Help a novice buy a PC

kidfresh · 07-01-2008, 02:44 PM

Hey guys!

So I'm in the market for a new PC after having had used the same one for 7+ yrs.
I'm not really comfortable in building my own right now.

Is this a good buy?

Dell Inspiron 530 ($578 incl. tax/shipping to NYC)

- Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600
- Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
- 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
- 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
- 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
- Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
- Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
- Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
- Microsoft Works 9.0
- 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support

Which 22" LCD monitor to buy?

- Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" ($220)
- CHIMEI CMV 221D Black 22" ($220)

I know the Core 2 Quad chip is a bit advance for my basic computing needs.

Questions:

- Can you also suggest a decent video card to get for occasional gaming?
- Is there much of a difference btwn DDR2 SDRAM 667mhz and 800mhz, etc.
- I'm not sure what type of motherboard Dell includes. They won't tell me. Would you know if it's something friendly for future PC upgrades?

Any suggestions will help. I'm open to buy any brand. So far I've just narrowed it down to this Dell. Thanks!

wrench97 · 07-02-2008, 02:21 PM

What will your main use for the PC be?
When an OEM builds a PC the components are picked for the configuration, so if you want to add a video card to this set up that has "onboard video" most likely the power supply will be too small to handle it. Dell like most OEM's either make their own boards or have them made to their specs. so the upgrade path is limited.
If look at the options pages on the 530 the only 2 cards available are the 2400 & 2600 ATI cards and I would suspect the power supply to be the limiting factor.
If as for the RAM for $10.00 I would go for the 800Mhz but unless your pushing the system I doubt you'll notice the difference.
As for the monitors I haven't had any experience with either brand, Maybe someone else who has will add some comments.

**linderman** · 07-02-2008, 06:54 PM

the Wrench has added some great input >>>>>> dont hesitate to discuss further.

jumbo1990ny · 07-02-2008, 08:52 PM

Choose the Acer monitor

kidfresh · 07-03-2008, 09:50 AM

Thanks for your replies!

Wrench...So I've been told that the Dell 530 includes a Intel G33 mobo and 350w power supply. A 8800GT video card will run fine on it. I don't really have demanding needs - just MS apps and DVD ripping/viewing. I'm also not a gamer but would like to start playing a few. I want the system to last for a few yrs. hence the Q6600. As much as I would like to begin building one, I just don't have the patience to start learning right now. I'll probably just order the Dell (I know its a bad build base), a 8800GT, a TV tuner, and the Acer. It seems to be a good price. Even better in the Dell Outlet but I want something new. Thanks for your help!

wrench97 · 07-03-2008, 11:33 AM

I'd be a little weary of an 8800 card on a 350w PSU.

**linderman** · 07-03-2008, 12:24 PM

there is no way in hades a 350 watt power supply will run that card ! hell even a high quality 450 watt power supply really struggles to run the 8800GT ...... and the Dell supplies are far from high quality!

a fella came in the shop a couple of weeks ago with a 450 watt Seasonic and the 8800GT this dude was complaining of system overheating with cpu throttling back ........ that poor power supply was pushing hot air like a hair dryer !

550 watt high quality would be the least I would try that >>>>>> even then a 650 watt would be FAR smarter

kidfresh · 07-03-2008, 03:37 PM

LOL I just read this thread:

http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&p=850418

Now I'm really confused.

wrench97 · 07-03-2008, 04:19 PM

Well let me put it this way I have Dell XPS400 it had a 375w with a 6 pin video card connector so I added a 7900gt 2 months later the screen started sheering EVGA RMA'd the card good for another month and a half same problem RMA'd the card again, good for a month, RMA'd the card again 4th times the charm put a Pc Power&cooling 500w and the 4th card 2 years later the wife is still using it.

