Maybe Updating My Comp & Wifes Laptop

[x[cavyr]]

I have never built a desktop before and am interested in the potential. I'm really good at breaking things less so at building them. I did purchase a Dell factory outlet desktop several years ago and after 3 years of ownership they conceded in giving me a much updated comp so this comp has lasted over 6 years LOL.

Because I am, that retarded - and hoping to score The Famed Dell duo-plan, I am also looking over Dell's factory outlet for deals on laptop's & desktops.

I'm not too up to date on which systems to go with either a core-duo or i7 build and which graphics cards to go with either. I'm looking roughly at $800 - $1,000 for the laptop ( wife & work ) and approximately $1,200 - $1,500 on desktop.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

R. Cav.

[x[cavyr]]

Kind of looking in this direction for desktop. It does not come with any add on productivity software or monitor, but I have both.

Studio XPS 8100
(System Identifier: EJBD15PE)


Studio XPS 8100 Desktop
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

System Price : $909.00

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Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
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Memory
8 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (4 DIMMs)
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Hard Disk Drive
1 TB SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ 16MB DataBurst Cache
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video
1024MB ATI Radeon HD 5770 GDDR5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Bay
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software Upgrade
Windows Live
Microsoft Works 9.0
McAfee Security Center, 30 Day
64BIT Operating System DVD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Upgrade
125V Power Cord
Dell USB 6-Button Laser Mouse
USB Keyboard
No Modem
Thermal Module Heatsink,95W
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network Interface Card
Dell 1525 Wireless-N PCIe Card
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Processor
Processor: Intel Core i7-860 Processor (8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certified Refurbished
Certified Refurbished
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base
Studio XPS 8100 Desktop

[x[cavyr]]

This is what I'm thinking on laptop:

Studio 17 - 1747
(System Identifier: 04L32MZH)


Studio 17 - 1747 Laptop
Genuine Windows 7 Professional

System Price : $939.00

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Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Professional
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Memory
4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (2 DIMMs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Disk Drive
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 2nd Drive
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
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Video
1 GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
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System Color
Black Chainlink
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Bluetooth Wireless
Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module
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Laptop Screen
17.3 inch HD+ (900p) Bright LED Display with TrueLife
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Base
Studio 17 - 1747 Laptop
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Web Camera
Integrated 2.0 MP webcam with dual digital array microphone
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Upgrade
90W Adapter
Standard Keyboard
9 Cell Primary Battery
125V Power Cord
No WWAN Option
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certified Refurbished
Certified Refurbished
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Bay
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network Interface Card
Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software Upgrade
Windows Live
Microsoft Works 9.0
McAfee Security Center, 30 Day
64BIT Operating System DVD
64BIT Operating System CD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor
Processor: Intel Core i7-720QM Quad Core Processor 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)

[x[sliver]]

both are fine. I would definately watch gotapex/slickdeals etc for coupons. they always have coupons!

[x[kbot]]

For the desktop I would personally drop the ram to 6gb and up the processor to a i7-920+ or if money doesn't matter just keep the 8gb ram anyway. But thats just my only slightly informed opinion, someone that knows more should comment.

[x[cavyr]]

I'll check out what I can find with teh i7-920 but these are just ready built options.

[x[cavyr]]

Anyone heard of this brand or can suggest a company that puts your parts together (not me :) )

Rick C.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

[x[kbot]]

I bought my system from http://www.ibuypower.com which from the looks of it is the same as cyberpower? Before I purchased my machine I did the math and it came out to the same price if I were to buy the parts seperate and do it myself, so I said screw it and just had them do it. Everything came in a timely manner in perfect working condition so no complaints at all. I'm still confused as to if cyberpower is the same company as ibuypower though, their websites looks so much the same.

[x[cavyr]]

Not sure but they are both selling pre-made boxes on NewEgg (would be kind of funny if they are the same comapny XD). Any brand names to stick with on their site or are they all good?

[x[cavyr]]

Playing around with configuration - Too much overkill or any areas to alter?

Thanks,

Rick C.

