New PC building

Light-hearted discussions, forum games and anything that doesn't fit into the other forums.
Tech Corner - Firewalls, AV etc. - Report Bugs - Board Rules
User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 03 Mar 2008, 21:05

The what now? As in LCD monitor? ;| If so, no.

And normal? Do you think this system will still be usable/viable in, say, two years' time?

Also, I'm a bit suspicious as to why nothing is mentioned about the motherboard. Aren't those things supposed to be really important? Or maybe the computer name ("Medion Akoya MD 8833) is supposed to contain information about it? :|

User avatar
Pol
Admin
Admin
Posts: 10057
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Location: IN SOMNIS VERITAS
Contact:

Unread postby Pol » 03 Mar 2008, 22:30

Yes, that lcd.

No, if you wish to have some outlook into the future then the minimum is 4GB of RAM. Both modules in dual channel.

Motherboard is exxxxtremly important. ;) The informations on the promo aren't sufficent. You don't know any other companies in your neighborhood also selling computers to comparing the offers?

Because prices differ based on the region. For me here (middle of the EU) it sounds just normal. No special.

They mentioned VIIV, it's that supposed to be hi-fi pc, a small shuttle?
(If so the price would be good)

For normal PC it's average offer. If you would be living here I would say here are better to get hold of.

Equipped with Vista 64bits, more than Home edition?
(of XP multimedia..)
"We made it!"
The Archives | Collection of H3&WoG files | Older albeit still useful | CH Downloads
PC Specs: A10-7850K, FM2A88X+K, 16GB-1600, SSD-MLC-G3, 1TB-HDD-G3, MAYA44, SP10 500W Be Quiet

User avatar
Paulus1
Archlich
Archlich
Posts: 1128
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: Odense, Denmark

Unread postby Paulus1 » 03 Mar 2008, 23:21

You should also consider what kind of games you are going to play on this computer. The graphics card is not especially good, so don't expect to play Crysis or something like that with it.

Btw, are you from Denmark, or are they running this offer in several countries at the same time??
Image

User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 04 Mar 2008, 16:59

Well, running Crysis is not really a priority, at least not running it and similar games at the highest settings. Surely this computer could run it at medium settings, if not, that does not bode well...

So the graphics card drags the computer down a bit, in the long run?

And I guess it's fishy that there's no mention of the motherboard at all?

Oh and I'm not from Denmark. I guess this offer must be standing in several countries, just found it on a German site as well:

http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-A ... 61752.html

User avatar
arturchix
Titan
Titan
Posts: 1352
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: Latvia

Unread postby arturchix » 04 Mar 2008, 17:40

Paulus1 wrote:You should also consider what kind of games you are going to play on this computer. The graphics card is not especially good, so don't expect to play Crysis or something like that with it.

Btw, are you from Denmark, or are they running this offer in several countries at the same time??
Heh, I have a weaker computer (my old buddy DM modded PC) and Crysis runs on it just fine, of course, not on the highest settings.

User avatar
Angelspit
CH Founder
CH Founder
Posts: 6716
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Angelspit
Contact:

Unread postby Angelspit » 04 Mar 2008, 17:43

The DM computer can already be described as weaker?! Yikes.

User avatar
arturchix
Titan
Titan
Posts: 1352
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: Latvia

Unread postby arturchix » 04 Mar 2008, 17:51

Yes, it has just 1 GB RAM, GeForce 7900, Intel Dual Core 6400 (I think) and 200 GB RAM. It wasn't really a high end comp back then but still it's unique. :)

User avatar
PhoenixReborn
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2014
Joined: 24 May 2006
Location: US

Unread postby PhoenixReborn » 04 Mar 2008, 17:55

I will accept such a donation arturchix...should handle arcanum well enough.

I'm doing fine with my x800 card. Works well for DM and HV.

User avatar
asandir
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 15481
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: The campfire .... mostly

Unread postby asandir » 05 Mar 2008, 00:06

Metathron wrote:Well, I just got a new ad in my mail box, and it's from a local store that's offering a (supposedly) great deal on a new computer. I am so itching to buy a new one, have been for quite some time, actually, but then I decided that reason should trump irrational desire; and now seeing how nice and shiny this computer is, I'm back at the jump-off... :(

Anyhow, I would be grateful if the more computer-savvy among you could tell me if this is a (relatively) good bargain for 700 € or if it's just a lot of hype for nothing. Here are just the basics, what I think is the most important stuff:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 with Viiv technology; 2,4 GHz, 8MB L2, 1,066 MHz FSB
NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600 GT, high performance with HDMI, 256 MB DDR2 SDRAM with DirectX 10 and HDCP support
3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 667 MHz 64 bit
500 GB hard disk S-ATA 300 7,200/min, 8 MB

+3-year warranty

So, what do you guys think? I could just afford this, on the proviso I, uh, eat a bit less in the next couple of months. So keep that in mind, my life is in your hands! :D
ok, some thoughts, the cpu is ace! that quad core Q6600 will overclock a LOT! two friends of mine have them, one running at 3GHz and the other at 3.5GHz!!!

no motherboard listed, I suggest a good ASUS mb - something along the lines of a P5N32-E SLI is very cool (though not super cheap)

change the video card to the 8800GT 512MB which is an excellent card, they are the important bits, a 10k HDD is nice to have but not that vital, also be sure to get a decent power supply for the video card!
Human madness is the howl of a child with a shattered heart.

