Computer specs.

[adrian]

I'm interested in knowing what kind of computer specifications you fellow "forumites" have.

I myself have the following in my computer:
Asus P4S8X-X motherboard
Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.8ghz w/ 533mhz FSB Processor
Maxtor 120gb and 60gb Hard Drives
ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Video Card
Crucial 512mb DDRsdram @ 2700 Memory
Lite-On CD burner
Samsung DVD-ROM
all in a Antec 660amg case.

Basically, I have one of the fasted PCs right now.

If you want to add your computer, it doesn't have to be as "complex" as mine. I built mine last summer, so I have all of my parts information etched into my brain.

BTW, I'm running Microsoft Windows XP home.

[helen]

A Compaq 7360. Got it since 1999.

500 MHz AMD K6 Processor
64 MBytes of memory (attempted to add another 64MBytes of memory but I busted the plastic clips so I am stuck at 64Mbytes)
Original came with 10Gbyte disk drive but I added a 40Gbyte disk drive
CD-ROM drive failed about a year ago, changed that with a 52x24x52x CD burner.
Changed the mouse to an optical about 2 or 3 years ago.
Canon i250 printer (that replaced a Lexmark Z11 printer a year ago).
15" monitor which came from yet another older Compaq
Changed the modem about 2 years ago
Tried to use an Ethernet card but that gave some problems so that got removed.
Added a USB card.
Running Windows 98

[adrian]

A Compaq 7360. Got it since 1999.

500 MHz AMD K6 Processor
64 MBytes of memory (attempted to add another 64MBytes of memory but I busted the plastic clips so I am stuck at 64Mbytes)
Original came with 10Gbyte disk drive but I added a 40Gbyte disk drive
CD-ROM drive failed about a year ago, changed that with a 52x24x52x CD burner.
Changed the mouse to an optical about 2 or 3 years ago.
Canon i250 printer (that replaced a Lexmark Z11 printer a year ago).
15" monitor which came from yet another older Compaq
Changed the modem about 2 years ago
Tried to use an Ethernet card but that gave some problems so that got removed.
Added a USB card.
Running Windows 98
Damn, that's an old system compared to some of the ones I'm using today.

Did you actually break the memory clips? And what kind of problems did the Ethernet card give you?

If you still want, then I could give you some advice. Or, you can upgrade. Running Win98 in today's world won't get you too far, especially since Microsoft has stopped supporting '98 (or was that '95?)

You can get a good "home computer" for about $500, but if you want something close to my specs, then you can spend as little as $900.

[adrian]

I finally remembered my family's computer specs.

AMD Athlon 1ghz processor
384mb SDRAM memory (upgraded from 128mb)
64mb graphics card (upgraded from 8mb)
Original 40gb Hard Drive
Liteon combo CD burner and DVD-ROM (upgraded from seperate drives)
Windows XP home (upgraded from win98)
17" CRT monitor (changed it from a 19" CRT)
Stock compaq keyboard and mouse
HP 932c Deskjet printer
Umax scanner (both printer and scanner came w/ the system)

Cost: $3000 at CompUSA.

I'm ready to throw this computer away, because it's too damn slow for me (but my mom says that "it's antique").

[helen]

Damn, that's an old system compared to some of the ones I'm using today.

Did you actually break the memory clips? And what kind of problems did the Ethernet card give you?

Yes I did break the clips, I suppose if it exist I could find a 128Mbyte memory board but it works okay on 64Mbytes. I can't remember the real problem with the Ethernet card but it's a moot point since I don't have DSL anyway.

If you still want, then I could give you some advice. Or, you can upgrade.

Thanks but speed is not an issue for me. Beside I brought a used Dell PC a few weeks ago but I haven't had the chance to work on it.

[mel]

I'm interested in knowing what kind of computer specifications you fellow "forumites" have.



From the Apple System Profiler on my nearly 3 year old Power Macintosh G4 Quicksilver, here are that computer's basic specs:

Software Overview:

System version : Mac OS X 10.2 (6C115)
Boot volume : Mel's G4 OS X
Kernel version : Darwin Kernel Version 6.0: RELEASE_PPC

Hardware Overview:

Machine speed : 733 MHz
Bus speed : 133 MHz
Number of processors : 1
L2 cache size : 256K
Machine model : Power Mac G4 (version = 2.0)
Boot ROM info : 4.2.5f1

Devices (mel list): 2 internal 40 GB ATA hard drives, 1 booting OS X the other booting OS 9.2.1. External 80 GB LaCie Firewire drive with 1 OS X boot volume on a partition, 12x internal CD burner, SCSI card, 250MB SCSI Zip Drive, various USB devices including a Palm IIIc, HP Scanner, Lexmark Inkjet printer, USB Hub, iMic audio input device, Dazzle memory card readers, Smart 1.4MB floppy drive, Apple keyboard, mouse

Memory Overview:

Location Type Size
DIMM0/J21 SDRAM 128 MB
DIMM1/J22 SDRAM 512 MB
DIMM2/J23 SDRAM 512 MB

The computer specs from Apple System Profiler is longer and more comprehensive than what I posted here, but I think this short list will do. This certainly is not the fastest computer around here, but for me it does just fine.

