is this a good computer deal?

January 29th, 2002, 02:44

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 1.8GHz
Memory: 256MB RDRAM PC800
Hard Drive: 40GB UATA100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44MB diskette drive
CD-ROM: 24x/10x/40x Recordable ReWriteable CDRW
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Application Software: Microsoft® Works Suite - Including Microsoft® Word and Encarta
Monitor: 15" LCD Flat Panel Display (15" viewable)
Video: 32MB NVIDIA™ GeForce2 MX200
Keyboard: Multi-function Keyboard Mouse: Logitech USB Optical Wheel Mouse and Gateway mouse pad
Sound System: SoundBlaster Live! Value with Digital Audio Output
Speakers: GCS300™ Speakers
Case: Gateway Mid-Tower Case w/ IEEE 1394 Port
Expansion Slots: 5 PCI and 1 AGP
Controller: Integrated Ultra ATA Controller
Modem: 56K PCI Voice Modem 3
Network Adapter: 10/100 PCI Ethernet Card
Limited Warranty Program: 1 Year Limited Parts / Labor / Support4
AntiVirus Software:Norton AntiVirus 90 day Introductory Offer at no additional charge
this is all from gateway for $1299USD. also is gateway a good company to choose? i hear they're good but im not sure. also can two different network cards work together? (i.e. the one that comes with this cpu and one i buy outta the store)

**Ryos** · January 29th, 2002, 03:05

With all the recent layoffs Gateway has had, they're not a good company to go with right now. I don't know if they're going to last. As for the price, that's fairly high for what you can get elsewhere (especially a custom configuration). Unless you just really have to have a flat screen monitor...

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dlskye · January 29th, 2002, 03:05

Sure, fine, whatever you want. It really matters what YOU want. If you want to buy a new system every few months/years, go ahead.
But if you want an upgradeable system where you specify every part you want, (like me), then you should buy elsewhere. My friends and I at our Lan Party either buy the parts direct, or buy from GamePC. They are really good at building custom systems. Their website is www.gamepc.com.
(The only reason I wouldn't get yours is that A: I like AMD better, and B: I have a Geforce 2 and I really wish I would've got a better card. It's okay for gaming, but you can do better, and should spend as much as you can afford now.)

ToM_E · January 29th, 2002, 03:12

Like I said before the choice is urs.

and by the way....Get an Athlon XP at least. And Does geforce 2 mx 200 even have any FSAA?

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**Shiori** · January 29th, 2002, 03:17

It does, I use an MX 200. Supposedly it's only available as OEM in the US, although I bought it boxed here.

Anyway, you can build a better Athlon-based box with your buudget, Just ask around here; i'm sure they'll help you build one.

__________________
My PC specs: AMD Athlon Thunderbird 1.1 Ghz, ECS Elitegroup K7S5A, 256MB PC133 SDRAM, Geforce2 MX200 32MB, 20GB Seagate, Windows XP Pro. Ok, what else... Shiori figurine on top of case, assorted anime stickers on the side, lazy tabby cat on top of monitor.

**Demigod** · January 29th, 2002, 03:26

It's a decent system. The only thing I don't agree with is the videocard. A GeForce 2 MX 200 is rather weak. Still, if you're not into 3D gaming then it'll be fine, and it should be able to handle low resolutions since it's paired with a powerful CPU.

OEM systems should be able to handle additional PCI devices. I've installed a Voodoo 2 into a customized IBM system and it worked perfectly. You should be able to install another NIC into it without a problem.

__________________
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Mobo: Intel DX48BT2 Memory: 4096 MB PC10600 DDR3 Videocard: PNY Geforce 9800 GX2 Soundcard: On-board SigmaTel High Definition Audio Hard drive: 120 GB OCZ RevoDrive PCI-E SSD & 1 TB Hitachi Optical drive: LG GGW-H20L (2x BD-R DL) PSU: Nexus 1000 Watt PSU OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)

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Last edited by Demigod; January 29th, 2002 at 03:30..

