Help picking a computer

The Jester

Once upon a time I decided that it was time to get a new computer however the sheer scale of this undertaking overwhelmed me and six months passed until I decided to actually give it a try. Ok, enough with this lame introduction. I have managed to round down my choices to five computers which for me has no obvious large differences. I simply need help with picking the computer which gives most value for the money and can handle the latest and hopefully future games that's coming later this year. I rather not build a computer on my own since I have no idea where to start, what's good or even how to assemble the damn thing.The prices are converted from Swedish kronor to Euro and are there only to give an estimate to the price differences. Any help is much appreciated. Oh and a last thing, does Vista premium include the 64-bit version of the system?

HP A6627SC + 20 Inch Monitor

Processor: Intel® Pentium® Dual Core-processor E2200 2.2 Ghz
Memory: 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GS 512 MB
Motherboard: Intel G31 Express
OS: Windows Vista Premium 64-bit
HD : 640 GB

Price: 655 Euro


ACER Aspire M3641/E4700v2 + 22 Inch monitor

Processor: Intel Core2Duo E4700 2.6 Ghz
Memory: 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
Graphics Card: ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 3650 512 MB
OS: Windows Vista Premium
HD : 640 GB

Price: 744 Euro


Fujitsu-Siemens SCALEO Pa 2666-30P + 22 Inch Monitor

Processor: AMD Quad Core Phenom 9500 2.2 GHz
Memory: 3 GB DDR2
Graphics Card: ATI HD 3850 PRO 512 MB
Motherboard: AMD 690V chipset
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
HD : 1000 GB

Price: 744 Euro

Packard Bell iMedia A6500NCD

Processor: AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core 2.2 GHz
Memory: 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GF9500 GS 512 MB
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
HD : 1 280 GB

Price: 748 Euro

PAVA6657SC

Processor: AMD Phenom X3 Triple-Core
Memory: 4 GB DDR2
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3650 512 MB
OS: Windows Vista Premium
HD : 500 GB

Price: 655 Euro

Note: All of them comes with keyboard and mouse. The last two doesn't come with a monitor.

stigweard

The e2200 and 4700 aren't very powerful processors, with the e2200 having only 1MB cache and because a dual core processor (not a core 2 dual core), and the e4700 having only 2mb cache (the e6600 had a slower clock speed but double that cache and ran circles around it nearly 2 years ago). The Phenom 9500 seems to be the best system in the bunch spec wise, but I am firmly in the build your own if you can group. You can usually get better equipment for the same price in the end.

DHS Odium

I know you said you don't want to build a computer. I know people will come in here restating this fact to all of us telling you to build your own computer. I don't care. Build your own computer.

There is a reason people always say this, you get the most for your money. That's important. More importantly, if you're afraid you can't do it, don't be.

You could throw a bunch of parts at a monkey, walk away for an hour, and come back, and have a fully functional PC. It's a matter of fitting Part A into Slot A. Things won't go into the wrong spots, they can't. My fiancee just built her first computer, I didn't even help, just sat around as support if she needed me. Even without her reading the instructions, she didn't need any help. It was cheap as hell, and it works perfectly. If you've passed kindergarten or the equivalent grade level in whatever country, and can competently fit the circle wood block into the circle hole, and the square peg into the square hole, then you can build a computer.

In conclusion, unless you have a legitimate reason for being completely unable to build a computer yourself (ie. no arms, even then, get a friend to do it), besides first time jitters, then build your own computer.

EDIT: As for my recommendation beyond building it yourself, I'd go with the Fujitsu. As for your 64-bit question, it may not come with the CD/DVDs to install a 64-bit version, but the key will work just the same. And Vista keys are good for 32-bit or 64-bit. Get a hold of the 64-bit install cd, in any possible way you can, and your key will work.

Wetsun

DHS Odium wrote: »

I know you said you don't want to build a computer. I know people will come in here restating this fact to all of us telling you to build your own computer. I don't care. Build your own computer.

There is a reason people always say this, you get the most for your money. That's important. More importantly, if you're afraid you can't do it, don't be.

You could throw a bunch of parts at a monkey, walk away for an hour, and come back, and have a fully functional PC. It's a matter of fitting Part A into Slot A. Things won't go into the wrong spots, they can't. My fiancee just built her first computer, I didn't even help, just sat around as support if she needed me. Even without her reading the instructions, she didn't need any help. It was cheap as hell, and it works perfectly. If you've passed kindergarten or the equivalent grade level in whatever country, and can competently fit the circle wood block into the circle hole, and the square peg into the square hole, then you can build a computer.

