Which computer should I buy??

shitinblood · 09-16-2006, 11:25 PM

Im about to buy a new computer, and here are my two options;

Option 1;
Case - Mid-tower with 2 front and 4 rear USB ports front headphones and microphone sockets.

Processor, Motherboard - AMD 4600+ Dual Core, 64-bit, the latest AM2 type processor, supports AM2 socket and DDR-2 memory, hi-def 8-channel sound, Gigabit Network, 6 fast USB 2.0 ports.

Memory - 1024 Mb of PC4200 DDR-2 RAM, dual channel to double the max. memory transfer speed to PC8400 equivalent
(increases PC performance by 20-30%)

Hard Drive - 250 GB 7200rpm, Serial ATA-2

DVD & CD - LG 16x DVD burner, dual layer, with CD and DVD burning software

Video Card - 256/512 dedicated PCI-Express 16x video card, (triple outputs: VGA, DVI, video/tv)

Sound - High Definition 8 - channel surround sound outputs at the back and microphone and headphone sockets at the front.

Network/Broadband - High Speed Gigabit LAN (1000Mb per second ethernet adaptor) broadband ready.

1 fire wire socket.

Warranty - 2yr

Additions;
Monitor - Chimei 8ms 19" flat panel widescreen LCD

Keyboard and mouse - PS/2 keyboard and optical mouse

Speakers - 800W 2.1 Speakers, 2 stereo speakers + subwoofer

Antivirus/Firewall - Norton 2006 Antivirus and Firewall plus 90 days updates

Total Cost $AU 1500

Option 2;
Case - Mid-tower case with 2 front and 4 rear USB ports, front headphone and microphone sockets

Processor - Core 2 Duo E6300 processor

Motherboard - Supports dual channel DDR-2 memory, PCI-Express 16x 8-channel sound, 100Mb Network, 6 USB 2.0 ports

Memory - 1024Mb of dual channel DDR-2 RAM, (dual channel memory doubles the max transfer speed to PC10000 equivalent)

Hard Drive - 250Gb, Western Digital

DVD burner - LG 16x DVD burner, Dual Layer, with CD&DVD burning software

Video Card - NVIDIA 256Mb dedicated PCI-express 16x video card (triple outputs; VGA, DVI, video/tv)

Sound - 8 channel surround sound outputs at the back, headphones and microphone sockets at the front.

Network - 10/100/1000 Mbps (gigabit) network adaptor

Warranty - 2yr

Additions;
Monitor - Chimei 8ms 19" flat panel widescreen LCD

Keyboard and mouse - PS/2 keyboard and optical mouse

Speakers - 800W 2.1 Speakers, 2 stereo speakers + subwoofer

Antivirus/Firewall - Norton 2006 Antivirus and Firewall plus 90 days updates

Total Cost $AU 1500

Now Im sure this kind of thread has been done to death, but Im a little confused and $1500 is a lot of money for me.

I've read many of the threads here, and it seems that the Duo E6300 may be a better option than the AMD 4600 dual core. But the bloke at the computer shop seemed certain that the AMD would be faster.

Oh, And is there anything wrong with the specs? And do any of you aussies know if I could get a better deal some place else. No offence to people from other countries, it's just that I'm not comfortable spending so much money online.

Iluvpenguins · 09-16-2006, 11:28 PM

Nope,the e6300 is infact faster i believe...if not at stock speeds,the e6300 has a crazy overclocking ability,while the x2 4600 can be overclocked,it prollly cant be overclocked more than the e6300,go with the 2nd option.and...what are the specific parts you're getting,like the video card etc...you didn't provide enough info to give you a solid answer..just cuz a video cars has 256mb/512mb video ram on it,doesnt mean its asskicking.

EDIT 2: Dual channeling actually doesnt equal PC10000 because dual channeling doesn't actually double the speed like in theory,it just gives a better performance boost,but not doubled performance boost.

shitinblood · 09-16-2006, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iluvpenguins

Nope,the e6300 is infact faster i believe...if not at stock speeds,the e6300 has a crazy overclocking ability,while the x2 4600 can be overclocked,it prollly cant be overclocked more than the e6300,go with the 2nd option.and...what are the specific parts you're getting,like the video card etc...you didn't provide enough info to give you a solid answer..just cuz a video cars has 256mb/512mb video ram on it,doesnt mean its asskicking.

EDIT 2: Dual channeling actually doesnt equal PC10000 because dual channeling doesn't actually double the speed like in theory,it just gives a better performance boost,but not doubled performance boost.

Thanks for the quick answer.

Im not sure of the exact specs, I just copied the two information sheets that the shopkeeper gave me.

I thought there was something fishy about the details given for the memory.

As for the video card, Im assuming that it is the NVIDIA 256 Mb for both comps, is this ok?

leetkyle · 09-16-2006, 11:37 PM

Option 2, definetely.

