Buying new PC any opinions will be helpful

[Bronx]

I need to buy a new PC, your opinions will be very helpful.

How does this one sound?

Intel Pentium 4 Processor 519K (3.06GHz) / 512MB of PC3200 DDR2 SDRAM / LightScribe Double Layer DVD Writer / Monitor Not Included

Includes: HP scroller mouse, HP multimedia keyboard, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, HP Image Zone Plus, WinDVD 5, Microsoft Works 8, Office Student & Teacher Edition 2003 (60-day trial), & more. HP Pavilion a1120n Desktop PC - This desktop PC has some cool features that will making it easier to be creative. The Double Layer DVD writer features Lightscribe technology. LightScribe uses the Laser of the DVD Drive to etch a custom label onto the surface of your CD or DVD discs. Giving you a Professional look you'll never get from a label. Also, there's a built-in, front panel, 9-in-1 Digital media card reader. Making it super easy to get your digital photos onto your Computer for Editing and printing. Never again will you have to mess with a camera cable, or waste precious Battery life transferring photos!
Monitor Not Included
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 519K (3.06GHz)
1MB of L2 Cache
533MHz FSB
512MB of PC3200 DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 4GB)
4 RAM Slots (2 available)
200GB 7200RPM SATA HDD
LightScribe Double Layer DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 2.4x DL DVD+R, 40x CD-R, & 24x CD-RW
LightScribe Double Layer DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM
48x CD-ROM Drive
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with up to 128MB of shared Video Memory (memory is taken from the main system's RAM)
Intel High Definition Audio (8 speaker configurable)
Built-in Front Panel 9-in-1 Memory Card Reader - Smart Media, xD Picture Cards, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, Micro Drive, Memory Stick, & Memory Stick Pro
56K Fax Modem
Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 7 USB 2.0 (3 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, & Microphone/Headphone/Line-in (front)
Slots - 3 PCI (2 available)
Bays - 2 External 5.25" (1 available) / 1 External 3.5" (available) / 1 Internal 3.5" (occupied)

Thanks.

[Forum Troll]

What are you going to use the machine for? Your main use really determines the specs you need.

[yoda313]

Hi,

One note no AGP slot so you won't be able to get the highest graphics card for gaming. Other than that it looks really good

Kevin

[e404pnf]

One note no AGP slot so you won't be able to get the highest graphics card for gaming...

My thoughts exactly!

Also with the graphics coming from shared memory ("Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with up to 128MB of shared Video Memory") your original 512MB is down to just 384MB - may we worth up grading this from the outset (Memory is dirt cheap, and you have 2 spare slots).

If you don't mind me asking, how much is this going to set you back? Just to get an idea of its value.

- e404pnf

[redwudz]

I always like to have 2 hard drives. A smaller one for the OS and programs and a larger one for video and file storage. This is assuming video use for the computer.

[Bronx]

Thank you all for your replies.

I want to use the computer for mostly for video editing.

It will cost $650.00 (minus) $50.00 mail-in rebate $599.00.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4046314.

[smearbrick1]

I would definately forego the whole integrated graphics thing and try to get one with either AGP or PCI Xpress (slots, not integrated). A second hard drive would be nice. Plus, I would ditch the 48x CD-ROM drive in favor of DVD-Rom drive.

[Bronx]

I will be replacing the cd-rom with a new Lite-on DVD-rom.

As for the extra hard drive and additional memory, I will add a new HDD and memory later on.

Can I build a similar computer for the same price?

[budz]

I will be replacing the cd-rom with a new Lite-on DVD-rom.

As for the extra hard drive and additional memory, I will add a new HDD and memory later on.

Can I build a similar computer for the same price?

I just built a computer for a cousin that consists of the following components: P4 2.53ghz Northwood processor, ASUS P4P800SE motherboard, Corsair (2) 512mb DUAL CHANNEL PC3200 memory, BENQ 1620 DVDRW, LITEON COMBO CD/DVDROM, SEAGATE 160 gb hard drive, SONY FLOPPY drive, COOLER MASTER 80mm case fans (2), ANTEC 120 mm case fan (1) and a ANTEC SLK2650 BQE CASE w/350 Power supply. The total cost was $640.00.

If you can build your own computer that would be the way to go. You'll be able to put in the components that you want and not have bloated software that comes with prebuilt computers. I got the Seagate 160 gb hard drive for $40.00 after rebates!

[Bronx]

Budz,

Did you buy an OS?

[budz]

Yes, I did but I purchased it from Compuplus.com because it was cheaper than Newegg.com. Go figure!

[Poppa_Meth]

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4043086

Much better rig for the same price. Of course an AMD CPU may not be the way to go if you are using it primarily for video encoding.

[Bronx]

I have been told e-machines are not to reliable.

Budz, thanks for the reply.

[Poppa_Meth]

Not true. Emachines are far better than HP IMO and actually have decent tech support. They are owned by Gateway now. It's been many years since Emachines was problematic.

[Bronx]

What Emachines PC would you recommend besides the one you linked.

[yoda313]

Not true. Emachines are far better than HP IMO and actually have decent tech support. They are owned by Gateway now. It's been many years since Emachines was problematic.

Hi,

Ditto to that. I've had my emachine for nearly a year now and no problems with it.

Kevin

[Trident5]

looks good but i think your biggest problem is going to be ram and not the video. buy as much ram as your pocket book well allow you. this well help with doing your video editing as this can eat up lots of memmory.. I do video editing and picuture restoration myself and find it takes loads of ram especialy for picture restoration and i have 1 gig and still run out mem...virtual ram is slow ass take it from me...Boost the ram as much as you can

[Bronx]

With the HP I put up to 4 gigs of RAM.

The Emachines 2 Gigs.

thanks everyone for your input. I am going with the HP.

Muchas Gracias......