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6703
January 20th, 2004 16:00
System Design
Hello, I am looking for some assistance in setting up a Dell desk top system. I am looking for best deal on a system that will cover all of the basics and also provide me with the ability to burn DVD's from my Sony mini DV camera and burn cd's. Please help.
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NVRambo
1.9K Posts
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January 20th, 2004 16:00
If you're planning to edit/store large video files, I'd suggest you take a look at the Dimension 8300. Get only the 2nd or 3rd fastest CPU listed ( to save $$$ ), and load the system with at least 1gb of RAM.
You might also consider having a 1394 firewire/firewave PCI card installed so as to transfer large files to the PC as fast as possible.
General answer. Hope it helps.
Jason98036
317 Posts
0
January 20th, 2004 17:00
Either the 4600 or the 8300 should both work equally well for your needs. No need for a top-end CPU, but you'll want to maximize memory. Try for at least 1GB ram. If you won't be gaming, a low end graphics card should be adequate, but don't go the on-board video option, as that draws resources from the CPU and memory. Same with the sound card, although the sound card uses far fewer resources.
A larger hard drive is a plus, but I would probably recommend not going too big with the Dell units, and instead buy a second hard drive later. With rebates, you can usually get an excellent quality Maxtor or Seagate at a decent price, and it should be more reliable and have an 8MB cache (better performance than the HD w/ 2MB cache that Dell ships).
Check which cables your cam provides, and buy ports accordingly. The systems comes w/ USB 2.0, but you may need to add a firewire port if the cam uses that.
If not gaming, then the monitor is personal preference. If gaming, the CRTs are better than flat panel.
Wireless mice and keyboards are nice; but don't forget that they will require periodic battery changes.
Francis Nguyen
953 Posts
0
January 20th, 2004 17:00
If you're going to make music CDs and DVDs from your Sony Camera, then I would stick with an average PC. No need to waste $ on a Pentium IV (hard core gamers and DVD rippers territory). From what I've read in the DVD forum, Dell's DVD burners stink. There are many excellent 8x DVD burners out there (TDK, Plextor, etc). Add this DVD drive to an Athlon XP 2600 PC at Costco (emachine model number C2684...$500). Total cost of both items is around $700. Don't forget that Costco has an EXCELLENT return policy. No stupid shipping/restocking FEE.
My nephew has the C2684. It's a lot of PC for only $500 (solid case, 256MB, CD writer, DVD ROM, AGP slot, high speed USB, firewire, 80GB HD, etc...).
The NEC FE700 is an excellent 17" CRT monitor...$130 with 3 year warranty.
F.