I am looking at buying this guy: TigerDirect Sunset
Would y’all look at the specs for me and tell me what you think?
Right now I have a Dell Dim 3 K, and it’s done about all it can do for me.
In advising me, could you address such things as
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Can I add to the computer I want to buy (upgrade video, memory etc)
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If you bought the above referenced computer, what would you prefer to see in it (hardware, I mean)
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Is the Dell Dim of any futher use to me. I guess I’m asking if they can be hooked together some way?
Thanks
Q
- It’s got 4gb RAM, and since it comes with Vista 64, you’ll be able to address all of it and use Direct X10 as well. That’s good, DX10 will probably start to become more widespread over the next year or two, as more people go with 64 bit OS’s. Personally, I hate vista and am glad I stuck with XP Pro.
- If I was going with NVIDIA cards, I’d get a GTX260, which is around $280 on newegg + a $30 mail in rebate, so $250 total. The 9600 GT included with the system is kind of a low end card, you’ll be able to play Crysis out of the box, but you’ll most likely want to upgrade it within 6 months or so. You’d also need a new Power supply.
- I don’t know what the specs on a Dell Dimension 3k are, but most likely your Dell is useless now. I’ll refrain from the standard Dell “it was useless when you bought it” joke. If anyone else in your house can use a comp too old to play new games on, give it to them.
Summary: It depends what you want to do. You could get the system as is, then upgrade CPU, PSU, and Video card as you have money. If you have the cash now, I’d just buy the individual parts, replacing the video card with a GTX 260 and the PSU with a Corsair 750 TX.
Interestingly enough, the same system is sold on newegg for $749. I did some research on newegg, and bought all the parts individually, using the exact information listed on your system when I could, and it came to $643 with a cheapo mouse and keyboard. (I just put stuff in the shopping cart, didn’t actually purchase it). The power supply included in your system is a $20 500ish watt cheapo, but that’s ok for the video card in the package.
Replacing the 9600 GT with a GTX 260, and adding a Corsair 750 TX power supply brought my total to $898. Everything else is the same or similar to your system. I think you’d get a mail in rebate or two, so you might be able to save another $50 if you’re willing to get the parts individually and put it together yourself.
Thanks, for your answer. As I have limited funds right now (who** doesn’t**), I will go ahead and get the computer as it now is and then upgrade later when I can.
That poor little Dell makes me feel sorry for it! If it had a face, think you’d see some big ol eyes, scared as they can be, and a tongue lolling out the side of its mouth, with a lot of wheezing going on. 
“How much longer you gonna whup my pore tired ol’ ass, Master???”:eek:
I can speed it up by runnin CCleaner, but that’s very little speed at all.
Thanks
Q
Yeah, you can always go back and get a GTX 260 (or whatever) at a later time. Just be aware that if you do get a new graphics card you should probably get a new Power Supply too.
FWIW, I still have my last 2 computers, although no one uses them. Before setting up the new one, I cleaned up the old one, backed up all my files to dvd, etc. Then if something does go seriously wrong with the new one, I still have the old one to use until I get it fixed. I can use the old one to go online and search for solutions to whatever’s ailing the new one. So you might want to hang onto the Dell for a while.
Good luck to you!
Thanks for the help. Also for reminding me to back my files up!
Quasi