Need helping deciding (desktop shopping)

[Blackbird.]

So my 4 year old HP desktop finally died. I took it in for diagnostics and basically the HDD and motherboard is shot. So basically it's not worth the money to repair it and just get a new one. So all I'm asking from you guys is some insight. My parents talked to some people at microcenter and these are the two I have to pick on. I want this computer to be a decent gaming computer and I think the more expensive one will be ok. But if I don't have to and the cheaper one is enough for good gaming (I still want high settings possible).

So here are the specs for the two.

1. HP Pavilion Elite m9450f: $1,199 USD

OS: Windows Vista Home (64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 (2.5GHz)
Level 2 Cache: 6MB
Data Bus Speed: 1333MHz Frontside
RAM: 8GB (4x 2GB)
HDD: 750GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA
Multimedia Drive: Lightscribe SuperMulti 8x DVD+R DL; 8x DVD-R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x6 DVD-RW; 12x12 DVD-RAM; 40x32x40 CD-RW
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT
Video Card Mem: Up to 2303MB total
Sound Card: High Definition Audio Chipset
Sound Output: 7.1 Surround

This is copied almost directly from the specs sheet so I was kind of confused about the multimedia drives...

HP Pavilion Elite m9260f: $959 USD

OS: Same
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 (2.66GHz)
Level 2 Cache: 8MB
Data Bus Speed: 1066MHz
RAM: 4GB (expandable to 8GB)
HDD: (2) 500GB 7,200 Serial ATA
Multimedia Drive: Blu-ray/HD DVD Player with LightScribe SuperMulti DVD Burner 6x BD-ROM; 3x HD DVD-ROM; 4x DVD+R DL; 4x DVD-R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x16 DVD-RW; 5x5 DVD-RAM; 40x24x40 CD-RW
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Video Card Mem: up to 1791MB Total
TV Tuner: TV Tuner
Sound Card: Same
Sound Output: Same

Also can someone explain to me why there is so much in the multimedia drive section? I wasn't there when they got these spec sheets I was given them to look at when I got home.

 

[Vasco]

Wait for Nehalem (i7)! They're a week away!!!!

 

[steven]

The multimedia drive-list is probably just a listing of the capabilities of one and the same DVD/CD slot.
About your choice dilemma, I would suggest to find a dealer website where you can compare your options.
Happy shopping

 

[Eric.]

I'm more concerned about them advertising close to 2GB of video memory from cards that were only offered with 1GB at the most.

The 9800GT is going to be a much better card. Either way I think you're probably getting ripped off by going with a manufacturer for a gaming PC.

Edit: Just built the first one for about $150 less. Not much of a markup after all.

 

[Blackbird.]

These are the cards i'm being dealt... So, Eric., you're saying that from the two I have to pick from i'm better off with the more expensive one?

 

[Eric.]

These are the cards i'm being dealt... So, Eric., you're saying that from the two I have to pick from i'm better off with the more expensive one?

I just noticed that the cheaper one has Blu-Ray and the faster quad...Go with that and for the difference buy this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130400

 

[Tornado]

^ I support this message.

 

[nick09]

Get the cheaper one and grab the graphics card as Eric suggested. Thats a great price for something that can cost as much as $1.5K and the extra cost of the video card is alright.

 

[Azuremen]

I'm also with Eric on this. The Blu-ray and faster CPU with a larger L2 cache is a better base platform. RAM is dirt cheap as well, so the 4 gigs difference wouldn't cost much to close.

You could save some money and possibly go with an ATI (GASP!) HD4850 or something along those lines, but I might have my numbers mixed up. I am sure Eric will clarify either way EVGA also makes quality products and I've had no issues using their cards and motherboards.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Will the stock PSU be able to take the upgrade?

 

[Blackbird.]

I think it's got a 460W PSU. I don't really need (nor really have a want) a Blu-Ray drive. I don't know if this is true or not but also they said the screen I play it on has to be at least a 24" screen. Again I wasn't there and i've never read into Blu-ray at all nor ever used it so maybe it's a bunch of BS.

