New Computer ... need advice - updated. Thanks Everyone!
cassblonde:
??? I took a quick look at the pinned thread on this but everyone soon lost me as I am not techie at all and get confused easily(and I'm tired). Here's the deal - My Mom won a rather large chunk of money and is willing to buy me a new computer. I want to have a local shop that I trust build me one but it can't run over about $900CDN for the whole set up(monitor and all). I would love a system that stands a chance at running Sims3 when it comes out because I just know this is my one and only chance at a custom built Simmin' machine.
So I need to know a few things...and type slow. I'm just about the least Awesome member on but trust you guys to lead me in the correct direction.
Considering my price contraints and the fact I am in Canada I need recommendations on what I should ask for in all the major parts of a computer(and should I push for XP?): Video Card, CPU(I presume Duo Core?), HD size and speed, amount of RAM and so on. I also gather power supply is a issue and I suppose cases make a difference as well(especailly since we're talking an un-airconditioned basement here and it gets plenty hot in Canada folks!).
Thanks in advance...I hope for enough Awesome responses to call the computer shop in a couple days and tell them what I want and not sound like a total dumdum...help me out? Please?
Invisigoth:
I am not very awesome, either, but there are two things that I do know. The first is that you will probably want 2 gigs of ram, because (at least for the next few years) that will be able to run just about whatever you need it to. Second, I am not sure what the laws are like in Canada, but in the US it can be very expensive to get rid of an old monitor (it's considered hazardous waste), so I usually find my new monitors from www.craigslist.org. People will sell used (but still very good condition) monitors for dirt, or often give them away for free if you are willing to go pick it up. You can even get nice flat screen ones, particularly from companies who have recently upgraded and are trying to get rid of a bunch of them. I looked on the site, and they have subsites for about a dozen areas in Canada, so it might be worth a try. I haven't payed for a monitor in years. They can be so expensive, so that might give you a helpful chunk more to use towards the actual machine.
Hook:
Monitors are dirt cheap anymore anyway. I got a professional grade Viewsonic 21" CRT for $500 delivered. But there should be plenty of used monitors around if you know where to look.
Invisigoth, I followed the link in your signature. The full quote is even more interesting:
Quote
We [at EA] want to avoid making 'pink games.' Women enjoy many of the same features in gameplay as men do. The way EA sees it is there's a lot of untapped potential out there."
This seems a bit higher than a T rating would suggest. :D
Hook
KatEnigma:
Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM
450w+ power supply
RADEON video card- please, do yourself a favor and avoid the Sims/Nvidia headaches. And the Nvidia/Vista headaches if you choose Vista. Something in the x850 or higher is fine for now. The x1950 Pro would be awesome.
What you really need to look for is upgradeability. Even if you only have one shot at customization, it doesn't mean that you'll be stuck with what you pick. You can add RAM, a different video card, or even a new Hard Drive very easily. Power supplies are a pain, only because you have to unplug and replug everything, but even that can be upgraded later, if you find that you need more power.
If you have a working monitor, why replace it immediately, at all? For the case, just look at something that seems to have space and the bigger fans are better (and tend to be quieter)
The main thing is you definitely want Dual Core, and Intel is worlds ahead on that right now, and it's harder to change your mind and swap out the processor later on.
Invisigoth:
Quote from: Hook on 2007 June 18, 05:21:21
Monitors are dirt cheap anymore anyway. I got a professional grade Viewsonic 21" CRT for $500 delivered. But there should be plenty of used monitors around if you know where to look.
Invisigoth, I followed the link in your signature. The full quote is even more interesting:
Quote
We [at EA] want to avoid making 'pink games.' Women enjoy many of the same features in gameplay as men do. The way EA sees it is there's a lot of untapped potential out there."
This seems a bit higher than a T rating would suggest. :D
Hook
Yeah, I'm 22 and trying to get through college. 500$ is well out of my price range, actually 50$ is well out of my price range. Free is just about right. ;)
And I took that part of the quote because I thought it was kind of a funny dumb thing to say. But I am glad that you enjoyed it. Although I am not really sure what you're driving at with the T rating thing. That might be because it's 4 AM my time and I should definitely be in bed.
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