Computer Purchase Recommendations?

[tone_aot]

Thanks guys! I got an emachines w2646.

 

[freshlysqueezed]

hey guys i ended up buyin a powerbook since Macs are renowned for their reliabilty for pro audio. just lettin ya'll no.

 

[Mindset]

yeah, a few have said it already.... www.Newegg.com for ALL your computing needs... if they dont have THE best price, i'm sure www.zipzoomfly.com or www.tigerdirect.com does.

one more link - www.bizrate.com for price comparisons.



bless.

www.pricewatch.com also has great prices

 

[BillyBo]

@ tone_aot...

does this look like your system...?? (see attatchment)

unfortunately, it doesnt show what the maximum upgrades for things like RAM are... i dont even know what kind of MoBo it is. oh well... email tech. w/ your model number and ask for more specific specs if you need them. i'm assuming if your computer only came w/ 256mb of RAM that you are probably maxed @ 1Gb.

here's the link - http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=W-Series&model=W2646

bless.

 

[melenor]

i have an emachines W2646 and i need to upgrade my RAM and everything i have found is confusing and i need a good answer, i just want to know what i have to take out and what to move, also i will be changing the grahpic card and adding an DVD drive can you help me out with this PLZ.

 

[Mindset]

first you open up your system so you can see it's guts....
then you locate the object that looks like this...



You take that piece out, and if you have got yourself a larger one, say a 1gb or 512, you just put it back in exactly how you took it out. There's only one way to put it in, it will not snap into place any other way. Match up the notches, and press down, and your done...

BTW your system should take up to PC2700 (which is backwards compatible usually) and I think your system's max is 2gb. Your memory is located right next to the processor (There's a FAN and HEATSINK ON top of it)

 

[BillyBo]

first you open up your system so you can see it's guts....
Match up the notches, and press down, and your done...

yep! that's it. what he said some computers have clips on the sides... make sure they are fastened as well..

dvd drive? i'd go w/ a BenQ DW1655 (you can get the one w/ lightscribe if you want)... fast drive, dual-layer support, only $42!

LINK: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827101008
(picture in attatchment)

and to change drives, remove one, and plug in the other the same way the original drive was plugged in (4-pin power, and IDE ribbon cable). it's easy. then install the drivers disc and you're set.

 

[tone_aot]

I plan to get some ram from walmart this week. Someone said i should get pc2700 ram. Is there a specific size of the chip that i need? I see some 512 mb chips that are different sizes so i don't know which one i should get for my comp. Also, is cheaper ram worse? I don't wanna lock my system down. I wanna get one 512mb chip now and another one later when i have more money.

 

[REEK BROCK]

I plan to get some ram from walmart this week. Someone said i should get pc2700 ram. Is there a specific size of the chip that i need? I see some 512 mb chips that are different sizes so i don't know which one i should get for my comp. Also, is cheaper ram worse? I don't wanna lock my system down. I wanna get one 512mb chip now and another one later when i have more money.

If its 2700 then it should be that size.Anything else 2700 would be for a notebook.They say cheaper ram is unreliable.I had to do the same thing.I got a emachines T2742 with almost the same specs.I added a videocard ,dvd burner,512 ram and bought a 20 inch crt monitor.After that it wasnt anything I couldnt throw at it.I do plan on getting more ram and maybe changing motherboards and soundcard.A manual should have come with the computer to explain how to install drives.

 

[tone_aot]

Thanks reek.

 

[Mindset]

hey your better off going to compusa or bestbuy to get ram, or order it off the internet. I wouldn't trust any ram coming from walmart, plus their price would be a little bit higher. There's a Fry's electronics here where I live, and they usually sell 1gb of ram for like 50-60$ of 3200, and 2gb of pc4000 for 120. shop around first. Bad ram will only harm your system, not help it out.

 

[crunkthanamug]

I should be getiin a new computer by next week. I'm gonn have about maybe 700 bucks to play with. I was thinkning either a laptop, mac mini or build my self a computer. What do ya'll suggest?

If it was my $700, Id go to MicroCenter (or microcenter.com) and pick up a pre-built system. Theyve got some absolute beasts for well under that price (that include 1 GB RAM). Also, Id stick to AMD64 over Intel anything...but thats neither here nor there...and if youve got some cash left over, invest in a soundcard -- the MAudio Audiophile 2496 is $100 now!

 

[crosstudio]

hey your better off going to compusa or bestbuy to get ram, or order it off the internet. I wouldn't trust any ram coming from walmart, plus their price would be a little bit higher. There's a Fry's electronics here where I live, and they usually sell 1gb of ram for like 50-60$ of 3200, and 2gb of pc4000 for 120. shop around first. Bad ram will only harm your system, not help it out.

I was about to agree with you with regard to Walmart until i saw that they sell PNY and Corsair memory sticks.

 

[Mindset]

wow they do? i didn't know that now the only thing would be the pricing. Cause I know you can get anything cheaper on newegg.com or just at the neighborhood best buy or compusa.

 

[tone_aot]

UPDATE: I now have 768 mb of ram. My computer moves a whole lot faster and i don't deal with any of the freeze ups anymore. Running multiple audio programs and plugins is a breeze now. Thanks guys!