memory. Vista 64bit? At this time you may want to stay with something like the 32bit edition of Home Premium or Ultimate if seen unless you are wanting a 64bit edition.

Following Windows 7 the next version Microsoft then plans to abandon any 32bit editions while only by then will software companies get with the program and start producing 64bit games and apps to replace the current 32bit saturation on the market.

HP is better then Gateway and certainly far better then the lowest being eMachines while still competing with Dell which allows the choice of OS when a new model is ordered direct from them. A good 2gb of memory is also a consideration for a new desktop whether 32bit or 64bit. Even with XP instead 512mb is strapped.

lonewriter · 05-21-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC eye

First the price tag is steep even for an HP only seeing 512mb of memory. Vista 64bit? At this time you may want to stay with something like the 32bit edition of Home Premium or Ultimate if seen unless you are wanting a 64bit edition.

Following Windows 7 the next version Microsoft then plans to abandon any 32bit editions while only by then will software companies get with the program and start producing 64bit games and apps to replace the current 32bit saturation on the market.

HP is better then Gateway and certainly far better then the lowest being eMachines while still competing with Dell which allows the choice of OS when a new model is ordered direct from them. A good 2gb of memory is also a consideration for a new desktop whether 32bit or 64bit. Even with XP instead 512mb is strapped.

actually, it's 5120MB of memory. I should have stated that I use Lightwave 9.3 and it has a 64 bit install that I want to take advantage of and 2 gig of memory is not enough for renders. My current XP pc has 1 gig and it takes up to 40 minutes to get a good render. I can't even run Photoshop CE or Max anymore.

PC eye · 05-21-2008, 04:44 AM

I apparently missed the "0"

! since prebuilds have always been seen with 256 or 512 and that being an odd amount over 2, 3, or even 4gb. oh joy!

5gb? For 6 or 8gb supported by the 64bit Home Premium good to 16gb be advised that many chipsets are still geared for 2-4gb max capacity boards. Some newer models are seeing updated chipsets just coming out at this time.

Finally I run into someone planning to use something that actually needs more then 2gb of memory installed on a system! That's a first for CF apparently! Most simply run a 64bit edition and 4gb for bragging rights and not for actual requirements since pc games need far less then a some CAD, graphics-software design, engineering, or other "memory hungry" type of programming.

They are certainly planning to charge you good for the extra memory there rather then going with the minimum and saving a great deal on price by later ordering at a site like newegg since the prices even for 2gb dimms have fallen sharply on DDR2 memory over the last several months. But that's a wholesale club(still retail store) for you.

lonewriter · 05-21-2008, 08:15 AM

thanks for your help. one of these days, I'm going to take the time and learn how to build one for myself. The only thing I have done is put new RAM and replace a fan in my current PC.

PC eye · 05-21-2008, 08:27 AM

Memory isn't hard to swap out or add since that simply goes down into the dimm slots after you release the pair of retainer at each end. You simply press down easily after making sure not to touch the contacts enough to see the retainer click into place.

If you shop around for the exact model you will likely find a better price with less memory installed and simply buy that for a good price at a vendor like newegg rather then the prices some places charge. You may likely be able to order direct from HP with the options you want that way and save as well.

Custom building a case goes slow at first but allows you to see precisely what you want in it. You get to select the board, cpu, drives, video card, memory, sound card, you name it and can save a small fortune at times when catching a board/cpu bundle or sale or rebate as well. Plus for the most you decide on the one or more OS that will be run.

(gee I like that case over the other one!)(which one was that? the Antec 900 or NZXT?)

911aaron · 05-21-2008, 08:46 AM

I built my first computer today. At first I was really nervous, scared and confused, but now that I've done it, I must say. IT IS SO EASY! Assembling the computer is a lot easier then you probably think. Try to build one yourself. It's fun and its good experience for you.

PC eye · 05-21-2008, 09:00 AM

The most common problem many face is simply looking closely at the diagram for the board found in the user manual that comes along with it. That shows where the small thin wires are plugged in on a small block of small pins for the power and reset buttons along with the power and hard drive activity leds seen on the front panel of the case. Any front or top usb ports, audio jacks, and even an eSata port if one is seen on a particular case are optional.

The bios setup for seeing plug'n'play and OS2 setting changed to yes as well as the boot order and default hard drive if more then one are installed is the second item where the manual shows how that is done. Then there's the one or more OSs to install while most will run one at first until getting a little more comfortable and then wanting to try things in that area. After a period of time they eventually do become second nature however.

jnskyliner34 · 05-21-2008, 09:31 AM

wow. that desktop is cool! let down is the 8400gs but heck, you're not gonna game on it anyway.

