Buying a new computer-got $1100-$1200

[Virtual_Pilot]

CHECK THIS OUT! Now for 70 bucks more, I get 640MB 8800GTS instead of 320! So the 640 is like alot better right?

[Nick N]

CHECK THIS OUT! Now for 70 bucks more, I get 640MB 8800GTS instead of 320! So the 640 is like alot better right?

2 times the card for 70 bucks more

yes, that is a good idea!

[Nick N]

OEM is not always a money saver, especially with video cards

there is a reason they are OEM


hard drives such as WD Raptor on the other hand are the same OEM or boxed

processor are the same.. you just dont get the full warrantee or the HSF

and you have to be CAREFULL with that too because some sites including newegg sell things OPEN BOX and not OEM and the person who typed up the listing doesnt understand the difference, so you get USED and not OEM

I would never buy an OEM video card, motherboard or memory product

[Virtual_Pilot]

I am only getting an OEM Operating System, is that OK?

[Nick N]

I am only getting an OEM Operating System, is that OK?

Yep

its the same software

but, if you mean OEM from DELL, meaning its their version of Windows.. hmmmm

What Dell, Gateway, HP, etc does is burn their own disk and incorporate other crap on it which automatically installs all sorts of junk, sometime choking as much as 50% of the balls out of a system

If I bought a Dell or other similar system I would not be getting the warrante and instead plan to install my own purchased version of Windows, getting rid of their emergency recovery partition and all the other crap that slows the tower down.


or I would painstakingly remove things manually which they installed by default, especially ANY AV or scanner products, trials, etc... all garbage

NOD32 AV
Spybots Search and Destroy
Windows Firewall
IE7
monthy MS updates

is all you need, perfect protection and no hit on resources

OEM Windows disks from newegg is fine.. its just not warranted by MS as the official release version as I recall but doesnt have the crap on it... its just like the retail version

[Celtman]

I meant I always buy OEM OS for anyone who is confused - ad it saves me money as you get 16 (I think) re-installs out of it, and I don't upgrade 16 times

Also, I have the BFG version of the 8800GTS 640Mb - Great card!

[Brett_Henderson]

I'll let Nick correct me if I'm wrong...

You can get any number re-installs out of an OEM, for everything from just a plain old re-format to replacing failed HDDs...

BUT, if you change major components, like a mother-board/CPU upgrade, you'll need another OEM purchase..

That's why I think the full retail purchase is a good idea this early in a Windows version release.  

Now, if you plan on selling your computer and new-building instead of upgrading, the OME is a good idea, as you'll need to leave that Windows on it for the new owner.

[Nick N]

[quote]I'll let Nick correct me if I'm wrong...

You can get any number re-installs out of an OEM, for everything from just a plain old re-format to replacing failed HDDs...

BUT, if you change major components, like a mother-board/CPU upgrade, you'll need another OEM purchase..

That's why I think the full retail purchase is a good idea this early in a Windows version release.

[Brett_Henderson]

Right.. I've never had a problem getting the code for a GPU upgrade or HDD replacement.. But I was told not to even bother when I changed mother-board and CPU. Even just a motherboard replacement (same model as in you're repairing the computer) requires the phone call. If it's a completely different board/cpu, it's a new computer, requiring a new license.