best new computer reasonable cost

[Intellectuallystarved]

I use MS Office SBE heavily. Caesar has been the only game that holds my interest. Can't get the demo to run (have read all the posts on black screen, etc.).
I need to upgrade anyway. Have decided to buy all new and let THEM build it this time. The details are killing me. Just when I think I found a compatible computer, I find something that's not quite right. I've talked to several sales reps (phone) from reputable companies but they don't want to listen to EACH and EVERY detail as listed in Readme text. I'm not confident what they offer will work. HELP!
I don't THINK I need a new monitor.
Reasonable = $700-$1600
I am a mother of 3, wife to a computer addict (might as well be another child), and just quit my 60 hour a week job. The family would enjoy other features, if reasonable cost. I still intend to use MS Office SBE heavily.
Am SO wanting to play Caesar IV!!!!
Do you have any recomendations????

[Keith]

Oh, my. There are just so many possibilities. The combinations of hardware is endless.

Everyone has an opinion on this subject. So be ready.

I will say stay away from lowend processors like the Intel Celeron, AMD Sempron or Opteron if you can and go with the higher end processors that have more data crunching power. Such as the Pentium D or Athalon or the newer DUAL CORE processors.

Get at least 1GB of fast RAM, more if they have a deal.

Get a video card that is DX9 compiant (not just compatable), the higher numbered cards from Nvidia and ATI are usually more powerful. Something from the 7000 series from Nvidia or the something from ATI in the X1300 or higher series numbers. The higher the number the newer and more capable the card usually is. With the top card in Nvidia being a 7900 series and the the new top card at ATI being the X1950XTX.

You want a good amount of video RAM on the video card 512MB is best, 256MB is ok.

You want a motherboard that has a PCI-Express slot for the newer faster video cards.

You want a PCI-Express type video card from the models mentioned above. They are quicker than the older AGP slot cards.

I would personally recommend just plain old Windows XP Home Edition or the Windows XP Professional version. I use the Pro version myself. These will be able to run Caesar IV. There is some doubt if Windows 64, Vista, or the Windows Media Center Editions will be able to run the full release version of Caesar IV.

I'm a fan of Dell desktops, much to the dismay of many others here on the board that like to malign them. I run a 3 year old Dell Dimension XPS topend gaming system. It's give me Trojan service, as they say.

Dell has a new line of XPS gaming computers (http://www.dell.com/content/products/results.aspx/desktops?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&~ck=anav&a=10085~0~52743&navla=10085~0~52743) with the 700 being their topend machine for about $2.270. The other three are less money. The default setup comes with Windows Media Center Edition, but if you tell them you want Windows XP Home Edition or Professional they will install that for you instead. Just tell them what you want and they will build it for you.

I prefer to talk with a sales person on the phone when ordering. I use the catalog site above to get my ideas and then talk to the sales person. The catalog and sales people tend to give different deals. I got some free stuff from the sales person when I was buying my Dell.

The XPS 410 appears to be near the topend of your $1600 budget range. They do offer XP professional as an alternate to Media Center Edition. Video card choices are a Nvidia 7300 LE Tubo Cache, a ATI X1300, Nvidia 7900 GS or 7900GTX. The better cards on that list will cost a more. Includes a 19" flat panel monitor.

You can read the equipment options and specs here (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsdt_410?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19).

Like I said talk with the sales rep and tell them what you want.

I found it was worth the cost to get a 4 year in-home service/support contract. They have replaced my motherboard, cpu and ram all without charge in my home, when I did have a problem, which turned out to be a bad RAM strip. I didn't have to ship it or take it anywhere. XPS buyers also get special online phone tech support and priority on tech phone calls. ;)

[Manni]

There is some doubt if Windows 64, Vista, or the Windows Media Center Editions will be able to run the full release version of Caesar IV.

No doubt anymore.

Here is what Tilted Mill Entertainment Inc.`s President told me:

"As you know, Vista is being officially released after C4. Nevertheless, C4 should run on it (and Media Center)."

