New Desktop advice

kev_pecker wrote: »

Thank you, it was the link 'Mobeer' posted that I was after, the link doesn't work any more and I can't manage to get that price on their website.

It was a dell with an E6420 Dual Core processor, don't think I need the quad core??

These specs/offers keep changing, so it's probably gone.

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Consider an alternative - the CPU's more powerful, & I've suggested a much better graphics card (GPU) to go with it. All well within your budget....

Configured to the spec below: Dell Vostro 200 MT = £388 / with GPU upgrade = £457/470 (or less, see below):

- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6750 Processor
- Windows Vista Home Basic /Windows XP Home /others [nice choice here - personally, I'd go for WinXP]
- Base Warranty - 1 Year Business Hardware Support
- No 19" Wide Monitor [as you already have one]
- 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
- 320GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive
- 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro PCI-E [replace with XFX 7900GS £69 or HIS X1950Pro £82, or cheaper options below]
- 16x DVD +/- RW Drive
- Dell™ Enhanced USB Multimedia Keyboard + USB Scroll Optical Mouse
- Dell™ A525 Speakers with Subwoofer [this added £18 extra - remove if not required, or get a better set from elsewhere]
- 13-in-1 Media Card Reader
- Microsoft® Works 8.0 [use the much better free OpenOffice.org instead]

Graphics card upgrade: I've deliberately gone for the 'older' DX9 cards, as there may be no point getting a relatively 'inferior' DX10 one for the same money. Also, from some reviews I've read, even the high-end DX10 cards are not that great in DX10 games. In any case, to make it worth your while, you'll need to go for a 8800GTS at the very least - this will inflate the cost way over your budget & will incur additional expense if a PSU upgrade is required. There are also slightly cheaper options: the Point Of View 7600GT or Sapphire X1650XT (both £60), which may be more than sufficient - read the user reviews.

Note: No new PSU required for the GPU upgrade - see this, but best to confirm this on the Dell Upgrade Hardware forums. You'll probably need a Y-splitter cable & a 4-pin to 6-pin connector if they're not included in the GPU packages (neither required for the X1650XT, & possibly the 7600GT too).

GPU benchmark comparison lists (you'll need to look at several tests under 'Choose benchmark' to determine which has the overall edge price+performance wise):
7900GS vs X1950Pro
7600GT vs x1650XT

G

P.S. I made so many changes to my original post that in the end I decided to delete it & re-post it afresh

1) Yes, no problem. That could be a very smart decision, as prices are always falling.

2) It seems to be Home - look near the top of the page: You are here: United Kingdom > HOME

If it was the Business section it would've looked like: You are here: United Kingdom > SMALL BUSINESS [like in this link]

If it reverts to business at any point, enter your surname as the company name. They may not ask any awkward questions online (but they may if you order by phone). G

Edit - Sorry, it is business by the looks of this: 'Base Warranty - 1 Year Business Hardware Support '