[TLL]

I'm not the best at technical spec's but basically i want a powerful machine so i can use Dazzle Platinium to play/record 360, do some video editing, play PC games and watch movies. I generally go for dell cos they just recommend a spec really but i was checkin out PCSpecialist http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/ and was thinking of orderin a machine with these spec's

Processor (CPU)


AMD ATHLON™ 64 X2 4000+ (2.1GHz) 2 x 512K L2 Cache (Socket AM2)

Memory (RAM)


1024 MB CORSAIR DDR2 667MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (2x512MB)

Motherboard


ASUS® M2A-VM: DUAL DDR2, SATA II, x16 VGA, 2 x PCI

Operating System


WINDOWS® VISTA Home Premium (inc Genuine CD & License) (£59)

USB Options


6 x USB 2.0 PORTS (4 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD

Memory - 1st Hard Disk


80GB SERIAL ATA II HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)

2nd Hard Disk


NONE

RAID (HDD 1 & 2)


NONE

1st CD/DVD Drive


20x DVD±RW/RAM/Dual Layer + Lightscribe (48 x CD-RW) (£16)

2nd CD/DVD Drive


NONE

Graphics Card


256MB RADEON HD 2600 PRO PCI Express + DVI + HDMI

2nd Graphics Card


NONE

Sound Card


6 Channel Realtek ALC883 High Definition Audio (Onboard)

Modem


NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND

Network Facilities


ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT

Floppy Disk Drive


1.44MB - 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive

Memory Card Reader


INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)

Case


Stylish Black/Silver Trident case + 2 front USB

Power Supply & Case Cooling


500W (Peak) Quiet Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£25)

Processor Cooling


STANDARD CPU COOLER

Firewire & Video Editing


NONE

TV Card


NONE

Monitor


NONE

2nd Monitor


NONE

DVI Cable


NONE

Keyboard & Mouse


NONE

Mouse


NONE

Speakers


NONE

Printer


NONE

Surge Protection


NONE

Webcam & VoIP


NONE

Media Center Kit


NONE

Anti-Virus


NONE

Office Software


NONE

Warranty


1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1st Month Free Collect & Return

Is this a good spec? (its all pretty much fully customizable

Edited by TLL, 17 September 2007 - 05:34 AM.

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Hi TLL!

If you want to edit videos and play games, I would suggest the following upgrades are in order:

1) Processor. Make it at least the 5600+, preferably the 6000+ version. This is especially important for video editing.
2) RAM. You would want minimum 2GB (2048MB) for Vista running smoothly and for games etc... I would even suggest going 800MHz over 667MHz for better performance.
3) Graphics Card. The Radeon 2600 Pro is an alright card, but not very good for games. I recommend you go for the ATI HD2900XT or an Nvidia 8800GTS (320MB) minimum.
4) Hard Drive. If you know you definitely won't need any more than 80GB, then it's fine, but really you should be looking at a 250GB minimum these days - especially for your video editing and stuff.

After a quick check of that website, I'm surprised at the range of components offered. They are selling last-years products, I really cannot recommend buying outdated components.

Any more questions, feel free to ask!

[Troy]

Hi TLL!

If you want to edit videos and play games, I would suggest the following upgrades are in order:

1) Processor. Make it at least the 5600+, preferably the 6000+ version. This is especially important for video editing.
2) RAM. You would want minimum 2GB (2048MB) for Vista running smoothly and for games etc... I would even suggest going 800MHz over 667MHz for better performance.
3) Graphics Card. The Radeon 2600 Pro is an alright card, but not very good for games. I recommend you go for the ATI HD2900XT or an Nvidia 8800GTS (320MB) minimum.
4) Hard Drive. If you know you definitely won't need any more than 80GB, then it's fine, but really you should be looking at a 250GB minimum these days - especially for your video editing and stuff.

After a quick check of that website, I'm surprised at the range of components offered. They are selling last-years products, I really cannot recommend buying outdated components.

Any more questions, feel free to ask!

[TLL]

Hi TLL!

