New PC

[Snip]

So I'm looking for a new PC and this one looked nice:

Desktop Computer Compaq Presario SR2079

• Intel Pentium D Processor 915 dual-core (2 x 2.8 Ghz)
• Intel Viiv Technologie
• 1 GB DDR2 Memory
• 320 GB S-ATA Harddisk (7200 rpm)
• DVD-rewriter (+/- rw) LightScribe DL
• GeForce 7500LE Pure Video DVI
• Cardreader 9-in-1 and wireless LAN 802.11 b/g
• 7 x USB 2.0 and 2 x Firewire

TFT-Flatpanel Compaq Presario FP1906

• Contrastratio 700:1
• Responsetime: 8 ms

What do you think? Any comments on the whole thing or individual pieces? Tomorrow it only costs €699 (= $880). I want to use it for all sorts of stuff, including games.

[joeprogrammer]

If you're planning to game on it a lot, you'll probably want more than 1 GB of RAM for comfortable gaming. Everything else looks very good, especially the processor and the LightScribe drive.

[Frobozz]

More than 1GB of memory sounds nice and all, but I think he'd be better off spending the money towards a better video card. Wikipedia doesn't list the 7500LE, but I suspect it is weaker than the 7600GS. Lately I've decided I won't buy a card weaker than 16 pixel pipelines and 256MB of GDDR3 on a 256-bit bus. The Radeon X850 XT fulfills that and, while missing shader model 3.0, outperforms the GeForce 7800GT (Wiki links below). Plus, last I checked, the card only cost $130 on NewEgg.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon_R420
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ocessing_Units

[SlyMaelstrom]

If you're going to go for a cheap gaming rig, then you're best going with a Core 2 Duo processor. The low end models are extremely reasonable and compete with all of the top processors of today. Unfortunately, the PC manufactures are trying to rake in profits with the Core 2 Duo chips, so if you want one for a good price, you'll have to build.

[Frobozz]

I suppose this would depend on one's concept of cheap, but I don't personally see a $180 processor as being low-cost. Instead I went with the Pentium D 805. The processor has been more than adequate for me and last I knew was selling for $90 - half the cost of Core 2 Duo.