<p>I'm looking to get a dell inspiron desktop for college, a 530 for "hi def multimedia." Here are summary specs straight off dell:</p>
<p>PROCESSOR
Intel® Core2 Duo Processor E4400 (2MB L2 Cache,2.00GHz,800 FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
MEMORY
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
HARD DRIVE
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
VIDEO CARD
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS</p>
<p>My question is, for the casual gamer will these specs do? I'm currently running on a desktop with a 3200 AMD Athlon processor, 160GB hard drive, and geforce card -- I run most games with no/little lag. I use other typical apps too not when gaming, like instant messaging and limewire/winamp for music. Do I need 4GB of memory? I figured I won't be running two accounts or too many apps to require that much :p 2. Should I update to a 256 video card for an extra 100$?</p>
<p>It should be fine if you aren't a serious gamer.</p>
<p>I'd upgrade the processor to 4MBL2 if I could.</p>
<p>The hard drive could be downgraded in size, though try to keep it at 7200 RPM.</p>
<p>If you wanted to go for more video card memory, you could try 256 MB. Though I think 128 should suit you if you're just a casual gamer.</p>
<p>4 GB memory is unnecessary. 2 GB should be fine.</p>
<p>Consider building your own. Also the 8300GS isnt a gaming card. It wont run many if any of the recent games. A 7900GS can be had for like $99 are refund at Fry's/Outpost might want to look into that. </p>
<p>Whats the total price of this computer? You can often find better deals at Dell if you dig around.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. I would downgrade the hard drive because I figured I would be ok with less but it's kind of one of those package deals so 320 is the minumum, everything else is higher. I don't know if I should go for the 256 because I don't play too many games, will probably have 3-4 installed. I figured 4gb would be too much. I've never heard of fry's or outpost, is that a store? If was able to build my own I would try but I wouldn't know where to begin :p So the video card won't run any new games? :( The total price is like 950$, including printer, monitor, etc.</p>
<p>edit
I haven't ordered or anything else either so if you know of a better brand or better deal with comparable specs or for cheaper pls let me know!</p>
<p>If you get the 4gb of memory, you would need Vista 64-bit version in order to recognize all 4gb of it.</p>
<p>Get this, Very slick deal: <a href="http://slickdeals.net/?permadeal=10035#direct_deal_10035%5B/url%5D">http://slickdeals.net/?permadeal=10035#direct_deal_10035</a></p>
<p>HP Home has well equipped HP Pavillion m8100y Media Center/PVR desktop PC For a base price of $849. Thanks spudpnds and AL74</p>
<p>Click here
Click "Customize"
Select the following options:
FREE UPGRADE! 2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024)
HP 19-inch LCD Wide Flat Panel Monitor [add $100]
Checkout, apply $300 off $949.99 coupon DT1271
Your total will be $650 + applicable taxes with free shipping
Specs:</p>
<p>Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor E6550 (2.33GHz)
FREE UPGRADE! 2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024)
64MB NVIDIA GeForce 7500LE, DVI-I, TV-out, VGA adapter
250GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, video
ATSC-NTSC TV tuner with PVR, FM tuner, remote
Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports
Norton Internet Security(TM) 2007 - 15 Months
HP keyboard and HP scroller mouse
HP 19-inch LCD Wide Flat Panel Monitor</p>
<p>Nice deal there, toss that 7500 on ebay and get a 7900GS or better yet a 8800GTS 320.</p>
<p>Get the lowliest videocard available, and the most memory. Then go out and buy a midrange videocard (spend 150-200) at bestbuy. The markup on videocards is ridiculous from oems.</p>
<p>The markup on videocards from best buy is ridiculous too, get one from newegg.com</p>