Desktop Help

michaelkav36

Hi all, i am after a new desktop to replace my laptop. I am a student and need to use 3d studio max, photoshop and other graphics heavy progs. I have found this one and was wondering if anyone could advise as to how good it is, i plan to add a new graphics card, a ati prob. Spec below, thanks in advance

Acer Aspire M3800 Tower Desktop PC, Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, GMA X4500, Vista Home Premium




Processor

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz,
• 4MB L2 Cache

Memory

• 4GB RAM,

Hard Drive

• 750GB SATA HDD,

Optical Drive

• DVDRW,

Software

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Display

• Monitor Not Included

Graphics

• Intel GMA X4500,
• Up to 1024MB

Audio

• No Speakers

Input Devices

• Value keyboard & optical mouse

Networking

• No Wireless LAN
• No Modem

Warranty

• 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty

Baldur

The only Acer Desktops which I have seen recently have had a 'warranty void if removed' sticker sealing the case, which should be considered if you plan to add a separate graphics card.

Your specs appear to come from EBuyer, who also have the above system with an NVIDIA GeForce GT220 graphics card factory fitted - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/167443

michaelkav36

yes it is from ebuyer, i had seen the option with the graphics card but id rather just put in my own (well get someone to do it for me) doesnt matter about the void sticker. Do you think it is powerfull enough?

Baldur

Check out the system requirements of the programs which you intend to use, e.g. http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13571366

The hardware is fine but note the O/S requirement:

Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (Service Pack 2 or higher) or Microsoft® Windows® Vista (Business, Premium, or Ultimate)

michaelkav36

thanks for the reply. I have looked and it should be more than capable, its just the graphics card. will it be ok to buy a new one to replace the one it come with? i know i cant replace my laptop one as its built in, is it possible to replace the desktop one, how do i know? thanks

Baldur

This US article suggests that the M3800 motherboard has one PCIe 16X slot free which would allow the built-in Intel graphics to be replaced by something more capable - if in doubt, I'd suggest contacting EBuyer to check.

michaelkav36

thats great, thanks for all your help

CHR15

What graphics card are you considering installing??

Some of them are power hungry beasts. You will need to check the PSU is capable before committing or that will be another forced upgrade

The ebuyer link states 250 W/330 W. Which isn't much at all for a modern Graphics card.

michaelkav36

i was looking at this one, had a good review, will it work with the pc how do i fing out? thanks
AMD ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB

CHR15

michaelkav36 wrote: »

i was looking at this one, had a good review, will it work with the pc how do i fing out? thanks
AMD ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB

There is a review of that card HERE

We feel that a single Radeon 4870 series requires you to have a 500 Watt power supply unit at minimum if you use it in a high-end system, and I think that's barely on the safe side. Also recommended is 32 AMP's on the 12 volts rails for stable power distribution (in a single card configuration).

Basically, you have no chance of running the card with the PSU supplied so you will have to upgrade that too.

If you are looking at a new PSU, look not only at the Power (Watts) but also the Amperage of the 12V lines. This is critical that you have enough to drive the card under load. It is not often you see the 12V current levels listed though so it can get messy quite quickly, read the Ebuyer Review to see if some kind soul has listed them in the review.

The alternative is to spend another wedge on a good quality branded PSU that you can look up on the manufacturers site (things start getting expensive about now!!).

michaelkav36

Thanks for the great advice, something i didnt even consider. Could i push my luck and ask if this desktop is any better for all the above uses, 3d etc.

Zoostorm Advanced Premium Desktop PC, Core 2 Quad Q8200, 4GB DDR2, 500GB SATA HDD, 512MB 9800GT Graphics, DVDRW, Vista Home Premium



Processor

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Quad Core Processor 2.33Ghz,
• 4MB Cache

Memory

• 4GB DDR2 800Mhz
• 2 x DIMM slot

Hard Drive

• 500GB (1 x 500GB) SATA Hard Drive

Optical Drive

• DVDRW Super multi

Software

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

Display

• Monitor Not Included

Graphics

• nVIDIA® GeForce 9800GT 512MB DDR3

Audio

• 1 set 5.1 channel Audio jacks (3 jacks)

Networking

• Network Interface: 10/100/1000 LAN, Realtek® RTL8111B

Dimensions

• Width 190mm
• Depth 480mm
• Height 360mm

Interfaces

• 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
• 1 x PS/2 mouse port
• 1 x Parallel port
• 1 x Serial port
• 6 x USB 2.0 ports
• 1 x RJ45 LAN port
• 1 x VGA port
• 1 x DVI port
• 1 x HDMI

Warranty

• 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty

thanks again