Gaming recommendations?

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@rlmalmberg wrote:

Just ordered from outlet:

 

XPS Gen 3 P4 Processor 550 3.40 GHz, 800 FSB

1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 533 MHz

160 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive

128 MB PCI Express ATI Radeon X800SE

Sound Blaster Audigy 2(D) 2/Dolby 5.1 and IEEE 1394 capability

16X DVD ROM

16X DVDRW w/dbl layer write

Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse

No Raid

 

This is for my 14 yr old son for Christmas.  He's a big gaming enthusiast, graduating from a P3 HP Pavilion, 80 GB Hard Drive, with a GeForce 5200.

 

Because it was from the outlet it was pre-configured as shown above.  Seeking comments/recommendations for needed changes/upgrades to the system.  My daughter has suggested that I might want to buy another keyboard/mouse because of lag concerns with the wireless set.  Is that a valid concern?

 

What about the video card?  Is this sufficient? 

 

Thanks,

Lynn

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Once I asked my dad if I could have a car, and he said yes.  Go get a job and buy yourself a car.  You are a very nice father giving your son this very good system.  I cannot see anything to upgrade to at this time.  He should be very pleased and thankful, having a father like you.  As far as the keyboard and mouse upgrade.  Only a valid concern  for a gaming kid, not for us grown ups.   Let him do some chores around the house and think about the upgrade later.  He should be very happy with it :smileyvery-happy:  

Dim 4400 ( June 2002 )
2.6 ghz (upgrade from 1.7 ghz)
768 MB 2100 DDR Memory
Gainward Ti 4200 128 MB Nvidia
XP Home plus SP-2
17 inch Dell LCD monitor (1703 FP)
48 X CDRW

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@SR45 wrote:

...You are a very nice father giving your son this very good system.... 

 

 

Actually, I'm a very nice mother  :womanvery-happy:

He's a good egg...straight As, no disciplinary issues, and never asks for anything (unlike his older sister who has a list a mile long).  The system cost me less than a grand, so I feel pretty good about it.

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate the validation. 

Lynn

 

 

The only thing you might want to upgrade is the video card. Depending on what types of games your son will be playing, you might want to go with a more powerful video card like the ATI Radeon X800 XT or Geforce 6800 GT (for Doom 3/Half Life 2). These video cards are still pretty expensive though. Other than that, good choice.

hahaha thats pretty funny

You aren't adopting, are you?  I don't eat much. :smileyhappy:

Great Xmas present!  Don't worry about the wireless set, I have the Dell wireless keyboard and mouse and play lots of games with no problems.  A previous poster mentioned the vid card--they are right that you could get a better vid card--but that'll run you $500, easy.  Don't worry about it--the x800SE and the whole system are lightyears ahead of your old one and the extra $500 would give you marginal improvement.

Your son is so lucky...:smileysad:  Hmm, maybe if I'm really nice to my wife...

 

Message Edited by AZtoSD on 12-02-2004 07:05 PM

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@rlmalmberg wrote:

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@SR45 wrote:

...You are a very nice father giving your son this very good system.... 

 

 

Actually, I'm a very nice mother  :womanvery-happy:

He's a good egg...straight As, no disciplinary issues, and never asks for anything (unlike his older sister who has a list a mile long).  The system cost me less than a grand, so I feel pretty good about it.

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate the validation. 

Lynn

 

 

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Sorry for that mom, Merry Christmas  :smileywink:

no worries.....

 

Thanks everyone for all the help!

The system is great and will allow for upgrading as improved (reasonably priced) components become available. Sounds like you and your son are communicating. Ask him in a couple months,

Jerry