I work for a lobbying firm downtown that hasn't devoted much time/energy to its technology. Last month I fixed up the network, now I'm turning to the computers themselves.

I've got 3 different issues I need advice on: the first two are suggestions on upgrades that can be made to mine and the company President's computers to speed them up (I reformatted mine and have it tweaked enough that it's actually just fine, but I figure if $$$ is being spent my computer should benefit ).

The last one is advice on an as-inexpensive-as-possible- but-still-l33t computer I can use to replace mine...so the one I'm using now can get turned over to an intern


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1) Possible upgrades to TGD's office computer

Computer: Gateway E-3600
Current OS: Windows XP Pro w/ SP2
Used for: Office (Word / Excel / Publisher), bookkeeping (QuickBooks), web surfing (Firefox), email (Outlook)

Current specs -
Processor: Pentium 4 (Willamette) 1.60GHz, 256Kb L2 cache
Chipset: Intel 845
FSB: 400MHz
RAM: 256MB DDR266 (PC2100)
HD: Western Digital Caviar, 40GB @ 7200rpm, 2MB cache, ATA/100 connection
Vid Card: Nvidia GeForce FX 5200, 2x AGP connection
CD/DVD: Matshita CR-594 CD-ROM

Notes: I figure a RAM upgrade is an obvious choice, but how much?
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2) Possible upgrades to The Boss's computer

Computer: Dell Dimension 4550
Current OS: Windows XP Home
Used for: MS Word, web surfing (MSIE), email (Outlook), AOL (don't ask), music (iTunes)

Current specs -
Processor: Pentium 4 (Northwood) 2.40GHz, 512Kb L2 cache
Chipset: Intel 845
FSB: 532MHz
RAM: 256MB DDR333 (PC2700)
HD: Seagate Barracuda V, 120GB @ 7200rpm, 2MB cache, ATA/100 connection
Vid Card: ATI Rage 128 Ultra, 32MB VRAM, 2x AGP connection
CD/DVD 1: Samsung SW-240B 40x/12x/40x CDRW
CD/DVD 2: LiteOn LTN486S 48x CDROM

Notes: this thing is so packed with Dell shit that it runs like...well...shit. A reformat is in its future if I can convince the boss to let me do it.

Also, the hard drive makes a clicking sound and the SMART diagnostics show a lot of read errors; does that mean the thing's about to croak?
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3) A new as-l33t-as-possible rig for under $1000

Used for: Office, bookkeeping, web development, web surfing, email, making periodic DVD or tape archives of our NAS

Notes: will need a flat panel monitor too. wanted to go with the Intel'd Mac mini, but the price and integrated graphics are both possible concerns.
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Any suggestions on any of the 3 would be much appreciated, thx!

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 4:46 PM. Reason : ---]

3/7/2006 4:42:19 PM

if you got cash to burn, get as much RAM as possible.

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 5:24 PM. Reason : and we know how lobbyists roll, so no skimpin]

3/7/2006 5:23:32 PM

1) ram, at least 512, more if you can afford it. dont you need a cd burner on this system?
2) reinstall windows, for sure. more ram, at least 512, more if you can afford it
3) theres an assload of recent threads about building computers from scratch, do some searching on "computer" and "system" and maybe "new". also keep an eye on http://slickdeals.net You can get a new dell with nice specs for cheap if you watch it daily. For example, look what popped up today. Its dead now but it gives you a nice idea of whats out there. http://www.slickdeals.net/#p7175

you could also hire me for cheap to take care of all this and...I dunno, go buy off politicians or whatever you lobbyists do

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 5:36 PM. Reason : ]

3/7/2006 5:33:33 PM

yea that e510 deal on slickdeals today would have been perfect for the 3rd one

3/7/2006 5:35:11 PM

Quote :

"Notes: will need a flat panel monitor too. wanted to go with the Intel'd Mac mini, but the price and integrated graphics are both possible concerns."

If you want a Mac check out Apple's refurb page. There are some low prices on the iMac g5 and others.

Even the original g5 iMac with the 64 mb graphics card is strong enough for what you need. You can get one <800.

3/7/2006 5:50:30 PM

1) RAM and second hard drive if you don't have network storage of some sort (mentioned a NAS).
2) Reformat and Upgrade to XP Pro if possible. More RAM.
3) Easy to find if you are patient. Check slickdeals.net often. Would recommend going through Dell Small Business if you can get a decent warranty under that price range. Otherwise, could get somebody from TWW to build from scratch for nominal ($50?) fee.

Would recommend getting an external DVD burner (or internal with external USB 2.0 case), leaving it hooked up to #3 and giving to other two computers as needed. Shouldn't cost more than $75.

[Edited on March 7, 2006 at 6:44 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2006 6:43:15 PM

damn I wish I had seen that e510, that would've been great.

Thanks for all the advice guys, this is why I make TWW my first stop for tech advice

any suggestions on RAM manufacturers? I went to Crucial to get the specs, then jumped to Newegg to get prices on Crucial's own stuff (about $80 less overall) -- but there are other chips that are less expensive by Kingston, Corsair and a couple others

Quote :

"synapse: you could also hire me for cheap to take care of all this and...I dunno, go buy off politicians or whatever you lobbyists do "

hey now, we don't "buy off" politicians -- we "build relationships" with politicians for the betterment of our clients

3/8/2006 10:58:32 AM

http://www.slickdeals.net/#p7203

$576

Quote :

"Specs: Pentium® D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80GHz, 800FSB) Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x256M) 19 inch E196FP Analog Flat Panel 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE HyperMemory 80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet 56K PCI Data Fax Modem 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support "

if you're still looking

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 9:55 AM. Reason : .]

3/14/2006 9:54:41 AM

bought me one last night.

3/14/2006 9:56:43 AM

Quote :

"Will bwn for dual core"

3/14/2006 12:16:07 PM

for what what does your firm lobby?

3/14/2006 2:09:29 PM

In Tech Talk, my answer would be "3 decent-sized companies and 5 trade associations."

For Soap Box people reading this thread, make it "3 evil Big Business mega-corporations and 5 evil special interest conglomerates, plus anyone trying to corrupt the body politic that happens to walk through the door"


This is my boss:
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/lobbyists/Lobbyist.aspx?PId=3762

[Edited on March 14, 2006 at 4:44 PM. Reason : ---]

3/14/2006 4:41:23 PM