Need Help Questions on Processors,Harddrives,Memory and Video cards

[Tman0000002]

Allright im going to be purchasing a computer. Since I will be recieving some financial help I am being forced to buy a dell and 3 year warrenty. So under those restrictions I can basically buy what I want but I really dont want to go over 2100 2200 max. I really dont know much about computers but I want to basically want a real nice gaming computer. I have been talking to people and reading and Im learning but still have some simple questions that need to be answered. So here it goes

Processors 2.8 GHz 3.06GHz 3.2 GHz whats the difference. I mean does it justify spending another 200-300 dollars to go from a 2.8 to a 3.2 GHz. What performance difference will I see. Will it just be faster? I mean I want and will be running games like halo, counterstrike, battlefield, halflife 2. Is 2.8 GHz fast enough to run these games at optimum performance assuming the other components will be able to handle those games easily.

Memory. 1GB with dual channel DDr2 SDRAM at 533MHz. This sound good to you guys. I dont want to spend more then I have to on memory would this be suffiecient to keep the system running fast without probs. Also what is the dual channel stuff and what does it do"?

The last thing that is bothering me. 1 or 2 harddrives? Right now the computers I am looking at are only setup with one harddrive. I know performance wise the 2 harddrive system is going to be faster but is it something you really need? Now about the actual harddrive. Here is what I am debating and not really sure about even after talking to someone since they have both harddrives in their comp and didnt really give me a straight answer. If I were to only run 1 harddrive what would be better. A 74GB harddrive at 10000 rpm. Obviously faster or a 250GB at 7200 rpm. Would I want a faster harddrive or more memory since I will most likely only be running one harddrive. I know the 74GB at 10000 will be faster but is 74GB enough alone and still have enough of memory/power to run large high detail games for instance like HL2.

Last but not least DELL does not let you do much with the graphics cards they really just offer different RADEON cards. Right now without dropping another 200 bucks Im looking at the 128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Graphics card and the 128MB PCI Express Radeon x300 SE card. Will these card good enough to run games such as halo and HL2 on high resolution. I mean I can live with 800 by 600 pixels but I would really like to run the games on higher resolutions and not have the computer struggle at all.

If you guys have any other advice I would greatly apreciate it, and I also apreciate anyone who takes the time to read my post and answer the questions. Thanks

Peace
Thomas

[Kov-Ice]

Welcome to PCMech. It'd be great if you could put your own system together, or have a small pc company do it for you. You'd get more for your dollar that way and have more say in the parts you'd be getting. Barring that, here goes...

The 2.8 is the sweet spot right now. Good price / good performance. You'll be fine with that. Dual channel RAM is two sticks that run in concert, offering a performance boost. 1G is great. Hard drive depends on your storage needs. Will you be saving lots of video files? Get more size then. Do not get a PCI video card. The Radeon 9800 PRO is what you want, and it should handle everything you throw at it. Good luck.

[ja83]

Wow, I didn't know Dell offered a PCI Express card already!?

[Tman0000002]

Alright, Thanks Kov-Ice, Keep the replies coming. Im trying to convince my parents to just let me build my own comp but they arn't giving in.l

Peace
Thomas

[kram 2.0]

Welcome to PC Mech forums

Just simply put it this way - you get EXACTLY what you want on a PC that's self-built. Generally speaking, it tends to be cheaper, and the experience is well worth it. You can probably buy the newer technology stuff out there while Dell sometimes restricts to what extent you can purchase them.

On the CPU, I migth go ahead and recommend the Intel P4 3.0 with 800 FSB. Your budget of 2000 USD should handle 3000 Mhz fine.


Hope that helps,
kram

[Captain A]

Just throwing the idea out here. If your parents wont let you build a computer, try buying one from www.ibuypower.com where you will most likely get a lot more bang for your buck.

[Tman0000002]

wow www.ibuypower.com seems fantastic, you can get alot more bang for your buck. Do you (captain A) or anyone else have experience with them?

[jong2k4]

Check out resellerratings.com

[Tman0000002]

Heres my next question. AMD processor or Pentium? I know the AMD can run at a much lower Ghz but spit out the same performance as like a Pentium running at like 3GHz. So what do you reccomend since its going to cost about the same.

[kram 2.0]

Depends...it all comes down to self preference here. They are both very good processors...that's why they're in competition . I personally have prefered Intel since Day 1 of my computer life, but I have come to acknowledge that AMDs make good CPUs, particularily the AthlonXP budget ones. Remember that on the AMD, you should consider the front side bus - Intel Pentiums run at a significantly higher FSB than the AMDs. Hence, the difference in price. Remember that the price you pay, you will get the corresponding performance, regardless of AMD or Intel.


Hope that helps,
kram

[Tman0000002]

Alright looks like im going with www.ibuypower.com seems like the parents are going to give into that.

Peace
Thomas