User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 05 Mar 2008, 09:01

Unfortunately, you can either take this offer or not, it's not sold by a computer store, more like a Wal-Mart type store.

I've looked around on the web to see how much a similar computer would cost, just with the 8800 video card, and on average it's almost 300 € more, I don't think I'd be prepared to pay that much more. Or is it really such a huge improvement over 8600 that it's worth every penny?

I'm still not sure whether to get this one or piece my own machine together ( you can do this on many sites online), and by piece my own machine together I mean "have Stephan piece it for me". Pretty please? I'll buy you as many beers as you'd like the next time you're halfway around the world! :-D

User avatar
arturchix
Titan
Titan
Posts: 1352
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: Latvia

Unread postby arturchix » 05 Mar 2008, 10:24

I've looked around on the web to see how much a similar computer would cost, just with the 8800 video card, and on average it's almost 300 € more, I don't think I'd be prepared to pay that much more. Or is it really such a huge improvement over 8600 that it's worth every penny?
If you want to make sure that you’ll be able play the newest games at highest possible settings, spend the money. If you’re ready to lower the settings, you can live with the offered card for at least two years and still play the newest games at a good speed.

User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 05 Mar 2008, 15:04

Thanks everyone for your input so far.

I think I've decided not to opt for the computer above but instead have gathered about me an assortment of geeks and geekettes (yes) and they have caucused and come up with the following configuration:
Corsair VX 550W 82,96€
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3 90,22€
Intel ® Core 2 Duo E4600 124,04€
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 27,82€
Mushkin PC2-6400 "High Performance" KIT 2048MB 800 MHz DDR II 56,61€
Gainward GeForce 9600 GT 512MB GDDR 3 PCI-Express™ 16x 166,59€
Seagate ST3500320AS 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Serial ATAII 124,94€
NEC AD-7203A Labelflash™ Black 27,04€
Cooler Master RC-330-KKN1-GP "Elite 330" Black-Silver 38,52€

Total (with tax) 744,34€
What do y'all think of this?

User avatar
asandir
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 15481
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: The campfire .... mostly

Unread postby asandir » 05 Mar 2008, 21:36

It's all fairly ok, gigabyte make a decent motherboard so that's cool

can I get a price of the 8800GT from one of these shops near you? (the 512MB version) because if it's cheaper get that instead of the 9600GT

nd let me also re-recommend the Quad Core Q6600 if the price is not much different, other than that .... looks pretty good
Human madness is the howl of a child with a shattered heart.

User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 05 Mar 2008, 23:36

ASUS GeForce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR 3 PCI-Express™ 16x
249,45€

Gainward GeForce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR 3 PCI-Express™ 16x
214,74€

XFX GeForce 8800 GT "Alpha Dog Edition" 512MB GDDR 3 PCI-Express™ 16x
200,07€

XFX GeForce 8800 GT "Alpha Dog Edition" Extreme 512MB GDDR 3 PCI-Express™ 16x
229,41€

Gainward GeForce 9600 GT 512MB GDDR 3 PCI-Express™ 16x
166,59€
Intel ® Core 2 Quad Q6600 Socket 775 2400 MHz Kentsfield
226,75€

Intel ® Core 2 Duo E4600 Socket 775 2400 MHz Allendale
124,04€

User avatar
asandir
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 15481
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: The campfire .... mostly

Unread postby asandir » 05 Mar 2008, 23:55

it's a hundred $AU different here for the cpu's (so about 60 Euros) and the 8800gt is about $15 cheaper than the 9600GT .... in your case then, the system seems pretty decent, the e4600 is a good chip too
Human madness is the howl of a child with a shattered heart.

User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 06 Mar 2008, 11:26

I cannot for the life of me fathom how prices can vary so much for what is basically the same thing. :|

I'm also one of those simpletons who think that a larger number next to a product must necessarily mean that said product is better (and more expensive), so it perplexes me that the 9600 can be so much cheaper than the 8800. :??

User avatar
Paulus1
Archlich
Archlich
Posts: 1128
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: Odense, Denmark

Unread postby Paulus1 » 06 Mar 2008, 18:55

Metathron wrote:I'm also one of those simpletons who think that a larger number next to a product must necessarily mean that said product is better (and more expensive), so it perplexes me that the 9600 can be so much cheaper than the 8800. :??
The first number shows the generation. The second shows the range (budget, mid-range, high-level).
The 9600 is mid-level of newest generation, while the 8800 is a high level performance card of a little older generation. In this case, the older one is still faster. When the 9800 hits the market, it will most likely be the fastest.
Image

User avatar
asandir
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 15481
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: The campfire .... mostly

Unread postby asandir » 06 Mar 2008, 21:02

and definately the most expensive!!! :)

but paulus has it damn straight!
Human madness is the howl of a child with a shattered heart.

User avatar
Metathron
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 2704
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Location: Somewhere deep in the Caribbean...
Contact:

Unread postby Metathron » 07 Mar 2008, 01:59

Thanks.

I decided on the above configuration, except at the last moment I caved and went for 4 GB RAM of that same make. I can also make some other changes still, if I would wish to do so, you got me wondering about that 8800. Hmm... ;|

Should get it sometime next week. Image

User avatar
asandir
Round Table Hero
Round Table Hero
Posts: 15481
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Location: The campfire .... mostly

Unread postby asandir » 07 Mar 2008, 05:00

the 8800GT is king :D
Human madness is the howl of a child with a shattered heart.


Return to “Campfire”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 43 guests