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Home computer (no gaming, not intensive)

Post Date: 2012-07-20
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mikec View Drop Down
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Posts: 111 		  Quote mikec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Home computer (no gaming, not intensive)
    Posted: 20 Jul 2012 at 10:39pm
I'm thinking of replacing my dad's 7 year old Dell XPS (Pentium 4 3.6Ghz, X850 video, RAID0 raptors, used to be mine). It's still working, but it's getting old and the single core is sluggish enough to bug me when I have to work with it.

He just uses it for internet browsing, youtube videos, word documents, etc. There's no need for graphic power (or really CPU power). Should I get a Marauder 1-2, or a stripped down Epoch 1 to use integrated graphics, but have an i3/i5 and a better HDD (something like 710514 minus the graphics card)?

Thoughts? I'm not used to thinking about computers for such light use; I keep wanting to upgrade things :)

Side questions:
1. How are the integrated graphics in Sandy/Ivy? Would a HD2000/3000/4000 be enough? I've always had mid/high range graphics and never really looked at it before.
2. If I wanted custom parts, would DS buy and install it, or would I buy it and send it in?

Thanks!
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 6:26am
Hi mikec.....  When I saw a post by you I just assumed we would be talking Dell  UltraSharp's.  LOLLOL
 
But to your question.   For your dad's needs the Marauder 1 or 2 is all he would need.  Like you, I'm not used to thinking along this line  and there isn't a whole lot of benches comparing some of the parts.
 
If you wanted to go custom, so you can tweek some parts, then I would take your config and change the gt620 to the HD 7750/7770.  The 13-2100 is better than the Marauder's FX line and the HD 77??  are better than the gt620.  Kind of a AMD and Intel mix for the best I would guess.  This way if you or your dad want to game with it, then you would have a decent entry level rig.
 
I like your config better with the case, cpu cooler and the 13-2100.  The 400R case for another $16 is even better.  Ideally, take your config, change the case to 400R, drop HDD to 500GB and go with HD 7750/7770 in my opinion.
 
The Marauder is all he needs .  The suggestion above is if he or you wanted the option to play games a bit better.
 
Hope this helps and good luck.Big%20Smile


Edited by bprat22 - 21 Jul 2012 at 6:31am
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FrankW View Drop Down
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Posts: 2254 		  Quote FrankW Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 1:08pm
Hi mikec,

I like bprat22 suggestions. Or for what you dad wants to do the Marauder will do the job for a very good price.

Frank
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mikec View Drop Down
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Posts: 111 		  Quote mikec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 9:19pm
Thanks for the feedback guys!

I'm liking the custom one. Though for the GPU, I was hoping to use integrated graphics to start with since there'd be no gaming (except maybe internet flash games). Any discrete card seemed like too much. The GT 620 was just a random placeholder since "No GPU" isn't an option.

That's why I had my side questions. Is the HD2000 be good enough for basic use? Or if HD3000/4000 is better, could DS special order a i3 2105 with HD3000 or Ivy Bridge i3 3225 with HD4000 (when it comes out)?
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 3:57am
From what I've read, the i3-2100 is all you need.  Here's a link that does a goos test of the chip.
 
 
It seems to hold its own and only lacks the oc'ing potential of other chips, which I don't think you care about.
 
I never really did much research into integrated graphics.  It seems that every igpu generation is about 30-40% better in tests.  In real world, with your use, probably not a big difference, but not sure.
 
Go with your custom build minus the graphics card and your dad will have all he needs, in my opinion. 


Edited by bprat22 - 22 Jul 2012 at 6:06am
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Martys View Drop Down
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Posts: 68 		  Quote Martys Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 2:49pm
mikec,

I ran on the HD3000 integrated graphics for some time and for basic use it was fine. Although not quite as fast I think the HD2000 graphics should be more than adequate as well. You can get a reasonable idea of relative performance between graphics cards and integrated graphics in this chart from Tom's hardware.

  Marty
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