Weekly Gamer Special Case ( NZXT Alpha Gaming Tower Case - Black )
iBUYPOWER Labs - Noise Reduction ( Advanced - iBUYPOWER Harmony SRS Sound Reduction System )
iBUYPOWER Labs - Internal Expansion ( None )
Case Lighting ( None )
Processor ( Intel® Core™ i7 930 Processor (4x 2.8GHz/8MB L3 Cache) )
iBUYPOWER PowerDrive ( None )
Processor Cooling ( CoolerMaster V8 CPU Cooling Fan System )
Memory ( 6 GB [2 GB X3] DDR3-1333 - Corsair XMS3 Dominator w/DHX technology )
Video Card ( ATI Radeon HD 5850 - 1GB - Single Card )
Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by ATI or NVIDIA )
Motherboard ( ASUS P6T SE )
Motherboard Add-on ( None )
Power Supply ( 850 Watt -- CoolerMaster Silent Pro 850W Power Supply - SLI Ready )
Primary Hard Drive ( 40 GB Intel X25-V MLC SSD >>Nearly Instant Data Access<< - Single Drive )
Data Hard Drive ( 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s - Single Drive )
Optical Drive ( [8X Blu-Ray] LG BLU-RAY Re-Writer, DVD±R/±RW Burner Combo Drive - Black )
2nd Optical Drive ( 16X DVD-ROM Drive - Black )
Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer - Black )
Meter Display ( NZXT Sentry 2 LCD Touch Screen Fan Controller /w Temperatures Display - Black )
Floppy Drive ( None )
Sound Card ( Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio )
Network Card ( **$99 - $20 Instant Rebate!** Killer Xeno Pro Gaming Network Card )
Netbook / Notebook Bundle ( None )
Operating System ( Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + [Free 60-Day !!!] Microsoft Office 2007(Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access ....) - 64-Bit )
Additional Software ( Microsoft Office 2007 Small business Edition )
Keyboard ( Logitech Deluxe Keyboard - Black )
Mouse ( Logitech Internet Mouse - Black )
Monitor ( None )
2nd Monitor ( None )
Speaker System ( None )
External Hard Drives [USB 3.0/2.0/eSATA] ( None )
USB Flash Drive ( None )
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner ( [USB 2.0] ASUS External Digital TV-Tuner - High-Definition Digital TV Receiver, Watch and record Digital TV )
Power Protection ( None )
Headset ( Logitech G330 Gaming Headset - w/ adjustable head-fit headband )
MP3/MP4 Player ( None )
Video Camera ( None )
Advanced Build Options ( Tuniq TX-2 High Performance Thermal Compound - The best interface between your CPU and the heatsinks )
Advanced Build Options ( Professional wiring for all cables inside the system tower - Achieve exceptional airflow in your chassis )
Advanced Build Options ( iBUYPOWER Specialized Advanced Packaging System - Protect your investment during transportation! )
Warranty ( Standard Warranty Service - Standard 3-Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support )
Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) - No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )
$2,537.00

[x[kbot]]

The mobo you picked out already has onboard LAN so you don't need need Network Card ( **$99 - $20 Instant Rebate!** Killer Xeno Pro Gaming Network Card )

Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer - Black )
Meter Display ( NZXT Sentry 2 LCD Touch Screen Fan Controller /w Temperatures Display - Black )

Do you really need/want that stuff?

I have no idea if the headset you are getting is any good, do you already have one?

The solid state hard drives are bad ass but expensive as all hell and not much space (like the 40gig one you have on there) so you just have to decide if you want to spend that extra money or not.

The default packaging I had was fine and put together really well and I didn't pay for any of the advanced building options, but once again if you don't mind paying extra I guess better safe then sorry.

[x[jbrhymer]]

I use this ssd in my laptop:

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Mainstre...1724101&sr=8-3

[x[cavyr]]

Thanks for the input. I was just picking through options but I don't need a lot of those upgrades was just getting wrapped up in the choices. I think I'll keep the ssd for windows and windows office ( if it will fit both).