what is better..

[Bollux]

dual core or single

what will out perform a dual core 2.8 or a single 3.3?

[chuck]

Well I've had the privilege of working with both in the past month, I do some consulting and have ordered new dell's for several clients, one of the was the new dual core 2.3, all I can say is WOW! Fastest single chip computer I've ever worked on! Now there of course are many factors that make a computer seem fast! The 3.2 I ordered was no slouch either!
When I get a new computer I do put them thru their paces, often opening and running 10 applications at a time while installing on top of that. My over all impression was the dual core was faster in the heat of things, however depending on your use I say go with the one you can get the better $ deal on, if your a heavy gamer than go for the dual core or if your a number cruncher you might need it but other than that the 3.2 would make ya smile all day long!
I assume your asking being your thinking of a new PC? If so here is what I suggest the average guy get today:
Vista but don't get the basic go for the next step up, it does some very cool stuff and is worth the extra bucks to get and it will force you to get the good hardware.( of course I would also recommend any linux over windows but take what you get)
Get no less than 1gb ram! I recommend 2gb if you can swing it
Get a killer video card (512mb required by Vista!)
Ask about the FSB (front side bus speed) this makes a noticeable difference in speed of the computer over all settle for no less than 500 try for 800
accessories when you buy it, get the second CD Rom added so you can copy Cd's if you want a floppy you probably will have to ask and pay for it.
Make sure you have no less than 6 USB ports (everything is USB!)
If you can order a extra case fan do it! (chips get hot in there)
Go for the killer flat screen monitor they seem pretty cheap when you buy a bundle!
Brand, well this is simply my opinion, I would buy DELL, mostly being I've worked with many of them, the service is good, the computers run as they should and replacement parts are never a issue, only thing that kind of bugs me is they use SATA drives, don't get me wrong they are great drives it just makes it more difficult to get old data on to the new computer. Price wise they are good, I've price buying parts to build myself with a operating system and monitor to buying from them and they have been a better deal! When you deal with them always ask for free shipping or a free memory upgrade, you'd be surprised what they will give you if you ask!

Good luck!

[Bollux]

well would be either dell or something from circuit city as we have cards from both and can get interest free for a little while. was just gonna be looking about as prolly plan on upgrading my old system with a portion of the tax refund. I only need the pc have a flat monitor already. i dont wanna spend too much but my old system is 1.7 mhz and has gone the way of the dodo.

[craigbass76]

Dude, if you're ditching your 1.7 send it my way. That's screaming fast for a linux box and my son is on a 600mhz box right now. He would love you.

[Bollux]

would still be a bit before i get new machine as waiting for the tax refund and then shopping about for a new pc.

[Don-Dad]

Dude, if you're ditching your 1.7 send it my way. That's screaming fast for a linux box and my son is on a 600mhz box right now. He would love you.


I'm thinking media server with that old box ;) Using Ubuntu, file server too :)

[craigbass76]

Bollux, I'd recommend buying a locally built box. I keep seeing blown power supplies (and usually they take the motherboard with them) in Best Buy, Staples, and Walmart type boxes. Really, a home brew box isn't much more

[chuck]

Bollux, I'd recommend buying a locally built box. I keep seeing blown power supplies (and usually they take the motherboard with them) in Best Buy, Staples, and Walmart type boxes. Really, a home brew box isn't much more

I concur, they seem to be making power supplies really badly these day's either that or the manufacturers are not putting in big enough ones, I as well have seen a rash of power supply's going south. Even in Dell's, but the one thing I did mention about Dell stands true for this as well, if a PS go's at 9pm I pickup the phone talk to a tech support guy (in Tenn NOT INDIA) and by 10am the next morning I have a new PS sitting in front of me! I really recommend staying away from the special of the week from the "retailers" or go find a local shop to make ya one, thats ussually the best route over all as you get a expert to call or go throw the computer at when it mis behaves.

[Bollux]

well would be either from circuit city or dell as mentioned before as thats where we have cards for and can do some sort of interest free stuff for a little while.

[SGTDad]

I have a laptop. I will never go back to a desktop PC. Amazing because I used to laugh at people who had laptops.

[Bollux]

lappie just not practical money wise

[craigbass76]

Chuck, how do you rate? I ALWAYS get India when I call Dell.

[Bollux]

lol yeah maybe he knows something we don't