Is this good enough?

Getting a New Computer Soon

Published on April 14, 2008 By Xiandi In Personal Computing

I need some advice. I know next to nothing about computer specs, but I'm planning on getting a new computer soon. I realize that it will probably have Vista on it so it will need lots of RAM, but thats about all I know.

My son was looking up different computers and comparing prices, etc. This is one of the options he came up with.

------------

Hp s3400z Computer

Windows Vista Home Premium w/Service Pack 1
2.3 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ dual-core processor
3GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM
256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400-HD, DVI, VGA adapter, HDMI video card
No Modem (not sure if important info)
320 GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive
LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/- R/RW SuperMulti drive
15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, headphone port
Integrated 5.1 Capable Sound w/front audio ports sound card

price includes free shipping

$539.99

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Do you think this is a good deal? Is it going to be good enough for what I want to do? Would you change anything on it?

I have specs on a more expensive computer too but was wondering if this one would *do it* for me. Most of the time I use it for skinning and web surfing, but I would like to be able to play games and watch movies on it too (not something I can do with my current computer).

Comments (Page 3)

Leo the Lion

on Apr 15, 2008

I will offer this: Build your own. You will save money by not paying for a name. Newegg.com and Ebay are your friends.

I doubt you could build that HP system for $539 from parts bought elsewhere

kona0197

on Apr 15, 2008

I find your lack of faith disturbing Leo...

Case: Linkworld 431-06 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - WWW Link

Motherboard and OS Combo: GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2 AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard and Windows Vista Home Premium Combo - WWW Link

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - WWW Link

Memory: Patriot 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) X 3 - WWW Link

DVD Burner: LITE-ON Black 20X SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - WWW Link

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA Hard Drive - WWW Link

Video Card: BIOSTAR V8402GL26 GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - WWW Link

Card Reader: SABRENT 65-in-1 Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port - WWW Link

Grand Total - $476.89 plus Shipping

And the satisfaction of building it yourself. If you were to go for a few cheaper parts you could save even more. I had the total down to around 350 dollars the day on a simular build. I'm pretty sure Ebay would be even cheaper as well.

Bebi Bulma

on Apr 15, 2008

Truth is, you'd be better off with either 2gb or 4gb, 3 is just odd. Especially with the way dual-channel works, it works best in even increments (hence the dual channel, not triple all split up).

kona0197

on Apr 15, 2008

Another 20 dollars for another GB. No biggie. Still cheaper than the HP listed above.

PurrBall

on Apr 15, 2008

3 is just odd

Pun

Bebi Bulma

on Apr 15, 2008

PurrBall

on Apr 15, 2008

You can;t get the full 4gb of use out of your RAM unless you go 64-bit since 32-bit can only address 3gb.

Xiandi

on Apr 15, 2008

No comment...

Really? Why?

Bebi Bulma

on Apr 15, 2008

You can;t get the full 4gb of use out of your RAM unless you go 64-bit since 32-bit can only address 3gb.

In which case, just stick with 2gb since 64bit is a can of worms you don't need to open, especially for what you plan to do with the machine. Both my machines (XP Pro and Vista Home Premium) are running on 2gb ram.

Xiandi

on Apr 15, 2008

I really have no experience building a computer on my own, and I don't have anyone thay would know how to do it for me. That's why I was considering a prebuilt one. It's the main reason I asked here, I knew I would get lots of helpful advice on what to get.
I have time still to get all this together. I'll check out your links Kona, maybe I'll learn a thing or two in the process. Thanks to all of you for your input!

kona0197

on Apr 15, 2008

No comment...Really? Why?

As you can see I did comment.

You can use 4 GB of RAM with 32 bit Vista Home Premium. You don't have to use the 64 bit edition.

WWW Link

From the MS website:

Memory specifications

All editions of Windows Vista 64-bit provide increased memory support beyond the standard 4 gigabytes (GB) available with 32-bit editions. Refer to the specific edition of Windows Vista 64-bit to determine maximum memory capacity.

kona0197

on Apr 15, 2008

I could walk you through building one. Email me. It's a very simple process.

Xiandi

on Apr 15, 2008

I could walk you through building one. Email me. It's a very simple process.

I might take you up on that. I need to do some reading and will probably have more questions when I'm done.

Xiandi

on Apr 15, 2008

64bit is a can of worms you don't need to open,

There are problems with 64bit? I am sick of problems with my computer. I'm getting a new one because this one is old and has lots of problems. I don't want problems!

All editions of Windows Vista 64-bit provide increased memory support beyond the standard 4 gigabytes available with 32-bit editions.

Increased memory support? What does that mean?

Leo the Lion

on Apr 15, 2008

I find your lack of faith disturbing Leo...Case: Linkworld 431-06 Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - WWW LinkMotherboard and OS Combo: GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2 AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard and Windows Vista Home Premium Combo - WWW LinkProcessor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - WWW LinkMemory: Patriot 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) X 3 - WWW LinkDVD Burner: LITE-ON Black 20X SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - WWW LinkHard Drive: SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA Hard Drive - WWW LinkVideo Card: BIOSTAR V8402GL26 GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - WWW LinkCard Reader: SABRENT 65-in-1 Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port - WWW LinkGrand Total - $476.89 plus Shipping And the satisfaction of building it yourself. If you were to go for a few cheaper parts you could save even more. I had the total down to around 350 dollars the day on a simular build. I'm pretty sure Ebay would be even cheaper as well.

So once you add shipping you are saving about twenty bucks on the HP which comes fully built. And don't forget the HP will come with a lot of software - admittedly some of it crap - but you'd have to buy some software to match the HP offering which would leave you out of pocket on your 'build your own' system. Let alone the time spent actually building it and getting it up and running. And as we all know invariably one of the parts you purchase will be defective. Nope, it don't make sense. I'd buy the ready built system and let HP take care of any problems.

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