Help me choose a new PC

[GonzoStyle]

my friend works for the geek squad but he has a really bad BO problem and is always scratching himself.

[Goatweed]

I would never let one of those assholes look at my PC, much less repair it.

[Keyser Soze]

[Goatweed]

exactly

[HedCold]

its amazing the prices they charge for some things

[Keyser Soze]

and amazing how many idiots actually do pay it.

[GonzoStyle]

so this is the one I settled on.

eMachines Media Center Desktop with AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3500+

Model: T6524



This desktop's 8-in-1 digital media manager and Windows XP Media Center 2005 software make it easy to transfer digital photos and play digital music. If games are your thing, you'll enjoy how the graphics bring your favorite games to life.

Maximize Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 so you can watch and record live TV! Check out a PC for Home Entertainment with a TV tuner built-in! (Learn more about Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.)
AMD Athlon™ 64 processor 3500+* with 64-bit platform; 2000MHz system bus with Enhanced Virus Protection for Windows XP SP2, and HyperTransport™ Technology


1GB PC3200 DDR memory for multitasking power, expandable to 4GB


Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL media; 48x maximum speed CD-ROM drive

Product Features








AMD64 technology provides simultaneous support for 32-bit and 64-bit computing, including today's 32-bit and tomorrow's 64-bit software




512KB L2 cache memory for efficient system processing




200GB hard drive (7200 rpm)




ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 graphics with PCI Express expansion slot and up to 128MB DDR shared video memory; Dolby 5.1-channel support (6-channel sound)




7 total high-speed USB 2.0 ports, including one in the integrated 8-in-1 digital media manager; also supports CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and Microdrive




2 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interfaces, front and rear accessible, for fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity




Built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet networking interface with RJ-45 connector; V.92 high-speed data/fax modem




Multimedia keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse and amplified stereo speakers

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system preinstalled; software package included with Microsoft Picture It! 10, CyberLink PowerDVD, Nero 6 Suite and more

[Jack]

Heres a little bit more detailed spec for you...

T6524 Minitower, AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, 200GB Hard Drive, 16X DVD+/-RW and 48X CD-Rom Drives, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Manufacturer: eMachines
Mfg Part #: T6524
CompUSA SKU: 333290
Category: Computers » Home PCs
Product Code: A01
CompUSA Price: $649.99




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Information:

Performance and Digital Entertainment

The eMachines T6524 desktop PC provides a cutting-edge, digital entertainment and gaming experience through 64-bit computing, 1GB DDR memory and high performance graphics. The T6524 incorporates an AMD Athlon™64 3500+ Processor and ATI RADEON® Xpress 200 PCI graphics for amazing performance when playing the latest 3D games and running advanced digital media applications.

Microsoft® Windows® Media Center Edition 2005 enhances your entertainment experience by providing a simple interface for enjoying all of your photos, music, movies and games in one, convenient place. The T6524 provides a powerful digital experience with features such as DVD+/-RW multi-format Double Layer drive, separate CD-ROM, 200GB hard drive and an 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager.

Optical Drive Speeds:
This model features two optical drives:
a Double Layer DVD+/-RW drive
Create a Double Layer DVD+R at a maximum 4X Write speed
Create a DVD-R at a maximum 16X Write speed or a maximum 6X Rewrite speed
Create a DVD+R at a maximum 16X Write speed or a maximum 8X Rewrite speed
Play a DVD at a maximum 16X Read speed
Create a CD-Rom at a maximum 40X Write speed
Create a CD-RW at a maximum 24X Rewrite speed
Play a CD-Rom at a maximum 40X Read speed
a CD-Rom Drive
Play a CD-Rom at a maximum 48X Read speed
Notes:
A 8-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader is included.
A 1.44MB 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive is not included.


