Rigin1

I am by no means a computer expert. So I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is a good computer for $1400. I don't do anything special online besides play games. Just need a good home computer that I wont have to replace next Christmas.
Custom Presario 8000T PC
- 3.0 GHz (HT) Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4
- Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition
- 1GB DDR / PC3200 (2 DIMM)
- 160 GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA Hard Drive
- 16X DVD-ROM Drive
- FREE UPGRADE to 4X DVD RW/ R
- 3.5 in. 1.44MB Floppy Drive
- 128MB DDR NVIDIA GeForceFX(TM) 5600 with TV-out
- Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card with Front Audio ports
- JBL Platinum Speakers w/ Digital Audio Port
- Presario Keyboard & Optical Scroll Mouse
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money 2003/Encarta

thanks

Rigin

mirdorr

Are the Presario's still notebooks? You'll need a big monitor, which will seriously jack up the price.

Rigin1

It is a desktop. It comes with a 17 inch flat screen monitor as opposed to a flat panel monitor. I was told to go with a flat screen cause its better for gaming.

mirdorr

Someone lied to you. Unless you're getting a really expensive flatscreen - and you can bet that you aren't.

Grift3r

Sounds about right. If you're gonna go mail order you might as well compare with IBM and, dare I say, Dell. As long as you stick with the Business Grade machines you should be fine. Do Not buy an entry level pc from any vendor. There is a reason why they are less expensive. . . .trust me.

Grift3r

It is indeed a desktop:

<a href="http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/prodserv.html" target="_new">Click on link in page</a>

Rigin1

Not sure what you mean by someone lied to me?


this is the monitor: compaq fs7550 17" flat display

Willgatus Airslasher

First off, get a 2.8Ghz processor. About 150 bucks' difference between that and a 3.0, and I somehow doubt the improvement is even notable.

If you insist on getting the package down there, it looks overpriced by at least 300 bucks. You might also want to make sure that it has a spare slot for a modem or network card.

If you plan on playing LOMAC/HL2/STALKER on decent settings when they come out, go for an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro. The $380ish dollar price tag is the only real downside. If you just play EQ, get something cheaper than that Geforce.

Good luck!

mirdorr

The person who told you to go with a flat screen because they're better for gaming. They're not - but there are now flat screens that are just about as good as CRT's for gaming. They're just expensive, and you're most likely not going to get one of the good ones in any kind of vendor package.

Grift3r

I think there is some confusion on the Flat Screen/Flat Panel discussion.

A Flat Screen is still a CRT. Just that the CRT is flat.

A Flat Panel is LCD.

CRT > LCD when it comes to gaming but the gap is narrowing with each subsequent LCD panel innovation.

Good point on the processor. Depending on the FSB speed the 2.8 would actually outperform the 3.06. 2.8 is on 200MHz and 3.06 is on a 166MHz. Something to consider anyway.