My New Computer

Razor · 07-01-2009, 08:58 PM

Hello there people. I'm new to the forums, so I'm not so sure if this is were the topic goes, but it seems about right.

Recently my parents ordered me a computer from Dell to reward me for 8 years of perfect attendence. The computer that was ordered was a Dell Studio 540 Desktop. Here are its specs.

Copied from PC Wizard 2008(I'm not exactly a computer guru.)
Mainboard: Dell 0M017G
Chipset: Intel G43/G45
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2333 MHz
Physical Memory: 4096 MB (4 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM )
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4350
Hard Disk: WDC (640 GB)
DVD-Rom Drive: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GH30N ATA Device
Monitor Type: Dell Computer DELL ST2010 - 20 inches
Network Card: Realtek Semiconductor RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Operating System: Windows (TM) Vista Home Premium Home Edition 6.00.6001 Service Pack 1
DirectX: Version 10.00
Windows Performance Index: 3.8

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I know that I could have probably built my own, for less money, and greater preformance, but as stated, I'm not exactly a computer guru. Could you guys please give me a small evaluation on the purchase, if it was worth it or not.

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Cost of machine after discounts and rebates: Approx $700

wafflehammer · 07-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Considering you got a monitor with it I would say it's decent.

RAM, motherboard, power supply, are probably crap...graphics card is low end.

I say you could probably build something that had better parts for around $500-600...but since you got a monitor it kicks the value up a bit.

Razor · 07-01-2009, 09:36 PM

Yeah, I figured as much. If I had the assets to build my own rig I would have chosen the following.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

XFX HD-489A-ZDEC Radeon HD 4890 Xtreme 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
As far as I can tell those are all compatible.

TheDiceman · 07-02-2009, 01:30 PM

Yup, really since you got a monitor with the deal not too bad. If I were you I would knock up the GPU on my own when you can afford it. Depending on what you need the computer for you could get quite a bit of life out of the system.

hikaricloud · 07-02-2009, 01:32 PM

For 700 bucks you probably could have gotten an AMD quad build with a monitor and a better video card, but you could have done a lot worse I suppose.

Besides, can't beat free.

Razor · 07-02-2009, 01:47 PM

Got that right. Can never beat free.
As for what I use the computer for, its nothing very intensive. World of Warcraft, BF2, TF2, downloading and watching movies, listening to music. Not very high-end gaming or anything like that.

hikaricloud · 07-02-2009, 01:56 PM

Then it works fine for your needs.

I just hope you can upgrade it later if you need to.

Muffin Man · 07-02-2009, 02:43 PM

now thats impressive. so that means you never cut/skipped class? did you get a cool certificate from your school?

wafflehammer · 07-02-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffin Man

now thats impressive. so that means you never cut/skipped class? did you get a cool certificate from your school?

I went to school with a kid and he never missed a day period...and i heard that he gets a new car free from the state....

his dad is a state senator...so yea i'm sure it has something to do with it :rolleyes: cause I know he has missed before :\

anyway: it is a decent build for what you pay. dells aren't the best but with a monitor it is a good buy. and as others have said I hope the power supply is good enough so you can upgrade the video card when ever you can :\

Razor · 07-02-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffin Man

now thats impressive. so that means you never cut/skipped class? did you get a cool certificate from your school?

I've gone home early quite a bit. Yep. 8 certificates hanging on my wall, I also got $50... Not that much, but going to school everyday isn't a big deal

Edit: As for the power supply, when the warranty runs out I'm going to open it up and check it out even more. I'll probably end up replacing some things

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