a curious question about consoles and PC standardization

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by nostromo
ASUS mobos are great. Just don't buy the integrated crap.

You can always plug in an external video card.

Originally posted by nostromo
At least not the one I bought. Buy a decent mobo (either ASUS or GIGABIT) and a decent vid card, like the ATI 9550. That way, you'll be able to play Civ 4 Moreover, the people who will build your system for you will make sure everything works ok.

Usually, that means the computer works and not that it will run Civ 4 or whatever.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
"The Intel® Celeron D 320 (2.4GHz)
Asus P4SP-MX:
Standard motherboard with a Parallel port, serial port, 1AGP slot, 3 PCI slots, 4 USB 2.0 ports in the back and 2 available for the front. Onboard video, Onboard sound and built in 10/100 ethernet port for network or broadband internet. "



checked the above uses a SiS chipset. Your thoughts? I take it you recommend Nvidia?

That looks like a good office box but not a good gaming box. You probably don't want a microATX board (that's what the MX suffix means) to have more room. External video and audio is probably better for gaming.

I still recommend an AMD Athlon 64 rig. You get the room to expand and it runs 32-bit applications faster.

[DrSpike]

Have you read LotM's posts? Athlon 64 is soooo unsuitable given his expressed preferences.

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by lord of the mark

edit....

COT had mentioned the issue of adding a vid card to a mobo that had integrated graphics - he had problems. I presume that by working with a shop, who have had experience, that would help.

It should do, in that they will test the system works fine before selling it to you - or make it work by offering suggestions to the componants you've requested if they see a problem. Much of this depends on the skill of the builders

My prob was mainly due to me trying to upgrade a branded name pc that was also one of its low-range models.
With PC's like Packard Bell/Compaq/HP etc they deliberately make their pc's tricky to upgrade, especialy at the bargin basement end of their ranges.

So by using reasonable componants to build your own, you shouldn't have these kind of problems?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by lord of the mark
Right now i have two questions to ask the shop. 1. have you had experience adding a vid card later to the motherboards you sell? (to address COT's issue about difficulty adding a vid card) 2. Do I save money (on the motherboard) by buying a motherboard WITHOUT integrated vid card?

1. I never have any experience like that.

2. No. In fact mobos without integrated graphics are more expensive.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by nostromo
I bought a PC during the holidays. A nice Athlon 64 3000+ with 512 MB. Unfortunately, I choose a Asus mobo with integrated graphics (a S3 irc).

This one?

If you buy an Athlon 64 Socket 939 is the way to go...

[Nostromo]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


That looks like a good office box but not a good gaming box. You probably don't want a microATX board (that's what the MX suffix means) to have more room. External video and audio is probably better for gaming.

I still recommend an AMD Athlon 64 rig. You get the room to expand and it runs 32-bit applications faster.

My mobo is an ASUS K8V-MX (Socket 754) The MX means integrated graphics. I have a full tower (Antec Sonata).

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by nostromo
My mobo is an ASUS K8V-MX (Socket 754) The MX means integrated graphics. I have a full tower (Antec Sonata).

Well, you can certainly put a microATX board in a large tower case.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Have you read LotM's posts? Athlon 64 is soooo unsuitable given his expressed preferences.

and my revealed preferences as well

[DrSpike]

Sadcase.

[lord of the mark]

in yet one further twist, QOTM says we should get a laptop, so POTM can get used to typing her assignments, wherever she is, and not write them out longhand first (which she prefers now). Now wait a minute I think, MY idea was the ADULTS get the new PC, and POTM inherits the dinosaur. I really dont want to have to ask POTM to borrow HER computer so I can play Victoria (or whatever) And besides, I thought both she and QOTM had said they dont like the keyboards on laptops. QOTM says she means we get a desktop now, and THEN a laptop in not too long. and that shes heard some laptops have better keyboards (i doubt shes thinking of a docking station)

So, this means shes halfway bought on to my idea of getting a second new computer in the foreseeable future - though i dont want it to be TOO soon, or it wont establish the upgrade cycle I want (I want a second new one when the new one I buy is about two years old, assuming i buy a difficult to upgrade piece of crap) It also raises the dreaded question of laptops.

OTOH since QOTM and I would get the crap new Desktop, and POTM would get the laptop, maybe the gaming qualities of the laptop are irrelevant.

[DrSpike]

Laptops are horrible. Their sole function is to give computer access on the move, at which they are rather good. People who buy laptops solely for their home make me scratch my head.

[lord of the mark]

we're a little space constrained. Having THREE desktops (id really like to keep the dinosaur, for old games if nothing else) would be an issue. I dont know if they'll let POTM take a laptop to school, but I think they might. and QOTM thinks she might prefer to type her essays in bed, on the couch, at the dining room table, etc. The peripatetic sort, you know? In any case, if they agree on that (which they might not) thats probably gonna be that. Esp. after I get my powerful new desktop, equipped with Intel Integrated Graphics (TM) - or whatever.

By the way, I used to have a laptop for work, many moons ago in a job where I traveled alot. I got used to it, it wasnt so bad. In fact when I was back in the office I had a docking station instead of a desktop. It had a mouse that attached to the side, which was much easier to use than a trackball, though it was a pain setting it up on an airplane, in coach (it was a Compaq). Unfortunately I wasnt into games then. Civ or whatever would have made the long flights go quicker - and it was a company that wouldnt have minded so much that you installed a game, as long as you tolerated the travel.

[Kuciwalker]

How old is POTM?

Laptops are overkill at school at least until high school, upperclassman years, if not college.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
How old is POTM?

Laptops are overkill at school at least until high school, upperclassman years, if not college.

shes 13, going into 8th grade in September.

Remember, this wouldnt be a laptop in addition to a desktop for her. To recap. Currently we have one desktop, hereinafter called the dinosaur (its a P2 266 - dont laugh - someday you'll be old and weak too) We are (I hope) about to buy a second desktop - lets say a P4 2.6 something like that. Spikey and I have a longrunning good natured argument going over what that should be (in terms of vid card, etc) (Actual purchase has been delayed by Bat Mitzvah expenditures) Now lets say we get the P4. POTM then gets the dino machine - which is essentially inadequate, and getting more so every day. So the question becomes - in say 6 to 10 months do we replace the dino with ANOTHER desktop, or with a laptop (keeping the dino for ancient games, if i can justify the use of space - not everyone in the DC area has such a big house, young jedi)

POTM has a friend in 8th grade who has a laptop, and I think this gave QOTM the idea. Also to get POTM away from writing essays out in longhand, which QOTM thinks is making things harder for her (shes in the GT program, the homework is massive, and its been a challenge, to say the least)