Computer to Layman's terms HELP

[Leetahkin]

I went out and bought a new computer. I was working with an Intel Celeron 2.2GHz, 256MB RAM DDR, 40GB hard drive.

I ordered this:

Pentium D Processor 820 w/ Dual Core Technology (2.8GHz, 800FSB)
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM @ 533MHz (2x1GB)
256MB PCI Express Radeon X600 SE HyperMemory (I told them the only big graphic game I may play is Oblivion, so they said this should work)
250 Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive @ 7200RPM w/ 8MB cache
Dual drives
Detto IntelliMover

What does dual channel mean? And what exactly is cache?

Did I choose a good system?

[Bobmuhthol]

The second I saw the processor, I audibly said, "You fucked up."

DDR2 RAM = faster. PC4200 and above, I think, are what use DDR2. 2GB DDR2 is overkill, basically. DDR2 533MHz = PC4200. The "standard" for recent computers is PC3200, or DDR 400MHz, for comparison.

Cache is hard drive memory reserved for frequently accessed storage so that it may be quickly recovered. More cache = faster performance.


Edit: I want to hear how much this computer cost you so I can laugh, please.

[Leetahkin]

with 19" flat-panel & 4 yr in home warranty - $1200

[Bobmuhthol]

LOLOLOL. Thank you.

[Leetahkin]

And what do you think it should have gone for?

[Bobmuhthol]

I think you shouldn't have purchased it, and a great computer costs no more than $750.

[Leetahkin]

One you'd have to put together?
You'd prolly shit yer pants if I told you how much Best Buy wanted to charge me if I had them come to my house to transfer files and set up a wireless connection.

[Celephais]

Bob, you really can't expect a layperson to go out and buy a 805 and OC it. I think she did well for not being a "techie". And 2gb is not overkill, DDR2 does not necessarly mean faster (latency suffers), and the 820 is perfectly acceptable for a future proofed non-"techie" machine. As for the harddrive, is it Raid 0 or Raid 1 (or not at all)?

[Bobmuhthol]

<<One you'd have to put together?>>

If you consider buying additional RAM and a video card "putting one together," yes.

<<You'd prolly shit yer pants if I told you how much Best Buy wanted to charge me if I had them come to my house to transfer files and set up a wireless connection.>>

I'd probably shit my pants if Best Buy ever did anything right.

<<And 2gb is not overkill, DDR2 does not necessarly mean faster (latency suffers)>>

2GB PC4200 is 99 times out of 100 going to be significantly more power than 1GB PC3200, which is more than enough already.

<<and the 820 is perfectly acceptable for a future proofed non-"techie" machine>>

The 820 both sucks and is an Intel processor. Pentium D processors will never be good.

[Leetahkin]

Celephais - It's a Dell Dimension E510. It doesn't say, so I can't answer your question.

True enuff about the Geek Squad