New computer time!

[shadow1768]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug1990

I've had four dell computers, three desktops and one laptop and I have never had any problems with them. The only reason Ive had so many is because my mother has this theory of a new computer every year.

I will say, there tech support is garbage, but I've never personally had to call them. I guess I'm just really lucky eh?

I thought you died!

I hate Dell, I've had so many problem with my laptop that I think I should just throw it out the window. I've hard drive replacement, motherboard replacement and a keyboard replacement.

[BoyEngland]

Originally Posted by shadow1768

I hate Dell, I've had so many problem with my laptop that I think I should just throw it out the window. I've hard drive replacement, motherboard replacement and a keyboard replacement.

How old is it, where did you get it from, how much did you pay?

Sublime said someone in his family had problems with their Dell laptop, luckily I'm not getting one isn't it?

[shadow1768]

It's pretty old, from 2005 and I (my parents) payed $2,000 for it. I got it from Dell (online). As for repairs, the HDD was the first to fail back in 05. The keyboard broke in 06 and I had an entire motherboard replacement like a month ago. THank god I extended my warranty until 2010. Also there has always been the issue that it gets burning hot all the time. You can see major discoloration on the palm rests, oh and the media buttons you have to apply alot of force for them to work. My screen has also shifted since I got it back from them, now when I close the lid, it doesn't push the button that shuts the LCD off when its closed.

I remember reading horror stories on their board about some notebooks, ranging from bursting into flames to random hardware failure. Good luck with your Dell. Hopefully because it's a desktop it won't be so bad. Remember buy a warranty, even if its just one year. You can just extend it right before it ends, thats what I did.

Oh yeah, my LCD wobbles if you poke it.

[BoyEngland]

Dell recalled a lot of laptop batteries a while ago due to heat and discoloration of the palm rests is from your palms resting on it (believe it or not). My HP has some kind of protective paint on it which doesn't get discoloured from your palms resting on it. It gets really hot, right now I have it on a cushion on my lap and I can feel the heat through the cushion and my jeans. That's simply because the ventilation is plugged by the cushion.

I have just talked it over with my parents and they see no reason why I shouldn't order it. Now, I am debating whether to pay an extra 20GBP to get 4GB of RAM rather than 3GB, or 20GBP to get a larger screen. I think the RAM is the way I will go.

[shadow1768]

Yeah, I saw the recall and checked my battery, sadly it wasn't one of them. On another note, go for the larger screen because the RAM is easily obtainable at a much lower price then a new screen. So down the road you can add more RAM if you need to.

[BoyEngland]

OK so I just ordered it, scheduled to arrive on the 18th.

Final, ultimate, complete whatever setup:

Intel® Processor Q6600 Quad Core™ (2.40GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 8MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - English
20in E207WFP WIDESCREEN UK/Irish Black (1680 x 1050) TCO99 DVI-D
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA non Raid (7200 Rpm)
SINGLE 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT Card
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)

Dell™ Enhanced USB Multimedia Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)

Dell Optical Scroll Premium Mouse
19-in-1 Bluetooth Media Card Reader

Build/Delivery will take up to 10 working days which will take me to the 18th. Luckily my step Dad is off work that week so I wont need to get up early and sit for the delivery guy.

Now I need to think where I am putting it...

[Sparkplug1990]

I died for a little while, nothing major though. =]

That's a pretty nice computer you've got there man.

I do have the problem of my laptop getting too hot. I just went out and got a cooling dock and it is fine now. I never shut my laptop off and it's been on for like 100 days now?

[zero2000]

What were all of the graphics cards that they were offering?

[BoyEngland]

They were offering a standard integrated one (can't remember the name), the 8800GT, the ATI 3870, and the 9800GT.

I checked the benchmarks for each of them, and the 9800GT seemed to be best one out of my options. In the majority of them, it was only surpassed by the 8800 Ultra.

Even if I didn't make the best decision, I am still happy with my setup. My confirmation came through a few hours ago (due to me ordering on a Sunday) so payment should come out and building can begin.

Game I will probably install are Flight Sim X, SWAT 4, RCT3, and maybe World in Conflict. When I checked the benchmarks for the performance on Flight Sim X, the 9800GT ran around 35FPS and the 3870 ran around 21FPS.

Obviously they are only statistics and whatever happens, I will be happy when I can use Fireworks properly.

Also Some of you may also see I didn't order any speakers. That's due to the fact the cheapest ones were 40GBP/$75. I tend to use headphones on any computer so there's no point in me spending that much money on something I may only use a few times. I will be buying some crappy ~$15 when I've decided where my computer is actually going. I will also be buying a wireless adapter since built-in wireless wasnt an option, and they were charging double the retail price of a standard USB adapter. There is an alcove (like a setback in the wall) where I will hopefully be building a desk this or next week, I can get most of the stuff I need from work.

Edit - Just got final confirmation of payment from Dell, estimated delivery is on or before the 14th.... yay!

[Big Red 11]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug1990

I died for a little while, nothing major though. =]

Haha! Someone still has a sig I made for them!

I'll ask again, England. Why do you want a desktop if you're going to college?