[adrian]

ba bump (for anyone who didn't post their specs)

BTW, I upgraded my RAM to a gig a few weeks ago.

[Konaguy]

Compaq Presario

2.6Ghz Intel Celeron Processor
512MB RAM
Windows XP Home
12X CD-R/RW
DVD +R/RW
40GB HD
80GB HD
10/100 NIC
17in Monitor

[mel]

Talk about an old thread.. I guess i'll add to my specs on my G4:

I have 2 internal hard drives, both Western Digital 40 GB:

Each drive can boot into a specific OS:

Drive 1 - Mac OSX (http://www.headgap.com/~macstar/images/OSX10-2screen.jpg)
Drive 2 - Mac OS 9.2.2 (http://www.headgap.com/~macstar/images/os9-2.jpg)

(Click on the above OS's and you'll see a couple of old screenshots of my desktop from my G4 about a year and a half ago.)

The Power Mac G4 is dual booting so I get the best of both worlds here... classic Mac and Unix based OS X.

I also have a 120GB external Firewire drive and that is also bootable to OS X. The boot volume on that drive contains utility programs to fix the other 2 drives in case something bad happens to them (nothing so far since late 2002)....

I have an Apple flatscreen monitor.

[craigwatanabe]

My personal computer is a Compaq Presario 2535QV Laptop with an Intel P4 2.4Ghz. I don't know the FSB but I know it's less than 533Mhz. It has an integrated 64-bit ATI Radeon 9700 chipset and am running 512Mb of PC2700 SDRAM. It runs graphics and video pretty well. It also has the standard variety of add on's like the 52x CD-RW/DVD combo drive, S-Video output, and built in WiFi.

My first desktop build (for my boy) is finally up and running fantastically. That computer was built for expansion and further upgrades and was intended to become the GREATEST GAMING COMPUTER THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN!!!! echo echo echo echo echo echo. Okay at least in this household anyway :D

It has a Celeron-D 315 2.26Ghz running at 533 FSB with 256Kb L2 cache, 512Mb Buffalo DDR400 PC3200 ram, AudioExcel 8738-6ch MX 5.1 channel sound card, ATI Radeon Pro 9200SE AGP8X 64MB DDR graphics card, Mad Dog Dominator CDRW/DVD 52x Rom drive.

All loaded in a SOYO barebones: SY-A45A0 ATX Gaming case, 350-watt ATX-12 power supply and a SOYO SY-P4VTE motherboard capable of running up to an Intel P4 (Prescott) 3.4 with HT and 800 FSB and 2Gb of DDR400 ram.

The entire build cost less than $350 FedEx delivered. I picked up a used Sony Trinitron 19-inch flat screen monitor at a computer recycler here in Hilo for $29, a new internet keyboard for $29 from WalMart, an optical USB mouse with cool blue illumination from Radio Shack and a used Altec Lansing 6-channel sound system for $30 from my friend in Honolulu.

I know I could have bought a Dell for the same price with a Pentium P4 but it was the thrill of building this monster that justified the cost. But this system rocks with the graphics and sound system. It may be a Celeron but because I'm running separate sound and video, the processor is pretty much left to only running applications.

Eventually I want to upgrade to a P4 with HT and up the video card to 256mb but for now my kid's happy. He's been upgraded from a Celeron running 850Mhz 133 FSB, 256 PC133 ram, integrated sound and video and looking at a 14-monitor, and listening on a cheapo $8 non-powered computer speakers.

[mel]

Craig, everyone here will be stopping by your house to check out your awesome system, play all of the crazy games while listening to rap music gone amok on this wonderful new computer you built. Sounds like a killer! :-)

[craigwatanabe]

Not a killer yet, just a personal property damage criminal with that wimpy Celeron processor.

But when the time comes and the money flows like hot lava, HELCO better up their generators to Terawatts because dis monsta going rock da Big Island!!!! Echo echo echo echo.......damn that vog is really affecting us real bad over here in Keaau. :D

[adrian]

Not a killer yet, just a personal property damage criminal with that wimpy Celeron processor.

