Second Life Forums Archive - Help on buying a PC

Kagome Aeghin

Pissed Off Pussy

Join date: 2 Apr 2008

Posts: 112

04-26-2008 07:41

Hi could anyone maybe help me, I found this PC earlier would SL run ok on it?

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1459059328.1209214840@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadedmdlllelcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=1&sm=1&tm=5&sku=272724&category_oid=-26387

If I purchased this would I be able too place XP onto it o would it void my warranty?

DancesWithRobots Soyer

Registered User

Join date: 7 Apr 2006

Posts: 701

04-26-2008 08:38

I wouldn't.

There's NO word about what the card/chipset (more likely) is so it's probably got an Intel embedded graphics processor, and they just don't work very well.

Also, while I'm having no problem to speak of with it, most folks are avoiding Vista if possible.

Edit--I just noticed you asking about installing XP. It probably WOULD void your warrenty, and there may be other licensing issues, depending on where your copy of XP came from.

_____________________

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One life I live. One life I dream.
In dreams I remember the better in me."

Garrett Laramide

Upholder of Murphy's Law

Join date: 27 Dec 2006

Posts: 249

04-26-2008 09:01

According to the site it has "64MB nVidia GeForce 7500LE Graphics" which should run SL, though I'm not sure how fast. For RAM, the 1GB will work, albeit not very well, especially if you choose to leave Vista on the machine.

As for your warranty concerns, it's wisest to contact the seller directly and find out the details directly from them.

_____________________

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June Oh

Remember I'm a Blonde.

Join date: 20 Feb 2007

Posts: 383

04-26-2008 09:12

From: DancesWithRobots Soyer

I wouldn't.

There's NO word about what the card/chipset (more likely) is so it's probably got an Intel embedded graphics processor, and they just don't work very well.
QUOTE]

It does list the graphic card on the spec. on a sub. page.
64MB nVidia GeForce 7500LE Graphics

I use a card out of the 7000 series, allthough I did read LE means the lowest of a series.

I personaly would avoid Currys/PCWorld refurbished ones, to me it would mean one that someone bought and took back.

I usual buy or send friends to look at a Staples store, not thier web site as it for bussiness and higher prices, VAT to add, for HP. Tesco also have HP at larger stores. Watch out for intergrated graphic card, as Dances says, you might later want to upgrade the GC.
Think you should think £299 minimum, maybe £349.
Get a 22" w/s monitor if you can.
I did increase the ram on mine, I'm Xp no experience of Vista.
Love
June

Chosen Few

Alpha Channel Slave

Join date: 16 Jan 2004

Posts: 7,496

04-26-2008 09:37

From: DancesWithRobots Soyer

There's NO word about what the card/chipset (more likely) is so it's probably got an Intel embedded graphics processor, and they just don't work very well.

Actually, if you click on the View More Product Info button, it shows that the graphics card is a 64MB GeForce 7500LE.

It's a little strange that they've got that card listed at 64MB when the listed spec for it is 128MB or 256MB, or up to 512MB with TurboCache. But when I Google for "Packard Bell 2479 specs", I see that they've actually got it using shared memory, which is user configurable from 64MB to 320MB.

Kagome, so you know, I would not recommend ever using any video card that uses shared memory. "Shared" means the video card has very little if any dedicated video memory of its own, and instead uses part of your system RAM. Since system RAM cannot handle video information anywhere near as well as real video memory is, the whole machine ends up running much more slowly.

You'd probably be better off with this: http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0954780744.1209225777@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadedmdlllelcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=921571&category_oid=#productInformationSection

It's got a Core 2 Duo instead of that old Pentium, double the RAM, a newer graphics card, a much bigger hard drive, all for just £50 more. The 8400GS isn't the world's greatest graphics card, but at least it's got its own memory onboard. By the specs, this machine should run circles around the other one.

As for putting XP on it, the technical answer is yes, you certainly could. But will it void your warranty? You'd have to read the terms of the warranty to find out. There's no general rule. Every warranty is different. I'd suggest you call Curry's and ask them directly. There's no way any of us can know without reading the thing.

_____________________

.

Land now available for rent in Indigo. Low rates. Quiet, low-lag mainland sim with good neighbors. IM me in-world if you're interested.

Kagome Aeghin

Pissed Off Pussy

Join date: 2 Apr 2008

Posts: 112

Thank You

04-26-2008 13:57

Hi June, i looked at a refurbished PC's at Curry’s as i used too work there, i know they are quite reliable so I’ll be ok but thank you for your concern.

Chosen thank you very much, I'll definitely go with the PC you showed me, I did not see that PC LOL. Thank you for your help everyone.

Calveen Kline

In pursuit of Happiness

Join date: 5 Jan 2007

Posts: 682

04-26-2008 16:21

If you're shopping in the UK, I'd recommend this website:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/

They have the best prices I've found, without compromising performance.

