Recommend Me A New Computer....
<div class="IPBDescription">.... for my mum</div> Yes, it's upgrade time, not for me, but for my mother. Now i'm supposed to be the techy person who knows everything, so I need your help to maintain this illusion <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
This computer is to be used by my mum and my sister, and is primarily going to be used for work, and playing The Sims 2.
What we currently have is something which can just barely run the sims 2 (800mhz processor and 512 RAM... ouch). The graphics card is reasonable, so we won't need a new one of those, and ideally I want to be able to just take the graphics card and hard drive, plug them into my new set of components and go.
With that in mind, I think our best bet is one of the novatech bare-bones bundles... but I don't know which one to recommend. We're looking to speen £200 ish, and as I said, it doesn't need to be uber, it just needs to run The Sims 2 without stuttering horribly.
The link to the barebones bundles is <a href='http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html' target='_blank'>here</a>.
My immediate question is what is the difference between the athlon 64 for £255 and the one for £208? As far as I can see, the cheaper one is almost exactly the same and comes with MORE RAM. Incidentally I have no idea how athlon clock speeds convert to "actual" speed... in fact i've always been confused by CPU speeds in general seeing as nowadays you can't tell whether a processor is faster than another simply by it's clock speed...
My other question is would a barebones bundle PC come with an integrated sound card, or would I have to buy that seperately? I haven't checked whether the old computer's sound card is integrated or not, so I <i>might</i> be able to put that into the new puter.
Thirdly, what are all the scary letters and numbers? 661M04 SK478HT/PSCT MATX for instance, or 5.1 channel AC97?
These issues aside, i'd be inclined to go for the P4 3.0GHZ option, just because it is closest to our ideal price range. I just wanted to check that there's nothing "wrong" with this particular setup, besides Intel being apparently evil.
Finally (and i've asked a friend about this and he says it should be fine... but he's hardly the most reliable of friends in terms of advice if you know what I mean), if I get this barebones bundle, will I be able to just plug in the old hard-drive, graphics card and sound card, boot it up and go? If yes, yipee!
This computer is to be used by my mum and my sister, and is primarily going to be used for work, and playing The Sims 2.
What we currently have is something which can just barely run the sims 2 (800mhz processor and 512 RAM... ouch). The graphics card is reasonable, so we won't need a new one of those, and ideally I want to be able to just take the graphics card and hard drive, plug them into my new set of components and go.
With that in mind, I think our best bet is one of the novatech bare-bones bundles... but I don't know which one to recommend. We're looking to speen £200 ish, and as I said, it doesn't need to be uber, it just needs to run The Sims 2 without stuttering horribly.
The link to the barebones bundles is <a href='http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html' target='_blank'>here</a>.
My immediate question is what is the difference between the athlon 64 for £255 and the one for £208? As far as I can see, the cheaper one is almost exactly the same and comes with MORE RAM. Incidentally I have no idea how athlon clock speeds convert to "actual" speed... in fact i've always been confused by CPU speeds in general seeing as nowadays you can't tell whether a processor is faster than another simply by it's clock speed...
My other question is would a barebones bundle PC come with an integrated sound card, or would I have to buy that seperately? I haven't checked whether the old computer's sound card is integrated or not, so I <i>might</i> be able to put that into the new puter.
Thirdly, what are all the scary letters and numbers? 661M04 SK478HT/PSCT MATX for instance, or 5.1 channel AC97?
These issues aside, i'd be inclined to go for the P4 3.0GHZ option, just because it is closest to our ideal price range. I just wanted to check that there's nothing "wrong" with this particular setup, besides Intel being apparently evil.
Finally (and i've asked a friend about this and he says it should be fine... but he's hardly the most reliable of friends in terms of advice if you know what I mean), if I get this barebones bundle, will I be able to just plug in the old hard-drive, graphics card and sound card, boot it up and go? If yes, yipee!
Comments
We got a machine for $300. 40 GB hard drive, 3.2 ghz, gig of ram and a hot case with a sweet Asus motherboard. Also comes with a PCIMCIA slot for portable Wireless cards and one of those foreign card readers. Shibbster <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
No Floppy or CDRom though, but not to worry, I barely use my CD roms anymore anyways.