But when the time comes and the money flows like hot lava, HELCO better up their generators to Terawatts because dis monsta going rock da Big Island!!!! Echo echo echo echo.......damn that vog is really affecting us real bad over here in Keaau. :D
I don't mean to burst your bubble, but my computer can kick yours in a few minutes (no offense intended).

And my computer isn't the best on Oahu, because I know a few other people that can kick mine into the dump.

I know how you feel about your new computer, but don't rub it into other people's faces. Sooner or later, that glory will wear out, and you'll have to upgrade again.

[Konaguy]

My computer could probably kick Craig's computer too.
But i'm giving him some slack, as he actually built his
computer from scatch :D

[mel]

The fact of the matter is that everyone's computer will be superceded by someone else's computer that will be bigger, badder, flashier and faster.... and we all will continue to pour money down the drain into the endless upgrade train that computer makers and the software companies live on. Sigh... when is it time to stop?

[craigwatanabe]

Your computer cannot kick my computer's ass because it aint got one!! FOOL :D

Nah I know it isn't the fastest but I'm armed with the knowledge of going the distance. Okay here we go:

What is the DREAM COMPUTER made of?

For starters it has to play DOOM 3 flawlessly! Next?

[craigwatanabe]

The fact of the matter is that everyone's computer will be superceded by someone else's computer that will be bigger, badder, flashier and faster.... and we all will continue to pour money down the drain into the endless upgrade train that computer makers and the software companies live on. Sigh... when is it time to stop?


NEVER STOP!!! MUST GO FASTER! MUST BE MORE POWERFUL!!! GOTTA HAVE THE BEST (but on sale).

Computer upgrading is like being addicted to drugs. You forfeit buying that replacement part for your car for more memory.

[adrian]

The fact of the matter is that everyone's computer will be superceded by someone else's computer that will be bigger, badder, flashier and faster.... and we all will continue to pour money down the drain into the endless upgrade train that computer makers and the software companies live on. Sigh... when is it time to stop?
That is why geeks Overclock their computer, squeezing every ounce of power/performace from the processor,memory, and video card.

There's a reason why people use liquid nitrogen and water cooling systems in their computers.

I'll probably upgrade mine next year, but at this rate, I may upgrade my keyboard/mouse or even monitor before any of the main components.

[808_m3]

Hehehe, this might be a fun thread. Adri, I think you're one up on me on your video card. Built this box a few months ago to replace my flakey 1.4 GHz Athlon box:

3.0 GHz Pentium 4
550W Antec Power supply
Antec PLUSVIEW1000AMG case
Asus P4C-800E motherboard
1 GB of Kingston PC3200 DDR RAM
ATI 9600XT video card
1 80 GB Maxtor SATA boot drive
2 160 GB Maxtor SATA data drives
1 120 GB Maxtor PATA data drive (migrated from old box)
NEC 8X DVD writer
Plextor 52X CD Burner
21" Mitsubishi CRT monitor

All the parts, except for the monitor, purchased online from newegg. Amazingly enough, all running under Windows XP SP2.

[craigwatanabe]

Now all you gotta do to have a kick ass computer is to upgrade da oparatah!!! :D

Sounds fast (yawn) but in a few months it'll be passe and something Dell will be bundling up to clear some inventory. When I was in the Air Force, I did TDY to Holloman AFB working in underground shops (I guess because the temperature environment is consistant day or night or so they say). We flew in at night and were driven for almost an hour by van to the hangers where our shops were beneath in service elevators that took forever to go one floor down.

Anyway while walking to the chow hall (in the hanger facility and also underground) I overheard a couple of Airmen talking about Base-5 level computing work in their classified shops. Mind you even our fastest computers run at Base-2, you know 1's and 0's? Well I can only imagine Base-5.

What was I doing there? I was involved in the Stealth project back in the late 70's and my work was in phase shifting amplification.

So 3 to 4Ghz processing speeds may seem fast but remember when a 486-DX running 66Mhz was considered a godsend over the nutless 486-SX running at 25Mhz? And even that was fast compared to Intel's 8086 processor. I'll bet by the end of this decade we'll be talking speeds of over 10Ghz and FSB in the range of 1Ghz or faster.

But with today's market-ready components, what is the fastest mobo, cpu, graphics card, memory, chipsets, drives and such? The real challenge is to see who can build it cheaper and more efficient than anyone else.

[808_m3]

Now all you gotta do to have a kick ass computer is to upgrade da oparatah!!! :D

But with today's market-ready components, what is the fastest mobo, cpu, graphics card, memory, chipsets, drives and such? The real challenge is to see who can build it cheaper and more efficient than anyone else.


