Advice on new computer

[Zarathustra]

I'm shopping for a new computer. I'm thinking about a Dell Dimension 5150, but it doesn't meet my entire wish list. Any suggestions?

Here's what I need:

<$1000 total cost (without monitor).
1 GB DDR RAM (with room for upgrading).
At least 80 GB SATA HD, 7200 RPM. (RAID controller would be nice for future upgrading.)
16xPCIe slot, preferrable already filled with a 128 MB or greater video card.
SLI compatible motherboard would be nice for future upgrading to two video cards.
S-video port for transferring my old Hi-8 videos to my HD, and burning them to DVD.
Dual layer DVD+/-RW
At least a 3.0 GHz Pentium 4, 2.8 Pentium D (dual core), or AMD 64 3700, the AMD 64 X2 dual core would be even better.

Any suggestions that fit these criteria? What computers do you all have? Am I missing any important features?

[Loredoctor]

If you need a pci express video card (256mb, radeon x800gt) that was only used for one week (as I bought a powerful beast of a card a week later) I can sell you one very cheap free postage. Still have the packaging and discs and manual.

[Zarathustra]

I'll do some research and get back to you. Let me ask: why the new card? I'd like to be able to play Quake 4 and Doom 3. Is the card you're selling going to have trouble with those?

[Zarathustra]

Well, the card seems to compare nicely with the GeForce 6600GT, and it tests well with Doom 3 at 1024x768 with anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering. However, it seems to only have DVI ports on the back--I wasn't planning on getting an LCD monitor. My old CRT works just fine. Let me think about it. If I can save quite a bit on the card, maybe it is time to get an LCD after all (though I've heard for 3d games, a CRT has faster response time and better black levels).


[Edit: it looks like the Powercolor has two DVI ports, while the Sapphire has a DVI and a VGA. Which brand is yours?]
[Edit #2: I suppose I could just use a DVI to VGA adapter. Did it come with one?]


How much were you asking?

[Loredoctor]

I bought a new card so I could play Oblivion on full settings (and it was on sale). The card for sale is Sapphire, and it comes with two ports - dvi and vga (I think - pretty sure).

I will sell it to you for half the price - so it's $300 Australian, so that's $150 . WIll double check and think on price as I dont want to charge you too much.

[Zarathustra]

Well, I appreciate the offer, but I've seen them recently on Ebay for around $100 including shipping. So maybe I will pass on that card.

I did buy a computer. I found a Dell 5150 for $549 shipped. It has 160 GB HD, 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 3.0 Pentium 4, etc. I'm very pleased. I saved $200 off the Dell price. (Considering that this is an upgrade from my very old 500 MHz P3 computer, it's quite a move up for me.)

So, I've got a little room in my budget for extras like a video card. But I'll probably shop around a little before deciding on one. I'd also like a high quality audio card, one that supports 24 bit/196 sampling for high resolution music.

Any other extras you'd like to get rid of, let me know.

[Loredoctor]

No problem, Malik23