Am I getting a good deal??

[Hypoxia]

Hey everyone, recently I decided to purchase a new computer. Upon visiting my local Frys Electronics I found this one :

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4215334?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

They had just marked it down from $1,200 to $899, (it says $999 but at the actual store it was $899). They said it was because they had a newer model coming out the same month. Anyways I compared it to the other more expensive ones and really the only major difference seemed to be the processor speed, this one was 3.0 ghz where as the other ones were 3.6 ghz. In my experience processor speed hasn't been very important, I mean, what applications out there even demand that you have over a 2ghz processor? Anyways, I'm really not extremely knowledgable on computers and just wanted to make sure im not wasting my money or anything. I made sure that everything in it could be upgraded in the future. It will be used mainly for music applications and occasionaly games.

 

[paparazi]

I can't really comment too much about the value aspect of this PC because I live in the UK and I know you guys get more for your money the other side of the pond.

One thing I will say however is: quote "It will be used mainly for music applications and occasionaly games" to point out the obvious, this has integrated graphics so don't expect much in the gaming department!

If you still buy with the intention of adding a graphics card at some future date? then make sure it has a dedicated AGP slot for the purpose.

Also the built in AC97 sound would at best be considered adequate for an true music lover or audiophile.

I'm guessing the new model replacing this one is PCIexpress based, this model will undoubtedly be built on older technology, there is nothing particularly wrong with this as it has been proven to date, that newer Intel platforms don't perform any better than the ones they are replacing.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Hypoxia]

Well I asked the guy there and he said you can upgrade the gfx card and the sound card, next weekend I'm buying an audiophile 24/96 actually

 

[Hypoxia]

I mean, if something is integrated it doesn't really matter as long as theres a slot to put a better card in the future right? Can't you just disable the integrated?

 

[pcs007]

Hi Hypoxia,
Just as Paparazi has pointed out, you can disable the integrated video & sound, but you'll need to make sure the motherboard has the AGP slot for the video card and spare PCI slot to take the sound card.

Some cheap integrated motherboards have very few spare slots. so it's worthwhile to check it out.

Good luck

 

[Hypoxia]

Alright I will double check that tommorrow when I go in, thanks a lot guys.

 

[Hypoxia]

this page has more information about the computer actually..

http://www.fryssupport.net/fm7740.cfm

 

[Hypoxia]

i looked up the motherboard 9

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-135-163)

and it looks like it has 4 slots, dunno about agp though.

 

[Hypoxia]

Yeah...no AGP...

 

[jurgen36]

It only has 3 slots, the slot in the midle of the bord is AGP.
Very hard to fitt extras on this bord. Also powersupply might be to small to add better graphic cards. But its your money. Regards

Jurgen

 

[Hypoxia]

Well, I guess I may just have to buy a better motherboard.

 

[Hypoxia]

Wait, isn't that an AGP slot in there though? The brown one? If it is how come the specifications for the Motherboard don't mention it?

 

[Hypoxia]

Oh I see, it's not AGP it's a PCI express slot, which I've just read is actually better, any thoughts on this?

 

[paparazi]

Hypoxia
Better! absolutely!
Going back to what I said earlier about this system being cheaper because it is possibly based on a older platform, well it's not! the Intel 915G chipset ECS motherboard is infact an up to date PCI express platform, a fairly budget mini ATX form factor model but certainly quite exceptable.
Obviously if you upgrade the graphics order a PCIe version (plenty available but my personal favourate is the Nvidia 6600GT)
Again the sound on this system is perhaps better than I first thought, it has full 6 channel ouput which is fairly reasonable and does give you the option of adding something like a Creative Labs Audigy2 ZS at a future date if required.

Martin

http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/9277_ECS_915G_M_Intel_915G__800MHz__HT_.asp

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[norty303]

But as he's already said there's an Audiophile 24/96 going in anyway. They're good cards but make sure you can get by without any extra sets of outputs. Maybe consider an external card (not a Creative labs card, the ASIO support is terrible) with a few more ins/outs as this can be used on a laptop if you ever decide to use the computer music in a live/DJ environment. The mic pre-amps will be of better quality too.

The noise floor of the AC97 based sound is just not low enough for good music production. Even the Audigy PCI cards were an improvement but still not good enough IMO