Where to get good PC

[Toxic]

I don't know how HP is nowadays, but the BIOS was pretty limited when I had a 166, there wasn't much you could do to tweak it (after that I started building my own).

A buddy of mine bought a compaq and hated it. We were able to use everything but the case, PS, and I think the video (on board if
I remember right). He bought a cheap case with PS, a new video card and off we went. Same CPU, but it was like night and day.

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: maratik999
Haha, if i knew what is wrong with that set up, i would of done something about it by now. This computer just doesnt want to work. It slows down all the time, hangs up here and there. Random acts of terror that i just CANT stand anymore. I did make an attempt at video card upgrade. Installed a 9700 on it, and it worked horribly. I did 3DMark benchmark tests, was getting some pathetic numbers. At that point it really made me angry. So i just returned the vid card because i was getting no satisfaction from the whole set up. Want to get rid of it and either assemble something my self or find a good place which does good job of putting machines together.

I can't stand that line. LMAO.

 

[Mavrick007]

You could probably have a decent system with just buying a new mobo, a case with psu, and a newer video card.

I would reuse everything else in there and go with that for awhile. It's actually a decent bunch of parts. If the P4 is a Northwood, you could probably even overclock it quite well over 2Ghz.

Don't spend alot if you don't have to!

 

[maratik999]

This probably sounds like a silly question, but how do i know if i have a Nortwood P4 or not?

 

[Gibson486]

If you think you can build it yourself, go to newegg.com. And do your homework on parts. That way you'll get all premium parts that you hand picked. Dell will skimp on stuff and it won't be the same quality.

I am not sure, but I think quality was the wrong word to use.....

 

[tapir]

Download SiSoft sandra, WCPUID or a similar program and check to see if you have 512K of cache.

Unless the computers a year or more old, it's probably a northwood.

 

[maratik999]

What is the best MOBO to use with this P4?

 

[maratik999]

Yeah, it isnt a northwood. I got it about a year or so ago i believe. So what is the best MOBO to go with in my case? Thanks for the input.

 

[Mavrick007]

Well, even the Willamette 1.8 is an ok cpu and should do for awhile yet. To figure out what kind of mobo to get, I would check to make sure what kind of P4 it is and look at the socket that it is installed in. There are a couple of P4 cpu sockets which you should be aware of, the 423 pin and the 478 pin socket for the newer cpus. You will be limited to what mobo you get if you have the 423pin socket and don't decide to upgrade the cpu as well. Also, chances are that the ddr ram in the mobo is PC2100 so you might want to get new ram as well, but I would hold off if you can since you have 512megs.

 

[zodder]

Try giving it a clean install of your O/S without the HP junk

I agree. There is probably so much TSR junk loading on startup that it's choking the damn thing. A barebones install of the OS and at least a Geforce3 will definitely breathe new life into that machine.

 

[maratik999]

How can i tell if its a 423 or 478 pin socket?

 

[maratik999]

please, some quick help. thanks.

 

[jfall]

Maybe Alienware

 

[everman]

If you're positive you do not want to build your own with the best parts at good prices (much less than any company like Dell, and still better components), then I"d probably just go with Dell and some coupons Companies like Alienware, Voodoo, and Falcon Northwest also make top notch PCs directed towards gamers, and you pay a premium for that.

 

[majewski9]

The best deal is to build it yourself all the big companies really rip you off.

 

[Omer]

I would 2nd getting a dell if you find a good deal.

The other option, and this is one I'm currently exploring, is to get a barebone system from mwave.com --

you get a case,motherboard,cpu,ram,ps,dvd/cdrw all assembled and then just add hd, vid card and you are done.

Also, for $80 or so I think mwave has a deal that you can pick out all your parts and they will build it for you.

Seems like a good deal to me.

cheers!

 

[bgeh]

Originally posted by: maratik999
How can i tell if its a 423 or 478 pin socket?

a socket 478 is smaller sized than a socket 423

 

[godspeedx]

If you want a computer built for you excellently assembled and tweaked with premium parts go to somewhere like Falcon Northwest. Although, let me warn you, you will take a hit to your wallet with someone like them, but if you can afford it, it's worth it.

Falcon Northwest