Which computer should I buy??

shitinblood

shitinblood

New Member
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.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
Iluvpenguins said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
Iluvpenguins said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
I just rang him, asked a few questions, here are the answers;
E6600 = $AUD 220 extra ($USD 165.549)
E6400 = $AUD 50 extra ($USD 37.6169) - if i buy from him, i'll definately do this.

Motherboard brand is intel

Memory brand is veritech

Video card is NVIDIA 7300
NVIDIA 7600GT is $AUD 230 extra ($USD 173.053)
NVIDIA 7600GS is $AUD 120 extra ($USD 90.2477)

Unmodified price without the additions is $AUD 1138 ($USD 855.817)

With Additions unmodified is $AUD 1499 ($USD 1127.04)

upgrading to 20" monitor is $AUD 150 extra ($USD 112.832) still 8ms though
no keyboard and mouse is $AUD 29 less ($US 21.7897)

Windows XP is $AUD 149 extra ($USD 111.954)


Im not sure if I could get better, or cheaper if i was to build it myself.
Ill punch it into newegg and find out.

What can't the 7300 video card do?
 
What can't the 7300 video card do?
Click to expand...
Gaming :). Modern gaming, at reasonble settings is out.

Build it yourself, or look elsewhere. These prices aren't great, nor are the parts being used.

Take a look at www.staticice.com.au for Australian prices. US prices are significantly cheaper. Here's an idea (from www.msy.com.au):

Gigabyte 965P-S3 $185
Core 2 Duo E6300 $265
1GB Kit A-DATA $165
Maxtor 16M SATAII 320GB $130
Gigabyte 7600GT $228
Pioneer 111D $51
Antec Sonata II Case & PSU $175
Samsung 940N 19" LCD $305
Total: $1504

Superior components in all cases. Doesn't include software (you don't mention Windows being included, $119 if you need it). The video card can be downgraded if gaming isn't important, or upgraded to a 7900GS if it fits in budget. They'll build it for $70 if you don't feel up to it.

You could go with a cheaper case as well, provided the PSU is sufficient, or that you purchase the PSU seperately.
 
Thanks,
That seems pretty good, as far as I could tell by the website, they don't have a branch in Adelaide :( I always prefer to see what I'm buying before I pay

I now remember the msy.com.au website after a friend recommended it to me a few months ago. I'm suprised that a buisiness that specialises in computers has such a crappy website.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top