January 29th, 2002, 03:38

well..the problem is i cant build my own cpu at the moment.i have the knowledege to build one,but keeping in mind i am only 14, my mom doesnt think i can build one. anyway, i'll look around some more for a computer then. thanks for the feedback

dlskye · January 30th, 2002, 01:36

GamePC only costs $180 for them to build it, and they lay everything out neatly, and also include a lot of cables and screws and everything else you would need to upgrade.
There are also lots of faqs you can find that will give you detailed instructions on building a computer. (It's not that hard. I was the same age as you when I tinkered around with building them.) If I recall, PC Mechanic has the best faq I've seen.
Besides, if you have any problems, just ask here.

Hanamichi · February 3rd, 2002, 04:58

The first time i messed with computer hardware is when i was 9 , trying to install a 2 mb pci voodoo card if i remember correctly . Needless to say i screwed up and a my cousin ,a computer whiz came to fix it up.

**NickK** · February 3rd, 2002, 05:06

I bought one of their machine a while back (now it's ev.dhs.org server

) and I do have to say that when they screw you, they do it really hard. Not to mention the computer they gave me had integrated audio and video (bad choice.) They sucked with the driver updates for the integrated parts, but you don't have to worry about them dropping support for you after 1 year of purchase with your NVIDIA card!

Another thing, their tech support people are dumb sh**s! I have no idea why I kept asking them for help because all they did was make me wait while they told me information that I already knew, and forget asking for advice, they give the same generic responses all of the time

Personally, I'd build my own computer

(Which is what I have been doing ever since.)

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Last edited by NickK; February 3rd, 2002 at 05:07..

**Ryos** · February 3rd, 2002, 05:13

NickK: In my experience with Gateway, the only people I've found to be worse customer service reps were AOL's reps. That's saying quite a lot.

__________________
Sanity is overrated.

**NickK** · February 3rd, 2002, 05:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryos
NickK: In my experience with Gateway, the only people I've found to be worse customer service reps were AOL's reps. That's saying quite a lot.

Sure, they're great for the person who doesn't know much about computers. But that's not me, so I expect more anyway

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**Demigod** · February 3rd, 2002, 07:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanamichi
The first time i messed with computer hardware is when i was 9 , trying to install a 2 mb pci voodoo card if i remember correctly . Needless to say i screwed up and a my cousin ,a computer whiz came to fix it up.

2 MB Voodoo? I think the Voodoo cards came with 4 MB VRAM. 2 MB is very small buffer space for rendering 3D graphics.

The first serious encounter I had with computer hardware was with my Celeron. The first day I got it I tried overclocking it through the motherboard but messed it up (wouldn't boot). I was all panicky, I didn't know what to do but I somehow found the jumpers to reset the CMOS and fixed it. I was just messing around with it, trying to make it boot again and I guess I lucked out. I had some knowledge of PC hardware before but I didn't actually do anything directly with it. My friends knew all about hardware and helped me overclock my Pentium and install more memory and a better videocard but it was only with my Celeron that I involved myself directly with it.

__________________
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Mobo: Intel DX48BT2 Memory: 4096 MB PC10600 DDR3 Videocard: PNY Geforce 9800 GX2 Soundcard: On-board SigmaTel High Definition Audio Hard drive: 120 GB OCZ RevoDrive PCI-E SSD & 1 TB Hitachi Optical drive: LG GGW-H20L (2x BD-R DL) PSU: Nexus 1000 Watt PSU OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)

Proud millionaire folder of the NGEmu folding team

shampstr · February 4th, 2002, 19:04

Do not trust any of those "BIG COMPUTER CO." They are only interested in bottom line profit. They make thier money by Selling HUGE orders to other crooked companys. Even if your mom wont let you Build your own machine, you can find plenty of smaller companies that will buld you a custom sys for alot less. These guys don't spend MILLIONS of dollars on ads. If your located in an Urban area you can find local vendors and if not you will have to search the net. I have built several small systems for myself and other family members with out ANY formal training. The system I am using for epxse was only $375.00 for everything. I gutted a broken down HP (free) and bought everything else used or Wholesale.

DO NOT GIVE THOSE PEOPLE ONE PENNY.

