New computer help

[sweetdiesel]

I have been looking into purchasing a 24" imac for the wife for the past year but instead have opted to stick with a PC, and put the money saved towards her new camera. (SSShhhh she doesn't know about the camera.)

The two models I'm looking at are from Gateway.




http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/Search.do?c=1&searchType=user&keyword=gt5674&searchSection=All

(On sale for $499 @ Frys and had good reviews on cnet)



or this one

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Gate...15166/catOid/-12962/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

(one sale for $599 @ Frys)



The wife will be using the computer for editing photos with CS3, watching movies, and general word processing and web surfing. I'd like to try out HD video editing at some point in the next year or two.

I'll be purchasing this monitor to go with either one of the two units.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Gate...14486/catOid/-12965/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Is the $100 more for the 2nd computer worth the additional ram, hard drive space, and different chipset? Are Gateways good computers or should I be looking at something else?

 

[flm_savage]

the second one is certainly better but i'm not a big fan of gateway at all. I don't believe the AMD processor is worth anything either. I have been very impressed with the Core2Duo and the Core2Quad. The first one also has shared video memory which will slow down any graphics application considerably/


I think you can do much better honestly. What are you looking to spend? We got my office pc at the beginning of this year and its got a core2duo, 3gb ram, 500gb hdd, 256mb nvidia 8300GS (not great but works for me and its an actual card instead of integrated) It came with a Dell 22" monitor as well for i want to say around 1200. Its been rock solid for me and works great as an office machine.

 

[sweetdiesel]

I'm looking to spend no more than $1100 pretax on both the computer and monitor. The monitor purchase is pretty much set in stone so I've got $600 to work with on the computer.

Are the duocore intel chips just as fast as the quad core AMD? What specs should I be looking for when working with the types of applications I listed? I'm lost when it comes to computer stuff so reccommendations are much appreciated.

I walked into Circuit City and told the salesguy what I was planning to do with the computer. He said "you need a quadcore to do video editing" and suggested the most expensive HP desktop they had there. :\

 

[flm_savage]

with that budget, this would be my pick.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...sktop&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1210379087706


its got 256 dedicated to video and thats so-so but you can always slap a card in later.

 

[WoodiE]

sweetdiesel,

Of the two computers listed I'd go with the first one. I too am not a big fan of Gateway either but system specs the first one sure has it's pluses. I do disagree with flm_savage regarding the AMD CPU's. I've only ran AMD for the last 6-7 years easily and have had nothing but positive to say about them. More times then not they tend to be faster then similar Intel chips.

Here is a link to a benchmark results of common CPU's. You'll see the AMD just out performs Intel's high end dual core and not to terribly behind Intel's quad core cpu's. http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html

Of the two computers the first one has a few advantages, one being the larger HD which is a plus for anyone and even more so for anyone doing video editing. Another plus about the first computer is the 9550 AMD CPU. The 9500 CPU included in the second computer has had some issues with some pc's, the 9550 fixes those.

Both include Vista which I personally don't like one thing about, while the first computer has Vista 64bit. The 64bit Vista is needed for the first computer if you plan on using all 6GB of RAM that's included. 32bit operating systems can't use anything over about 3.5GB of memory.

The biggest issue you might run into is the 64bit OS and finding software that will take advantage of the 64bit OS. Most applications out will not.

As for Circuit City telling you to buy the top end HP - that's because he's a sales man and not a geek. I've been in retail and I can tell you about 90% of the people working in retail don't know crap about what they are selling nor the benefits over one feature to the next. They know how to sell and that's about the end of their usefullness.

Have you checked your local computer shops? Not Circuit City or Best Buy, but your local Geek computer store? Unless you need someone to tell you how to use your 15 in 1 card reader or someone to call at 12am in the morning - more times then not you'll a LOT better of with a custom built computer. More times then not you'll get more for your computer w/o all the extra crap you don't need or even want that comes with premade compturs. Just like we tell people to check their LHS, I tell people to check their LGS (local geek shop)

If you'd like I can even get you a price on a custom built PC. Give me a call if you'd like.



