We *might* be getting a new computer!

[johnjohn320]

This is big news for johnjohn and family. I'm 16, and we operate a single family computer (as far as I and my parents can see, what's the point of each kid having their own computer like *cough hack* some teenagers and their families).

Anyway, it's gonna be whatever my dad wants obviously, cause he's the guy who's paying for it (makes sense). Which means it's gonna be OEM, Windows ME (bleh), etc etc. I won't have much say, that is, IF we're even getting one at all. I'm cool with that, but I was wondering if there's anything specifically that one might not think of that maybe I should push, nudge my dad towards perhaps? I dunno, I'm kinda excited, especially cause this has been the CRAPPIEST week and it was nice to hear my mom say that this is a possibility.

PS. Don't turn this into a Pentium vs Athlon thread or whatever, like I said, I won't have a say in the big stuff, I was just curious what you're guys's thoughts on this were.

 

[Electric Amish]

It will probably be Win XP, not ME.

amish

 

[atrowe]

Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!

 

[Maggotry]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
This is big news for johnjohn and family. I'm 16, and we operate a single family computer (as far as I and my parents can see, what's the point of each kid having their own computer like *cough hack* some teenagers and their families).

Computers outnumber the living in my house.

 

[Willoughbyva]

Since you are into music, maybe you could try to get one with a good sound card so you can do some digital audio stuff on it?

Will

 

[freebee]

Go buy a dell. Wait for a hot deal...when they are cheaper than you can buildem.

 

[johnjohn320]

Since you are into music, maybe you could try to get one with a good sound card so you can do some digital audio stuff on it?

Yeah definitely, what kind do you suggest (or at least what kind of specifications)?

Also, what kind of RAM and how much seems to be ideal these days?

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

Since you are into music, maybe you could try to get one with a good sound card so you can do some digital audio stuff on it?

Yeah definitely, what kind do you suggest (or at least what kind of specifications)?

Also, what kind of RAM and how much seems to be ideal these days?

256 MINIMUM!!!

512 is cool if you can afford it.

amish

 

[Ameesh]

get XP and you cn do fast user switching which is great for famlies.

 

[dakata24]

what kind of computer do you currently have?

 

[Electric Amish]

Oh, seeing as you already have one computer, you might want to think about setting up a network between them.

amish

 

[johnjohn320]

what kind of computer do you currently have

Gateway with:

Pentium II-450
Soundblaster 64
Riva TNT
96 RAM
WinME

Yeah, it sucks.

 

[Willoughbyva]

I'm not really sure about sound cards. I know that full duplex is good (most modern cards have this anyway). Maybe ask in general hardware or something. Wish I could help more.


Will

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

what kind of computer do you currently have

Gateway with:

Pentium II-450
Soundblaster 64
Riva TNT
96 RAM
WinME

Yeah, it sucks.

so does ben folds five

 

[Cyco]

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

what kind of computer do you currently have

Gateway with:

Pentium II-450
Soundblaster 64
Riva TNT
96 RAM
WinME

Yeah, it sucks.

so does ben folds five

BWAHAHAHA!!!

 

[dakata24]

just make sure you dont get any of that integrated vidoe cr@p.

your old pc looks fine with me... i bet it plays counter-strike just fine.

good luck computer shopping..

 

[Willoughbyva]

I agree. Stay away from intergrated components like sound and video. For the most part they offer less performance than add on stuff.




Will

 

[GiGoLo]

even though i always build my own and would never buy a prebuilt system, i always do research to see whats doing the best, and surprisingly, the new vprMatrix at best buy is getting excellent price vs. performance reviews. one example is a package they have now... the vprMatrix 2020. Its a P4 2.0ghz, 256DDR with a free upgrade to 512, 80gb hdd, 64mb geforce2 gts, 32x burner, 16x dvd, 10/100 nic, 17" flat samsung monitor, and a lexmark printer... total package comes out to 1099 (after about 350 in mail in rebates)... neways, not too bad of a price for an OEM system....

 

[bmd]

Originally posted by: dakata24
just make sure you dont get any of that integrated vidoe cr@p.

your old pc looks fine with me... i bet it plays counter-strike just fine.

good luck computer shopping..

My computer is actually almost the same as his (except we have 384MB of ram ), and yes, it plays CS just fine. Most modern stuff really really slows down though. New computer on the way for me, though .

 

[dakata24]

i have a dragon + mobo that has integrated audio, c-media 8738 6-channel that's pretty decent.. but i bet most of the systems have something like a soundblaster live or something that's good. none of that AC97 stuff..

 

[Vette73]

Try to point him to look online at the Compaq 6000 with Athlon. The reason is the 6000 and 8000 compaq with Athlon CPU will have the nForce motherboard. That way you will get at least GF2 mx video performance and a 5.1 sound card. And the nForce board is upgradable.

Just try to keep him from getting ANY type of Celeron computer and you should be OK.

 

[johnjohn320]

Gateway with:

Pentium II-450
Soundblaster 64
Riva TNT
96 RAM
WinME

Yeah, it sucks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



so does ben folds five

Yeah, that was pretty funny the first 13 times or so you came into a thread I started and said that...but it's somehow losing some of its hilarity now...

 

[Ionizer86]

I agree. Stay away from intergrated components like sound and video. For the most part they offer less performance than add on stuff.

Yeah, like others said, the nForce stuff is rather decent...better than customizing a computer all the way down to a Tnt2 M64 or something. Also, if you get a Dell, get a Santa Cruz card with it cuz those sound quite good.

And if they decide on a celery, make sure it's a Celery 1.7 (Wilamette; comes with P4 boards so the quality is probably slightly better than Tualatin Celery boards).

 

[Torghn]

Just stay away from Celrons and integrated video. I would lean twoards the AthlonsXPs as you do get a much better price/performance. The nForce boards are good if you must go with integrated stuff because you can still upgrade (and the video/audio is TONS better than most integrated stuff).

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: Maggotry

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
This is big news for johnjohn and family. I'm 16, and we operate a single family computer (as far as I and my parents can see, what's the point of each kid having their own computer like *cough hack* some teenagers and their families).

Computers outnumber the living in my house.

What's the ratio? It's about 3 computers for every person in my house. 5 family household. Only two of us use computers though, and I'm the biggest user. LOL.

A comp in every room! (Soon, two in mine)

Peace,
GermyBoy