 

[Tornado]

Will the stock PSU be able to take the upgrade?

He could swap it for a 4870 if necessary. Or scale it back even further and just buy the 9800GT. They cost something like $230 and $130, respectively.

 

[Azuremen]

I think it's got a 460W PSU. I don't really need (nor really have a want) a Blu-Ray drive. I don't know if this is true or not but also they said the screen I play it on has to be at least a 24" screen. Again I wasn't there and i've never read into Blu-ray at all nor ever used it so maybe it's a bunch of BS.

The reason they say that is because 24" displays run 1920 by 1200 pixels. Blu-ray movies are optimized for 1920 by 1080 (thus 1080p). 22" monitors run 1680 by 1050. So, in order to get the full potentional, you'll need to run a 24" monitor, or plug the computer into a 1080p HDTV via the DVI out. You'll still be able to watch blu-ray at a lower resolution, you just won't have the same "HD" experience.

Going with a Blu-ray drive would be a smart move towards future proofing though. Eventually, data discs will move that direction, much like they moved from CDs to DVDs. Just a matter of time.

 

[Blackbird.]

Going with a Blu-ray drive would be a smart move towards future proofing though. Eventually, data discs will move that direction, much like they moved from CDs to DVDs. Just a matter of time.

I could always upgrade when that day comes couldn't I?

 

[Tornado]

It would cost less money to buy the GPU separately than to bundle it with that other system, and the Blu Ray-equipped computer has a Blu Ray drive and a better processor.

 

[Blackbird.]

Will I even notice .16GHz?

 

[Eric.]

Will the stock PSU be able to take the upgrade?

If its indeed a 460W, yeah, but it would be pushing it. The GTX 260 requires a 450W PSU. You could throw a quality 700W one in for about $90 if you really had to. The GTX series scales back to 50% core speed and 10% on memory. If I remember correctly, they really don't use much more power than something like the 9800.

As for an ATI card, I've always been an nVidia fan and have an nForce motherboard. So I am biased...The 4870 is a faster card in some things, but for the most part its not much different.

Edit: And going with the GTX upgrade will give you HDMI-out for if you have an HDTV or whatnot.

 

[Tornado]

Will I even notice .16GHz?

Would you notice a GPU that is only 2/3rds as fast? Why would you pay more for less, regardless of if you would notice it or not?

If I remember correctly, they really don't use much more power than something like the 9800.

Peak power draw is way higher. The only reason I mentioned the HD 4870 as an alternative is because the card is a bit cheaper and it doesn't draw as much power (recommended 500 watt PSU, but people have been having no problems with 400s).

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

The Q9300 and Q6700 are probably pretty closely matched together. The 6700 has the advantage in CPU clock speed and L2 cache, but the Q9300 has a faster bus speed. I couldn't find any benchmarks for the Q6700, but the Q6600 is a bit slower than the Q9300. Of course the Q6600 is down by 260MHz over the Q6700.

 

[Eric.]

Would you notice a GPU that is only 2/3rds as fast? Why would you pay more for less, regardless of if you would notice it or not?


Peak power draw is way higher. The only reason I mentioned the HD 4870 as an alternative is because the card is a bit cheaper and it doesn't draw as much power (recommended 500 watt PSU, but people have been having no problems with 400s).

I wouldn't say 30-70 watts (depending if you base it off the 9800GTX or 8800GT's power consumption here) is that much higher.

 

[Blackbird.]

Thank you all for your input.

As most of you might disagree I went with the m9450f. I also got a Acer 22" Widescreen LCD for $179 and a Logitech Z-5500 (wow these are amazing). I didn't really need the Blu-ray drive and the 9800GT is what I need for what I'm intending to do with it. Plus... I can always upgrade down the road.

 

[Azuremen]

I have the same Acer I'd say. You got a pretty good deal on it as well. What size monitor did you have before?

 

[Blackbird.]

A 15"