what do you think about this computer.?

Question

1. regular
2.bad
3.good
4.powerful
5.crappy
6.normal
7.excellent

# Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual Core 2.2GHz

# Bus Speed2000MHz

# Cache2 x 512KB L2

Memory

# Standard Memory1.5 GB DDR SDRAM

# Maximum Memory4GB DDR SDRAM

# Memory Speed400MHz DDR400/PC3200

# Memory Slots184-pin DIMM (4 Total/2 Free)

Storage

# Hard Drive200GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm

# Optical DriveDVD-Writer (Double-layer) - DVD-RAM/?R/?RW
# DVD-Reader - DVD-ROM

Optical Drive Speed
# 40x 24x 40x CD-RW/16x DVD-ROM
# 8x DVD-R/4x DVD-RW
# 16x DVD+R/4x DVD+RW
# 2.4x DVD+R DL
# 16x DVD-ROM


Controllers

# Controller(s)Serial ATA

Display & Graphics

# Graphics ControllernVIDIA GeForce 6200SE Up to 256MB Shared DDR SDRAM

Audio

# Sound Card6-channel Integrated

Network & Communication

Network
# 54Mbps IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
# 10/100Mbps IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet Integrated


# Modem56Kbps Data/Fax Modem.

/O Expansions

Expansion Bays
# 2 x 5.25" External Removable Media Bay(s) Total
# 2 x 5.25" External Removable Media Bay(s) Occupied
# 1 x 3.5" Internal Drive Bay(s) Total
# 1 x 3.5" Internal Drive Bay(s) Occupied
# 1 x Drive Bay(s) Total
# 1 x Drive Bay(s) Free


Expansion Slots
# 3 x PCI Total
# 3 x PCI Occupied
# 1 x PCI Express x16 Total
# 1 x PCI Express x16 Occupied
# 1 x Flash Memory Card


Interfaces/Ports

Ports
# RJ-11 Modem
# RJ-45 Network
# 1 x S-Video External
# 1 x Composite Video External Front
# 1 x Digital Audio Line In External
# 1 x TV-out
# 1 x Microphone External
# 4 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB External Rear
# 2 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB External Front
# 1 x FireWire IEEE 1394 - FireWire External Rear
# 1 x FireWire IEEE 1394 - FireWire External Front
# 1 x Audio Line In External
# 1 x Audio Line Out External

20 hours ago
Additional Information
# DVD Writer with LightScribe

# DVD Writer with LightScribe Technology MultiMedia Feature(s):
# TV tuner (NTSC) with personal video recorder and FM tuner

Flash Memory Card Slot Supports:
# Smart Media
# xD
# MultiMedia Card
# Secure Digital (SD)
# Compact Flash I
# Compact Flash II
# Micro Drive
# Memory Stick
# Memory Stick Pro


operating system windows vista home premium

Answer 1

3

Answer 2

I'll go "3"...

As for the arguments...yes, you should have the OS on a "small" (ie: 80Gb) HDD, and all your added programs on the larger (although I'd personally upgrade to over 300Gb).

The Athlon chip is superior to the Intel equivalent, and more reliable...

Your only real problem will be with the nVidia on-board graphics suite, as the nVidia chipset does not like non-nVidia cards being installed, and will cause (minor) problems should you choose a non-nVidia card. (Right now, the only 100% DX10 compatable cards are the ATI HD 2900, 2600, or 2400 cards...nVidia's DX10 compliance and MS certification of such are lagging behind times...VERY long story.)

As for your audio, 99% of users find no *real* difference between the on-board chips and a plug-in Sound Card.

Now, for the OS...AVOID Home Basic as if your life depended on it...which, you don't have to put much effort into, since the system comes with Premium. If you plan to network, you will need to upgrade to the business or ultimate editions. That having been said, it will still be 3-6 months before all the drivers you (need/may want) are completed and ready for installation, so you won't be able to use all your toys and gear right away.

Answer 3

I'd give it a 3 (GOOD) rating. Looks like you've got just about everything anyone would want on a PC. One thing I'd consider getting is a true sound card instead of using the integrated one on the motherboard, although I've heard those have gotten much better in recent years.
How good is the power supply in this machine? You've got a lot of stuff built in and a more powerful power supply wouldn't hurt.
And I wouldn't worry about the comment saying the AMD processor heats up too fast. I've been running an AMD 64 chip in this machine for more than 4 years and haven't had any problems at all.
Good luck with your purchase.

Answer 4

Will give you a 3 or good because of the AMD rep, but if I were you I would opt for MS Pentium 4 as your CPU. Not at all crappy and I have experience programming AMD. Price is right and frankly I like to see AMD and others challenging Bill Gates. Think you could be satisfied with AMD and the price differential is encouraging. Run for it, you can always change if not entirely satisfied and since your chosen brand is a top contender, you won't take any more of a loss than the rest of us if you are swayed by an alternative.

Answer 5

1.

Well, depends on what you are going to use it for. I mean, you won't be playing the latest games on max resolution (usually 1920x1200~) with the shared memory = on board graphics card.

I built this PC about 5 years ago but it's still much more suitable for gaming and media editing (dual screen etc.) than the PC you described above. But for regular home/office use; the one you described is more than enough. (If it comes with a built-in modem then it certainly was not intended for gaming.)

But keep in mind that you can always upgrade the components in your PC. For example, if you want to play the latest games then you can buy a new graphics card. If you want to do media editing etc. then you can buy a faster hard drive(s). Same goes for the sound card and Gigabit Ethernet card, more RAM etc. *Just make sure you are not buying the outdated platform (motherboard)

Sounds like you are getting your first PC. Good luck!

Answer 6

amd processors heat up way too fast, not good.
you should get a smaller hard drive just for your operating system. it functions better by itself. with no extra crap on it.

Answer 7

its ok... you might want a
a. memory upgrade it least 512mb
b. better graphic card ie nvidia 7600 or greater