We use them for the office (AKA breaking WEP and setting up 802.1x)
(Italics are descriptions of said item)
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000
Heatsink and Fan: Novatech H/S & Fan
Memory: 512MB DDR PC3200 400MHz
Motherboard: 755A01-6EKRS <i>Motherboard model (fancy letters) </i>
Memory Slots: 3 x 184-pin DIMM sockets <i> Number of RAM slots </i>
Chipset: SiS755 + 964 <i>I would assume chip set (size?) </i>
AGP Slots: 1 <i> Self explanitory</i>
PCI Slots: 5 <i> Self explanitory</i>
Onboard Sound: 5.1 channel AC97 <i> On board sound card(max) channels </i>
LAN: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) controller (Realtek) <i> Self explanitory</i>
Modem: No <i> Self explanitory</i>
Onboard Graphics: No <i> Self explanitory</i>
USB Ports: 4 x USB2 <i> Self explanitory</i>
Parallel Ports: 1 <i> Self explanitory</i>
Serial Ports: 0 <i> Self explanitory</i>
Firewire Ports: 1 x IEEE 1394 (+ 1 x front I/O header) <i> Self explanitory</i>
Chassis: Black ATX Midi Tower Case with 400W PSU <i> Type of case and PSU</i>
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Somethings I don't know but I'm not a hardware guru.
[quote=Novatech]Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000<i> CPU, this will run at about the speed of a 3.0/3.1 GHz one, but only clocks in at around 2000MHz</i>
Heatsink and Fan: Novatech H/S & Fan <i>Cooling system, air-based, makes noise, but less upkeep</i>
Memory: 512MB DDR PC3200 400MHz<i> RAM, this will play Sims 2 easily, with 512MB</i>
Motherboard: 755A01-6EKRS <i>Mainboard is what everything sits on, this is a generic one, or OEM</i>
Memory Slots: 3 x 184-pin DIMM sockets <i>Memory Slots in total, this you'll need if you want to upgrade...</i>
Chipset: SiS755 + 964 <i>M/b chipset, SiS are an entry-level chipset manufacturer, typical OEM system...</i>
AGP Slots: 1 <i> Essential for graphics</i>
PCI Slots: 5 <i> Essential for everything else</i>
CNR Slots: 0 <i>Communications/Networking Riser, don't worry about this</i>
Onboard Sound: 5.1 channel AC97 <i>Onboard sound chip, which is compatible with 5.1 surround, and the AC'97 standard</i>
LAN: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) controller (Realtek) <i>Integrated NIC's are used for networking, and are standard on all good systems</i>
Modem: No <i>No modem for your boggo-dial up connection</i>
Onboard Graphics: No <i>No onboard graphics means that a seperate one is needed, which you'll need for Sims 2</i>
USB Ports: 4 x USB2 <i>USB connections, for all new peripherals</i>
Parallel Ports: 1 <i>IEEE1284 connection for printers</i>
Serial Ports: 0 <i>RS232 connection for old devices (which normally ain't XP compatible...)</i>
Firewire Ports: 1 x IEEE 1394 (+ 1 x front I/O header) <i>IEEE1394 connection (i-Link, if you're Sony) used for iPods, and DV camcorders</i>
Form Factor: ATX <i>Form factor standard, this will be here for a fwe more years, until BTX...</i>
Chassis: Black ATX Midi Tower Case with 400W PSU<i> Blick tower case, and a nasty OEM 400w PSU</i>
MoBo: 755A01-6EKRS <i>Back to motherboard...See above</i>
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000<i> NOT identical to the otherone, this one is s939, runs slightly faster, and cooler. Better overall</i>
Heatsink and Fan: Original Manufacturer <i>AMD HSF unit, air ran, fairly noisy at high speeds, but good all-round</i>
Memory: 256MB 184 pin 2.5V 400MHz <i>Only 256MB RAM, this is reduced to allow for more expensive CPU, and M/b. Upgrade this to 512, or 768</i>
Motherboard: NF4UK8AA-8EKRS <i>Foxconn nForce4 Ultra chipset. Solid chipset for a future upgrade, best m/b of the two systems</i>
Socket Type: 939 [i]Takes the new s939 processors, which includes the è
<!--QuoteBegin-Novatech+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Novatech)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000<i> CPU, this will run at about the speed of a 3.0/3.1 GHz one, but only clocks in at around 2000MHz</i>
