kkerns

Hi all,

I will be soon purchasing an HP a1430n PC and would like to upgrade the graphics, as it ships with an empty PCIE slot and integrated video. The basic configuration of the machine (if it matters) is:

A64 x2 3800+ (@2ghz)
1gb PC3200 DDR
Integrated NVidia gfx, empty PCIEx16 slot, 3x PCI
etc etc

Not a power machine by any means but seems to be a decent cost-to-performance for an A64x2. Anyhow, I have been drowning in specifications over at Tom's Hardware Guide and have emerged even more confused about which to purchase at the mainstream end (100-250$), and which statistics are really the most important to overall performance.

I'm primarily going to be using this PC for work/coursework and casual gaming, but one of my current vices is the MMORPG "Final Fantasy XI". It's pretty demanding for a game that's a couple years old, but ubergraphics and futureproofing are not my prime directive.

If any of you care to make suggestions, I'd welcome them. You've all been very knowledgable in the past!

KK

Spriggan43

like why dont you biuld a pc all bye your self.. ??

it will be faster and cheeper then a any Hp pc..

Indoril Nerevar

For casual gaming, I'd go with a GeForce 7600GT. It's a fairly decent card at a fairly decent price (looking on www.newegg.com, prices range from $165 - $200).

Spriggan does have a point though. Building your own PC would be cheaper than buying a pre-made one. Most of what you pay for in a pre-made system is the brand name.

ebackhus

Yes, a prebuilt would be the better option first. HP computers are rather lack luster and unreliable.

If you get an AGP system, the best you can do is a 7800GS. For a PCIe solution a 7900GT is a great bargain.

kkerns

Folks,

I have considered that option. I did build my last computer, but the amount of time it took to research and purchase components doesn't work for me now. I'm no longer really in the PC loop, either, as evidenced by this thread. I've also had a good sum of problems with my current system after the first year or so, and it makes me think that a warranty which makes it someone elses problem might just be worth the extra cash. I'll keep it in mind though, should I ever get some time off =).

On the subject of HPs, can anyone else suggest a company that will offer a less 'lackluster and unreliable' PC with an A64x2 chip for around the same price (~600-700 US$)? I'm open to suggestions, this particular PC just seemed a decent value in a 'brand' name (warranty) and has been consistently rated well by consumer reviews.

In the meantime I'll check out the 7600GT and 7900GT.

Thanks for all your thoughts,
Ken K

jnob

When the right deal comes along it can be cheaper to buy prebuilt systems and do the minor upgrades to achieve the quality you desire. The simple fact that large businesses can purchase so much hardware at once they get better deals. The software alone on most pre-built PCs can save you $500. Plus you get system warranties. A good custom built PC with monitor, printer, software bundle is going to cost you well over $1000.

I build all my own PCs because I enjoy it but I really don't think I save much money.

A friend of mine just bought a Dell p4 630 with 1gb ram, 80GB SATA hdd, a 17" LCD monitor, onboard graphics/sound, printer, and software bundle for $600. That's about the price of windows, the processor, and monitor. So not a bad start spend another $200 on video and you got a top of the line system for less than $1000.

As far as the relaibility of pre-builts, I've never had problems I couldn't fix with HP, Dell, and Compaq. I'm about to give eMachines a try with the T3418 on sale at Best Buy for $430.00 for my step-dad.

ebackhus

They also pay less because of cheaper parts. Cheap != quality.

TheMatt

Interesting, I was thinking of the exact same card to recomend before I read your recomendation. Here are some at newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SubCategory=48

jnob

Agreed, but it does get the job done in the beginning until you can start upgrading. I'd have more faith in the cheap parts most of these companies provide than randomly picking cheap parts to put together without at least a years warranty on everything.

kkerns

Ok, given that observation, is it possible to buy a casual gaming compy with decent parts (read: not bargain bin RAM, but not 4g of Corsair extra low latency either) for under a grand, or am I doomed to failure?

I'm aware that companies like Monarch and Alienware put out some really high-end stuff with their "mid range" offerings seeming overpriced... are there any companies that have a pretty good name in general for this segment of the computer business?

KK

forcifer

dont ever buy prebuilt. you get ripped off. just pick the parts you want and build it. its cheaper, and alot more fun