__________________
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Rage Fury Pro/Expert2000 Pro vid(yes I know it sux)
SoundBlaster Live
12x Cd rom
16x10x40 HiVal CD-R
Win Me / ePSXe 1.5 / PJ64

"I wish the RING had never come to ME"
"I wish none of this had ever happened"

Hanamichi · February 9th, 2002, 05:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Demigod79

2 MB Voodoo? I think the Voodoo cards came with 4 MB VRAM. 2 MB is very small buffer space for rendering 3D graphics.

The first serious encounter I had with computer hardware was with my Celeron. The first day I got it I tried overclocking it through the motherboard but messed it up (wouldn't boot). I was all panicky, I didn't know what to do but I somehow found the jumpers to reset the CMOS and fixed it. I was just messing around with it, trying to make it boot again and I guess I lucked out. I had some knowledge of PC hardware before but I didn't actually do anything directly with it. My friends knew all about hardware and helped me overclock my Pentium and install more memory and a better videocard but it was only with my Celeron that I involved myself directly with it.

I dont really remember , it was a Voodoo Pro or something like that .... it costed alot though , as I bought it when it first came out.

January 29th, 2002, 02:44	#1
bahamut_2006 Guest Posts: n/a	is this a good computer deal? Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 1.8GHz Memory: 256MB RDRAM PC800 Hard Drive: 40GB UATA100 7200RPM Hard Drive Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44MB diskette drive CD-ROM: 24x/10x/40x Recordable ReWriteable CDRW Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition Application Software: Microsoft® Works Suite - Including Microsoft® Word and Encarta Monitor: 15" LCD Flat Panel Display (15" viewable) Video: 32MB NVIDIA™ GeForce2 MX200 Keyboard: Multi-function Keyboard Mouse: Logitech USB Optical Wheel Mouse and Gateway mouse pad Sound System: SoundBlaster Live! Value with Digital Audio Output Speakers: GCS300™ Speakers Case: Gateway Mid-Tower Case w/ IEEE 1394 Port Expansion Slots: 5 PCI and 1 AGP Controller: Integrated Ultra ATA Controller Modem: 56K PCI Voice Modem 3 Network Adapter: 10/100 PCI Ethernet Card Limited Warranty Program: 1 Year Limited Parts / Labor / Support4 AntiVirus Software:Norton AntiVirus 90 day Introductory Offer at no additional charge this is all from gateway for $1299USD. also is gateway a good company to choose? i hear they're good but im not sure. also can two different network cards work together? (i.e. the one that comes with this cpu and one i buy outta the store)

February 3rd, 2002, 05:06	#10
NickK Emu author Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 1,756	Re: is this a good computer deal? I bought one of their machine a while back (now it's ev.dhs.org server ) and I do have to say that when they screw you, they do it really hard. Not to mention the computer they gave me had integrated audio and video (bad choice.) They sucked with the driver updates for the integrated parts, but you don't have to worry about them dropping support for you after 1 year of purchase with your NVIDIA card! Another thing, their tech support people are dumb sh*s! I have no idea why I kept asking them for help because all they did was make me wait while they told me information that I already knew, and forget asking for advice, they give the same generic responses all of the time Personally, I'd build my own computer (Which is what I have been doing ever since.) __________________ [sig=54] [sig=253] Last edited by NickK; February 3rd, 2002 at 05:07..*

February 4th, 2002, 19:04	#14
shampstr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern NY Posts: 40	Build your own Do not trust any of those "BIG COMPUTER CO." They are only interested in bottom line profit. They make thier money by Selling HUGE orders to other crooked companys. Even if your mom wont let you Build your own machine, you can find plenty of smaller companies that will buld you a custom sys for alot less. These guys don't spend MILLIONS of dollars on ads. If your located in an Urban area you can find local vendors and if not you will have to search the net. I have built several small systems for myself and other family members with out ANY formal training. The system I am using for epxse was only $375.00 for everything. I gutted a broken down HP (free) and bought everything else used or Wholesale. DO NOT GIVE THOSE PEOPLE ONE PENNY. __________________ AMD T-Bird 1 GHz processor 512 MB PC 100 Ram Rage Fury Pro/Expert2000 Pro vid(yes I know it sux) SoundBlaster Live 12x Cd rom 16x10x40 HiVal CD-R Win Me / ePSXe 1.5 / PJ64 "I wish the RING had never come to ME" "I wish none of this had ever happened"

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January 29th, 2002, 03:05	#2
Ryos Bearsona Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,307	With all the recent layoffs Gateway has had, they're not a good company to go with right now. I don't know if they're going to last. As for the price, that's fairly high for what you can get elsewhere (especially a custom configuration). Unless you just really have to have a flat screen monitor... __________________ Sanity is overrated.

