Computer People...help!

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

OK so I just have a few questions I want cleared up before I buy a new comp. If you could answer any of the questions and explain a little bit about how it is better I would greatly appreciate it and give +rep! Anyway...here it goes~!



Memory...which is better? 4GB[1GB x 4] or 4GB[2GB x 2]

Processor...which is better? Intel Core 2 Duo Processor(2x 3.16GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) or Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 (4x 2.33GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)

Cooling....liquid or fans?

2nd Hard Drive...Yes or No?

Sound...Creative Labs or generic?



Please help as I am lost in all of this for some reason. Thanks in advance for anyone who actually read through all of this post

[Aesthetic816]

I think i can help you....the 1 gb X 4 of ram sticks might be cheaper but take up more space..i'd go with the 2gbx2...and for the processor..the quad core is a little much..for its cost..its only really good for serious gaming with these crazy new games and stuff..but if ur just using a pc to do normal stuff or w/e..the duo core is great..its also good for gaming..and works great...liquid cooling is to much hastle...fans are just as good..just make sure u got a fan on the cpu .. the power supply and u can even add more fans to the case....u can get hard drives that are like 500 gb or more..so u might not need a 2nd hard drive..u can also get an external hard drive when ur un out of space..and sound card..i'd go with creative or soundblaster if u really want good sound.

Hope i helped =D

[Leapfrog]

It all depends on what you want to do with your PC.


Heavy gaming = buy more memory and a faster processor!

Surfing the Internet, playing simple games etc. = Walmarts E-Machine will be more than fine!

[Beezie F.U.]

Do you want to be a pc or a mac. Thats all that really matters. Answer that, then I can help you either pick a good mac or try and change your mind to getting a mac.

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

I want a PC not a MAC. I want to use it for both casual and "hardcore" games. I played some FPS games at a friends house the other day and I had a lot of fun so I want a machine that can handle it. Also, I will be sharing this with a roomate who plays all kinds of shit. I can get this for $900:

Case ( Nzxt Guardian 921 Gaming Tower Case w/420W Power Supply Black )
Case Lighting (Blue)
Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )
Processor ( Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E8400 (2x 3.0GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) )
Free Software/Game ( Free Game - [Halo 2] must purchase with Microsoft Windows Vista operation system )
Processor Cooling ( [=== Quiet ===] AVC Silent Intel CPU Fan and Heatsink Quiet & Overclocking Proof )
Motherboard ( Asus P5KPL-CM Intel G31 Chipset w/6-channels, Gb LAN, S-ATA 3Gb/s, USB 2.0, Single PCI-E MB )
Memory ( 4 GB [1 GB X4] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand )
Video Card ( ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB PCI-Express x16 )
Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA )
Hard Drive ( 320 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache] )
2nd Hard Drive ( None )
External Hard Drives [USB 2.0/eSATA] ( None )
CD/DVD Drive ( None )
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( [** Special !!! ***] LG 20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive Black )
Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )
Speaker System ( 600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System )
Network Card ( Intel Pro 10/100/1000 Network Card )
Floppy Drive ( None )
Monitor ( LCD Monitor [--- Special ---] 20.1" LCD 16:10 Wide WSXGA HD(HDCP) Monitor Support DVI Video up to 1080P(HDMI) )
2nd Monitor ( None )
Keyboard ( Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard )
Mouse ( None )
USB 2.0 Accessories ( Built-in USB 2.0 Ports )
Meter Display ( None )
Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer Black )
Operation System ( None- Pre-formatted Hard Drive Only )
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner ( None )
USB Flash Drive ( None )
MP3 Player ( None )
Video Camera ( None )
Headset ( [Gaming Gear] Logitech Precision PC Gaming Headset )
Power Protection ( None )
Printer ( None )
Warranty ( Warranty Service Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support )
Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) No Rush, Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )

Decent deal?

[thexnobody]

4gb of ram is quite a stretch.. maybe drop it down to 2gb and use the extra cash to up your power supply. because more than likely the cases power supply doesn't exceed 400w, and you're going to be needing at least 500w. also, make sure you look around online for the best deals =P

[giroldo]

get the quadcore, second harddrive and watercooling only if you will be using the computer to the extreme.

duel core is more than enough though.

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

Originally Posted by thexnobody

4gb of ram is quite a stretch.. maybe drop it down to 2gb and use the extra cash to up your power supply. because more than likely the cases power supply doesn't exceed 400w, and you're going to be needing at least 500w. also, make sure you look around online for the best deals =P

With Vista I would like more than 2gb of ram as that is the minimum requirement. I have a comp with Vista + 2GB and it struggles sometimes to do simple shit. That's a no go for a new computer. I did add a power protection and a better power supply though . I shopped around and found an awesome place for the kind of PC I want. Just browsing now.

Site: http://ibuypower.com/

[Tonyizzle]

All I can help you with is to say wait till the day after Thanksgiving day sales.. Good luck

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

Originally Posted by Tonyizzle

All I can help you with is to say wait till the day after Thanksgiving day sales.. Good luck

Good advice indeed.

[Leapfrog]

Originally Posted by Tonyizzle

All I can help you with is to say wait till the day after Thanksgiving day sales.. Good luck

Great advice!

.

[Beezie F.U.]

I know nothing about pc's, except every time I turn one on it becomes a F'n head ake, I would suggest you learn how to reinstall the os and back up your files on that second hard drive and get a good virus protection program cuz your gonna need it. Thats all I can say to help you. I have A.D.D so I dont have the time or patients to deal with broke computers and shit that doesn't work. I wish you the best of luck.

[Bonovro]

everyone elses advice is good. Wait for sales. Compare prices from other places. and i'd up the power supply if I were u...

[ledguitar]

Memory...which is better? 4GB[1GB x 4] or 4GB[2GB x 2]

Processor...which is better? Intel Core 2 Duo Processor(2x 3.16GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) or Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 (4x 2.33GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)

Cooling....liquid or fans?

2nd Hard Drive...Yes or No?

Sound...Creative Labs or generic?


Ok for memory. The 4 x 1 GB will run a bit faster but you will probably be unable to upgrade to more ram so I would definitely go with the 2 x 2 GB.

For processor, gotta go with the quad core. Even though the specs of the Duo look better the quad will run faster in the end.

Cooling. This is debateable. Liquid would be ideal. They cool better and are way quieter. However, they seem to have a lot more problems than fans. Semi hard to control and understand. Also, fans are way cheaper. So iffy, but I'd go with fans.

2nd hard drive.. Definite.

Sound -- creative labs all the way.

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

Originally Posted by ledguitar

Memory...which is better? 4GB[1GB x 4] or 4GB[2GB x 2]

Processor...which is better? Intel Core 2 Duo Processor(2x 3.16GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) or Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 (4x 2.33GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)

Cooling....liquid or fans?

2nd Hard Drive...Yes or No?

Sound...Creative Labs or generic?


Ok for memory. The 4 x 1 GB will run a bit faster but you will probably be unable to upgrade to more ram so I would definitely go with the 2 x 2 GB.

For processor, gotta go with the quad core. Even though the specs of the Duo look better the quad will run faster in the end.

Cooling. This is debateable. Liquid would be ideal. They cool better and are way quieter. However, they seem to have a lot more problems than fans. Semi hard to control and understand. Also, fans are way cheaper. So iffy, but I'd go with fans.

2nd hard drive.. Definite.

Sound -- creative labs all the way.

Thanks!

Can I upgrade to a 4 x 4 GB?

Wtf does quad core mean? Is it broken down or something? I don't understand the difference for some reason.