XPosted from Computer Help

[studgear]

Sorry if this doesn't belong here and mods feel free to move/delete it.

I made the following post in the computer help forum and have received little advice. In addition, I'm curious what you other ssnl ballers are running.

Here it is:

Hey guys,

So, for the past year or so I've been 6-tabling on a laptop and I think its time to move to a desktop with dual monitors. I need some advice.

To give you a little background, poker will be my primary use for the machine. I plan on ~8tabling while running PT, PAHud, using some bet pot hot keys etc. Occasionally I'll watch movies on it too. I'm not big into computer games so thats not an issue at all.

I've also heard that 20'1" monitors are what is necessary in order to 4 table on each screen without overlap or having to shrink tables, but I really don't know how accurate that information was.

I'm not looking for anything too extravagant but would like this to last me at least a couple years and easily fulfill what I'm looking for.

Like I said, I'm a complete noob with technology so in addition to posting recommended spec's, I would appreciate it if you could lead me (Possibly links?) to actual computer's that would be sufficient, and then also recommendations on which monitors to get with them.

Thanks in advance,

SG

[deaders]

All you need is any relatively new computer with say 1 gig of ram and a decent $150ish video card that can support 2 monitors if you decide you want to add another monitor at some stage. As for the monitor any 20" + lcd screen would be fine, although one that supports 1600x1200 resolution would be ideal.

[OHFreak]

Samsung 204B is a sweet 20.1" LCD that does 1600x1200. Beautiful pitcher too.

As far as the computer itself, any Core 2 Duo (I'm partial to the E6600) based machine with 1-2 gigs RAM, 160gb HDD and at least a 7600GS w/256mb video RAM will be sufficient. Everything else is window dressin'.

[kidpokeher]

Computers are fast enough now that even the "cheap" ones can do everything you want to do with them, esp if you don't play the latest games.

That said, PT can be a real resource hog and slow down your system when your files start getting big. I like getting a decent computer that'll last me a while with good specs up front so I don't have to upgrade later. I'll also stay a step or two behind the curve so I can get a computer that's only 10-15% slower than the latest and greatest for half the price.

If you're looking for a setup like that, a system with Core2Duo processor (even the cheap ones), 2GB RAM, and Western Digital Raptor drives for fast data transfer will give you plenty of power. Anything by ATI or nVidia for video will work for poker. I prefer nVidia solely because ATI's drivers are crappy and double the startup time of XP. Either company is good, though. Integrated video is meh. I also have the Samsungs OHFreak is talking about. If you play on Stars you can get them with points. This is a good "bang for the buck" system. Search around and you should be able to get a setup like this for ~$1K or less excluding monitor.

If you don't want to spend as much, again, even cheap computers will work but you'll probably be wanting to get another or you'll need to upgrade something in a year or two. What deaders recommends is fine.

[smellmuth]

can someone do a mock-up system, with say a budget of 1k and assume i have enough points for the dual samsungs from stars?

thanx in advance

[kidpokeher]

I have no experience with this company or their computers, but this one has good specs. Dell may be able to beat the price, I'm not sure.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...61&CatId=0

Also built this one here for $1088
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?Base=2476033#

Systemax™ Venture™ VX2S B63 Intel® Based Build-to-Order vPro Desktop PC

Printers: No Printer Selected
CD/DVD Drives: No Second Optical Drive Selected
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Network Adapter
Keyboards / Mice / Input: No Mouse Selected
Software: No Software Bundle Selected
Modems: No Modem Selected
Monitors: No Monitor Selected
Speakers: No Speakers Selected
Software: Computer Associates eTrust InoculateIT Anti-Virus
Warranty: No Floppy Drive Selected
Removable Data Storage: No Card Reader Selected
Accessories: 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty w/ 1 Year Onsite
Accessories: NTFS File System
Power Protection: No Surge Suppressor
CD/DVD Drives: 16X DVD+/-R/RW Dual Layer Drive w/Cyberlink
Digital Cameras: No Camera Selected
Accessories: Integrated Firewire Port
Power Protection: No Power Protection
Memory: 2GB DDR2 PC4200 Non-ECC Memory (1GB x 2)
Cables: No Cable
Wireless Networking: No Wireless Router
Keyboards / Mice / Input: Microsoft Wireless Optical Keyboard/Mouse Combo
Accessories: No Internet Access Service
Accessories: FREE 2-Month Spare Backup Online Data Backup
Accessories: Black Venture Label
Power Supplies: 500 Watt Power Supply
Computer Cases: Micro ATX Chassis Base
Accessories: Systemax Apex mATX Branding Pack
Video / Graphics Cards: GeForce 7300GS 256MB PCI-Express (1DVI / 1VGA)
Hard Disk Drives: 250GB 7200RPM 3G SATA II Hard Drive
Software: Windows XP Professional
Processors: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2M Processor
Motherboards: Intel DQ965GFKR mATX Motherboard
Desktop Computers: Systemax Venture VX2 B63
Components: Integrated 6 Channel High Definition Audio
Software: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Recovery CD
Accessories: Intel vPro Bezel Label