[hamiki]

Yes, I have looked at least 6 pages in to see if this question was asked before.
And the "buyer's guide" is for laptops only, and I'm looking to buy a desktop...
I am currently looking into buying a Dell XPS-200, but I was wondering if Dell XPS-400 was better?

I'm planning to use the computer for:
- Homework.
- Internet.
- Downloading (dramas/etc..).
- Watching those dramas/etc...
- My brother likes to play games on the computer... so I'm not too sure about game-stuff.. ^^;

I heard this was good:
about 3ghz processor
512 + RAM (1gb works great)
80+ GB Hard drive (depends)
128 + RAM graphics card
+ sound card

And if there are any other specs or anything that is better, please do tell! =)

[OsiX]

Sure, sounds great.

[hamiki]

???? FOUR QUESTIONS ????

1. Which is better: Dell XPS-200 or XPS-400?

2. Is there a big difference between 2.8ghz and 3.0ghz?

3. Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 or 128MB PCI Express™ x16 ATI Radeon™ X600 SE ?

[hacp]

???? FOUR QUESTIONS ????

1. Which is better: Dell XPS-200 or XPS-400?

2. Is there a big difference between 2.8ghz and 3.0ghz?

3. Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 or 128MB PCI Express™ x16 ATI Radeon™ X600 SE ?

Ok, I am here to answer your questions. How much are you willing to spend on your new computer? First thing I would suggest to you is to go AMD . Also, I would suggest agaisn't going with either the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator or the ATI Radeon card. I doubt your brother would enjoy playing games with these graphics accelerators. He probably would be lagging heavily playing games like World of Warcraft. Just tell me your budget and i'll guide you to the proper computer.

[hamiki]

Well, our budget... the max would be $1,000.
And my brother doesn't really play a whole lot of games, actually, come to think of it, he doesn't play any computer-CD games anymore. ^^;; He plays "maple story"-type games and those online games that probably only need java/mac-flash support.
However, I can only get Dell's computers because they offer monthly-payment-options...
Plus, they seem to be offering pretty good deals at the moment (such as 18 mos. w/o interest).
Unless you happen to know of any other places that offer better computers with such offers/monthly-payment-options.

Anyways,
Yes. Please, Guide the way to my perfect computer~ ^^;

[hacp]

Well, our budget... the max would be $1,000.
And my brother doesn't really play a whole lot of games, actually, come to think of it, he doesn't play any computer-CD games anymore. ^^;; He plays "maple story"-type games and those online games that probably only need java/mac-flash support.
However, I can only get Dell's computers because they offer monthly-payment-options...
Plus, they seem to be offering pretty good deals at the moment (such as 18 mos. w/o interest).
Unless you happen to know of any other places that offer better computers with such offers/monthly-payment-options.

Anyways,
Yes. Please, Guide the way to my perfect computer~ ^^;

Other companies defently offer payment options. I was wondering if you would be comforatable purchasing a seperate monitor? How much HD space do you need? Also what sized LCD screen is preferred? Widescreen or a traditional 4:3 screen? I know you want to go as low as possible, but how low would you prefer it to be? Closer to 500 or closer to 900? Finally, do you know how to install a pci expansion card? I'm asking this because I was wondering if you had wireless in your house, or you use a traditional ethernet cable to connect to the internet? Thanks for answering these questions!

[hamiki]

Umm.. I don't know about buying a seperate monitor. I think I'd be more comfortable with the monitor coming with the PC, but if I bought it seperately, would it be cheaper?
As for HD, I need.. well, this old computer we're using only has about 50gb (yes, i know. wow. old. hehe), and I still haven't filled it up yet. I saw options for (the lowest) 160gb, so I guess that would be fine.
LCD screen.. umm... not sure.
Well, it would be nice to get a really decent computer that is close to $500, but it can be as high as $1,000 as long as there is a monthly-payment option. (it would be nice if they are offering "no-interest" period too) And no, I don't know how to install a pci expansion card. Currently we are using a traditional ethernet cable to connect to the internet. But I have a question, if we go wireless, would it affect the speed of the internet?

Oh and could you possibly direct me to some websites that sell these computers? I'd like to look at the sites for myself. =) Thank you~

[hacp]

Umm.. I don't know about buying a seperate monitor. I think I'd be more comfortable with the monitor coming with the PC, but if I bought it seperately, would it be cheaper?
As for HD, I need.. well, this old computer we're using only has about 50gb (yes, i know. wow. old. hehe), and I still haven't filled it up yet. I saw options for (the lowest) 160gb, so I guess that would be fine.
LCD screen.. umm... not sure.
Well, it would be nice to get a really decent computer that is close to $500, but it can be as high as $1,000 as long as there is a monthly-payment option. (it would be nice if they are offering "no-interest" period too) And no, I don't know how to install a pci expansion card. Currently we are using a traditional ethernet cable to connect to the internet. But I have a question, if we go wireless, would it affect the speed of the internet?