-Michael

 

[sweetdiesel]

Thanks for the great response guys! I looked at our current PC on the benchmark and it was at 272. Does this mean the new computer is 8X faster if it ranks in the 2000 range?

Woodie, I haven't tried the local computer shops yet. Mainly because I thought they only built high end computers. I'll check a couple out this week see what they can do for the targeted budget.

The biggest issue you might run into is the 64bit OS and finding software that will take advantage of the 64bit OS. Most applications out will not.

Does this mean I'll have issues running our current software? (Microsoft Office, Photoshop CS3) Do you foresee that in the future most all applications will utilize the 64 bit OS or is this more of a marketing gimmick?

 

[flm_savage]

The following is not meant in any way to be disrespectful.

I have run intel cpu's for as long as i can rememeber and about 3 years ago i got extremely heavy into the overclocking scene. I always ran intels and had great results. My claim to fame was getting a 2.66Ghz pentium D up to 4.2Ghz on air. I have NOT run the phenom but i have run plenty of Athlon 64's, 64x2's, and turion's. I have never been impressed with any of them. Maybe amd is onto something with the phenom but i'm not sure. If woodie has used them and says they rock, then go with it. I have on the other hand run more core2duo's than i can think of and they all seems to load applications much quicker than the amd's i compared them too. This is with similair board configs as well.

benchmarks are great but sometimes misleading. I like the chart that woodie posted but at the same time here is another one that shows the core2duo E6550 faster than the phenom at CS3 flitering. http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/...,1292,1281,1291,1317,1278,1314,1310,1311,1309

You can go back and forth with benchmarks for days about which is faster.


In any case, i would not buy a gateway. Custom building is starting to get phased out IMO. Its more for enthusiasts now and not really to save cash. The phenom alone is going to cost you a $175, add a hundred for a power supply, hundred for a board, hundred for a case, 60 for ram, hundred for an OS, 70 for a hdd. It really starts to add up quick. Its hard to beat 600 out the door for a very similiar pc.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

SD, you will be able to run the current software fine, but it wont take full advantage of the 64 bit operating system. It just means that it will run the same on there as it would on a 32 bit operating system. I agree with Woodie, I've had several AMD computers that I like. I say it's definitely worth the extra money to get the 9550 proc'd computer for $100 more. I think it will do just fine. When you get into editing your HD video, I would reccomend installing a nicer graphics card. I'm only running a EVGA 8600 GTS with 512mb that's been superclocked and it does real good with the video editing. When I bought the card last year it was almost $300, but now because the technology has improved greatly, you can buy the same card for around $100. That's only if you feel that when you get into hardcore editing that you need it. Also, I'm running Vista on this rig (I have an internet rig with the graphics card that I just described and vista, and a gaming rig with two video cards in SLI and XP) and I haven't had any trouble at all running any of my software or anything like that. I use CS3 and office 07 a lot, and I've run plenty of games just to see if I had any conflicts and I haven't had any yet. I didn't think I would like Vista which is why it isn't on my gaming rig, but if you're not building an overclocked rig and trying to squeeze every last percent of performance out of your rig, I think Vista will do you fine.

 

[ajames942]

not a fan of gateway either....

-Austin

 

[jon2]

Hey Dom,

Is there a reason Gateway is your choice of brand? Have you tried to look at other options? Do you plan to use Vista? or "upgrade to XP"? LOL . I am looking to get a tablet laptop soon as writing on the screen seems to be moving up on my list due to work and Vista ones suck. I guess what I am asking is are you familiar with Vista yet? From what I can understand now, it seems to be a good OS if you understand how it works.

I have all dell PC's at work and they are OK but I am an HP guy and they have some decent deals even at Wally world.

