Opinions please

I just bought this system and would like some opinions from you wonderfully intelligent and more knowledgeable people than myself people. Is this a decent gaming computer? Is this a decent computer for working on photo's? Is it a decent all around computer? What additions or substitutions would you make?

I intend to buy a graphics hard with double the MB and put in two of them if possible.

Thanks for the opinions and ideas all.

Cheers.

Inspiron 530,Intel Core2 processor Q9400 (2.66Ghz 1333FSB) w/Quad Core Technology and 6MB cache

4GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz

256MB Radeon HD 2600 XT

500GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive(7200RPM)

16X DVD-ROM and 16X DVD+/-RW

Here are the items I am interested in knowing about. The sound needs upgraded and I will probably need better than 45.00 speakers at some point but the dollars have to spent as needed.

Thanks again.

 

Re: I will try this Forum since Hardware did not work out at all.

Looks fine, although I'd up the graphics card as that isn't the best out there for games.

Photo editting? Get a mac, seriously

 

Re: I will try this Forum since Hardware did not work out at all.

Actually, you're got it the wrong way round. A mac can do anything a PC can do, simply because Macs can run windows. A PC cannot (legally) run OSX.

 

Re: I will try this Forum since Hardware did not work out at all.

Looks great, just might want to up the graphics card a bit. If money is no concern, check out the nVidia GTX 280. Its one of the fastest, if not the fastest, single card on the market. If not, SLI some 9800s are you're good to go!

 

Okay, let me answer your questions in the order you posed them: gaming-YES, Photos-YES, decent-YES As for the sound, according to the spec sheet (link below) you have integrated 7:1 , which should be quite sufficient for gaming. But then again, the sound will only be as good as your speakers. When you ordered this machine, did you have it 'upgraded' before you received it? The only reason I ask is because the spec sheet's specs are just a little different than what you posted. Then again, like most machines, there are probably varying 'sub models' for the 530. Irregardless, you have a damn nice machine and should serve you well for quite sometime:cool

On a different note, I noticed that you're from Hershey, Pa. I'm originally from Lancaster, but have been down here for a number of years. We're planning a trip to Lancaster next Summer....I just HAVE got to ride that new roller coaster at Hershey Park!! I saw it on the Discovery channel and that thing looks wicked. I'm sure that that coaster has a tendency to relive one of some 'protein matter'uke, but I still have to try it. I just won't eat for about 2 hours before I board it....problem solved:confused

Here's that link http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-inspiron-530/4507-3118_7-32953389.html?tag=mncol;psum

 

Sorry Stubby. I totally disagree. Comp, that whole setup is junk! I think you should just box it up and send it to me. I will dispose of the POS for you!

Just joking of course comp, I am not familliar with the video card, but that looks like a sweet system. You might want to try some benchmarks on it. Some programs like 3DMark and such will let you compaire your system to others. That should give you an idea of what needs to be upgraded for better performance.

 

roflmao Fred_G, there's only one of you, and that's only because the world isn't ready for 2 of you...yet!!:-D However, that was a good reply and I just wish I would have thought of it! Typical me, 'a day late and a dollar short':cry

Seriously, Fred_G did bring up a good point about running a comparative program. That way you'll be able see what, if anything, you'd need to upgrade. I should have thought of that, but if I think, I'd have to act and if I act only God knows what I'd screw-up! So, problem solved....I don't think!!

 

Thanks to all!! I kind of figured that I would have to do something about the graphics card at some point. I am hoping there is another slot so that I can another one. If not I will have to wait a little bit and upgrade from that one. Built a system on Falcon and nearly screwed up my pants when it was done, though it cost 15K and that is just wee bit out of my financial reality scope's range.

 

15K!!!:*** Man, when you 'design' a computer, you don't play around, do ya?? Ah, wait a minute, I see now why it costs that much...you had to also build a special room with 5" steel walls, ventilation system, vault-like door, and 10 attack trained Pit-Bulls on 24 hour guard around the perimeter, right? I figure if you're going to build a 15K 'puter, you'll need a safe place to keep it!! But don't worry, because after a month or so you'll be able to get rid of the Pit-Bulls because it'll be outdated!:cry

 

Re: I will try this Forum since Hardware did not work out at all.

Unfortunately the motherboard does not support that graphics card, I checked it out and I would like to have it, but oh well. Instead I am trying to determine if I can upgrade to the same card, only have the 512Mb instead of 256Mb. Hope it works out. Damn thing has been ordered for over a month now and it is still not delivered....freakin' Dell. I changed a few things on the system and they are in total disarray over it...:yum. You would think I asked a 4 year old to build it for me...heck a 4 year old today probably would have had it to me already..hehe.