January 29th, 2002, 03:05	#3
dlskye Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 17	Sure, fine, whatever you want. It really matters what YOU want. If you want to buy a new system every few months/years, go ahead. But if you want an upgradeable system where you specify every part you want, (like me), then you should buy elsewhere. My friends and I at our Lan Party either buy the parts direct, or buy from GamePC. They are really good at building custom systems. Their website is www.gamepc.com. (The only reason I wouldn't get yours is that A: I like AMD better, and B: I have a Geforce 2 and I really wish I would've got a better card. It's okay for gaming, but you can do better, and should spend as much as you can afford now.)

January 29th, 2002, 03:12	#4
ToM_E 8+ Years Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Over The Rainbow Posts: 2,796	Like I said before the choice is urs. and by the way....Get an Athlon XP at least. And Does geforce 2 mx 200 even have any FSAA? __________________ Intel Q9550 @ 4.00 Ghz Xigmatek Dark Knight G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 533 GIGABYTE EP45-UD3P Hitachi 1TB Samsung 1TB LG 20X DVD-RW (SATA) Lancool K62W EVGA GTX 275 Corsair 750TX Scythe Kaze Master Ace Windows 7 x64

January 29th, 2002, 03:17	#5
Shiori :3 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 10,128	It does, I use an MX 200. Supposedly it's only available as OEM in the US, although I bought it boxed here. Anyway, you can build a better Athlon-based box with your buudget, Just ask around here; i'm sure they'll help you build one. __________________ My PC specs: AMD Athlon Thunderbird 1.1 Ghz, ECS Elitegroup K7S5A, 256MB PC133 SDRAM, Geforce2 MX200 32MB, 20GB Seagate, Windows XP Pro. Ok, what else... Shiori figurine on top of case, assorted anime stickers on the side, lazy tabby cat on top of monitor.

January 29th, 2002, 03:26	#6
Demigod これはバタスです Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,331	It's a decent system. The only thing I don't agree with is the videocard. A GeForce 2 MX 200 is rather weak. Still, if you're not into 3D gaming then it'll be fine, and it should be able to handle low resolutions since it's paired with a powerful CPU. OEM systems should be able to handle additional PCI devices. I've installed a Voodoo 2 into a customized IBM system and it worked perfectly. You should be able to install another NIC into it without a problem. __________________ CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Mobo: Intel DX48BT2 Memory: 4096 MB PC10600 DDR3 Videocard: PNY Geforce 9800 GX2 Soundcard: On-board SigmaTel High Definition Audio Hard drive: 120 GB OCZ RevoDrive PCI-E SSD & 1 TB Hitachi Optical drive: LG GGW-H20L (2x BD-R DL) PSU: Nexus 1000 Watt PSU OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) Proud millionaire folder of the NGEmu folding team Last edited by Demigod; January 29th, 2002 at 03:30..

January 29th, 2002, 03:38	#7
bahamut_2006 Guest Posts: n/a	well..the problem is i cant build my own cpu at the moment.i have the knowledege to build one,but keeping in mind i am only 14, my mom doesnt think i can build one. anyway, i'll look around some more for a computer then. thanks for the feedback

January 30th, 2002, 01:36	#8
dlskye Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 17	GamePC only costs $180 for them to build it, and they lay everything out neatly, and also include a lot of cables and screws and everything else you would need to upgrade. There are also lots of faqs you can find that will give you detailed instructions on building a computer. (It's not that hard. I was the same age as you when I tinkered around with building them.) If I recall, PC Mechanic has the best faq I've seen. Besides, if you have any problems, just ask here.

February 3rd, 2002, 04:58	#9
Hanamichi Crotally Tazy Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Malaysia Posts: 4,580	The first time i messed with computer hardware is when i was 9 , trying to install a 2 mb pci voodoo card if i remember correctly . Needless to say i screwed up and a my cousin ,a computer whiz came to fix it up.

February 3rd, 2002, 05:13	#11
Ryos Bearsona Join Date: May 2001 Location: Nowhere Posts: 11,307	NickK: In my experience with Gateway, the only people I've found to be worse customer service reps were AOL's reps. That's saying quite a lot. __________________ Sanity is overrated.