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View Full Version : New computer debate!

zachlantow
02-12-2007, 07:55 AM
Hey guys,
Right now I've trying to figure out a new computer to buy. I have 500 dollars to spend (I know not a lot), and what I'm looking at right now is just a basic Dell Precision 650 with dual xeon 2.8's and a 128mb quadro card. 2g's of ddr pc2100. Nothing amazing but I'm looking for the best performance for my dollar. I'm a modeler mostly, and I play games every now and then, (I know quadro isnt for gaming I have a gaming card that I would probably use for that). Now I'm contemplating getting that machine or looking around for something else, mabye with a core 2 duo. Can you guys please help me out, I'm looking around on ebay, but I do know how to build computers also. So I would really appreciate your input. Thanks guys.
maX_Andrews
02-12-2007, 01:32 PM
I'd save your pennies a bit longer! For $500, you are really going to need to cut back on every aspect of the machine. Even if you could get your budget up to $750 or so would be a big help, you can find a pretty capable machine for $750
maX_Andrews
02-12-2007, 01:59 PM
For example, here's a build-it-yourself that would be very capable:

Gigabyte core2duo motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128017 $120
E6400 conroe core2duo 2.13ghz: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004 $222 (you can save $30 by going with the 1.83 ghz version, but why bother?)
2GB RAM kit: http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=2DDBD4B2A5CA7304 $180
evga 7600gt (quadro is not feasible at this price point) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130073 $120

That's $645 so far without case, psu, hard drive, and optical drive, so you can see it can be quite tough to get a modern machine for dirt cheap.
zachlantow
02-12-2007, 05:06 PM
Awesome, thanks man I'll definatley consider that. I could possibly save up that, anything better than what I got now, I have a p4 2.4 dual core with a gig of ram. Anybody else have any opinions?
jdheeter
02-15-2007, 08:16 AM
www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com)

great place to shop and compare prices etc

also

www.ocforums.com (http://www.ocforums.com)

great places to learn and talk about hardware
superex
02-16-2007, 08:34 AM
A 500 dollar system is hard to do if you are expecting good useability. I just built a Linux computer for a client who wanted to use the system as an Apache server and do it on the extreme cheap. I managed to get the final price down to 339 without a monitor but with an 18x dvd drive and an 80 gig drive. It was challenging but fun and rewarding. For FX 500 is really not enough to be pleased with in the end. I would also vote to save your pennies and invest in a higher spec machine. You will be much happier in the end.
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02-16-2007, 08:34 AM
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