Need help choosing computer

[jwn9801]

Not too knowlegable on computers. I've been looking at these two and would like a little input. It will be used for gaming mostly.

Gateway Media Center Desktop with Intel® Pentium® D Processor 930 with EM64T; Intel® Viiv™ technology
*Processor Speed 3.0GHz
*System Bus 800MHz
*Cache Memory 2 x 2MB on die Level 2
*System Memory (RAM) 2GB
*System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 4GB
*Type of Memory (RAM) PC4200 DDR2
*Hard Drive Type SATA II (7200 rpm)
*Hard Drive Size 500GB
*Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6200
*Video Memory Up to 256MB TurboCache (64MB discrete, with up
to 256MB dynamically allocated)

$1399.99

Gateway Desktop with AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Processor 4200+
*Processor Brand AMD Athlon 64 X2
*Processor Speed 2.2GHz
*System Bus 2000MHz
*Cache Memory 2 x 512KB on die Level 2
*System Memory (RAM) 2GB
*System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 4GB
*Type of Memory (RAM) PC3200 DDR
*Hard Drive Size 320GB
*Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6100
*Video Memory Up to 128MB (shared)

$999.99

Would it be worth the extra money for the more expensive

 

[Feldan]

If for gaming than go for the atlon 64 system..it will perform better for gaming

 

[Mentali$T]

ok to help u get a good gamin pc and ur money's worth then dont buy a ready made pc. it may sound good but those gfx cards suck so u would hav to spend more money on gettin a good one. pick out the parts urself and with our help. it may be more effort but its more fun, will be a lot better and save u money.

 

[jeremy]

its better to build for several reasons
1) you get much longer warranty
2) you get higher quality parts
3) you know exactly what parts your gettin
4) most prebuilt pcs are just for general use and not for gaming

both pcs you mentioned are very bad for gaming , i built you 2 with around the same prices both are far better for gaming

#1
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D MOBO 122.99$/4.85$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152
AMD Athlon 64 3700 212$/0.99$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
EVGA 7900GT 319$/4.65$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130281
G.SKILL Value Series 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR400 142.99$ after rebate/4.81$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231032
WD 160GB SATA2 8MB BUFFER 71$/4.99$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144415
NEC 3550 DVD BURNER BLACK 36.99$/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
NEC BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE 5.99$/4.89$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821152005
ANTEC TRUEPOWER2 550W EPS12V 93$/6$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932
THERMALTAKE TSUNAMI CASE BLACK 88.99$ after rebate/15.99$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133132

total after rebates+shipping - 1140.12$


#2
ABIT AN8 32X MOBO 149.99$ after rebate/5.45$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127232
AMD Opteron 165 326$/3.99$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588
THERMALRIGHT XP-90+PANAFLO 92MM FAN 42CFM 36.9$/dont know about the shipping but probably 4-6$
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thxpforforin.html
EVGA 7900GT 319$/4.65$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130281
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR500 269$/4.81$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231057
WD 250GB SATA2 16MB BUFFER 90$/4.99$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701
NEC 3550 DVD BURNER BLACK 36.99$/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152058
NEC BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE 5.99$/4.89$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821152005
ANTEC TRUEPOWER2 550W EPS12V 93$/6$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932
THERMALTAKE TSUNAMI CASE BLACK 88.99$ after rebate/15.99$ shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133132

total after rebates+shipping - 1435$



diffrences
#1 is just for gaming , you get a get a weaker processor but still good (single core/128kb L1 cache/1mb L2 cache)+nice value ram+stock cooling+smaller hard drive 160gb with 8mb buffer+very good mobo but without SLI support

#2 is for gaming & overclocking , you get a much better processor (dual core/256kb L1 cache/2mb L2 cache) that overclocks like a dream+great cooling+250gb hard drive with 16mb buffer+excellent ram for overclocking+very good mobo with SLI support

and just a reminder to those that will say take the DFI SLI-DR mobo it doesnt support the new X16 SLI, might wanna have a look at this article http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=212

 

[old_geekster50]

I agree with Jeremy whole-heartedly.

I guess the best way to say it is, "I am tired of paying more and getting less".

If you can read, you can build a computer; or so I am told. I am an old_geekster50 and am about to build my first box with the help below. You can see what I propose to build in my sig.

If you decide to go with the DFI mobo, which is my choice, you can use DFI Street. It is DFI's tech forum:

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/archive/

You will find techs from several different manufacturers on the site; DFI, OCZ, etc. So, the help that you will receive is the best. Also, there are "How to Guides" that will help you DIY.

Good luck!

 

[bonehelm]

you can't play crap with geforce 6100/6200.....if youre a serious gamer i dont recommend those cards

and even if youre not a serious gamer you still shouldnt buy a pc

 

[NosBoost300]

i don't think those are cards... i think thats onboard crap graphics... if you don't wanna build... then go to www.cyberpowersystem.com

you can make something nice there for alot cheaper than alot of companies

 

[Frank_Jaeger]

i don't think those are cards... i think thats onboard crap graphics... if you don't wanna build... then go to www.cyberpowersystem.com

you can make something nice there for alot cheaper than alot of companies

I agree with this 100%. If you don't want to build then go with something from that site but do not buy a gateway and get ripped off!

You could get this:

Gamer Ultra X-Fire 9000

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core
-1024MB PC3200 Dual Channel
-250GB Serial ATA 150 HD
-Dual ATI X1600 PRO 256MB Video
-16X DVD+-RW & 16X DVD
-CoolerMaster Praetorian 420Watt

-802.11g 54mps Wireless NIC

LIQUID COOLING

$1289

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/ultracf.asp?v=d


But if for some reason you decide to go with one of those Gateways get the AMD system. With a simple upgrade of the graphics card it would be a kick @$$ gaming rig.