Computer PC

or better yet just get it shipped to your friends house across the border and pick it up and take it home

 

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, English
MEMORY 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
SOUND CARD Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
GRAPHICS CARD Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
OPTICAL DRIVE 16x DVD+/-RW Drive
MONITOR 20 inch E207WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
MODEM AND WIRELESS No Modem Option
FLOPPY DRIVE & MEDIA READER Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader

Sub-total: $819.00

So...do what do you think guys? Can you guys make this better/cheaper?

 

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box
Antec Sonata III Black ATX 16IN Mid Tower Quiet Case 3X5.25 2X3.5 4X3.5IN 500W 120MM Fan
Mushkin SP PC2-6400 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
LG L246WH-BN 24IN Widescreen LCD Monitor Black 5MS 2000:1 400CDM Height Adjust Tilt HDMI
ASUS GeForce 8500GT PCI-E 600MHZ 256MB 128BIT 1.4GHZ DDR3 VGA DVI HDTV Out HDCP Video Card
Samsung Spinpoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 8.9MS 16MB 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM 3YR
LG G-H20NS10 Black DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 INT SATA OEM DVD

If i could get this under 900 bucks...

 

Quad core processors just dropped prices by 50%

you should be able to get a Q6700 for 270 bucks now

 

3 issues with this build....
issue 1: XP home sucks see if you can get xp pro..its worth it
issue 2: don't fall into dell's memory upgrade they sucker punch you in the nuts your better off getting the cheapest u can and getting the memory after market from like crucial.com or something
issue 3: you want to do graphics that integrated card isn't going to cut it for ya....


your second build is a lot better for you but i'd recommend shelling the money out for a 8800gt or a 9XXX graphics card.

drsnoopy you might really be better off just building a computer that meets your needs than finding one form a retailer..

 

this is def sufficent for photoshop cs3. i reckon u could do with a better graphics card though.

 

Ok, so i'm going to get XP Pro.
I'll upgrade my memory myself.
How good of a graphics card should I get? Let's say I'm going to be doing some video production...but mostly photoshop.

 

video production actually has almost nothing to do with video card believe it or not haha... its video graphics that gets intense... so running a quad core CPU would be more beneficial for this specific situation...

if the computer is primarily for PS, you don't need an uber video card... a cheap ~$100USD 8600GT is enough...

however, prices for 8800GT's are dropping like flies... amazing deals the last 3months on these suckers... might as well spend a little more for something a bit better...

 

ye thats what i was gonna say, video editing uses the processor and also get either the 8600GT or 8800GT and u will be fine cos integrated graphics card aren't that great.

 

dont buy an 8600, its garbage, my 8600 card is worthless to me now, i cant play any games beyond low-mid settings

spring for the 8800, its only gonna cost you like 50 bucks more anyway

If you are going with the Dell system, spend a little bit more and get the 24" monitor upgrade. the extra space will be worth it, especially if you are doing photoshop while using other programs.

 

Is this the deal from DELL?? well i got mine for $680, but mine is 24inch, E207WFP Widescreen, and only 250GB, 1GB Ram. Vista home premium,

i think Dell still have this kind of deal going on for like $400+ without the monitor..

 

^ yeah but i'm in canada

 

get a faster cpu for the video processing as the converting will go faster with more cores...that is if the software is optimized for mutli threading and workd with more cores...but i would still splurge a little for a better video card as integrated will cut away from your available ram for processing and in the future you may pickup gaming or something the better card will give you more bang for the buck

 

-shock

8600's a good card... i mean u can't play Crysis very well on a single 8800gt newayz -rolleyes

 

i bought my EVGA 8600GT 256mb,, for $50 after rebate... i can't resist with the price.. if i get the 8800GT it cost like $150+,

Of course i'm little regret that i bought the 8600GT,, but since i only play CS:S so it is good enough for me..

i remember i bought my 6600GT 2.5yr ago for $170+... how come at that time i ddint compain about the price ---;;

 

^cuz for that same amount of money you can get more bang for the buck nowadays vs the price you payed for 2 years ago

 

I have several Dells at home, and they're alright. I'm using a e1405 (640m) 14in. Ran XP Pro on all 4 Dells I've had (plz don't get Vista). The dual core is nice but the hard drive sucks cac. I don't know much about graphic cards cause I don't game..but I'm sure it'll be nice to get an upgrade for that as well.

 

yep technology is always going down in price as they improve and find better products.

 

your computer is already old as soon as it comes of the manufactoring line

 

i know, just wait a few months and the price just drops, thats why the best thing to do is to get a comp that suits ur spec and fufills what u want to do.