check out these specs please

[Guest110]

This big brand PC features HyperTransport™ technology for faster processing, particularly noticeable with cinema-quality DVD and music, video and image editing. The flat panel monitor and performance enhancing Nvidia graphics card will bring out the best of the latest games.
AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+
1 Gb DDR-SDRAM memory
17-ins TFT flat screen monitor
300Gb SATA hard drive
DVD writer double layer+/-R, +/-RW supports lightscribe technology to create silkscreen quality labels direct from your PC
9-in-1 memory card reader
NVIDIA Geforce 7600 graphics

now is this any good for the latest games????? please

or this
The new Intel® Core2™ Duo processor provides enhanced performance and energy efficiency. Optical drive and display technology powered by Sony.
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, 1.86Ghz 2Mb cache processor. Microsoft Windows XP Home. Sony 17in LCD flat panel screen. 1024mb DDR RAM. 200Gb hard drive. DVD/CD-RW/DVD-RW dual layer. NVIDIA GeForce 7300 graphics with 256Mb RAM. Open office suite. Lexmark X1190 printer.

[dbarrow]

Laptop or desktop?
Pre-configured off the shelf box?
Are you looking for a gamer or a medium level machine that can play games?

Research the CPU... pick a camp, AMD or Intel then check out the specs on the various CPUs
Research the ram, once you have a CPU, check compatible ram and look for the fastest lowest latency. For a 'gamer', newer games are starting to recommend 1g min and 2g for performance. As it often becomes difficult to find an exact match stick a year later, if you think you will need 2g, get it now in a matched pair.
Sound, note some of the onboard AC97 chips have been shown not to render EAX surround in games correctly.
Research the sound chip or look at a better PCIe sound card.
Monitor, vast differences in resolution and response time.
This can take as much research as the machine itself and best,whenever possible, to see one in action close up and personnal.

Don't get 'sold' on a package unless you spec out the components as 'packages' often tend to include a lot of junk components they want to clear off the shelf as they are nearing the point of obsolete, or they cut corners to keep the total 'package' price down.

Planning a machine takes much more time and effort than putting one together and making it work.

[Guest110]

This is for my son and they are ready in the box models that he can pick up and take home.....and pay interest free over 12 months

Desktop.. i wondered what HyperTransport was ???and was it better than The new Intel® Core2™ Duo processor ?

i dont know lol

[dbarrow]

Decisions, decisions....
Before you plunk down your money...
research, research, research!
What does he want it for? Games? Which Games?

While many "off the shelf" boxes will play games, they may not play them well or at full potential.
Unless you know what you are looking for, and have a good foundation and understanding in the component parts, "off the shelf" can often be a rude surprise when you later find out you bought a pile of junk that won't do what you wanted.

I spent 30 minutes building my machine and six months researching the parts.....

[Guest110]

Decisions, decisions....
Before you plunk down your money...
research, research, research!
What does he want it for? Games? Which Games?

While many "off the shelf" boxes will play games, they may not play them well or at full potential.
Unless you know what you are looking for, and have a good foundation and understanding in the component parts, "off the shelf" can often be a rude surprise when you later find out you bought a pile of junk that won't do what you wanted.

I spent 30 minutes building my machine and six months researching the parts.....

He wants a pc that will play OBLIVION and the Command and conquer type games acts of war.... and so do i

It is so confusing.. would the graphics card NVIDIA Geforce 7600 graphics
handle them

Cant you build me one lol..

[jflan]

I'm not much of a gamer, but I know that Oblivion is one of the most resource-demanding games out there.
The 7600 card would likely only handle Oblivion at lower settings.

The AMD machine probably has what is called a code name San Diego core processor. If so, this is a very nice single core, but it is at *end-of-life*

The Intel processor, code name Conroe is brand new and, IMHO, the wiser choice for future-proofing. Too bad it's bundled wit a weaker video card.

Maybe this dealer has some display models on which you could try out your games of choice?

[Guest110]

I think i have persuaded him to save up first and then have a look around

[Guest110]

been there and done that this is my 3rd pc and not one i have bought handled the latest games

[mylanta]

BM go with the Core 2 Duo, that will handle whatever is going on...Amd you are looking at is getting to be old technology...7300 video card needs to get swapped for 7950 which will up the price but you will need that.

[Guest110]

Yes it is official.. i have persuaded him for now to save for one.... perhaps i can find someone local to build me one or have a go ourselves.. i mean how hard can it be,, i have put together MFI furniture

[Guest110]

BM go with the Core 2 Duo, that will handle whatever is going on...Amd you are looking at is getting to be old technology...7300 video card needs to get swapped for 7950 which will up the price but you will need that.


With this pc we cant upgrade any components.. what we see is what we get

but thanks for the advice on core 2

[jflan]

I think that building would be a wonderful mom/son project.
Some great life lessons await: (guessing that your son is in his formative years)
earning
saving
researching
carefully spending
building
Here's a great article on video cards:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2833&p=1

[dbarrow]

If you want Oblivion, at its' true potential... build!
This is THE game that will use Core Duo and 2g of fast ram on the most top end vid card you can buy.
If you want a true 'gamer' you will have to spec it out and build it as it is not to be found on the shelf unless you pay a premium price.

I must admit, Oblivion is astounding cranked up to max settings on a machine that will handle it.

[Pi rules]

Why not build the PC yourself? I'd be happy to come over to show you how provided you pay for the trip, do all my homework... ;) There are tons of tutorials and books out there. Do some research with your son and learn about all the necessary parts and how they connect. If you have any old PCs you don't use and/or are broken take them apart to see where everything goes, what it looks like and try to name the parts. You know where to come for questions. :)

I would strongly recommend a Core 2 Duo. Even the cheaper ones are among the greatest out there.

[Guest110]

The last time i try to build something it was a disaster.. and thatwas only a sandcastle.. but i will have a chatwith him..It could be a week by week thing.. buy one piece a week


So we will need

a case

[Pi rules]

I did that my first build, however, I now realize that it just shortened the warranty before it was even built.

[dbarrow]

Half the fun is in the building. As a joint venture, it will be a great learning experience.
You will learn much just researching the parts and choosing a platform. Do spend some time reading reviews of the major components, mobo, CPU, ram and in particular, user forums where people are discussing the particular choices you make as that often reveals hidden problems or things to avoid.
Be well prepared before you order the parts so you are in the RMA window if you get a dud.

BTW: if this evolves into a high power gaming machine, seriously consider water cooling for both the CPU and the GPU. Oblivion will stress everything to the max and heat is a real problem for the vid card. My son is considering adding a GPU water block to the vid card as we are still having temp issues with it playing Oblivion.

[Guest110]

BTW: if this evolves into a high power gaming machine, seriously consider water cooling for both the CPU and the GPU. Oblivion will stress everything to the max and heat is a real problem for the vid card. My son is considering adding a GPU water block to the vid card as we are still having temp issues with it playing Oblivion.

Water and electricity.. are you trying to fry me :peace: