Help ol\' Ness
 

I posted this in the computer forum, but i think its a bunch of weirdos down there.

Anyway, all help will be appreciated.




All,

I am going to buy a new computer.

Probably a desktop, buy I am open to a laptop as well (i already have one, i would like to get a decent (dual monitors perhaps [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]) set up.

Unofortunately, I do not know ANYTHING about computers (i mean less than a 8 yr old).

What do I get. I saw Dell had some pretty cool looking ones (one where you could hook your TV up to it [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]) for around 1100 w/20" monitor--it was the most expensive of the three my random clicking through fatwallet brought me to.

Should I just buy it?

Is there anything I need to make sure I have (memory, screen resolution, some internet doo hickey)? I assume they all come with windows and stuff right?

Thanks,

Ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

All,

I just read my post. My grammar, punctuation and spelling is indeed reflective of someone that graduate with an English degree (with honors [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img])

Now, help ol Ness.

Ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

ness,

check out www.slickdeals.net for deals they have on Dells.

you can buy a machine that'll do everything you want for supercheap.

.edit i noticed you checked out fat wallet

you want the largest monitor, at LEAST 1GB of ram.

most important thing for playing cards is the monitor, ram and cpu.

gfx card, harddrive, etc is less important for regular desktop usage.

do you plan on gaming?

.edit oops missed the dual monitor - you'll need a gfx card that supports dual monitors so integrated gfx is out.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Move this to OOT or Computer Technical help.

That said, I'd just watch fatwallet.com / gotapex.com for a good dell deal with a coupon.

The only minimums you should really consider:
- 512mb of ram (1gb preferrably)
- no integrated vid card, make sure it has a PCI-express slot (or AGP)


You should be able to get a nice system w/ 19" lcd monitor for around $500-600.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

I think all the new desktops, exept for maybe the cheapos, have dual monitor support. Just make sure the graphics cards is a decent ATI or Nvidia 3D card.

I haven't had a laptop in a while so i dont know, but i wouldn't think dual monitor support is standard.

Call dell, they are decent about having english speaking people to explain what the systems have.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Move this to OOT or Computer Technical help.

That said, I'd just watch fatwallet.com / gotapex.com for a good dell deal with a coupon.

The only minimums you should really consider:
- 512mb of ram (1gb preferrably)
- no integrated vid card, make sure it has a PCI-express slot (or AGP)


You should be able to get a nice system w/ 19" lcd monitor for around $500-600.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Z,



Thanks for the input.

I cross posted here because this is the only forum with regular posters that I have any direct communication with.

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Ness,
How much do you have to spend. I recommend getting a LAPTOP but if all you do is play poker then a crappy DELL is just fine.

However I recommend checking out newegg.com

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ness,
How much do you have to spend. I recommend getting a LAPTOP but if all you do is play poker then a crappy DELL is just fine.

However I recommend checking out newegg.com

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, very good question.

Well, I am pretty cheap, so around 1K would be nice.

THanks,

ness

I prob won't do much other than play cards, surf web, download and burn some movies and cds.

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

I custom built mine last summer. Used an AMD athlon chip (instead of pentium), and the rest was standard.

Minimum for a multitabling poker addict [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
- Pentium 4 or AMD athlon 64 3000+ processor
- video card with dual outputs, preferrably DVI but VGA is OK.
- 1GB+ ram
- two lcd monitors with 1600x1200 resolution (dell 2001fp is a good/cheap choice)


This is the bare minimum for a good fast poker machine. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I can PM you my setup in more detail if you are interested in the custom setup. Factory made PCs are generally cheaper but you get less flexibility. I learned about most of this stuff on
http://forums.anandtech.com/

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Dear ol' Ness,
What do you want to use it for? Just poker? Two screens of poker? Music, video, video games?

I think the only thing you really have to check is if you do want two displays then you need a video card that supports it.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

www.newegg.com and go to work buddy! best deals on the best equipment.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
www.newegg.com and go to work buddy! best deals on the best equipment.

[/ QUOTE ]

from the nature of his post, i seriously doubt he will be capable of building his own machine.

prefab is easily the better decision.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Dual monitor support for laptops is standard (one is built in and they all have a plug for a second). Go to tigerdirect.com for GREAT deals on refurbished computers for CHEAP. This is what I would have for minimum requirements.

-2.8 Ghz processor
-80 GB Hard Drive (at least)
-512 mb ram (preferrably 1028)

Everything else is up to you. I got a laptop w/ a DVD burner for 750 (and 17" widescreen)!!

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

It is on mine [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] But I'm not going to recommend my laptop to someone with a $1000 budget.

Sager 9860c
intel P4E 3.2GHZ
2gb Ram
17" WXGA Widescreen
nVidia GeForce GO6800 PCI Express 256MB DDR2
80GB Raid Serial ATA HD's :P

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

For a poker player, the biggest question is this:

How many tables will you be playing?

The answer to that question will determine what you need, and the critical pieces will be monitor and video card.

If you one or two table, any crappy comp will do the trick.
If you four-table, you'll want a 1600x1200 monitor with a video card that can run it. Dell apparently has an outstanding one -- their 20" LCD has become the multi-tabler's monitor of choice.
If you play more than four tables, you'll need dual monitors. For six-tabling, one monitor should be 1600x1200 and the other can be crappier, but for eight-tabling, both monitors should be 1600x1200 (this lets you play eight tables with no overlap).
Again, make sure that your video card can safely handle the load you'll be putting on it, because dual 1600x1200 monitors will need quite a bit of graphics card power to keep 'em going.

Everything else will probably be gravy for you. I agree that 1GB RAM is nice, especially if you run PT, PAHUD, and a couple other things while you play poker. Any new system will come with enough hard drive, sound card, internet connectivity, etc., to handle your needs, so these are really the only pieces you should worry about.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
It is on mine [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] But I'm not going to recommend my laptop to someone with a $1000 budget.

Sager 9860c
intel P4E 3.2GHZ
2gb Ram
17" WXGA Widescreen
nVidia GeForce GO6800 PCI Express 256MB DDR2
80GB Raid Serial ATA HD's :P

[/ QUOTE ]

Do I need to spend more than 1K?

I always see computers advertised for 500-1000, so I thought I could get something pretty good for a grand. No?

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Pokey,

I have multi-tabled with overlap on a laptop for as long as I have played online.

LOL.

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is on mine [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] But I'm not going to recommend my laptop to someone with a $1000 budget.

Sager 9860c
intel P4E 3.2GHZ
2gb Ram
17" WXGA Widescreen
nVidia GeForce GO6800 PCI Express 256MB DDR2
80GB Raid Serial ATA HD's :P

[/ QUOTE ]

Do I need to spend more than 1K?

I always see computers advertised for 500-1000, so I thought I could get something pretty good for a grand. No?

ness

[/ QUOTE ]

if you're getting a desktop, i doubt it.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you four-table, you'll want a 1600x1200 monitor with a video card that can run it. Dell apparently has an outstanding one -- their 20" LCD has become the multi-tabler's monitor of choice.
If you play more than four tables, you'll need dual monitors. For six-tabling, one monitor should be 1600x1200 and the other can be crappier, but for eight-tabling, both monitors should be 1600x1200 (this lets you play eight tables with no overlap).
Again, make sure that your video card can safely handle the load you'll be putting on it, because dual 1600x1200 monitors will need quite a bit of graphics card power to keep 'em going.


[/ QUOTE ]

so, if i call dell and tell them i need this + ! gig of RAM, will they send me what i need?

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

laptop wise you wont get much for $1,000, but desktop you can get a decent setup for 1,000. You're never going to have top of the line, but still nice. If you dont play games AT ALL you dont really have a need for the latest and greatest, but the next best will due you just fine. The NEWEST BEST 3D Video card will run you rougly $500 alone so look for something 2ish generations old.

www.newegg.com has GREAT stuff very cheap and its like best buy online only 10x's better with Wal-mart prices!

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Minimum for a multitabling poker addict [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
- Pentium 4 or AMD athlon 64 3000+ processor

[/ QUOTE ]

thats serious overkill on the processor front.

AFAIK poker isn't the most processor intensive activity out there [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I'm cheap and I built my new beastie based on an AMD Sempron 3gig chip .

If I planned to get back into hardcore 3d gaming again I'd go with Athlon (I'm also allergic to intel)

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
laptop wise you wont get much for $1,000, but desktop you can get a decent setup for 1,000. You're never going to have top of the line, but still nice. If you dont play games AT ALL you dont really have a need for the latest and greatest, but the next best will due you just fine. The NEWEST BEST 3D Video card will run you rougly $500 alone so look for something 2ish generations old.

www.newegg.com has GREAT stuff very cheap and its like best buy online only 10x's better with Wal-mart prices!

[/ QUOTE ]

I will not be playing any games on the comp other than poker.

Ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
ww.newegg.com has GREAT stuff very cheap and its like best buy online only 10x's better with Wal-mart prices!

[/ QUOTE ]

This first page gave me a headache and it looks like you need to know whats going on there.

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Tell them you want this monitor. Dell's asking $499 for it, but that's the one that gives most 4-tablers a woody. Beyond that, a standard, no-frills Dimension B110 with perhaps a couple upgrades (1 GB RAM, bigger HD, CD/DVD writer) and you're ready to rumble.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Tell them you want this monitor. Dell's asking $499 for it, but that's the one that gives most 4-tablers a woody. Beyond that, a standard, no-frills Dimension B110 with perhaps a couple upgrades (1 GB RAM, bigger HD, CD/DVD writer) and you're ready to rumble.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pokey,

the comp seems really cheap, you sure thats okay?

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Then check this box out.

Plenty of TV/Video OUTS which is what you want for Dual/Tripple Montior support.

HP Media Center m1170n Pentium 4 530(3.0GHz) 512MB DDR 200GB ATI Radeon X300 SE Windows XP Media Center 2005 - Retail

Cache Per Processor: 1MB L2 Cache
Colors: Black/Silver
Graphics: ATI Radeon X300SE 128MB DDR PCI-E (Express) interface I/O Ports: VGA, Composite, S-Video (S-VHS only - integrated tv encoder) TV-Out support
Hard Drive: 200 GB SATA 7200 rpm
Memory: 512 MB (2 x 256) PC3200
Optical Drive 1: 8x DVD(+/-)R/RW DL drive
Optical Drive 2: 16X DVD ROM
Processor: Pentium4 530 (P) HT 3.0 GHz
Processor Main Features: L1 Cache 12+16KB 800 MHz FSB Socket LGA775
Recommended Usage: Media Center

Model #: PJ466AA
Item #: N82E16883107019
** This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.
In Stock

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Ness,

Quick note: I forgot to mention the monitor.

Basically, if you're going LCD, the DVI monitors use an all-digital signal, and give better quality.

If you don't plan on playing many games, you can get some mid-range video cards that have DUAL DVI outputs for < $100.

This would be the way to go if you ever plan on adding an extra monitor, as analog LCD's kind of suck compared to full digital ones.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

LCD's suck period. CRT is the ONLY way to fly. Refresh rates, etc are FAR superior.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ness,

Quick note: I forgot to mention the monitor.

Basically, if you're going LCD, the DVI monitors use an all-digital signal, and give better quality.

If you don't plan on playing many games, you can get some mid-range video cards that have DUAL DVI outputs for < $100.

This would be the way to go if you ever plan on adding an extra monitor, as analog LCD's kind of suck compared to full digital ones.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks again Z.

All,

So if I go with the cheap comp pokey has suggested and the butter jams monitor + make sure i get 1 gig of ram and a dual monitor dvi thingy will I be in good shape?

Thanks a lot guys.

Ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

That basic Dell machine is perfectly adequate for poker.

up the RAM to 1gig - the HD to 160gig throw in reasonable speakers (if you plan to watch the movies on it) and the 20" screen and you hit almost $1k

Throw in another monitor and upgrade the gfx card so you can dual monitor(8-table) and you add another 700 sheets to the price.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Tell them you want this monitor. Dell's asking $499 for it, but that's the one that gives most 4-tablers a woody. Beyond that, a standard, no-frills Dimension B110 with perhaps a couple upgrades (1 GB RAM, bigger HD, CD/DVD writer) and you're ready to rumble.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pokey,

One more thing.

Can't I get the 2001FP somewhere for a lot cheaper? Is the new one that much better?

Thanks,

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
That basic Dell machine is perfectly adequate for poker.

up the RAM to 1gig - the HD to 160gig throw in reasonable speakers (if you plan to watch the movies on it) and the 20" screen and you hit almost $1k

Throw in another monitor and upgrade the gfx card so you can dual monitor(8-table) and you add another 700 sheets to the price.

[/ QUOTE ]

i think we are getting there fellas.

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
LCD's suck period. CRT is the ONLY way to fly. Refresh rates, etc are FAR superior.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not a huge fan of LCD's other.

Ness could potentially build a VERY inexpensive dual-CRT setup (you could probably get 2 decent 19" crt's for around $200 or so...the cost of one LCD)

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
LCD's suck period. CRT is the ONLY way to fly. Refresh rates, etc are FAR superior.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not a huge fan of LCD's other.

Ness could potentially build a VERY inexpensive dual-CRT setup (you could probably get 2 decent 19" crt's for around $200 or so...the cost of one LCD)

[/ QUOTE ]

Z,

I am also concerned with how cool my set up looks.

CRTs=Not cool looking.

ness

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
Can't I get the 2001FP somewhere for a lot cheaper? Is the new one that much better?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ness actually I think the new one (2007) is getting some bad reviews so you might be right to go with the 2001FP, although I don't think the Dell website sells them new any more.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

This thread makes me sad. Right now I'm staring at the perfect poker set-up (dual 20" monitors, tons of RAM, best video card money can buy, etc). Too bad it's at work and my home set-up sucks. I guess I don't 8-table so it doesn't matter.

Ness: I concur that the standard Dell is perfect for poker. I've been overlapping 4-tables so i could imagine that the 20" monitor would be great.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
LCD's suck period. CRT is the ONLY way to fly. Refresh rates, etc are FAR superior.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only if you are into blindness.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

Overall, I think the best plan is:

Good (not insane) CPU
1gig ram
decent sized hard drive (120gb+)
dual-dvi vid card

It's also probably cheaper and a lot cooler to get 2 19" LCD's than 1 big fancy 21" one.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Minimum for a multitabling poker addict [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
- Pentium 4 or AMD athlon 64 3000+ processor

[/ QUOTE ]

thats serious overkill on the processor front.

AFAIK poker isn't the most processor intensive activity out there [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I'm cheap and I built my new beastie based on an AMD Sempron 3gig chip .

If I planned to get back into hardcore 3d gaming again I'd go with Athlon (I'm also allergic to intel)

[/ QUOTE ]

But high-screaming porn is soo much nicer.

Re: Help ol\' Ness
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's also probably cheaper and a lot cooler to get 2 19" LCD's than 1 big fancy 21" one.

[/ QUOTE ]