[mouse]

Sorry Phil I wouldn't recommend a Compaq for the simple reason they use poor quality, usually under powered power supplies:( The heart of a well built system is a good quality more than adequate power supply.
Keith I find is it very troublesome that you had so many hardware failures in 3 years even though they came in and repaired them.

If you can wait until the Christmas period there are going to be big bargins in computers. Building or having a custom built computer is the best way to go and it's balance of price (what you afford) and quality.

If it were me I look at sites like Tom's hardware where they review power supplies, motherboards, processors, ram and video cards to get an idea of what you want for your purposes.

Stay away from any video or sound card labeled LE or SE they are usually cards missing features. If at all possible stay away from on board sound.

Remember TM is not responsible for opiinions expressed here:D

[mouse]

Phil very glad to hear that since people should get a decent computer for their hard earned money:D Building my own was done in self defense;) Will say that the newer Compaq have a good system for system restore disks allowing the owner to burn their own thus placing a greater value on them:rolleyes:

To get back to the question, things you want to spend the most on:
Good power supply at least 400 watts
Fastest processor you can afford
best video card with the most memory you can afford
largest,fastest hard drive you can afford

Things less important
memory 1gb of ram enough and can always be increased at a later date.

Personally I don't have a preferred brand name computer since as Phil said I build my own. But I also work on all brands of computers:p

[Intellectuallystarved]

ok. so. I guess what I want to know is if I need / want nvidia and ati.
Here is what was quoted before i got confused (and sought help), and what i'm doubting.

intel p4 dualcore 3.4
window xp pro -sp2
2g RAM
160 g sata hd
cd burner / dvd burner
nvidia geforce 7600
office sbe

or

amd athlon dual core 2.0 gHz
window xp pro -sp2
1 G RAM
250 Gb Hard Drive
light scribe cd & dvd drive
nvidia geforce 7300
office sbe

I'm thinking i need to ask for nvidia and ati - and make sure i have the proper chipsets as listed in readme text.

is there anything else i need to ask?
i think some have mentioned power supply.
would i need a new monitor? i saw somewhere something about a 30 inch monitor.?

I'm really all for the inhouse warranties.
We built everything in our house / home business and my husband thinks he can do it all. Experiences - like having to restart caesar iii twice - have taught me that my mac lover - who knows just enough to get us going, but not enough to keep us running smooth - frustrates me to no end

[mouse]

Phil is right no on board video you'll never be able to play high end games no matter what the motherboard makers say.
Also he's right about getting two drives a DVD-rom and cd/dvd writer.

The first computer looks like the best of the two choices. Personally I like Ati cards (or did until AMD bought them) :D

My two year old computer just got it's third upgrade on the video card. Started with a Radeon 9500 Pro 128mb, moved to 9800 Pro 256mb and now has Radeon x1600 Pro 512mb all to get ready each time for a new game:rolleyes:

[Intellectuallystarved]

We liked the 1st option, too.
ok.
But I'm still confused if I need BOTH the nvidia AND the ati. ?

And - forgive my stupidity - if the chipset shouldn't be on the motherboard,
then where will it be? I want to make sure it's NOT "onboard" when I return the call for this quote.

[mouse]

No you don't need nvidia and ati they are both video cards (but also make some motherboards just to be more confusing) ;) The chipset Phil was talking about was for onboard video otherwise yes the chipset usually referres to the motherboard. An example would be a Via chipset.

[Keith]

Keith I find is it very troublesome that you had so many hardware failures in 3 years even though they came in and repaired them.



You misunderstand, mouse.

I had one faulty memory strip. It was very hard to track down because the problem occurred randomly. They replaced the motherboard, cpu, and the RAM in an attempt to localize the problem. All was done without charge in my home.

[mouse]

Keith didn't really misunderstand it's more about their tech support since both you and I know it's not that difficult to identify bad memory. We do it all the time on PC Pit Stop.

[Keith]

This one was difficult to trace, because it wasn't doing it when they came the first few times and the memory tests revealed nothing.