Heatsink and Fan: Novatech H/S & Fan <i>Cooling system, air-based, makes noise, but less upkeep</i>
Memory: 512MB DDR PC3200 400MHz<i> RAM, this will play Sims 2 easily, with 512MB</i>
Motherboard: 755A01-6EKRS <i>Mainboard is what everything sits on, this is a generic one, or OEM</i>
Memory Slots: 3 x 184-pin DIMM sockets <i>Memory Slots in total, this you'll need if you want to upgrade...</i>
Chipset: SiS755 + 964 <i>M/b chipset, SiS are an entry-level chipset manufacturer, typical OEM system...</i>
AGP Slots: 1 <i> Essential for graphics</i>
PCI Slots: 5 <i> Essential for everything else</i>
CNR Slots: 0 <i>Communications/Networking Riser, don't worry about this</i>
Onboard Sound: 5.1 channel AC97 <i>Onboard sound chip, which is compatible with 5.1 surround, and the AC'97 standard</i>
LAN: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) controller (Realtek) <i>Integrated NIC's are used for networking, and are standard on all good systems</i>
Modem: No <i>No modem for your boggo-dial up connection</i>
Onboard Graphics: No <i>No onboard graphics means that a seperate one is needed, which you'll need for Sims 2</i>
USB Ports: 4 x USB2 <i>USB connections, for all new peripherals</i>
Parallel Ports: 1 <i>IEEE1284 connection for printers</i>
Serial Ports: 0 <i>RS232 connection for old devices (which normally ain't XP compatible...)</i>
Firewire Ports: 1 x IEEE 1394 (+ 1 x front I/O header) <i>IEEE1394 connection (i-Link, if you're Sony) used for iPods, and DV camcorders</i>
Form Factor: ATX <i>Form factor standard, this will be here for a fwe more years, until BTX...</i>
Chassis: Black ATX Midi Tower Case with 400W PSU<i> Blick tower case, and a nasty OEM 400w PSU</i>
MoBo: 755A01-6EKRS <i>Back to motherboard...See above</i><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
...
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000<i> NOT identical to the otherone, this one is s939, runs slightly faster, and cooler. Better overall</i>
Heatsink and Fan: Original Manufacturer <i>AMD HSF unit, air ran, fairly noisy at high speeds, but good all-round</i>
Memory: 256MB 184 pin 2.5V 400MHz <i>Only 256MB RAM, this is reduced to allow for more expensive CPU, and M/b. Upgrade this to 512, or 768</i>
Motherboard: NF4UK8AA-8EKRS <i>Foxconn nForce4 Ultra chipset. Solid chipset for a future upgrade, best m/b of the two systems</i>
Socket Type: 939 <i>Takes the new s939 processors, which includes the new 4800+X2 processor, which 2 cores....</i>
Memory Slots: 4 <i>4 Dual Channel RAM slots, more bandwidth, and faster than the SiS board...</i>
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce4 (CK8-04) Ultra <i>Second best AMD CPU chipset, only beaten by the nForce4 SLi, which you won't need for a family PC</i>
AGP Slots: N/A <i>nForce4 Ultra chipsets don't do the old AGP connections, they do the faster PCIe ones</i>
16x PCI-Express Slots: 1 <i>New graphics connection, allowing for faster cards, that do more than their AGP counterparts, graphics-only connection ATM</i>
1x PCI-Express Slots: 2 <i>PCIex1 slots, for things like secondary 10/100/1000 ehternet cards. Not used at the moment, but Creative Labs intend to change that soon...</i>
PCI Slots: 4 <i>See above</i>
CNR Slots: N/A <i>See above</i>
Onboard Sound: Integrated, 7.1 channel AC97 (Realtek) <i>See above, this one does 7.1 surround, as opposed to 5.1</i>
LAN: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) MAC + PHY (Vitesse) <i>GBE connection, for a faster networking connection (@1000), or a more stable one @100</i>
Modem: N/A <i>See above</i>
Onboard Graphics: N/A <i>See above</i>
USB Ports: 4 x USB 2.0 <i>See above</i>
Parallel Ports: 1 <i>See above</i>
Serial Ports: 1 <i>See above</i>
Firewire Ports: 1 <i>See above</i>
Form Factor: ATX <i>See above</i><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I swear you've posted this before, Nil.
