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New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:42 am
by mar
Can someone give me advise? I can buy for a little price a computer of the type:

[size=150]Dell Optiplex GX745 Dual-Core 3.4GHz PC[/size]
Confugiration:
Intel Pentium D 945 Dual-Core processor (2x 3.4GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2x 2MB cache)
Moederbord met Intel Q965 (ICH8) chipset
1GB Intern geheugen (DDR-II SDRAM, max. 8GB)
40GB Serial-ATA II 300Mbps harddisk
COMBO-drive (DVD's lezen en CD's schrijven)
Broadcom® 5754 Gigabit netwerkkaart met Remote Wake Up en PXE-ondersteuning support
Intel® GMA 3000 video met tot 256MB geheugen
ATI HD-audio onboard
8x USB2.0 -- 2x USB2.0- en audio-aansluitingen in het front, o.a. 6x USB2.0 aan de achterkant van het systeem en een parallele + seriele poort
1x Low-Profile PCI-slot en 1x Low-Profile PCI-E x16-slot
Afmetingen (BxHxD): 18.5x41.4x43.8cm
Gewicht: ongeveer 12.5KG

or

Dell Optiplex GX755 Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz PC
Configuration:
Intel Core2Duo E4500 (2.2GHz, 4x 200MHz FSB, 2MB cache) met twee verwerkingseenheden
Uitgebreide instructieset met: EM64T, IA32, MMX, RISC, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3 en XD
Moederbord met Intel® Q35 Express Chipset (ICH9DO)
2GB Intern geheugen (DDR-II SDRAM,max. 8GB)
80GB Serial-ATA II 300Mbps harddisk
COMBO-drive (DVD's lezen en CD's schrijven)
Intel® 82566DM Gigabit netwerkkaart met Remote Wake Up en PXE-ondersteuning support
Intel® GMA 3100 video met tot 256MB geheugen
ATI HD-audio onboard
9x USB2.0 -- 2x USB2.0- en audio-aansluitingen in het front, o.a. 6x USB2.0 aan de achterkant van het systeem en een parallele + seriele poort
1x Low-Profile PCI-slot en 1x Low-Profile PCI-E x16-slot
Afmetingen (BxHxD): 31.63x9,26x34cm
Gewicht: ongeveer 10KG

Are these computers good enough for grafical work and gaming and if they are wich one is the best ?

;)

Re: New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:21 am
by Trylon
The main problem with these two pc's is the graphics card - or rather, the built in graphics chipset.

it's an Intel GMA, which is a low performance graphics card that doesn't have it's own memory, but borrows it from the computers ram instead.
(Which is fine if you don't really use 3d applications)
If you want to use it for serious 3d applications you need a recent ATI or NVidia card.

You should check if another Graphics card can be put in these computers. If that's possible, the second pc in your list is the best - you'll still need to buy an ATI or NVIDIA gaphics card though.

Note:
It is entirely possible that Uru and blender can be run to your satisfaction with the on-board Intel graphics card, as they aren't too demanding on the graphics card.
I wouldn't take the risk though - it you are running serious 3d applications, Nvidia or Ati are the cards to look for.

Re: New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:27 pm
by Lontahv
I have not had good luck at all with on-board Intel graphics. The textures in Uru used to twitch and dance when I'd play when I still used my on-board. The oddest thing is that they didn't always do this.

don't quite remember the model the on-board graphics were but I'd stay far away from Intel.

I got a PCI-Express Nvidia 7600GT a while ago (I don't remember if it was last year or the year before) for a pretty good price and this thing has run everything really well (I get a feeling of stability that I didn't get using the on-board).

Re: New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:04 pm
by Grogyan
In all honesty, those laptops are rubbish, and you are literally throwing money away.

You need at least 200GB hard disk
Minimum of 8800 or higher Mobile video card for a laptop
2GB of RAM
A good sound card,, creative labs do great audio cards

A 965 chipset is ok
A dual core CPU is ok
As long as you don't plan on running any modern programs that will be coming out on the market late this year, where performance will be greatly increased from a quad or more CPU

Don't forget the OS's,you may want 2, Linux and Windows can be installed on the same drive

Re: New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:06 pm
by Lontahv
If you're not going to be gaming big-time in HD with all the eye-candy, those laptops sound pretty decent (except for the graphics).

Re: New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:28 pm
by mar
Thank you for your honest and fast recommendations. After your advises, I have decided to wait till I have more money and then to buy a computer with enought memory and the correct video card. Up to that time I use my old labtop ( with a geforce videocard).

;) Still thanks!

Re: New computer

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:55 pm
by Grogyan
Also watch out for Memory, make sure it is compatible with the motherboard, if you buy from a company like Dell, they are likely to sell you inferior parts without your knowledge

Re: New computer

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:24 am
by greendragoon
You'll find that the vast majority of laptops have those cruddy Intel graphics cards in them. So it can be somewhat difficult to find that rare gem of a system with a dedicated GPU. My recommendation is to look for reviews on the system. CNET has some good ones.

Anyway, good luck and let us know what you end up getting. :)