is my system respectable?

That depends on how much you paid for it. For $100-150, it's fine. If it cost you more than that, you would have been better off building a PC based on Intel Celeron G530 Sandy Bridge or AMD A4-3400 Llano. Sad to say but even the integrated graphics on the Intel processor beats your 8400GS hands down.

 

I wouldn't say it's a POS. What you have is still a lot better than netbook/nettop specs. You definitely overpaid, though. Entry level systems nowadays cost around that much and perform at around Core 2 Duo level while consuming much less power and generating less heat.

Correction on the Intel iGPU comment. The iGPU on the Celeron G530 just about matches the 8400GS. However, iGPU on higher end Sandy Bridge CPU are better: around 8500 GT level. Llano is around 8600 GT/GTS level.

 

OK, so you asked!

I got to the 2nd line of the code listing and flagged up an instant no, it isn't respectable.

 

Just kiddin' of course.

Seriously though, why a 32 bit OS on 64 bit hardware?

Also, subject to hard drive capacity, you've got a machine that will handle virtualisation quite nicely. Why not have another go at Linux running in Virtualbox or VMWare? That'll give you the flexibility to try different distros etc. without having to worry about breaking stuff.

 

He never said what he paid. How do you know it was too much?

Cammy, not a bad machine. If it does what you need it to do, then it's decent. That's the only criteria that matters. My laptop runs Rift. It doesn't run as smoothly or look as shiny as it does on my wife's desktop, but I don't care. We can still login and play. My laptop does what I need, therefore to me it's decent in spite of it not meeting someone's definition of decent. Only you can decide if the machine works for what you need.

 

OK then... is my system respectable?

Code (Text):

1.  
2. ------------------
3. System Information
4. ------------------
5.  
6.        Machine name: MICHAEL-PC
7.    Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120305-1505)
8.            Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
9. System Manufacturer: FUJITSU
10.        System Model: LifeBook UH900
11.                BIOS: Version 1.11
12.           Processor: Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU Z530   @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
13.              Memory: 2048MB RAM
14. Available OS Memory: 2038MB RAM
15.           Page File: 1212MB used, 2861MB available
16.         Windows Dir: C:\windows
17.     DirectX Version: DirectX 11
18.  
19. ---------------
20. Display Devices
21. ---------------
22.           Card name: Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 500
23.        Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
24.           Chip type: Intel(R) GMA 500 Graphics Controller
25.            DAC type: Internal LVDS, External SDVO
26.          Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8108&SUBSYS_159510CF&REV_07
27.      Display Memory: 762 MB
28.    Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
29.       Shared Memory: 762 MB
30.        Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
31.        Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
32.       Monitor Model: unknown
33.          Monitor Id: FUJ0012
34.         Native Mode: 1280 x 800(p) (59.998Hz)
35.         Output Type: Internal
36.  
37. ------------------------
38. Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
39. ------------------------
40.       Drive: C:
41.  Free Space: 15.0 GB
42. Total Space: 54.8 GB
43. File System: NTFS
44.       Model: TOSHIBA THNSNB128GMSJ ATA Device
45.  
46.       Drive: D:
47.  Free Space: 1.2 GB
48. Total Space: 54.8 GB
49. File System: NTFS
50.       Model: TOSHIBA THNSNB128GMSJ ATA Device
51.  
52.       Drive: E:
53.       Model: HUAWEI Mass Storage USB Device
54.      Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/20/2010 16:38:10, 108544 bytes
55.  

 

Well, it still depends on your needs. I couldn't get away with a netbook, it wouldn't fill my needs. My wife, on the other hand, would be content with that for eighty percent of the time. The other twenty percent, we're playing Rift.

 

3rd post:

 

My bad. I still stand by everything else I said.

 

We'd just have to agree to disagree. I'm not saying it's bad. It's a pretty decent machine and I do have computers with similar hardware (and some with much worse). My main issue with it is the OP could have gotten a better, newer machine for the same price.

I built a Celeron E3300 (oc'ed to 3.33GHz) + GT 430 for around $200 (either in 2009 or 2010). Of course, HDD was really, really cheap at the time.

 

if it was a nail you hit it on the head

 

could he built one cheaper yeah probably so but ever been thirsty and over pay for water? In the end as long as your happy with what you have and it works for your needs. Heck I have an Old Dell Desktop with 768 meg of RAM (MAXED) I use it for a Server. Runs Great No lag No issues. Keeps the Files a coming and the printer a printing. Needs met worth the price we paid over 10 years ago.

 

It's probably going to outlive all of us! Those things were built like tanks.

 

good enough. What clock is your cpu? I was able to overclock my 8400 gs... made a big difference.

I'm actually running a core 2 duo 2.6ghz at 3.02 ghz, 2 gig ram, 1tb drive, and an overclocked 8400gz just fine. strong enough to actually emulate ps2 and be playable.

In all reality, unless you are doing hardcore gaming.. your system is MORE than capable for anything else. I use my system like a tech neophyte.. email, cd burning, holding pics from the camara/phones, ITunes, browsing the web, netflix. Ok, then there is the Playstation I and II emulation... all in all.. good enough.

 

Honestly, I'd look for a slight faster cpu.. but other than that let it rock. I want to move up to a core2 quad 3 ghz, and a much newer nvidia vid card... I only get slowdowns on complicated rendered scenes (Like the opening scene for Final Fantasy X or some of the fight scenes in Kingdom Hearts II) drop down to something like 40 fps... the video card itself could take it above 60 and keep it there... and the extra cpu is more for vm work.

 

Put a top hat on it and one of those old-style one-eyed spectacles (monocle?).


(ok sorry that wasn't helpful)

Seriously though, I think the system is low end. BUT, if it works for what you need then it's GOOD.

Anything else is relatively unimportant. If it does what you need, then it doesnt matter if it's respectable. Respect is a term for others to judge, but in this case basically unnecessary.

 

Just curious Cammy..
Did you rescue the motherboard from another machine? If not, where would you by an Hewlett Packard motherboard with that model number (those come in a prebuilts)? And more importantly, why?

 

Whoa, good eye! I missed that bit!