Hehehehe, upgrading the user..now that's a concept. :)

Well, better hardware will always come out. Of course, some company is going to figure out how to build it cheaper and faster than last year's model. It's all about progress...

I for one, take advantage of the cool sales on the "older" stuff that comes out just before the new stuff was released. Recently, Fry's Electronics had a motherboard combo sale for a 3.0E GHz 800FSB Pentium 4 (Retail, not OEM processor) with cheap motherboard for 199. I purchased the combo, and offloaded the cheap motherboard on eBay for $40. The following week, the combo dropped another $20, to 179. Fry's matched the price, so at the end, got the CPU for 199 - 40 - 20 for $139!!! It's all about the good deals as well.. :)




It's not the latest and greatest, but it runs what I need.

[craigwatanabe]

What's Fry's Electronics website? With New Egg.com they have daily specials so it pays to check everyday, but on the so so days I go to TigerDirect or PCRightNow and window shop. Sometimes TigerDirect has some really great deals on barebone systems.

By the way New Egg had a special today (and only today 11/16/04) for Windows XP Pro for $49 but you "Must Purchase Hardware". What kind of hardware qualifies for this $49 pricing? They don't specify what qualifies as hardware.

I'm like you with anything electronic that sometimes it's better to wait at the tail end of technology to scoop up the bargains. I'll be happy with a P4 with HT socket 478 setup. There's enough peripherals out there to keep my wallet thin for a while. I'm actually thinking of scooping up 184-pin DDR400 PC3200 ram while the price is sooooo low because there's a lot of systems out there that utilize that memory configuration.

[adrian]

Hehehe, this might be a fun thread. Adri, I think you're one up on me on your video card.
Nah, my video card is old. I got it about a year when it came out (I forgot when) but here's how the ATI video cards go: 9700, 9800, 9600 :confused: , x800, x700... [or something like that]).

Anyway, all I know is that your video card is newer than mine.

[helen]

I picked up a Compaq Presario SR1215CL from Sam's Club over a week ago for about $620.

AMD Sempron 3000+ processor at 2GHz
512 Mbytes RAM
120 GByte hard drive
DVD reader/CD-RW burner
17" CRT monitor
flash card media bay
2 firewire ports
7 USB V2 ports
Windows XP Home

So far it's been working okay (I have a checked past with Compaq stuff but I think they have improved over time).

One of these days I will need to buy a DVD burner and maybe a LCD monitor but that is in the future.

[adrian]

I picked up a Compaq Presario SR1215CL from Sam's Club over a week ago for about $620.

AMD Sempron 3000+ processor at 2GHz
512 Mbytes RAM
120 GByte hard drive
DVD reader/CD-RW burner
17" CRT monitor
flash card media bay
2 firewire ports
7 USB V2 ports
Windows XP Home

So far it's been working okay (I have a checked past with Compaq stuff but I think they have improved over time).

One of these days I will need to buy a DVD burner and maybe a LCD monitor but that is in the future.
That's for $620?

I hope they have a bit more for my Mom, because she's looking to buy one for her home business. She asked me to build one, but with her using it for internet, word processing, etc, I don't think she'd like the shipping price from Newegg.com.

[helen]

Also comes with modem and Ethernet port as well as pair of speakers, ball and wheel mouse and keyboard.

My first choice would have been a Compaq from Wal-Mart that sold for $598, Celeron processor, 256 Mbyte RAM and 80 GByte disk drive with a burner that can write DVD and CD, but they didn't have it in Honolulu when I brought my PC. There was another Compaq at Wal-Mart for $498 (40 Gbyte disk drive, CD burner) and all the other Compaqs at Sam's Club didn't burn DVD.

This past weekend I checked Wal-Mart and they did have the $598 model in stock. And Costco is selling the SR1215 for roughly the same price.

[808_m3]

What's Fry's Electronics website? With New Egg.com they have daily specials so it pays to check everyday, but on the so so days I go to TigerDirect or PCRightNow and window shop. Sometimes TigerDirect has some really great deals on barebone systems.

By the way New Egg had a special today (and only today 11/16/04) for Windows XP Pro for $49 but you "Must Purchase Hardware". What kind of hardware qualifies for this $49 pricing? They don't specify what qualifies as hardware.


Interestingly enough, Fry's does not have a website for their stores. They do have this site (http://www.frys.com) , but it's geared only for their own ISP. Fry's actually has newspaper ads that they publish in the bay area newspapers. Here is a site (http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/RopAds.aspx?adv=32664&ad=1289490) that contains the print ad.

I think the "Must Purchase Hardware" clause requires you to buy a motherboard and CPU to qualify for the special. I've heard a few instances where it could be just a hard drive.