Processor Brand: AMD
Processor Class: Athlon 64
Processor Number: 3500+
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
Bus Speed: 2 GHz
L2 Cache Size: 512 KB
Memory Speed: PC3200 (400MHz)
Memory Technology: DDR-SDRAM
Installed Memory: 1 GB
Maximum Memory: 4 GB
Hard Drive Capacity: 200 GB
Drive Controllers: IDE (Ultra ATA/DMA)
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Card Slots: Memory Stick Pro
SmartMedia Card
Secure Digital(SD)/MMC
CompactFlash Card
MicroDrive
Memory Stick
Sound Support: 6 Channel Premium Audio
Video Chipset Brand: ATI
Video Chipset: RADEON XPRESS 200 IGP
Video Bus: PCI Express x16
Video Integration: Motherboard
Shared Video RAM (Max): 128 MB
Monitor Included: No
Port Connectors: 7 USB 2.0 (2 in front, 1 in Media Manager, 4 in back)
1 VGA External Connector
2 IEEE 1394 (1 in front, 1 in back)
1 Parallel
2 PS/2 (Keyboard and Mouse)
1 RJ-11 Modem
1 RJ-45 Ethernet LAN
5 Audio (2 in front, 3 in back)


PCI Slots: 3
PCI Express x16 Slots: 1
Slots Notes: 2 PCI and 1 PCI Express x16 open


Additional Drives: DL DVD+/-RW
CD-ROM
External 3.5 Bays: 1
External 5.25 Bays: 2
External Bays Notes: None open


Internal 3.5 Bays: 3
Internal Bays Notes: 2 open

Network Support: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
Modem Speed: 56 Kbps
Input Devices: Keyboard
2 Button Wheel Mouse
Installed Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Included Software: Productivity Software:
Microsoft® Works 8.0
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
Microsoft® Money 2005
Microsoft® Encarta Online
Digital Media Software:
Microsoft® Windows Media Player 10
CyberLink® PowerDVD
RealNetworks RealPlayer®
Nero 6 Suite
Microsoft Picture IT! 10
Quicktime
eMachines Internet Security Shield:
Norton Internet Security™ 2005 (90-day complimentary trial)
McAfee Anti-Spyware 2005 (30-day complimentary trial)
eMachines BigFix® –identifies and resolves problems that affect the system before they occur


In the Box: Premium Multimedia Keyboard
2-Button Wheel Mouse
Amplified Stereo Speakers


Chassis Style: Tower (Mini)
Height: 14.3 in
Width: 7.3 in
Depth: 16.0 in
Weight: 23.0 lbs
Limited Warranty: 1 Year (12 Months)

[Gooch]

definately a good choice. as my great grandmother used to say: "Use it in good health."

ok...here is what i am contemplating this holiday season...

ENVISION/AOC HD-READY LCD TV/Monitor



17 or 27 inch


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or

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[HedCold]

i <3 my 20 inch dell widescreen

[Gooch]

there is a deal on that currently, too. but i wanted a HD-ready capability, unless yours a different one.



Dell 2005FPW 20.1" Wide LCD Monitor for $334.25 Shipped

Dell Small Business has the UltraSharp 2005FPW 20.1-inch Wide Aspect Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand and 3-Year Warranty for a very low price.

Click here for Monitor from Dell Small Business
There should be an automatic Discount : -$144.75

ADD COUPON: Coupon Price : -$100.00 | Code : 63C1JBV4XV1VMD
Final Price : $334.25 Shipped Free

((EDIT*)) strike the coupon...looks like Dell is trying not to honor it.



Edited By Gooch on 1133282846

[Keyser Soze]

gonzo already picked up a new monitor.

[HedCold]

i got mine a while back for 422 after taxes. but yea, it doesn't have hd capabilities. it has vga, dvi, s video and composite inputs. i don't have a dvi port on my video card, but it still looks good with vga. if you were able to get in on that coupon for 350 its an awesome deal.
if i hadn't just bought this i would have tried to get in on one of those dell pc + 24 inch dell monitor deals for ~$1000. that monitor has hd inputs. usually they have a sale on them for around $750.

i hate having to use a square monitor at work

[Charles Manson]

i have 18000000 boggiewatts thingamabob

[GonzoStyle]

spoiled guinea brats.

[Keyser Soze]

my desktop is still a sony vaio with a celeron 600mhz , 256 MB of RAM, but most of the time im using my thinkpad which is a 1.7ghz pentium m with a gig of ram.

[Jack]

My desktop is a custom built, Pentium 4 3.4Ghz Hyper Thread, with 3 GB of DDR2 PC4300.

[GonzoStyle]

yeah my cousin told me get like 2gb of ram and a larger hard drive.

I said, nigro, I have 63mb of ram and a 25gb hard drive, this will be like taking 30 steps on the evolutionary ladder for me, slow down.

[HedCold]

with azareus you need all that ram

[GonzoStyle]

I am now using the new torrent client you told me about, a world of difference. I can't even type that weird first letter but I looked under mtorrent like u said and found it.