Which Computer to buy(Hp/Dell, AMD/Intel)

[TheProdigy]

Ok, so to start off I can get a $500 off coupon from dell which is absolutely amazing. So first:

Do you prefer HP or Dell?
Do you prefer AMD or Intel?

Keep in mind the main and basically only purpose is to play cards. I want to run PT and HM big time and they are very important. Also no lag as I may play videos

So, the Dell: $919
[ QUOTE ]

PROCESSOR AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 (1MB/2.0GHz)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
DISPLAY High Resolution, glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1920 x 1200)
VIDEO CARD ATI RADEON® Xpress1270 HyperMemory™
HARD DRIVE Speed: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE CD writer / DVD player (Combo Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USB Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
BATTERY OPTIONS 56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)


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HP:

Ok, I couldn't find any HP deals to compare with this, so if anyone knows any please tell me but I can't imagine it happening.

Should I wait for a better coupon code or is this one of the best deals that one can find? Thanks for your help guys!

[Josem]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, so to start off I can get a $500 off coupon from dell which is absolutely amazing. So first:

Do you prefer HP or Dell?

[/ QUOTE ]

I suspect that any difference between the two is pretty marginal.

$500 discount would blow HP out of the water by comparison.

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Do you prefer AMD or Intel?

[/ QUOTE ]

The techy forums (anandtech.com and extremetech.com etc.) prefer Intel at the moment. Their Core2Duo processors, price for price, are typically faster, cooler and less power intensive than AMD's equivalent.

[ QUOTE ]
Keep in mind the main and basically only purpose is to play cards. I want to run PT and HM big time and they are very important. Also no lag as I may play videos

[/ QUOTE ]
Exactly the same factors that made me choose my PC.

No processor retailed in the last 18 months is going to have any trouble with the sorts of video I think you're intending.

Only very high-res 1080p video is going to be an issue, and even then:
a) the size of the files (and your internet connection) is going to be more of a limiting factor

and

b) if you're wanting to watch high-def video, and get any value out of the high-def quality, you're going to be doing that and that alone (as opposed to play 8 tables at the same time) and your modern processor should be fine.

The high-end C2D processors should be able to watch normal video, play several tables, run old PT, PAHUD, and a couple of IM programs fine with minimal lag.

[ QUOTE ]

So, the Dell: $919
[ QUOTE ]

PROCESSOR AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 (1MB/2.0GHz)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
DISPLAY High Resolution, glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1920 x 1200)
VIDEO CARD ATI RADEON® Xpress1270 HyperMemory™
HARD DRIVE Speed: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE CD writer / DVD player (Combo Drive)
WIRELESS NETWORK CARDS Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
BLUETOOTH AND WIRELESS USB Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
INTEGRATED WEBCAM Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
BATTERY OPTIONS 56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)


[/ QUOTE ]

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Looks fine to me - although the processor is optimised for mobility (ie, battery life) rather than performance.

[TheProdigy]

Ok, after some review it seems like Intel is better now with the new Core2Duo's.


Some actually useful questions since I figured out these:

Is this much better?
[ QUOTE ]
nspiron 1720
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5450 (1.66GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition

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Ok, now also, I can spend like 1200(inc. coupon, so 1700 for the system). Should I upgrade? I am the type that should have extra cash sitting around so in a year or two I will buy a new comp, esp. if new things come out. I bought my current for 1300 and it is ok but the RAM is getting worse and many things are starting to go bad(I bought these right before core2duo/etc, so it is wayy out of date).

If I upgrade should I go 3gb/4gb of RAM, or upgrade the CPU, or do you think I would get significant performance from upgrading both? As you can see I can go up in price, but I think if it isn't going to show much improvement in performance then I am not going to do it.

Thanks again!

[funkyworms]

Get the fastest C2D CPU you can afford. Typically the 2nd best CPU will give you the best value. You will get more value from this than an additional gig of RAM.

[coopersmydog]

You're not going to see any difference going with Intel. I'd save the money and stick with AMD. This assumes you're only using it for poker, PT, HUD, etc.

Intel may benchmark slightly higher, but you're not going to notice it. You're not building a high-end gaming system or anything. Just save your money and stop reading a bunch of bias reviews online.

[TheProdigy]

So, even though 2gigs is recommended for Windows Vista and the CPU's are way above recommendation, I should go for the CPU?

I was just thinking since they recommend 2gb, then it means I am right on the borderline of good/bad for RAM, but like 3 above recommended for the CPU. Would 3rd best CPU + 3gig of RAM be better, or 2nd Best CPU and 2gb RAM?

Edit: Any way to get Windows XP instead? I don't like Vista much [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[TheProdigy]

So here are my main options:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
2GB DDR2 RAM

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
3GB DDR2 RAM

AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-64 (1MB/2.2GHz)
2GB DDR2 RAM(NOT Upgradeable to 3gb for some reason)

AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-66 (2.3GHz/1MB)
2GB DDR2 RAM

[TheProdigy]

Edit:

Stupidity kicked in. I asked about Apple's without looking them up.
N/M

[funkyworms]

what are the price differences between the AMD and intel.

[TheProdigy]

[ QUOTE ]
what are the price differences between the AMD and intel.

[/ QUOTE ]

Negligible. They are both in my price range.

Anyone have opinions on the ones? Can I look it up somehow? I just don't know what one I should get. I feel like maybe RAM because in this thread someone said to do CPU but everywhere I have looked it said RAM. Maybe it is because RAM helps a lower-end system more but CPU would help mine? TY for answers!