new Dell computer advice (kind of long)

[Monkeypants]

Well, you guys are always the best with computer advice, so I'm coming here first. I want to get a new Dell computer, and a nice one at that, as I have been using a PII 266 for over five years now. I'd like something fast, with a large hard drive, and the capability to play all the latest 3D games.

I was looking at Dimension 4550 desktops, configuring them a million different ways, using my employee discount and everything. In the end, the best deals are always on the pre-configured models. Of course, those are usually configured for low-end, not high-end, or for some specialty I don't need, like video editing.

Now I just happened upon a great deal on a Dimension 8250. It is pre-configured for medium level processor but with the nice touches I wanted, and it is a great price, cheaper than some 4550s. So I understand that the 8250 uses a different type of memory and has a few other differences from the 4550, but my question is this:

The 8250 setup comes with the awesome video card I want (Radeon 9700 Pro), but the processor speed is a little slower than I wanted (It's 2.4 gHz with 512 MB RAM, where I was looking at 2.8s before). Everything else is perfect about this computer . . . but will I be missing out on anything because the processor is a little slow? I realize it's very fast comparatively speaking, but considering they make faster ones, will my video card not be put to good use?

Thanks so much. I'd like to order tomorrow.

MP

[Carcosa]

Provided I was looking at the correct systems, I really don't think you'd see any difference between the 2.4 and the 2.8 systems. They both appear to have a 533Mhz system bus and a 512k L2 cache. Of course, I'm a developer not a gamer so I really don't know all the ins and outs of what makes a good gaming machine.

[dylan_73]

I'd say you won't notice any difference. For gaming, the graphics card is what you want. 2.4 GHz should be enough for anyone... ;)

[Athena]

2.4 Ghz is hardly a slow processor. I agree with the others here - you won't see a difference between that and a 2.8 Ghz. Gaming wise, the video card is more important than the processor speed. Also, memory is important. Go for a Gig if you can afford it.

I have a Dell pretty close to what you describe. I've got a Ti4600 instead of the ATI, but it's a Dell 8200 (basically the 8250, just purchased last August), with a 2.53 Ghz processor. Every game I've put in it runs at the speed of light.

[RickJay]

As an avid gamer, I wholeheartedly agree that the difference between the 2.4 and the 2.8 is simply not significant. No PC games would make effective use of the marginal difference between the two games - a 2.4 GHz processor is way, way beyond most practical advantage. What matters is that you're getting a powerful video card and lots of memory.

[RickJay]

Between the two PROCESSORS, I meant. Duh.

[slortar]

Yeah, I have a Radeon 8500LE on a 700mhz processor and don't have any real problem with games--even Morrowind runs fine. Trust me, you'll be *very* happy with that computer. Even Doom 3 will fly on that thing when it comes out.

[Monkeypants]

Rock and Roll! Thanks guys. I post at 3:35 AM and wake up bleary-eyed to find great, knowledgeable responses. Sometimes the SDMB is like a magical wishing tree.

MP

[handy]

Get more ram but put it in yourself. I did.

You talking about today's deal?:
Powerful Desktop deal: Dimension 4550 P4-2.4Ghz (Faster 533Mhz bus) 128MB (Faster DDR333 memory)/30GB CD Geforce4MX video card, XP Home MS Works $619 - $50 coupon - $100 rebate = $469 shipped free.

4550 P4-1.8Ghz version is $509 - $100 rebate = $409.

[Monkeypants]

I got it today. Incredible. Thanks again everyone, I am in heaven.