In conclusion, unless you have a legitimate reason for being completely unable to build a computer yourself (ie. no arms, even then, get a friend to do it), besides first time jitters, then build your own computer.

Someone hasn't seen that Squirminator(?) thread.

DHS Odium

Actually, I think I have. That the one where he goes through like 7 sets of every single part, RMA after RMA?

That is a special case.... he's.. he's special.

EDIT: Actually, my analogy of circle block into circle hole still stands. He, repeatedly, after many warnings, continued to put plugs and parts into places that did not fit, with no regard for logic or common sense.

TK-42-1

the hardest part of building your own computer is knowing what parts to buy. most of the mistakes come from not having enough power or getting the wrong format of hardware

DHS Odium

Agreed, and that's where the forums come in. Plenty of people like to "build" computer sets through New Egg or similar sites. Given his price and needs, I'm sure there are a few sets people can come up with that are better than the store bought computers by a large margin.

As for my fiancee, I hadn't built a computer in awhile, so i didn't know about the new CPU slots or any of that stuff. Still, we started with the processor. After that, we picked a motherboard based on the processor's slot type and FSB. After that, we picked RAM based on the motherboards slots and FSB. Then a video card for the MB's PCIe slot. Then a HDD that was SATA as that's what the MB used. After that, a case with a PSU that could power it all, and the right size for the motherboard. Start with one part, the rest follows.

tsmvengy

I also recommend build-it-yourself. Back before Windows XP building a computer was a lot harder - you would get everything in there correctly, and try to set all the drivers up, and nothing would work. Now, it's pretty much a no-brainer unless one of your components is DoA. The only reason I can think of not to build your own is if you absolutely need tech support (and forums like this one have even rendered that completely useless.)

That said, if I had to pick one of those I would pick the Fujitsu. The graphics card options on all those are pretty weak though - not even as good as a 9600GT.

Also since you live in Sweden I have no idea where you can get computer components.

stigweard

Given the prices of those machines, it looks like inividual parts might be prohibitively expensive there. If Fujitsu have a good rep there, it is probably the machine I buy, having no other decent option to build my own.

The Jester

I took your advice started to look into building a PC on my own and after making some research and reading reviews this is what I came up with.

Asus Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3
Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 4096MB CL5,
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit OEM inkl. SP1
Western Digital Caviar GP 500GB SATA2,
Intel Core™ 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, Socket
Corsair Powersupply 550W Bulk, svart,
MSI P43 NEO-F, P43, Socket-775, DDR2,
Antec Nine Hundred miditower,
Logitech UltraX Premium
Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse,

Monitor: BenQ 24" LCD E2400HD TCO03 (For the computer and my Xbox360)

So basically did I do something good or will it just crash and burn as soon as I have put it together? :P

Edit: Will I need more cooling? The case comes with four fans and the graphics card and processor both have inbuilt fans.

tsmvengy

The Jester wrote: »

I took your advice started to look into building a PC on my own and after making some research and reading reviews this is what I came up with.

Asus Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3
Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 4096MB CL5,
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit OEM inkl. SP1
Western Digital Caviar GP 500GB SATA2,
Intel Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, Socket
Corsair Powersupply 550W Bulk, svart,
MSI P43 NEO-F, P43, Socket-775, DDR2,
Antec Nine Hundred miditower,
Logitech UltraX Premium
Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse,

Monitor: BenQ 24" LCD E2400HD TCO03 (For the computer and my Xbox360)

So basically did I do something good or will it just crash and burn as soon as I have put it together? :P

Edit: Will I need more cooling? The case comes with four fans and the graphics card and processor both have inbuilt fans.

At least get Vista Home Premium. Home Basic is complete crap.

OremLK

The Jester wrote: »

I took your advice started to look into building a PC on my own and after making some research and reading reviews this is what I came up with.

Asus Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3
Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 4096MB CL5,
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit OEM inkl. SP1
Western Digital Caviar GP 500GB SATA2,
Intel Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, Socket
Corsair Powersupply 550W Bulk, svart,
MSI P43 NEO-F, P43, Socket-775, DDR2,
Antec Nine Hundred miditower,
Logitech UltraX Premium
Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse,

Monitor: BenQ 24" LCD E2400HD TCO03 (For the computer and my Xbox360)

So basically did I do something good or will it just crash and burn as soon as I have put it together? :P

Edit: Will I need more cooling? The case comes with four fans and the graphics card and processor both have inbuilt fans.

