Need New Desktop

[Craig Mac]

My desktop computer crapped out many months ago and laptop is starting to act up. Both computers are well over 6 years old running windows xp(SP3). I know neither of them are worth fixing and looking to replace my desktop right now and laptop/tablet down the road. I used to build my own computers but haven't done so in a few years, but I think that "some assembly required" shouldn't be a problem. Trying to see if anyone has an recommendations for me, I have monitor, speakers, mouse and keyboard covered, just need a new school tower.

Only real specs I would need is the monitor is DVI preferred but can get an adapter for HDMI to DVI. Audio is either Digital Coax or Opitical. Blu-ray player would be nice, blu-ray burner even better......

 

[kockroach]

Sucks to hear both comps are down now. Well, if you go with a current mobo, you would also need a new proc, memory, and depending on what you have right now, a new graphics card (or two if you want SLI) and a better PSU. Don't forget a license for Win7, unless you want to stick with XP.

My favorite site to buy parts from has been NewEgg.com. MaximumPC is always a great source for info on current parts and recommendations on builds/mods.

 

[Craig Mac]

To be honest I am really looking to just keep it simple. Willing to throw the old stuff in the trash and start over. It sure would be easier to get something pre-assembled, but if it will save enough I'll build. But, I tend to be lazier these days....

Definitely purchasing a licensed copy of Windows 7, it's the least I can do after all the years I got out of that "disk" of XP I had:grin:

 

[kockroach]

Well, I guess budget will be a factor then. I personally prefer building my own now. Before that, I had a Dell, but that's been probably 10 years ago. I didn't like pre-builts as I got into modding. Dell had non-standard parts, which meant you were limited to using their upgrades.

One nice thing about buying the parts and building yourself is that you can usually pair a copy of the OS of choice for a lower price than buying separately.

 

[lbowles2]

The first thing we probably need to know is what is your budget? Once we know that we can throw together
configurations on Newegg. Also do you prefer AMD or Intel? Intel seems to be faster but AMD is a bit cheaper
and still performs well. How much drive space do you need?

 

[cvm4]

Dude... You're getting a Dell :smokingme

 

[Craig Mac]

The first thing we probably need to know is what is your budget? Once we know that we can throw together
configurations on Newegg. Also do you prefer AMD or Intel? Intel seems to be faster but AMD is a bit cheaper
and still performs well. How much drive space do you need?

200+ gigs minimum, probably in the $600-$700 range would be nice, but if need be can go more to get a badass video card. Have used AMD mostly due to lower cost in the past, but don't really care either way now.

 

[drinkingcoffee]

Yeah, I'm thinking your budget is a big factor here because I see a $300 pre-built system picked up on sale or imagine a super fast fun-as-heck box that you built yourself.

But it sounds like you're looking for something quick and easy, so don't forget refurbished boxes. I would definitely upgrade to Windows 7. Windows Vista was easy to skip, but Windows 7 is about Microsoft getting competitive in who know's how long, so it's actually good OS.

 

[Craig Mac]

I also should probably add that I won't be gaming on this machine, I have a PS3 that doesn't see much action, so I won't need a high dollar dual video card setup or anything.

But it sounds like you're looking for something quick and easy, so don't forget refurbished boxes.

Never really been a fan of buying refurb when it comes to electronics personally

 

[twenty5]

I would wait a couple of weeks. Dell's Outlet store (refurbs, scratch and dents, etc) sounds like the way to go. Right now it is pretty empty but with Christmas presents open and returns being made I assume there will be decent stock in the next week or two. Stock changes by the minute, so check when you can.

You obviously know more about building computers than I do but a 2nd gen i5 and a decent graphics card should be what your search criteria is. Make sure the mother board could handle the memory you want but dont get it with the computer, memory is cheap but apparently no one told dell..

 

[twenty5]

I think starting price last I checked for i5 desktops was in the low 400s (440$ maybe)..

I should also point out that I went through this same thing 2 or 3 months ago and decided to go with a laptop instead. When comparing Dell laptops and desktops, the price to performance ration was not that much different between the two. I think it cost me an extra 100-200$ to go with a laptop with very very similar specs to a desktop I had my eye on.

 

[lbowles2]

One thing to keep in mind... if you want a nice discreet video (not onboard) you're probably going to have to pop for a bit more than $700 if you want a decent board and proc. Also hard drive prices are really high right now. I came up with a very solid system for about $800 with the following specs:

• Case: Antec Three Hundred - $55 w/ free ship - $10 MIR
• Power Supply: Antec 550W Modular BP550 - $70 + $3 shipping
• Motherboard: Asus M4N98TD nForce 980a SLI - $130 + $4 shipping
• Processor: AMD Phenom II X6 2.8Ghz 6-core - $150 w/ free ship
• Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR31600 8GB (2x4GB) - $44 w/ free ship
• Hard Drive: Wester Digital 320GB 16MB cache - $95 + $7 shipping
• Blu Ray Drive: LG SATA Blu Ray writer 12x - $70 + $5 shipping
• Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 560 SLI Ready - $190 + $7.50 shipping

This would be a pretty darn nice build. Lots of power and upgradability. Later on if you wanted more video capability just add another of the vid cards in SLI mode. The only thing I might upgrade if you thought this might be a possibility is a bigger power supply that might cost more like $100.