If you want to edit videos and play games, I would suggest the following upgrades are in order:

1) Processor. Make it at least the 5600+, preferably the 6000+ version. This is especially important for video editing.
2) RAM. You would want minimum 2GB (2048MB) for Vista running smoothly and for games etc... I would even suggest going 800MHz over 667MHz for better performance.
3) Graphics Card. The Radeon 2600 Pro is an alright card, but not very good for games. I recommend you go for the ATI HD2900XT or an Nvidia 8800GTS (320MB) minimum.
4) Hard Drive. If you know you definitely won't need any more than 80GB, then it's fine, but really you should be looking at a 250GB minimum these days - especially for your video editing and stuff.

After a quick check of that website, I'm surprised at the range of components offered. They are selling last-years products, I really cannot recommend buying outdated components.

Any more questions, feel free to ask!

Great post excellent advice..

I have Dazzle Platimium atm... is that a TV card? Should i get another graphics card or would it really matter?

p.s. Where would you suggest buyin as they seem to be sellin last years components?

Thanks!!

Edited by TLL, 17 September 2007 - 03:23 PM.

[Troy]

A quick google search reveals the Dazzle Platinum takes video from any device with an analog output and records it to your hard drive. See here for more information. It says it is a USB device, is that correct?

At any rate, you would need a graphics card for your system. Unfortunately I can't really tell you where to shop because I live in Australia. I do remember helping someone and they wanted to purchase components from Ebuyer, but that was so the user could build it himself. A quick look at the systems offered at Ebuyer reveals poor range also...

Do you think you would in any way be technically-inclined to build one yourself?

Glad I can help!

[TLL]

Definitely couldn't, i guess ill browse around for a spec with your advice in mind i'm sure ill find something thanks for the advice ^^

[TLL]

Description
InspironTM 530 ST (D095S5A)
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 September 2007 4:55 PM

SYSTEM COMPONENTS

InspironTM 530 ST (D095S5A) Qty 1
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 Processor (2.33GHz,1333MHz,4MB cache), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English Unit Price Incl. VAT £628.25
Catalog Number: 202 D095S5A
Module Description Show Details
Base Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 Processor (2.33GHz,1333MHz,4MB cache)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
Memory 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
Keyboard Dell™ Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Monitor Dell™ 22" Black Wide Flat Panel (E228WFP) - UK/Irish
Video Card 256MB ATI® Radeon® X1300 Pro PCI Express graphics card
Hard Drive 320GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices 13-in-1 Media Card Reader
Mouse Dell 2 Button USB Scroll Optical Mouse - Black
Modem No Modem
Optical Devices 16x DVD +/- RW Drive
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Speakers Dell™ A225 Speakers
Wireless Networking Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Card
Shipping Documents English Documentation with English/Irish Power Cord
Gedis Bundle Reference List D095S5a Inspiron 530s
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Works 8.0 - English
Standard Warranty 1 Year Base Warranty - Collect & Return
Enhanced Service Packs 1 Year Base Warranty - Collect & Return
Protect your new PC No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Order Information Inspiron Desktop Order Uk
Dell System Media Kit Resource DVD - (Diagnostics & Drivers)
Accidental Damage Support No Accidental Damage Support
Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs Dell Internet Order.
S&P Flyer DHS Promotion Flyer - September - UK
Delivery Charge: £60.00
Total: £688.24
Incl. VAT & Delivery

I think i got all those spec's you were talkin about in there ^^, I'll probably go for this one as i have no chance of buildin one myself...

Edited by TLL, 18 September 2007 - 09:58 AM.

[Titan8990]

Everything looks good other than the graphics card. What type of games do you play? Like Troy said you won't want to get anything lower than a 8800 GTS 320MB or an HD2900XT. That card in the system you have shown will do well for video editing and etc. You won't have much luck with any newer games though. If you just play lower end MMOs or strategy games then you should be set.

Building a PC is as simple as snapping the componants in and connecting cables correctly. I understand that you are unconfortable doing it but it can be a very enjoyable experience. This doesn't mean that you won't get a DOA board and it turns into a nightmare though.

Edited by Titan8990, 18 September 2007 - 11:27 AM.

[TLL]

it only lets me choose between:

256MB ATI® Radeon® X1300 Pro PCI Express graphics card [Included in Price]
Dell recommends a 256 MB graphics card for an enhanced Windows Vista® experience


Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator 3100 [subtract £58.75]

Tho i think this gfx card will be fine anyways

[Titan8990]

Well, I supposse our help ends here then. Enjoy the system .