Oh and could you possibly direct me to some websites that sell these computers? I'd like to look at the sites for myself. =) Thank you~

I would traditionally go with HP shopping as they offer good bang for buck prices. But sometimes, you can get a good deal on a dell desktop. Here are the specifications that I would look for in a deal...

Intel:
Pentium 4 2.8 with HT
1GB of Ram
200-250GB Hard Drive (if they start charging you 50 or 100 dollars to upgrade for as little as 50 or 100 GB, don't bite)
ATI X300 or X300SE video card(its crap, but it gets the job done for your needs)
Windows(get cheapest one)
2 year warrenty(3 years cost too much, and 1 year is too much of a risk)
DVD+-RW with dual layer support

Or AMD:
AMD 64 3200+ or 3500+
1GB of Ram
200-250GB Hard drive
ATI x200(integrated) or x300 or x300SE graphics card
Windows(cheapest one)
2 year warrenty.
DVD-+RW with dual layer support

Right now, the best deal for you would seem to be this one from HP.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping...4#defaultAnchor

Comes out to be around 700 dollars after you count tax.

As for a monitory, I would choose this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...2E1682416313017

19 inch widescreen. It comes with a rebate, but I wouldn't count on the rebate. When you do send the rebate, make sure that you send it with certified mail with USPS. That way, if they claim that they never recieved the rebate, just show them the certified mail receipt. Also, make sure that you photocopy everything.


As for Dells, here is a configuration that I think would suit you.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/con...=DE310RF1&s=dhs

17 LCD Analog inch monitor
2.8GHZ with HT
2 Year warrenty
1GB of ram dual channel
Intel 950 Integrated Graphics
160GB of HD space
Creative Sound Blaster
DVD-+RW

you can choose the dell speakers and optical mouse if you want.

Total configuration should be around 800 including tax and shipping

The AMD system would have a better processor, more HD space, and a bigger monitor, but the Dell one is cheaper.

[i'm lagging yo]

for convenience's sake... just order a preconfigured computer from Dell (if you want), or a site like www.ibuypower.com .. i dont think ibuypower has financing but they're comps are relatively cheap.

For starters prebuilt systems come already preloaded with everything and set-up properly so you don't have to figure out how to put it together or do any troubleshooting when something doesn't work.. or any of those annoying problems. For everyday users for homework, mp3's, watchin movies, chatting, light gaming, any system on that site will work like a charm.

[J_LINDEBERG]

since you're downloading dramas...
you might want to consider a larger HD... maybe 100GB+

AMD over INTELLLLLL!

[hacp]

Btw, if you act today, you can get a decent computer for 1k.

http://dealsvengali.com/dell_coupon_deals.html

heres the link. Just follow what it says, upgrade to DVD burner, 160GB of HD Space, 1GB of ram, and a x600 hypermemory. Don't forget the 2005fpw monitor.

Go to dell home, and configure the E510. Choose the Model with 786 dollars in the price tag.
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/f...s=19&l=en&s=dhs

Upgrade memory to 1gb
Hard Drive to 60GB
DVD Drive to DVD burner
Monitor to 20 inch 2005FPW
Dell Optical Mouse

You can add an all in one printer/copier/scanner too if you want. Total should be about 1040. Thats including tax and shipping.

[CK92842]

Creating a custom PC isn't difficult and I believe anyone can do it. After searching through newegg, you can get yourself a dual core AMD CPU, 400GB HD, NEC DVDRW Drive, Asus Motherboard, Antec PSU, Antec Computer Case for about $827. You're really better off making one on your own.

[aznfishyfart]

with a 1k budget u should build ur own computer
u can get the best deal with that
i spent about 600 and built a pretty decent computer
and if ur gonna DL dramas get a huge hard drive like 200++++

[kuja]

In my opinion, premade desktops are not worth the money. Especially your hard-earned (or well, your parents') money. If I were you, I'd take those specs and take it to a computer shop that will build one for you. Given the right shop, you will be very pleased with the price and the result.

[jeezchris.]

You know, I can build a VERY nice comp for just under 1000. (that's what I plan to do when I sell my laptop)
includes INtel Pentium D 920 (the new one), asus 955x mobo, 1GB DDR667 RAM, antec case w/ smartpower PSU, nice cooling setup, 200GB SATA2, 6600GT, DVD burner, etcetc
^__^

don't buy one, build one.

[SoupSandwich]

If your in Kansas I could build you one. Just buy the parts off newegg and gimme a cookie or something.

I like charity work.. kinda.