 

[flm_savage]

i picked up a sony laptop a few weeks ago and it came loaded with vista ultimate. I can honestly say its a milion times better than when the beta was released and i have no problems with it at all. It just takes a little getting used to IMO. I run XP pro on the same machine with VMware and its great.
this is the laptop if you care. http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-FZ485U/B

i do however have problems with vista home premium. Especially networking issues. I am guessing thats how microsoft plays the game....

 

[CharliesTheMan]

SD, some great deals can be had at:

www.newegg.com
www.tigerdirect.com

I also happen to be a fan of HP as well, haven't dealt with Gateway much, but I LOVE my HP stuff.

 

[flm_savage]

i quit buying HP when they merged with compaq.

 

[h8z2luze]

I have a Gateway and i never had a problem with it allthough I have upgraded the video card and power supply. I also am not a fan of AMD. OR ATI after this card lol just thought id throw that out there. Its the x1950pro. I would get one custom built as said before. They will build whatever you want not just high end.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Only reason why I started looking at Gateway was because the first computer listed the GT5674 was on CNET's list of best buy computers. I have no brand loyalty or preference though I would like to start using Vista.

I did talk to a programmer from my IT dept and found out he dabbles in building custom machines. He basically told me to get him all the specs I required and he'd cost it out to see if it would be cheaper than buying pre-built. I'm still trying to figure out whether to go Intel duo core or AMD quad core. Seems like each one outperforms the other depending on which test or graph you look at.

 

[flm_savage]

Seems like each one outperforms the other depending on which test or graph you look at.

bingo.

custom built is only the way to go if you do it yourself IMO. Its simple enough but you aren't going to save oodles of money.

 

[HeartBreak]

SD, one thing that hasn't been touched on... Once you get the system home, take the couple hours and MAKE RESTORE DISCS, if the system doesn't come bundled with them. At least make a Restore Tools disc, which will allow you to boot and activate the restore process.

A buddy of mine has a Compaq (HP is the same thing, practically.. same company, at least), and they use a hidden restore partition, and do not bundle a restore disc with the pc. Instead, they charge an insane amount if you need the discs.

Make sure you can at least restore the PC before you turn it over to your wife.

 

[ajames942]

SD, one thing that hasn't been touched on... Once you get the system home, take the couple hours and MAKE RESTORE DISCS, if the system doesn't come bundled with them. At least make a Restore Tools disc, which will allow you to boot and activate the restore process.

A buddy of mine has a Compaq (HP is the same thing, practically.. same company, at least), and they use a hidden restore partition, and do not bundle a restore disc with the pc. Instead, they charge an insane amount if you need the discs.

Make sure you can at least restore the PC before you turn it over to your wife.

A buddy of mine just got an HP and he couldnt make discs. So i called HP for him and they sent them all for free.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Thanks for the heads on on making recovery discs.

So I stopped into Frys last night and was just about decided that I was going to purchase the Gateway quad core model with 6GB of memory. Started playing with it, opening up programs and pictures and was quite impressed with how fast everything ran compared to our home computer. And then the computer froze when I tried to open a picture. I took that as a sign that I should walk away. :\

I sent the Gateway specs to my IT guy this morning and hopefully he can hook me up with a unit for about the same amount of money.

 

[HeartBreak]

A buddy of mine just got an HP and he couldnt make discs. So i called HP for him and they sent them all for free.

Must've been within warranty. My friend said it was literally one day over the warranty period. The kick is, you can make the restore discs, if you know how.

If the computer is newer than 2003, press F10 at startup when you first see the HP/Compaq logo. It should bring up the Recovery menu. Press Alt-D to get a prompt, and depending if you have a Card reader or not, you'll go to a partition (D: if you don't, H: if you do), enter a directory, and type a command. Then it's just click a button on the screen and follow instructions.

At least, that's according to HP's site.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Norton Ghost coupled with a USB2.0 hard drive. That utility has saved my digital bacon more times than I care to think of.