I'd recommend the socket 939 one, it'll last you for longer. Just make sure you upgrade the RAM to either 512, or 768MB...
Double posted for Deer Park screwing up >1000 character replies on forums <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000<i> NOT identical to the otherone, this one is s939, runs slightly faster, and cooler. Better overall</i>
Heatsink and Fan: Original Manufacturer <i>AMD HSF unit, air ran, fairly noisy at high speeds, but good all-round</i>
Memory: 256MB 184 pin 2.5V 400MHz <i>Only 256MB RAM, this is reduced to allow for more expensive CPU, and M/b. Upgrade this to 512, or 768</i>
Motherboard: NF4UK8AA-8EKRS <i>Foxconn nForce4 Ultra chipset. Solid chipset for a future upgrade, best m/b of the two systems</i>
Socket Type: 939 <i>Takes the new s939 processors, which includes the new 4800+X2 processor, which 2 cores....</i>
Memory Slots: 4 <i>4 Dual Channel RAM slots, more bandwidth, and faster than the SiS board...</i>
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce4 (CK8-04) Ultra <i>Second best AMD CPU chipset, only beaten by the nForce4 SLi, which you won't need for a family PC</i>
AGP Slots: N/A <i>nForce4 Ultra chipsets don't do the old AGP connections, they do the faster PCIe ones</i>
16x PCI-Express Slots: 1 <i>New graphics connection, allowing for faster cards, that do more than their AGP counterparts, graphics-only connection ATM</i>
1x PCI-Express Slots: 2 <i>PCIex1 slots, for things like secondary 10/100/1000 ehternet cards. Not used at the moment, but Creative Labs intend to change that soon...</i>
PCI Slots: 4 <i>See above</i>
CNR Slots: N/A <i>See above</i>
Onboard Sound: Integrated, 7.1 channel AC97 (Realtek) <i>See above, this one does 7.1 surround, as opposed to 5.1</i>
LAN: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) MAC + PHY (Vitesse) <i>GBE connection, for a faster networking connection (@1000), or a more stable one @100</i>
Modem: N/A <i>See above</i>
Onboard Graphics: N/A <i>See above</i>
USB Ports: 4 x USB 2.0 <i>See above</i>
Parallel Ports: 1 <i>See above</i>
Serial Ports: 1 <i>See above</i>
Firewire Ports: 1 <i>See above</i>
Form Factor: ATX <i>See above</i><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I swear you've posted this before, Nil.
I'd recommend the socket 939 one, it'll last you for longer. Just make sure you upgrade the RAM to either 512, or 768MB...
Double posted for Deer Park screwing up >1000 character replies on forums <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well we've got 512 RAM in the current puter, so I should be able to swap that right over. And no, this computer isn't so old that it still takes SD RAM... which actually suprised me since my old 1.5 did and it ran a hell of a lot faster than this thing.
So basically the more expensive one is slightly faster, has a better sound card, and more RAM slots. Oh, and it has no AGP slot... which might be an issue later on.
AFAIK my mum's current graphics card is a GeForce Mx 440. I can only think in Radeon, so I have no idea how fast that is... except that it can't be too horribly out of date if it has AGP 8x....
So it looks like the more expensive bundle is out of the question; I want to be able to plug in our old card into the new setup, but I won't be able to do that without an AGP slot. I might just go for the cheaper of the Athlons then, unless there's a good reason why I shouldn't.
Rise, riiiiise! Muahaahaa!
Ok, what about the Sempron 3000 for £165? Is that likely to be significantly slower than the Athlon 3000 in terms of pure speed? I'm literally making the purchase in a few minutes time.