Iluvpenguins · 09-16-2006, 11:58 PM

problem is,the guy isn't giving you enough info to base your buy.He can give you any 256mb video card if he wanted,theres alotta 256mb video cards,and alotta them suck.Talk to the shop guy about what is EXACTLy in it,if he doesnt say,dont buy from him and think of building your own or buying off another more trustworthy retailer.

shitinblood · 09-17-2006, 12:23 AM

I'll find out the exact specs when I call him monday.

I've considered building my own, but Im kind of a noob when it comes to comps, and Im not sure if I could do it for much cheaper than the shop does.

This is the link to his crappy website, he says it'll be finished some time in the future; http://computerbunker.com.au

Iluvpenguins · 09-17-2006, 12:25 AM

DO NOT BUY FROM THIS GUY!

He is an absolute rip off.He charges alot more than the parts themselves cost.I highly suggest looking else where or building your own,my computer was my first build and i did it flawlessly,if anything,we can help if you run into a problem or maybe an educated friend can.

shitinblood · 09-17-2006, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iluvpenguins

DO NOT BUY FROM THIS GUY!

He is an absolute rip off.He charges alot more than the parts themselves cost.I highly suggest looking else where or building your own,my computer was my first build and i did it flawlessly,if anything,we can help if you run into a problem or maybe an educated friend can.

I thought 1,130.31 US Dollars was OK for option 2.

I'm seriously considering building my own now. It will take much longer, but I will become educated about computer hardware during the process.

megalowmaniac · 09-17-2006, 06:31 AM

Its really easy building your own :p

Iluvpenguins · 09-17-2006, 04:05 PM

Ya it would be,if he gave you quality goods.But in this case,the only quality you're getting is the cpu,they always put in cheaper stuff to make a profit,you can build a computer for the same price that'll have good brand names,and most likely a better graphic card.

09-16-2006, 11:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
shitinblood New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 20	Which computer should I buy?? Im about to buy a new computer, and here are my two options; Option 1; Case - Mid-tower with 2 front and 4 rear USB ports front headphones and microphone sockets. Processor, Motherboard - AMD 4600+ Dual Core, 64-bit, the latest AM2 type processor, supports AM2 socket and DDR-2 memory, hi-def 8-channel sound, Gigabit Network, 6 fast USB 2.0 ports. Memory - 1024 Mb of PC4200 DDR-2 RAM, dual channel to double the max. memory transfer speed to PC8400 equivalent (increases PC performance by 20-30%) Hard Drive - 250 GB 7200rpm, Serial ATA-2 DVD & CD - LG 16x DVD burner, dual layer, with CD and DVD burning software Video Card - 256/512 dedicated PCI-Express 16x video card, (triple outputs: VGA, DVI, video/tv) Sound - High Definition 8 - channel surround sound outputs at the back and microphone and headphone sockets at the front. Network/Broadband - High Speed Gigabit LAN (1000Mb per second ethernet adaptor) broadband ready. 1 fire wire socket. Warranty - 2yr Additions; Monitor - Chimei 8ms 19" flat panel widescreen LCD Keyboard and mouse - PS/2 keyboard and optical mouse Speakers - 800W 2.1 Speakers, 2 stereo speakers + subwoofer Antivirus/Firewall - Norton 2006 Antivirus and Firewall plus 90 days updates Total Cost $AU 1500 Option 2; Case - Mid-tower case with 2 front and 4 rear USB ports, front headphone and microphone sockets Processor - Core 2 Duo E6300 processor Motherboard - Supports dual channel DDR-2 memory, PCI-Express 16x 8-channel sound, 100Mb Network, 6 USB 2.0 ports Memory - 1024Mb of dual channel DDR-2 RAM, (dual channel memory doubles the max transfer speed to PC10000 equivalent) Hard Drive - 250Gb, Western Digital DVD burner - LG 16x DVD burner, Dual Layer, with CD&DVD burning software Video Card - NVIDIA 256Mb dedicated PCI-express 16x video card (triple outputs; VGA, DVI, video/tv) Sound - 8 channel surround sound outputs at the back, headphones and microphone sockets at the front. Network - 10/100/1000 Mbps (gigabit) network adaptor Warranty - 2yr Additions; Monitor - Chimei 8ms 19" flat panel widescreen LCD Keyboard and mouse - PS/2 keyboard and optical mouse Speakers - 800W 2.1 Speakers, 2 stereo speakers + subwoofer Antivirus/Firewall - Norton 2006 Antivirus and Firewall plus 90 days updates Total Cost $AU 1500 Now Im sure this kind of thread has been done to death, but Im a little confused and $1500 is a lot of money for me. I've read many of the threads here, and it seems that the Duo E6300 may be a better option than the AMD 4600 dual core. But the bloke at the computer shop seemed certain that the AMD would be faster. Oh, And is there anything wrong with the specs? And do any of you aussies know if I could get a better deal some place else. No offence to people from other countries, it's just that I'm not comfortable spending so much money online.

