Choosing PC
 

I know quite a bout computers, or so I thought. Pentium has released a new processor called the Pentium 4 D, which stands for dual core technology. I'm looking ot run G3 well, as in full optiosn turned up good FPS. Well, here are two PC's I want you guys to compare and tell me which is better. I don't know much about the dual core and how it compares with the Pentium 4 with HT. I can get both PC's for under $1300, and I wonder which is better. The E510 is about $300 cheaper at $1000. Sorry about the type and specs being so close.

XPS 400 Pentium® D Processor 830 with Dual Core Technology (3GHz, 800FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 ****M at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Monitors 19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1905FP Digital Flat Panel
Video Cards 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800
Hard Drives 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
CD or DVD Drive Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
Sound Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers Dell A525 30 Watt 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer




Dell Dimension E510 Series Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 650 w/HT Technology (3.4GHz,800FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 ****M at 400MHz (4x256M)
Monitor SAVE $100!! 17 inch Ultrasharp™ 1704FPT Digital Flat Panel
Video Card 256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory
Hard Drive 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
CD ROM/DVD ROM Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 48x CD-RW Drive
Sound Integrated Audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 capability
Speakers Dell A525 30 Watt 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer

RE: Choosing PC
 

Unless someone will answer that is running a dual core and Win XP64 for compatibility reasons I'd buy a single core machine. The biggest problem with Sims is driver compatiblity. I wouldn't buy new cutting edge hardware whose drivers haven't been proven yet. You could easily wind up with a screaming machine that won't run G3. Buy stuff that screams but is proven to work.
John

RE: Choosing PC
 

I am running a 3.2gHz Intel Northwood/Prescott CPU on an MSI motherboard with hyper-threading (2 logical CPU's) with success with G2. I am running XP Professional and see no reason to run XP64. You can, but unless the compiled code is optimized for the environment (64 bit) I doubt that you will see anything to justify the cost.

Would I suggest anyone get a Northwood/Prescott chip ? Heck no ! The cooling alone can be a PIA on a hot humid day [>:] . Would I suggest XP64 for a workstation ? Maybe, but I think that is better served in specialized situations where the software takes advantage of the hardware (server duty).

CJ

RE: Choosing PC
 

RCShadow,
Forgive me if I'm wrong but "Intel Northwood/Prescott CPU on an MSI motherboard with hyper-threading (2 logical CPU's)" is not a dual processor. The hardware hence the drivers haven't changed. All I was trying to say is that it is awful easy to get caught in driver hell. I been there and had to go to another MB to run some programs NOT fun.
John

RE: Choosing PC
 

Your completely right. Hence my "logical" CPU count not physical :)...

Driver "hell" can be, well, HELL ! lol I have been there. MSI mobo's come with a utility to keep everything up to date via thier web site, nice touch. I have also used http://www.driverguide.com/ with mexed results but if your having driver troubles, it is an option. They have a utility you can download too.

CJ

RE: Choosing PC
 

Dell is great but the desktops are spendy. You could get more power for less money elsewhere. Get a custom built gaming rig.
Ive had good luck in the past with cyberpowerinc.com . Built to your specs. Pass on the E510, get a phat AMD with the best graphics card you can afford. MHO
I got a mobile gamer last july.
i9300
pentM 730
nvidia 6800 256m
blah blah....and saved 35 percent from Dell.

RE: Choosing PC
 

I agree with Mars !

If you have the know-how you might even go buy a case at Fry's (or some other computer store) and a motherboard and build a custom PC for yourself. I have done this on my last four computers and for my elderly parents as well. It is really easy to do once you get your feet wet. Course, I am a computer geek by trade but my dad had his 75% built himself before I could arrive at his house to help.

I am sure lots of guys on this board have built their computer. It really is pretty much plug-n-play for the most part anymore as long as you stay with brand name stuff (although I have used some off-brand too). You just need :

Case (comes with power supply in most but you can buy that seperate too if you like)
Motherboard
CPU
Memory
Hard Drive(s)
Floppy (I guess ?? I don't use mine that often anymore)
CD-RW
System Software of your choice (Windows, etc.)

From there you can add a DVD-RW or any other device that will fit in the case. Some motherboads come with the video and sound built in, some do not (most don't anymore though). I'd rather pick and choose the video and sound cards anyway so I usually disable the "on-board" ones.

As far as price comparison, I think you get a better system this way but that is just MHO, YMMV.

CJ