Tom's Hardware Forums » Systems » Dell » HELP!! WHERE CAN I SAVE?? e1705
 

HELP!! WHERE CAN I SAVE?? e1705

Add a reply



 Word :   Username :  
 
Bottom
Author
 Thread : HELP!! WHERE CAN I SAVE?? e1705
 
Profile: stranger
More Information

*Disclaimer: Apparently I write long winded posts. If you are kind enough to read through and help me price a computer, I am truly grateful. I got a possible $500 to save, as well as the piece of mind in knowing that I didn’t waste any money! Thanks for helping this obsessive geek!*

I'm a semi computer nerd but I'm not really a gamer. I have always known enough about computers to know that, as a non-gamer, most every option is a waste of money. about 5 years ago I purchased a refurb. Dell dimension 2300 (1.8Ghz celron and a whopping 256mb Ram) for $350 after shipping. It was more than enough all the way through college.

Today, I have needs beyond word-processing and web-browsing so help a cheap SOB out and tell me what I do/don't need.

Basically, I will be multi-tasking most of the time. I run a database program which imports data into files as large as 500mb. On my dimension 2300, this program is a complete CPU hog. My cpu is often running at 100%.

When using firefox, I sometimes find myself with 2 or 3 windows open; each with 5-10 tabs running at the same time and the process uses approx. 125,000K mem (on my page file I guess?)

I would like to "future proof" my laptop ONLY if the price is right.

My upgrade specific questions:

Where is my most likely bottleneck?

Should I get the CPU with the higher FSB (667Mhz vs. 533Mhz)?
(if I get the higher FSB I gotta get DDR2, right?)
Total cost of upgrade (CPU and Memory) = $150

Which Video Card!?!?! I am clueless here. I will be getting the UXGA upgrade and will run at 1920 x 1200.
My two options are
Ati Raedon x1400 for + 90
or the Nvida 7900GS + 270
My nerd side is having a wet dream over the Nvida. My wallet just needs to know why would I need it, isnt the ATI just fine?
Cost ATI->Nvida = $180

Is 1GB of memory enough (I am assuming it is plenty, but not sure)? What good would more mem do?
Cost of 1GB->2GB upgrade = $175

Better to go for higher HDD speed... right?
Cost 5400RPM->7200RPM - $80

Perhaps the biggest savings might be had if I just knew when or how to buy a Dell? Two weeks ago they were offering 35% off this compy at 1999+. Now a paltry 20%. Anyone got the secret to maximizing dell sales?

Thanks so much for any help!! Any comments welcome!!

Related Pr oduct
Register or log in to remove.


Go to:
Add a reply
  Tom's Hardware Forums » Systems » Dell » HELP!! WHERE CAN I SAVE?? e1705
 

Google Ads
Ad
News

"Save HD DVD" Petition Garners Thousands Of Signatures

Published on January 22, 2008

Over 13,000 signatures have endorsed a "save HD DVD" petition less than three weeks after it was first put online. Read more

GPS can help give early warning of tsunamis

Published on June 30, 2006

Using GPS (global positioning system) data to measure how points on land move following an undersea earthquake could help geologists decide if the tremor will cause an ocean-wide tsunami. Read more

TiVo's New HD XL DVR Could Save Your Marriage

Published on September 05, 2008

TiVo this week announced the launch of it’s new DVR player that offers more recording capacity than any other DVR on the market today Read more

Matrox releases desktop management software for multi-monitor users

Published on July 18, 2006

Matrox Graphics has released a free desktop management utility that lets users organize and save application positions. Matrox PowerSpace works with Matrox multi-display cards and can create up to nine workspaces per display. Workspaces can be toggled on or off via keyboard shortcuts or the PowerSpace task-bar icon. Read more

Latest Reviews & Articles

Atom, Athlon, or Nano? Energy-Savers Compared

Published on October 03, 2008

We compared Intel’s Atom 230 and VIA’s Nano L2100 processors hoping to find the best product for low-power applications. VIA is in the vanguard of performance. Is this enough to beat Atom? Read more

Interview: Bigfoot's Killer NIC, Exposed

Published on October 02, 2008

Since its release, the Killer NIC has garnered a reputation for being an extravagant and largely unnecessary add-on for the do-it-yourselfer. Seeking additional insight, we approached the card's designer. Read more

Seagate's 1.5TB Barracuda: Bigger And Better?

Published on October 02, 2008

Seagate is the first hard drive vendor to offer a 1.5 TB drive in the 3.5” form factor. Meanwhile, WD sent us its RAID Edition 3 (RE3) drive. We tell you which is the best HDD choice today. Read more

Updated CPU Charts 2008: AMD Versus Intel

Published on October 01, 2008

The processor is the heart of your PC, and our updated charts for Q3 2008 show 54 of them competing in terms of performance. Using our updated suite of benchmarks, compare your favorite AMD and Intel CPUs after reading this introduction. Read more