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General discussion

Is this Computer Package good?

Nov 15, 2005 2:40PM PST

Alright, so I took a lot of people's advice over the past couple of days and I did some research. I am considering buying these three things to make me have a nice computer set. I am posting this just in case people don't think it is compatable or if there are better things to get instead of it.

CPU: for $680
HP Pavilion a1230n Desktop PC
AMD Athlon? 64 3700+ (2.2 GHz)
200GB 7200RPM hard drive
1GB of DDR SDRAM
Dual-layer DVD+/-R/RW
Site:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=133661&catOid=-14844&c=1&cm_re=main%20marquee-_-Save%20up%20to%20$300%20on%20select%20computers-_-HP%20Pavilion%20A1230N%20desktop%20PC%20package


Video Card: for $200
ATI Radeon X700 PRO 256MB for PCI Express
Site:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/ATI-Radeon-X700-Pro-Video-Card-100-437402-/sem/rpsm/oid/114102/catOid/-13043/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Monitor (not sure if I am getting this) : $230
Westinghouse 17" Widescreen Flat-Panel TFT-LCD Monitor
Site:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7196394&type=product&productCategoryId=cat01013&id=1112808997046

Thank you for reviewing this and all your advice. Also does anybody know if there are other forms where I can post this to get as much advice as possible, thanks.

Also one more quick question. The video card had a PCI express X 16 interface meaning it should work well on any PCI express slot right, there isn't different kinds of PCI express slots are there?

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH

Discussion is locked

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Well I see good specs
Nov 16, 2005 4:55AM PST

First of all there aren't different types of PCI express slots. All are x16. The x16 ones are used for video cards. There are PCI slots which are used for other things such as a wi-fi adapter, sound card, nic card, etc. I noticed that your CPU costs $680?? To much. If you are willing to spend that much for a CPU, might as well get the Dual core AMD X2 3800+ for $350. It's a socket 939, have any questions reply back.

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uhmm there are different pci express slots
Nov 16, 2005 7:01AM PST

there are pci-express x1, x4 and x16. i'm not sure if theres a x8. but i am sure of the others.

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and just to complicate things further...
Nov 16, 2005 1:51PM PST
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i seea great package
Nov 16, 2005 5:05AM PST

These specs are great. An excellent CPU, a 200gb hard drive space, plenty of RAM makes this a great desktop. I didn't get to see much information about its motherboard, like if it does have a x16 slot and what processor socket it has. The video card is ok, but I highly advise you get the ATI Radeon X800 XL which is a great video card and is a great value. Or you can opt for the nVDIA 7800 GT. Both ise x16 by the way. If you want a less barebones system, you can check emachines, which makes great budget desktops, or go Velocity Micro, they make great average user desktops to more high-end gaming desktops. As for the montior, I got a great deal on a 19 LCD monitor for only $200. Sure it's made my some unknown company, but the monitor works great and I have had no complains about it. Wait and you will get great deals.

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i would not suggest ati due to lack of sm3.0 and fp32
Nov 16, 2005 7:04AM PST

but if i did, i would suggest the sappire x800gto2.

i would suggest getting a nvidia card. depending on your budget, go for the 6600gt, 6800gs, or 6800xt. i think all are within the 150-200 dollar range.

and about the monitor, go for whatever good deal u see in the weekend ads. just get one that supports 1280x1024. and one that has a fast response time. lower than 20ms preferably.

if u would spend $250, i would recommend looking at samsung.

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RE:
Nov 17, 2005 1:45PM PST

WELL I SUGGEST A NEW PSU PRIOR TO THE GFX CARD UPGRADES...