07-01-2008, 02:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
kidfresh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Help a novice buy a PC Hey guys! So I'm in the market for a new PC after having had used the same one for 7+ yrs. I'm not really comfortable in building my own right now. Is this a good buy? Dell Inspiron 530 ($578 incl. tax/shipping to NYC) - Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 - Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1 - 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs - 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ - 16X DVD+/-RW Drive - Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 - Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio - Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse - Microsoft Works 9.0 - 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support Which 22" LCD monitor to buy? - Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" ($220) - CHIMEI CMV 221D Black 22" ($220) I know the Core 2 Quad chip is a bit advance for my basic computing needs. Questions: - Can you also suggest a decent video card to get for occasional gaming? - Is there much of a difference btwn DDR2 SDRAM 667mhz and 800mhz, etc. - I'm not sure what type of motherboard Dell includes. They won't tell me. Would you know if it's something friendly for future PC upgrades? Any suggestions will help. I'm open to buy any brand. So far I've just narrowed it down to this Dell. Thanks! Last edited by kidfresh : 07-01-2008 at 02:49 PM.

07-02-2008, 02:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,102 OS: XPSP2	Re: Help a novice buy a PC What will your main use for the PC be? When an OEM builds a PC the components are picked for the configuration, so if you want to add a video card to this set up that has "onboard video" most likely the power supply will be too small to handle it. Dell like most OEM's either make their own boards or have them made to their specs. so the upgrade path is limited. If look at the options pages on the 530 the only 2 cards available are the 2400 & 2600 ATI cards and I would suspect the power supply to be the limiting factor. If as for the RAM for $10.00 I would go for the 800Mhz but unless your pushing the system I doubt you'll notice the difference. As for the monitors I haven't had any experience with either brand, Maybe someone else who has will add some comments. __________________

07-02-2008, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 13,650 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Help a novice buy a PC the Wrench has added some great input >>>>>> dont hesitate to discuss further. __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-02-2008, 08:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
jumbo1990ny Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 59 OS: Vista	Re: Help a novice buy a PC Choose the Acer monitor

07-03-2008, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
kidfresh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Help a novice buy a PC Thanks for your replies! Wrench...So I've been told that the Dell 530 includes a Intel G33 mobo and 350w power supply. A 8800GT video card will run fine on it. I don't really have demanding needs - just MS apps and DVD ripping/viewing. I'm also not a gamer but would like to start playing a few. I want the system to last for a few yrs. hence the Q6600. As much as I would like to begin building one, I just don't have the patience to start learning right now. I'll probably just order the Dell (I know its a bad build base), a 8800GT, a TV tuner, and the Acer. It seems to be a good price. Even better in the Dell Outlet but I want something new. Thanks for your help!

07-03-2008, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,102 OS: XPSP2	Re: Help a novice buy a PC I'd be a little weary of an 8800 card on a 350w PSU. __________________

07-03-2008, 12:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 13,650 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Help a novice buy a PC there is no way in hades a 350 watt power supply will run that card ! hell even a high quality 450 watt power supply really struggles to run the 8800GT ...... and the Dell supplies are far from high quality! a fella came in the shop a couple of weeks ago with a 450 watt Seasonic and the 8800GT this dude was complaining of system overheating with cpu throttling back ........ that poor power supply was pushing hot air like a hair dryer ! 550 watt high quality would be the least I would try that >>>>>> even then a 650 watt would be FAR smarter __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent. Last edited by linderman : 07-03-2008 at 12:26 PM.

07-03-2008, 03:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
kidfresh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Help a novice buy a PC LOL I just read this thread: http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&p=850418 Now I'm really confused.

07-03-2008, 04:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,102 OS: XPSP2	Re: Help a novice buy a PC Well let me put it this way I have Dell XPS400 it had a 375w with a 6 pin video card connector so I added a 7900gt 2 months later the screen started sheering EVGA RMA'd the card good for another month and a half same problem RMA'd the card again, good for a month, RMA'd the card again 4th times the charm put a Pc Power&cooling 500w and the 4th card 2 years later the wife is still using it. __________________