To buy or not to buy.... advice needed

[Densetsu]

Reading trough one of my local PC magazines, i saw an ad for few types of already built computers. I've gone to their site and saw the price for the 2 models that interested me most.

To skip to the question. Is buying either of these a wise choice or should i search the net and build my own configuration?

http://i20.tinypic.com/2llzgk7.jpg

(don't worry about the black bars)

Bez monitora = No monitor included in the purchase

Tastatura + Opticki mis = Keyboard + Optical mouse included in the purchase

[refraction]

hmm not bad for the price, the 8600 is a bit **** tho.

personally id build my own, make a nice core 2 duo rig.

[Cid Highwind]

Ask them if you can have that system but with a different GPU for a reasonable price. An e4400 will top at 3.6 gHz btw. Mine goes up to 2.8 with stock HSF, but I'm limited by my Mobo.

One big con is that the systems only have 1 GB of ram :(

[RPGW1ZaRD]

I'd strongly advice 2GB ram today, Also P965 chipset is a bit old by now, if you get that motherboard, you won't be able to upgrade your CPU whereas if you get a P35 board you could easily upgrade to a Penryn sometimes later on when they get cheap. But perhaps you won't be upgrading.

[Densetsu]

Thanks for the answers. I'll ask them if i can get 2GB Ram and a new GPU for a reasonable price.

[runawayprisoner]

If their "reasonable" offer goes anywhere over an extra 200 Euros, I think you'll be better off with a configuration that you build yourself. For CPU, the E2160 can also top at 3.6GHz with some after market HSF and can go to 3GHz or so with the stock one. It's about a good $50 (about 27-28 euros, I think?) cheaper than the E4400 as well, but you're limited to 1MB L2 Cache.

[Densetsu]

If their "reasonable" offer goes anywhere over an extra 200 Euros, I think you'll be better off with a configuration that you build yourself.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

For CPU, the E2160 can also top at 3.6GHz with some after market HSF and can go to 3GHz or so with the stock one. It's about a good $50 (about 27-28 euros, I think?) cheaper than the E4400 as well, but you're limited to 1MB L2 Cache.

Well, 27-28 euros difference isn't really that big. I think i'll stick with E4400.


Does anyone have any suggestions about GPU?

[Cid Highwind]

The new 8800GT looks promising, it isn't out yet. Same for the ATi cards, if I were in your position I'd hold off from investing in one right now, perhaps you still have an old one for the time being?

Normally I'd say an X1950Pro would make a nice card though, but you'll be limited in the future, though right now it will play everything you throw at it. As a gamer, this will be the absolute minimum to go with.

[Densetsu]

When does the new 8800GT come out and how much will it cost?

and

How does 8600GT compare to X1950 pro (which is better)?

[Esturk]

The x1950 Pro is a better card. The 8600GT may have DX10 support, but it's pretty crappy.

[emwearz]

When does the new 8800GT come out and how much will it cost?
Its set for the 29th of October, costing 200USD for the 256mb version and 250USD for the 512mb version (Prices could always change). I would highly suggest waiting for this card, the performance for its price is amazing.

[BAXTER STOCKMAN]

But will a 8800gt works on a socekt 939 motherboard like mine, or i must buy a new motherboard too?

[Densetsu]

I've just looked back at their site and they've changed the configuration and price for both packages.

Midi ATX 450W, Intel Core2Duo E6550 S775, 1024MB DDR2, MSI P35 NEO-F 775, 250GB SATA, MSI NX8600GT-OC 256MB 128bit PCI-E, DVD/RW

Price = 500 Euros

Midi ATX, AMD Athlon64 X2 5200+ box AM2, 1024MB DDR2, MSI K9N NEO-F V3 AM2 , 250GB SATA, MSI NX8600GT-OC 256MB 128bit PCI-E, DVD/RW

Price = 435 Euros

?

[refraction]

how ever they word it, the 8600 still sucks ;p

[Densetsu]

More like :( smiley for me. Oh well, it's either buying that, waiting for 8800GT to come out or getting another GPU. So many choices, so little time...

[RPGW1ZaRD]

More like :( smiley for me. Oh well, it's either buying that, waiting for 8800GT to come out or getting another GPU. So many choices, so little time...

Wait for 8800GT it's only like 2 weeks away now, there you have a serious bang for the buck and it's been focused on shader performance which is exactly what is important for future games. If you intend to overclock as well then you'd be looking at 8800GTX+ performance (some games a bit above even) for half the price. :thumb: