Rate my Rig?

[HBrutusH]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'm just curious as to how my PC compares to others.

I don't know masses about it, but it's a DELL dimension 8400 with a 3.0Ghz processor.
it has a nVidia Geforce 7900
512mb RAM (I know this sucks, working on upgrading it to 4Gb/B (dunno which))
mouse is a logitech MX700 and keyboard is a logitech cordless keyboard.

I can't think of what else to say about it, I'm not exactly computer literate, heh.

[Zoraster]

this probably belongs in either technical support or in the hardware discussion in the general discussion boards on TG.

And yes, upgrade your RAM to at least 2GB.

[jonan_]

if you are running XP there is no need to get 4 gigs because you will only be able to use about 3.2. 2 gigs total is probably plenty for gaming purposes.

[draeh]

Originally Posted by jonan_

if you are running XP there is no need to get 4 gigs because you will only be able to use about 3.2. 2 gigs total is probably plenty for gaming purposes.

Only true for XP 32bit. XP x64 will recognize and use all 4.

[Anospa]

Aye, been pondering whether it would be worth going to XP-64, gotta check the driver situation and see how things stand.

[Cpt.Pierce]

I suppose it depends on how much you paid for it.

Based on what you told me, I'd go 6/10, but with 2 GB RAM, more like 7.5/10

[Ferris Bueller]

My take on the whole 64-bit OS revolution is that unless you are going to be utilizing heavy 64 bit applications, then dont spend the money right now. Theres still a lot of bug and driver issues with the 64 bit OS's (xp and vista) because they were brought out before the hardware and software had a chance to catch up.

So basically, if its just your average gaming/web surfing/photoshopping/ms office using machine, then theres no real point.

As far as the OP goes, Is your processor a dual core? I'd agree with the recommendation for upping the ram to 2gb. You wont really use that much more for gaming, plus you'll notice a big increase in performance with games like BF2/2142/ArmA. The rest of it looks good. I'd go with a 6/10 rating as it stands.

[Chiefmedicman]

Well I saw this online Ive been wanting to get a new computer but maybe this could help you with some parts.

http://computershopper.com/feature/b...et_gaming_pc_1

[Acreo Aeneas]

Brutus,
If you plan on playing DX10 games and want a system to call your own and upgrade/mod as you please, I'd start from scratch on your next one. I would not bother upgrading on a DELL since they have very proprietary parts.

Otherwise, your system is fairly on par with those of us still running on AGP. The amount of RAM is the only exception, since most of have at least 1 GBs worth. As for 4 GBs, like someone above already mentioned, XP 32-bit will fail to recognize beyond 3 GBs worth (or so).

[MDFubar]

I dunno about that, maybe buying a new one is not the way to go for constant upgrades. If you do your homework you can do just about anything with a Dell, without using thier products. Mine is 4 yrs old and I have upgraded the HD, Video Card(three times), and the memory. I run a 160g HD from Seagate and a 512 Radeon Vid card with 2Gig of ram and a 550w PS.
My system runs smooth and the biggest problem I have had was with Norton 2007. I have done all the upgrades myself, which is not saying much because Dells are so easy to work on. You really just have to do some research before you upgrade anything to make sure it is all compatible. Example, putting in ram with a slower speed than what is already in will detract from your system and you will only run as fast as the slowest that you have.

Good luck

[Anospa]

Well, thats the case with pretty much all PCs. The reason I will never buy a Dell/any other vender's product for a gaming PC is because of the price. Configure a system similar to what their "top-end," system is and you'll likely see quite a difference. Also, they try and make it seem like you need something like an 8800 Ultra or quadcore, blah blah blah. For a standard word processing/office machine, you really can't beat Dell's prices easily.

[D0ubl3Hel1x]

Originally Posted by Acreo Aeneas

Brutus,
If you plan on playing DX10 games and want a system to call your own and upgrade/mod as you please, I'd start from scratch on your next one. I would not bother upgrading on a DELL since they have very proprietary parts.

This isn't true for all Dells. When I bought my XPS 600 I could only afford a medium end system but now I have upgraded the graphics cards and config'd the machine for SLI. Upgrade the amount of RAM and the speed, new HD and added a DVD burner. The XPS series comes with an outstanding 650W power supply and can run high end system components including the addition of PCI fans for the cards. I think I paid 1400 total and that price included a Dell 20 inch monitor. You can argue that Dell doesn't make the best pc in the world but their monitors are top notch. Not to mention I received a full year of free technical support and that included a Dell technician house call. I did pay a couple hundred dollars more than I would have had to pay if I just built the system but what I did avoid was a lot of hastle with choosing the right case, cooling systems, hardware compatibilty and throwing the tech support which I used several times I would say I got every dollar worth.

[HBrutusH]

Thanks for the messages, they really helped.
Sorry for the lack of replies, but I've been cooking myself (seriously, sun cream IS necessary kids) in a foreign country and I can't for the life of me remember my password (note to self: must encript document)
(and don't any of y'all try hacking me!! Or I'll do something really, really nasty with toast).
While I was there I went on the web around midday, (peaked at fifty degrees Centigrade!!) since no sane person could really go out at that time,
(although that didn't stop a whole load of soon-to-be-lobsters *tsk*)
and did a LOT of research, for example, I now know what an FSB is, and that HDD is not High double definition....

AAaaany way, I think I've been aiming a *little* too high for what 14 games and 4 DVD's can get me on Ebay (I dunno, maybe I could flog this pc?).
A little too high being in the region of four grand

hehe, Oooo, make that 16 games *spies sims2 lying on his desk*

I dunno, making my own sounds fun (specially the case

[Bagheera]

If you're looking for a gaming notebook, check these guys out.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.html

I've had one of their notebooks for over 2 years now, and it still rocks. Dual P4 3.2 ghz processors, Nvidia 6800 256 mb vidcard (a bit older now), 2 gigs of ram, and fat frontside bus with an L2 cache.

They're the manufacturer that Dell and others use in China, but the address above is where you can get direct from the manufacturer in the U.S. If you're in Southern California, you can go pick it up from them in person if you like, rather than have it shipped.

[Acreo Aeneas]

Originally Posted by D0ubl3Hel1x

This isn't true for all Dells. When I bought my XPS 600 I could only afford a medium end system but now I have upgraded the graphics cards and config'd the machine for SLI. Upgrade the amount of RAM and the speed, new HD and added a DVD burner. The XPS series comes with an outstanding 650W power supply and can run high end system components including the addition of PCI fans for the cards. I think I paid 1400 total and that price included a Dell 20 inch monitor. You can argue that Dell doesn't make the best pc in the world but their monitors are top notch. Not to mention I received a full year of free technical support and that included a Dell technician house call. I did pay a couple hundred dollars more than I would have had to pay if I just built the system but what I did avoid was a lot of hastle with choosing the right case, cooling systems, hardware compatibilty and throwing the tech support which I used several times I would say I got every dollar worth.

Okay, think about it this way. Your warranty expires. You don't even know much about your system beyond the parts you put in. On top of that, DELL's proprietary parts are pretty "low" on my list of quality. I much preferred them back when they actually used quality parts from Intel, ASUS, and others.

Besides, you have the benefit of learning how to build, repair, and maintain a computer and the satisfaction of it being all your own. Something you can't get from DELL.