Need Opinions on my new build please. Thank you.

Hello,

Thanks for checking out my thread and hopefully letting me know what you think of my system. I here that Dell can give you a nice system for not much money. I have also heard that when dealing with Dell it is wise to purchase a multi year warranty because they melt components to the motherboard? Is this true/bad?. Anyway, I think I have found the best possible system for my $1,500 and I am here to hopefully find out if I am making a good selection. But first let me say....

1.If you are paid or employed by Dell or any of the companies that you are recommending products for, please make this public knowledge on my thread. This will not negatively effect my view of your comments at all. I ask that you do this for the sake of transparency. Thank you for your respect.

2.I am looking for non-newbie posts, so if you really only know a little, please don't clutter up the thread. Thanks.

**************Below I will list my Dell build...

Studio 1537, Intel Core 2 Duo T9400, 2.53GHz, 1066Mhz, 6M L2Cache
4GB, DDR2, 800MHz 2 Dimm confused: does it matter that my RAM is 800MHz and not 1066 like my FSB)
Hi Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1920x1200)
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 confused:upper middle class card?)
250G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium Edition, English confused:32bit, I think)
8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced HD Software Edition
Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11AGNHalf Mini Card
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
Integrated Finger Print Reader
V220 Jet Black Cordless Optical USB Mouse

******Please take the comments below into consideration when posting your thoughts.

1.)I am not a gamer. The only game I would play on this notebook would be Return To Castle Wolfenstein and that game is a decade old, or will be soon.

2.)I plan to watch a lot of online content on this notebook including DVD movies from time to time and I would frequently have many web pages open at the same time.

3.) Do I want to go for the 64bit Vista if I really only plan to keep my notebook with 4Gigs and do the above stuff?

4.) I was told that its nice to have 1066Mhz over 800MHz, something about the "pipes" being twice as large. Is this, coupled with the 2.5Ghz processor, a pretty good bang for the buck?

Thank you for taking the time to read through all the stuff I wrote. To steal a line from my favorite film, The Shawshank Redemption "if you've come this far, maybe you're willing to come a bit further". I do hope you take the time to tell me what you think of this build for $1,500. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

 

We're talking about a laptop, right? When people say "new build" they're ususally talking about a desktop.

Let's start out with the specs: a 2.53 ghz dual core is pretty high end in laptops. It could handle just about anything you throw at it, even the latest games. A 250gb hard drive is going is a good size- I doubt you'll ever fill it up. Thats a LOT of music or photos. Movies do tend to eat up the space. 4 gb of ram will suit you well. Vista needs a lot more ram then XP. Note that if it is 32 bit vista, it will not utilize all your ram. 32 bit can only handle 4 gb of memory (this includes your ram and video card memory.) I'm not familiar with your video card, sorry.


Your system specs are good- probably even a little overkill for what you plan on using it for.

I know you can get a comparable laptop for less then $1500. When you buy direct from Dell- you pay alot for their logo. You also pay more b/c you can "customize" it- which is like saying that The size 10 Nike's you bought last week were "custom fit."

When I look for laptops- I start with a list of system specs. (cpu speed, hard drive space, RAM) www.newegg.com has a great search/narrow down feature. You can click around to find exactly what you're looking for. After you have it narrowed down to two or three models- search the web for a store with it on sale.

Also keep an eye out for sales and local flyers- look at cpu speed, hard drive space and ram- ignore all the other advertising gimmicks.

Hope I'm of help,
gimpster123

 

Yup, I agree. Overkill. I have a low end Dell D120 and it does all that you said you needed, though it is XP. I would suggest looking at something for half the price. You can get a good dual CPU for that price and put the rest in the bank.

 

4GB of RAM and Vista 32 bit don't work together. You will only be able to use 3.5GB or so due to the 32 bit OS limitations. Check your OS, you need 64 bit one for 4GB RAM.

For a lot less than $1500 you can get a good deal on a laptop of simular equipment.

For about a grand less, check this out: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...p=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960