That is a really good first build. I'm particularly impressed that you picked a solid power supply, which a lot of people get wrong.

It should be an excellent system. Although I agree about dropping $10 more for Home Premium.

stigweard

OremLK wrote: »

The Jester wrote: »

I took your advice started to look into building a PC on my own and after making some research and reading reviews this is what I came up with.

Asus Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3
Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 4096MB CL5,
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit OEM inkl. SP1
Western Digital Caviar GP 500GB SATA2,
Intel Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, Socket
Corsair Powersupply 550W Bulk, svart,
MSI P43 NEO-F, P43, Socket-775, DDR2,
Antec Nine Hundred miditower,
Logitech UltraX Premium
Logitech MX518 Optical Mouse,

Monitor: BenQ 24" LCD E2400HD TCO03 (For the computer and my Xbox360)

So basically did I do something good or will it just crash and burn as soon as I have put it together? :P

Edit: Will I need more cooling? The case comes with four fans and the graphics card and processor both have inbuilt fans.

That is a really good first build. I'm particularly impressed that you picked a solid power supply, which a lot of people get wrong.

It should be an excellent system. Although I agree about dropping $10 more for Home Premium.

I agree, and if you put the same care and research into building it, you won't have any trouble at all.

DHS Odium

Also consider what a lot of other people are currently doing - forget paying for Vista, and get the Windows 7 beta. By all accounts it's stable, and it will last you until the retail release if you can deal with whatever quirks or bugs they may be. It'll save you some money.

The Jester

Awesome, seems I did something right after all. So like what else will I need? For instance what about cooling paste (or whatever it's called in english) for the processor? Are there any cables that I'm going to need that aren't included? Anything else?

I've checked up on Windows 7 and it seems to be really stable for a beta and faster than vista, so i'm going to go for it rather than Vista since the full version will probably be out this year. BTW thanks for the help guys, I now that's what the forum is for but still.

UncleSporky

I don't know about the one you got but mine came with thermal paste pads already applied, so no trouble on that front. I think it's pretty standard now.

Also

Someone hasn't seen that Squirminator(?) thread.

Link?

Improvolone

I thought it was like Dr Snuggles or something.

OremLK

The Jester wrote: »

Awesome, seems I did something right after all. So like what else will I need? For instance what about cooling paste (or whatever it's called in english) for the processor? Are there any cables that I'm going to need that aren't included? Anything else?

I've checked up on Windows 7 and it seems to be really stable for a beta and faster than vista, so i'm going to go for it rather than Vista since the full version will probably be out this year. BTW thanks for the help guys, I now that's what the forum is for but still.

Arctic Silver 5 on the cooling paste/thermal compound/whatever you want to call it. It should drop you a few more degrees over what comes with the processor. I think it's about $6 for a little vial. Arctic Silver is pretty much hands-down regarded as the best.

Your motherboard probably comes with all of the cables you need, but just in case it only comes with one SATA cable, you could probably grab another one for a couple more bucks.

Other than that you should be good to go.

shadydentist

Once you get your parts, don't be afraid to pop into the computer building thread to ask for help. They're nice people.

risumon

+1 for Windows 7. Don't get Vista this late in the game. I'm still pissed I bought it early this year.

Wetsun

UncleSporky wrote: »

I don't know about the one you got but mine came with thermal paste pads already applied, so no trouble on that front. I think it's pretty standard now.

Also

Someone hasn't seen that Squirminator(?) thread.

Link?

Improvolone is right, it was Professor Snugglesworth. My mistake. Here's the thread, though:

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=63902

shadydentist

Wetsun wrote: »

UncleSporky wrote: »

I don't know about the one you got but mine came with thermal paste pads already applied, so no trouble on that front. I think it's pretty standard now.

Also

Someone hasn't seen that Squirminator(?) thread.

Link?

Improvolone is right, it was Professor Snugglesworth. My mistake. Here's the thread, though:

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=63902

Oh my god. Reading through that thread almost made my head explode.

He pulls off the heatsink and takes the processor with it, before sticking a power cable into his USB pins.

You could write an epic poem about the things that happened to him.

DHS Odium

I consider that thread high art.

tsmvengy

DHS Odium wrote: »

I consider that thread high art.

The best part is this:

"You connected a floppy drive power cable to your USB ports!"

"okay, and?"

I hate to admit it but I once pulled a heatsink off and the processor came with it. Didn't damage it at all though.

But yeah, that guy is one big contrary example to "building a pc is so easy even a monkey can do it!"