09-16-2006, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iluvpenguins Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kitchener Ontario Posts: 1,293	Nope,the e6300 is infact faster i believe...if not at stock speeds,the e6300 has a crazy overclocking ability,while the x2 4600 can be overclocked,it prollly cant be overclocked more than the e6300,go with the 2nd option.and...what are the specific parts you're getting,like the video card etc...you didn't provide enough info to give you a solid answer..just cuz a video cars has 256mb/512mb video ram on it,doesnt mean its asskicking. EDIT 2: Dual channeling actually doesnt equal PC10000 because dual channeling doesn't actually double the speed like in theory,it just gives a better performance boost,but not doubled performance boost. __________________ My computer: Intel Core2Duo E6550 @ 3.01ghz Gigabyte P31-DS3L Patriot 2x1GB DDR2-800 @ 1032mhz EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Antec 500W w/32A on 12v rail WD 80GB HDD,WD 500GB HDD Ultra Aluminus Full Tower Case (Black Finish) Last edited by Iluvpenguins; 09-16-2006 at 11:31 PM.

09-16-2006, 11:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
leetkyle Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Age: 18 Posts: 587	Option 2, definetely. __________________ Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 2.13Ghz \| Asus P5W "Digital Home" Deluxe \| 2GB Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400 800MHz 5-5-5-12-T1 \| Hiper Type-R 580W Blue \| 74.3GB Western Digital Raptor 10000RPM 8MB Cache \| 300GB Samsung 7200RPM 16MB Cache \| DVD+/-RW Dual Layer 18x18 \| LG CD-R/DVD-ROM Drive \| Antec P180 \| X1900XT 512MB Slave Edition w/ Arctic Accellero \| Creative Audigy 2 ZS 17" Dell TFT 1280x1024 \| 17" Sony TFT 1280x1024 \| Saitek Rumble Cyborg 3D Joystick \| Creative T5100 5.1 Speakers

09-16-2006, 11:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Iluvpenguins Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kitchener Ontario Posts: 1,293	problem is,the guy isn't giving you enough info to base your buy.He can give you any 256mb video card if he wanted,theres alotta 256mb video cards,and alotta them suck.Talk to the shop guy about what is EXACTLy in it,if he doesnt say,dont buy from him and think of building your own or buying off another more trustworthy retailer. __________________ My computer: Intel Core2Duo E6550 @ 3.01ghz Gigabyte P31-DS3L Patriot 2x1GB DDR2-800 @ 1032mhz EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Antec 500W w/32A on 12v rail WD 80GB HDD,WD 500GB HDD Ultra Aluminus Full Tower Case (Black Finish)

09-17-2006, 12:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Iluvpenguins Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kitchener Ontario Posts: 1,293	DO NOT BUY FROM THIS GUY! He is an absolute rip off.He charges alot more than the parts themselves cost.I highly suggest looking else where or building your own,my computer was my first build and i did it flawlessly,if anything,we can help if you run into a problem or maybe an educated friend can. __________________ My computer: Intel Core2Duo E6550 @ 3.01ghz Gigabyte P31-DS3L Patriot 2x1GB DDR2-800 @ 1032mhz EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Antec 500W w/32A on 12v rail WD 80GB HDD,WD 500GB HDD Ultra Aluminus Full Tower Case (Black Finish)

09-17-2006, 12:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
shitinblood New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 20	I'll find out the exact specs when I call him monday. I've considered building my own, but Im kind of a noob when it comes to comps, and Im not sure if I could do it for much cheaper than the shop does. This is the link to his crappy website, he says it'll be finished some time in the future; http://computerbunker.com.au

09-17-2006, 06:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
megalowmaniac Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 73	Its really easy building your own :p __________________ The Devils System -C2D E6600 @ 3.0GHZ - 2GB Corsair XMS -P5B Deluxe/WiFi -320GB PP Recording Barracuda HDD - 7950GX2 OC'D

09-17-2006, 04:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Iluvpenguins Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kitchener Ontario Posts: 1,293	Ya it would be,if he gave you quality goods.But in this case,the only quality you're getting is the cpu,they always put in cheaper stuff to make a profit,you can build a computer for the same price that'll have good brand names,and most likely a better graphic card. __________________ My computer: Intel Core2Duo E6550 @ 3.01ghz Gigabyte P31-DS3L Patriot 2x1GB DDR2-800 @ 1032mhz EVGA GeForce 8800GTX Antec 500W w/32A on 12v rail WD 80GB HDD,WD 500GB HDD Ultra Aluminus Full Tower Case (Black Finish)

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