[born2golf]

I have just started doing research on a new CPU for 2007. I am not a gamer but love to do graphics and tricks with pictures. I looked at Dell ($1200)for the following:
AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 4600+
Windows XP Home Edition + upgrade to VISTA HOME BASIC
Ram- 2GB dual channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz-4DIMMS
HD- 250GB Serial ATA HD (7200DRPM) wDataBurst Cache
CD ROM/DVD ROM - 16x DVD=/RWDRIVE
VIDEO CARD- 256nvidia GeForce 7300LE Turbo Cache
Sound- Integrated Sound Blaster-Audigy HD Software edition
Optional Ports- IEEE 1394 ADAPTER
Have my own 19" monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse
Plus some of Dells warranties.
? Should I wait till 2007 as I am in now hurry.
? Is there anything I missed or need to know
Not in any hurry to buy VISTA until bugs worked out (6mo.)
If I posted this in wrong site, I am sorry.
Dennis

 

[born2golf]

Alot of views but no replies?

 

[ebackhus]

I can't recommend Dell for anything but a large paperweight. For graphics work like that you'll also want to stick with a CRT, even if they are hueger than XBox.

 

[twajetmech]

ebachhus, nailed it, right now there is nothing faster than a Core 2 duo cpu for one. Also I don't think you'll want a videocard with "turbo cache" since it will share memory with the rest of the system. For the same or a little bit more you could build a system yourself that would blow the case off of the dell offering.

 

[born2golf]

If you had $8-900.00 to build/buy a cpu what would you have in it? Remember I am not a gamer just graphics and sound and SPEED!
I am multi-tasked. I can chew gum and walk at the same time!!!

 

[twajetmech]

hmmm, let me look stuff up....

 

[born2golf]

Thanks again for you help. I have never built one before but it doesn't mean I can't now....Prefer to buy if possible if the price is right.

 

[twajetmech]

ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI $220
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe $218
mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $260
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT $130
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 $170

total $998
plus you will reuse your current HD, dvd etc all of which you can add to or upgrade as money allows

 

[twajetmech]

You could lower the price and use the 6300 and go with a Enermax psu... if you also want a new case expect about $100 for that. OR you can go all out and get the 6700 with 4Mb of cache for mondo mutitasking....I chose the 7600GT since gaming is not a prime concern, however it would still be able to play most games really well

 

[born2golf]

Thanks again...Time to ponder and get thru the Christmas spending and see what is left in my stash.
This site is the greatest and I appreciate all of your input.