Which one you'll chose?

[salf]

Sorry, I think its been an overdiscussed topic, but the ones I searched for where topics about getting new pcs for work purposes, mine is for home use.

 

However, even though its for my home, I will probably use it to practice, or maybe even to work some stuff if theres a deadline or something, so it should be atleast "capable" of handling autocad, 3dmax or sketchup.

 

ALso, I wont be building it by myself, I know it would be cheaper and I could make a better system for the price, but I have never built a PC before, and dont plan on starting now, I would rather have the warranty from a major dealer.

 

I have 3 configurations, I dont have much money, so im trying to do not pass the $1,600 mark.

 

The 3 configs I have, and their pricing is at follows:

 

NUMBER 1 :

$ 1,290

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor Q6600 (2.4GHz)

3GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024,2x512)

512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT, TV-out, DVI-I, HDMI

320GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive

LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive

15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, video, audio

ATSC-NTSC TV tuner with PVR, FM tuner, remote

Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports

keyboard and optical mouse

19-inch LCD Wide Flat Panel Monitor

 

NUMBER 2 :

$ 1,190

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

AMD Phenom™ 9500 quad-core processor - 2.2GHz

3GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024,2x512)

512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT, TV-out, DVI-I, HDMI

320GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive

LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive

15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, video, audio

ATSC-NTSC TV tuner with PVR, FM tuner, remote

Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports

keyboard and optical mouse

19-inch LCD Wide Flat Panel Monitor

 

NUMBER 3 :

$ 1,640

 

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad processor Q6700 (2.66Hz 8MB L2 cache)

3GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (4 DIMMs)

256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GTS

320GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive 16MB cache

Single drive 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW with double layer capability

Integrated 7.1 channel sound

keyboard and optical mouse

19-inch LCD Wide Flat Panel Monitor with true life

 

Now, I notice that the memory is 667 MHz, is that ok?, I can upgrade it to 800 Mhz only, 4 Gb for $120 more (for the 1 and 2 config), and the same 800 Hz 4GB for $170 more (number 3 config)

 

Another thing, the first 2 PCs are HP and the last one a DELL XPS. I was looking at resellerratings.com, and both companies have bad ratings, what do you guys think?

 

The thing is that other companies that have good ratings are way to expensive (like alienware) and others are maybe cheaper, but awful ratings (ibuypower.com)

 

Thanks, guys, hope you can help me decide, I have to buy it ASAP, my current PC is dying.

[AJLynn]

This is an absolute no brainer. Number 1. What to do about the RAM, that's your call. The MHz rating on the RAM isn't important, as you will not be overclocking a Dell or HP box. The speed of the RAM as it is sold is an indicator of how fast the RAM can run (or, I should say, how fast the manufacturer is comfortable telling you it can run without problems, since you can try to run it out of spec). How fast it does run is set by the motherboard. A consumer level board such as you will find in a Dell or HP will only run at default speeds.

 

Also if you can spend the rest of your budget upgrading the monitor, that would be a good idea - a 19" widescreen is pretty small and with the rest of the hardware in there it would be a shame if you didn't have big, high res viewports.

[salf]

great, thanks for the fast input, I take by your response that you rather use Intel quad than AMD quad, right?

 

actually if I chose number 1, I could then add more memory, 4 GB 800 mhz.

 

All of them are Vista, any issues with this and possible applications such as MAx, CAD, or even sketchup ? (I know there are some issues with sketchup, but seems theyre more related with the vid card drivers and vista)

 

 

I know XP is more stable, but sadly they dont give that option. I could however ask for another Vista version.

[AJLynn]

Take a look at these tests - all the Intel quads beat all the AMD quads in all the tests. That Intel also beat that AMD in all the media encoding and gaming FPS tests and they didn't give power consumption for that AMD but it looks like the Intel would use less power under all conditions as well.

 

As for the memory, that's your decision. I do know that there's a diminishing return above 3GB as 32-bit Windows won't recognize all of the 4GB. (It can actually vary, how much exactly it uses, but my office PC uses 3.25GB. My home PC with XP64 uses all 4GB.)

[salf]

thanks for the feedback.

 

Now, one last question before making the purchase, either today or tomorrow.

 

what about windows?

 

Whats the difference between all those types of Vista ?, before it was easier, just mainly 2 types of windows, either XP home or XP Pro, and that was it, but now theres like 5.

 

Also I have the option of getting a 64 bit vista, my concern with it is if all the software I already have (32 bits) will work there or not?

 

EDIT: nevermind, already bought it, and went with another brand, GATEWAY, I hope it doesnt give me problems.

 

It was a GATEWAY FX something.

 

-AMD Phenom quad 9600

- 3 GB ddr

- 500 Gb HD

- GeForce 8800 gt 512 mb

- LG 22 lcd widescreen

 

All for $1,400

 

I was convinced on bying the intel quad, but the this one saved me some money, and got a nice vid card....so...well.....

 

oh, it comes with vista home premiun 32 bits, searching in the internet, apperently the 64 version still has some drivers issues with old hardware or software (my case)

[AJLynn]

It's a good price. As for Windows, it will still be a couple of years before 64 bit becomes really important, but if you've got a 64-bit version of Max, Maya or Cinema it does hep with very complex scenes.