I am going to be getting a new computer in the next month or so as a high school graduation gift from my uncle. He is giving me a budget of 2k for it. I have decided to go with Dell since I can get additional discounts from them if I purchase through the college I'm going to be going to next year. I also like that they will recycle my old computer for free.
Anyway, I am having some difficulty deciding what models and specs to get.
I am looking at either the Dell Dimension 4700 or 8400.
Approx.
3.2 or 3.4GHZ Pentium 4
1GB or 2GB of Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM. (at 400MHZ on 4700 or 533MHZ on 8400 model)
128MB PCI Express� x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon� X300 SE (I'm not a heavy gamer.)
17 inch Ultrasharp flat panel monitor
80GB or 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
Sound Blaster� Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD� Audio
Keyboard, Mouse, etc. the usual
I went through the customization pages for each model and came to some conclusions.
Dimension 4700
Pros
- like the smaller form (less deskspace) (7.25" width x 14.5" height x 16.75" depth)
- can get a faster CPU(3.4GHz) OR double ram than 8400 within budget
Cons
- not as expandable/upgradable as the 8400
- can only get 400MHz RAM instead or 533MHz
Dimension 8400
Pros
- more expandable
- can get faster RAM (533MHz)
Cons
- slower clock speed 3.2 GHz
- tower size seems pretty large to me (7.1" width x 16.7" height x 17.6" depth)
Which model do you think I should get?
I do alot of work with Photoshop and Dreamweaver; usually have at least 5 programs open at a time.
Am I better of to go with slightly less speed (CPU) but faster RAM and have more ability to upgrade in the future by getting the bigger one (8400) or go with the smaller one that has a faster CPU but with slower RAM and less support for future technologies?
Anyway, I am having some difficulty deciding what models and specs to get.
I am looking at either the Dell Dimension 4700 or 8400.
Approx.
3.2 or 3.4GHZ Pentium 4
1GB or 2GB of Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM. (at 400MHZ on 4700 or 533MHZ on 8400 model)
128MB PCI Express� x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon� X300 SE (I'm not a heavy gamer.)
17 inch Ultrasharp flat panel monitor
80GB or 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability
Sound Blaster� Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD� Audio
Keyboard, Mouse, etc. the usual
I went through the customization pages for each model and came to some conclusions.
Dimension 4700
Pros
- like the smaller form (less deskspace) (7.25" width x 14.5" height x 16.75" depth)
- can get a faster CPU(3.4GHz) OR double ram than 8400 within budget
Cons
- not as expandable/upgradable as the 8400
- can only get 400MHz RAM instead or 533MHz
Dimension 8400
Pros
- more expandable
- can get faster RAM (533MHz)
Cons
- slower clock speed 3.2 GHz
- tower size seems pretty large to me (7.1" width x 16.7" height x 17.6" depth)
Which model do you think I should get?
I do alot of work with Photoshop and Dreamweaver; usually have at least 5 programs open at a time.
Am I better of to go with slightly less speed (CPU) but faster RAM and have more ability to upgrade in the future by getting the bigger one (8400) or go with the smaller one that has a faster CPU but with slower RAM and less support for future technologies?