Gaming Vista 64-Bit compatibility issues at all?

[suppachipmunk]

Hello all,

I am going to purchase a desktop for my friend (on his credit card) during the tax free weekend. They want an average computer just to browse the internet and maybe do some downloading. Since I work at the wonderful place that is *walmart*, I get a crappy 10% discount on any product.

So the plan is to order the computer online and use my discount combined with the tax free weekend to save a good bit.

He has given me a strict limit on the price and have narrowed it down to 2 different HP computers.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=10192018

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?...uct_id=10192019

On the first link, it has Vista 64-bit edition, and I was wondering if there have been any compatibility issues with anyone or if the 64-bit edition is flawed in any way as to just get the second computer with the 32-bit edition.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[fischju]

Nothing is wrong with Vista x64, but the cheaper one is a better deal.

 

[suppachipmunk]

Thanks fischju,

I am aware that 32-bit systems cannot use anything over 3GB of RAM, so the RAM is maxed on the cheaper system.

But the processor is only 2GHz as compared to 2.4GHz on the more expensive one. Will they notice the difference at all?

I ask this because I am using a 3GHz P4 with Hyper Threading and it does everything I want at a reasonable speed. I am considering an upgrade myself.

thanks again

 

[fischju]

It isn't worth $70. These computers are hardly an upgrade unless you watch a lot of HD content. The E2180 is easily overclocked to 2.4ghz.

If you just want a computer that can handle web-browsing and the like at good speeds, I could get a parts list and you could build one for cheaper

 

[suppachipmunk]

I was thinking of building them one. But I actually live 250 miles away as of now (college caused me to move away from home), and I will visit them in a week.

I was going to have it sent to their house and just set it up when I get there. Although, I guess I could have the parts shipped to their house just as easily. So it is possible to get a computer with an OS shipped for less than $450 USD with about the same specs? That would be great too.

 

[fischju]

Same CPU with cooler and heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819116052 $70

mobo with integrated graphics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813186139 $50

Ram 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231044 $47

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817182075 $45

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811147096 $37

250GB HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148262 $58

= $307 with shipping. I recommend pirating Windows XP SP2, or you could buy it...
You could also add about $60 for a low-profile video card, if needed.

 

[suppachipmunk]

@ fischju

Thank you so much. I will shoot this by him first thing in the morning and hopefully he will want to go this route. That is not a bad price at all for a basic web browsing computer.

Thanks again.

 

[fischju]