05-21-2008, 12:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
lonewriter New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 11	New PC Help! I'm looking at buying a new pc and I found this one that I like but some have said HP isn't any good, should I get it. I need a new one soon, this one is about to die and with my writing and 3d work, I need the RAM and large hard drive. I have no experience at building one and I need it soon. Is this a good deal? Thanks. http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...836&pCatg=5816

05-21-2008, 01:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 20,474	First the price tag is steep even for an HP only seeing 512mb of memory. Vista 64bit? At this time you may want to stay with something like the 32bit edition of Home Premium or Ultimate if seen unless you are wanting a 64bit edition. Following Windows 7 the next version Microsoft then plans to abandon any 32bit editions while only by then will software companies get with the program and start producing 64bit games and apps to replace the current 32bit saturation on the market. HP is better then Gateway and certainly far better then the lowest being eMachines while still competing with Dell which allows the choice of OS when a new model is ordered direct from them. A good 2gb of memory is also a consideration for a new desktop whether 32bit or 64bit. Even with XP instead 512mb is strapped. __________________ What The Data Miners Are Digging Up About You http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Tec...6355541&page=1 High Tech gifts for the Holidays under $150 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/

05-21-2008, 04:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 20,474	I apparently missed the "0" ! since prebuilds have always been seen with 256 or 512 and that being an odd amount over 2, 3, or even 4gb. oh joy! 5gb? For 6 or 8gb supported by the 64bit Home Premium good to 16gb be advised that many chipsets are still geared for 2-4gb max capacity boards. Some newer models are seeing updated chipsets just coming out at this time. Finally I run into someone planning to use something that actually needs more then 2gb of memory installed on a system! That's a first for CF apparently! Most simply run a 64bit edition and 4gb for bragging rights and not for actual requirements since pc games need far less then a some CAD, graphics-software design, engineering, or other "memory hungry" type of programming. They are certainly planning to charge you good for the extra memory there rather then going with the minimum and saving a great deal on price by later ordering at a site like newegg since the prices even for 2gb dimms have fallen sharply on DDR2 memory over the last several months. But that's a wholesale club(still retail store) for you. __________________ What The Data Miners Are Digging Up About You http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Tec...6355541&page=1 High Tech gifts for the Holidays under $150 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/

05-21-2008, 08:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 20,474	Memory isn't hard to swap out or add since that simply goes down into the dimm slots after you release the pair of retainer at each end. You simply press down easily after making sure not to touch the contacts enough to see the retainer click into place. If you shop around for the exact model you will likely find a better price with less memory installed and simply buy that for a good price at a vendor like newegg rather then the prices some places charge. You may likely be able to order direct from HP with the options you want that way and save as well. Custom building a case goes slow at first but allows you to see precisely what you want in it. You get to select the board, cpu, drives, video card, memory, sound card, you name it and can save a small fortune at times when catching a board/cpu bundle or sale or rebate as well. Plus for the most you decide on the one or more OS that will be run. (gee I like that case over the other one!)(which one was that? the Antec 900 or NZXT?) __________________ What The Data Miners Are Digging Up About You http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Tec...6355541&page=1 High Tech gifts for the Holidays under $150 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/

05-21-2008, 08:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
911aaron Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Inside your computer as a virus Posts: 196	I built my first computer today. At first I was really nervous, scared and confused, but now that I've done it, I must say. IT IS SO EASY! Assembling the computer is a lot easier then you probably think. Try to build one yourself. It's fun and its good experience for you. __________________ * Processor: Intel core 2 Quad Q6600 * Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L * RAM: G. Skill 2GB F2-6400CL5d-2GBNQ * Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s * VGA: EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 * PSU: Ultra X-Finity 500-Watt * OS: Windows XP Home Edition 32-bit * Monitor: Samsung 906BW LCD 2 ms response time 2000:1 Contrast *CPU cooler: Arctic Cooler 7

05-21-2008, 08:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
lonewriter New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 11	thanks for your help. one of these days, I'm going to take the time and learn how to build one for myself. The only thing I have done is put new RAM and replace a fan in my current PC.

05-21-2008, 09:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 20,474	The most common problem many face is simply looking closely at the diagram for the board found in the user manual that comes along with it. That shows where the small thin wires are plugged in on a small block of small pins for the power and reset buttons along with the power and hard drive activity leds seen on the front panel of the case. Any front or top usb ports, audio jacks, and even an eSata port if one is seen on a particular case are optional. The bios setup for seeing plug'n'play and OS2 setting changed to yes as well as the boot order and default hard drive if more then one are installed is the second item where the manual shows how that is done. Then there's the one or more OSs to install while most will run one at first until getting a little more comfortable and then wanting to try things in that area. After a period of time they eventually do become second nature however. __________________ What The Data Miners Are Digging Up About You http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Tec...6355541&page=1 High Tech gifts for the Holidays under $150 http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/

05-21-2008, 09:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
jnskyliner34 Diamond Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Manila, Philippines Age: 18 Posts: 2,782	wow. that desktop is cool! let down is the 8400gs but heck, you're not gonna game on it anyway. __________________ JN - Nickname Skyline R34 - Favorite Car Kapeesh? Your Music, Your LAST.FM http://www.last.fm/user/jnskyliner34

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