**EDIT** Oops... forgot the OS. You would need to add $100 for Windows 7. This looks like it gets out of your price range. You could go with a different mobo that has on board video and forgo the discreet vid card. A dell or something wouldn't have that anyway. That would save you $200 or more on the above config.

 

[lbowles2]

I think starting price last I checked for i5 desktops was in the low 400s (440$ maybe)..

I should also point out that I went through this same thing 2 or 3 months ago and decided to go with a laptop instead. When comparing Dell laptops and desktops, the price to performance ration was not that much different between the two. I think it cost me an extra 100-200$ to go with a laptop with very very similar specs to a desktop I had my eye on.

I would agree with twenty4 here... it seems like the pricing on laptops is better than desktops. I bought a Toshiba a month ago for $500 that has a Core i5 proc, 4GB RAM, 17.3 in screen, and 320GB of drive space. It also had a blu-ray drive (not burner). I couldn't find a desktop that gave me all those features for the same money.

 

[Herfin' Harg]

I would wait a couple of weeks. Dell's Outlet store (refurbs, scratch and dents, etc) sounds like the way to go. Right now it is pretty empty but with Christmas presents open and returns being made I assume there will be decent stock in the next week or two. Stock changes by the minute, so check when you can.

^^^^^^ This!!!

I've purchased two computers this way. They're cheap, reliable, and you can still get the excellent dell "come to my house and fix it even though I dropped it off my roof into my pool" warranty on their scratch/dent and refurb systems for up to three years. This has saved my butt more than once over the past 10 years or so.

 

[Craig Mac]

That is a pretty sweet setup Larry, just think it is creeping a bit above what I want to spend..

The laptop is all I have right now and Desktop has been dead for months. Ideally I would like another laptop but I think I can bandaid the one I have and use for a few more months and go with replacing the desktop now. I honestly use my laptop mostly for internet related stuff so thinking maybe a tablet(say an iPad3) this summer. I do a little bit of audio/video editing and always found it to be a pain on the laptop, mostly because I have 1000 watt 5.1 audio and 42" monitor with the desktop. I know I can use the laptop and attach it to both, but honestly would rather go desktop now, laptop/tablet in 6 months.

I am not in "have to have it today" mode, so price shopping and waiting a few weeks for a deal is what I have in mind. I haven't been in the market for a computer or kept up with pricing for a few years, so mostly trying to get a feel for options. If I have to pay a little more for something nice I don't mind that, just don't want to go overboard at the same time. Thanks for the advice so far and keep it coming:applause:

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Sucks to hear both comps are down now. Well, if you go with a current mobo, you would also need a new proc, memory, and depending on what you have right now, a new graphics card (or two if you want SLI) and a better PSU. Don't forget a license for Win7, unless you want to stick with XP.

My favorite site to buy parts from has been NewEgg.com. MaximumPC is always a great source for info on current parts and recommendations on builds/mods.

Craig, I don't know anybody else's feelings but CompUSA (formerly known as TigerDirect) is another good place if you're willing to build yourself.

 

[kockroach]

Craig, I don't know anybody else's feelings but CompUSA (formerly known as TigerDirect) is another good place if you're willing to build yourself.

CompUSA bought TigerDirect. If it was the reverse, I would have no issue with this company. CompUSA always had shaddy practices, and doesn't have the best service/selection IMO. TigerDirect was cheapened by the buyout.

 

[NCost]

It's to bad you're so far away from Fairfax, as you could go to MicroCenter and they'll help you piece together a build exactly the way you want to. If I were you I'd use NewEgg to source the parts and price shop...and/or TigerDirect, but easier if you can just put everything in one cart. Don't forget the Thermal paste for the CPU and a CPU fan/cooler.

For the price of RAM these days, go with 12GB on W7, it makes a nice difference.

Also if you can swing it, maybe a 60gb SSD primary drive and a secondary 7200rpm HD. Only install the OS on the SSD and your machine will boot in seconds. But at a cost.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

Thanks for sharing that Jere! :thumbsup:

 

[drinkingcoffee]

I do a little bit of audio/video editing and always found it to be a pain on the laptop, mostly because I have 1000 watt 5.1 audio and 42" monitor with the desktop. I know I can use the laptop and attach it to both, but honestly would rather go desktop now, laptop/tablet in 6 months.

So how about getting a great laptop that you can occasionally hook up to your 42" monitor, etc.? You could combine the desktop money with the money you were going to spend on a iPad/laptop in the summer and you would have the best of both worlds (if you're in the financial position to do that). You could even get a 13" laptop for mobility as long as the video will handle a 42" monitor. Plus, others on this thread have said they could get just as good of deal on a laptop.

Also, make sure you really spend time with an iPad before buying one. For many tech geeks, it doesn't have enough flexablity. I wanted to love mine, but wound up selling it after a year. iOS is completely acceptable for something that fits in your pocket, but seemed constraining when you compare it to a really mobile laptop.