_____________________

Help on buying a PC
Kagome Aeghin Pissed Off Pussy Join date: 2 Apr 2008 Posts: 112	04-26-2008 07:41 Hi could anyone maybe help me, I found this PC earlier would SL run ok on it? http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1459059328.1209214840@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadedmdlllelcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=1&sm=1&tm=5&sku=272724&category_oid=-26387 If I purchased this would I be able too place XP onto it o would it void my warranty?
DancesWithRobots Soyer Registered User Join date: 7 Apr 2006 Posts: 701	04-26-2008 08:38 I wouldn't. There's NO word about what the card/chipset (more likely) is so it's probably got an Intel embedded graphics processor, and they just don't work very well. Also, while I'm having no problem to speak of with it, most folks are avoiding Vista if possible. Edit--I just noticed you asking about installing XP. It probably WOULD void your warrenty, and there may be other licensing issues, depending on where your copy of XP came from. _____________________ "Two lives I have. One life I live. One life I dream. In dreams I remember the better in me."
Garrett Laramide Upholder of Murphy's Law Join date: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 249	04-26-2008 09:01 According to the site it has "64MB nVidia GeForce 7500LE Graphics" which should run SL, though I'm not sure how fast. For RAM, the 1GB will work, albeit not very well, especially if you choose to leave Vista on the machine. As for your warranty concerns, it's wisest to contact the seller directly and find out the details directly from them. _____________________ Accipere quam facere praestat injuriam
June Oh Remember I'm a Blonde. Join date: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 383	04-26-2008 09:12 From: DancesWithRobots Soyer I wouldn't. There's NO word about what the card/chipset (more likely) is so it's probably got an Intel embedded graphics processor, and they just don't work very well. QUOTE] It does list the graphic card on the spec. on a sub. page. 64MB nVidia GeForce 7500LE Graphics I use a card out of the 7000 series, allthough I did read LE means the lowest of a series. I personaly would avoid Currys/PCWorld refurbished ones, to me it would mean one that someone bought and took back. I usual buy or send friends to look at a Staples store, not thier web site as it for bussiness and higher prices, VAT to add, for HP. Tesco also have HP at larger stores. Watch out for intergrated graphic card, as Dances says, you might later want to upgrade the GC. Think you should think £299 minimum, maybe £349. Get a 22" w/s monitor if you can. I did increase the ram on mine, I'm Xp no experience of Vista. Love June
Chosen Few Alpha Channel Slave Join date: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 7,496	04-26-2008 09:37 From: DancesWithRobots Soyer There's NO word about what the card/chipset (more likely) is so it's probably got an Intel embedded graphics processor, and they just don't work very well. Actually, if you click on the View More Product Info button, it shows that the graphics card is a 64MB GeForce 7500LE. It's a little strange that they've got that card listed at 64MB when the listed spec for it is 128MB or 256MB, or up to 512MB with TurboCache. But when I Google for "Packard Bell 2479 specs", I see that they've actually got it using shared memory, which is user configurable from 64MB to 320MB. Kagome, so you know, I would not recommend ever using any video card that uses shared memory. "Shared" means the video card has very little if any dedicated video memory of its own, and instead uses part of your system RAM. Since system RAM cannot handle video information anywhere near as well as real video memory is, the whole machine ends up running much more slowly. You'd probably be better off with this: http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0954780744.1209225777@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdcadedmdlllelcflgceggdhhmdgmi.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=921571&category_oid=#productInformationSection It's got a Core 2 Duo instead of that old Pentium, double the RAM, a newer graphics card, a much bigger hard drive, all for just £50 more. The 8400GS isn't the world's greatest graphics card, but at least it's got its own memory onboard. By the specs, this machine should run circles around the other one. As for putting XP on it, the technical answer is yes, you certainly could. But will it void your warranty? You'd have to read the terms of the warranty to find out. There's no general rule. Every warranty is different. I'd suggest you call Curry's and ask them directly. There's no way any of us can know without reading the thing. _____________________ . Land now available for rent in Indigo. Low rates. Quiet, low-lag mainland sim with good neighbors. IM me in-world if you're interested.
Kagome Aeghin Pissed Off Pussy Join date: 2 Apr 2008 Posts: 112	Thank You 04-26-2008 13:57 Hi June, i looked at a refurbished PC's at Curry’s as i used too work there, i know they are quite reliable so I’ll be ok but thank you for your concern. Chosen thank you very much, I'll definitely go with the PC you showed me, I did not see that PC LOL. Thank you for your help everyone.
Calveen Kline In pursuit of Happiness Join date: 5 Jan 2007 Posts: 682	04-26-2008 16:21 If you're shopping in the UK, I'd recommend this website: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/ They have the best prices I've found, without compromising performance. _____________________

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