Thanks for the tip. I'm not even sure what I need though. This computer will be used for spreadsheets/Microsoft office, emails, and some IM/AM programs... that's all.
Need A new Desktop... suggestions?
- Thread starter LegitAM
- Start date
Thanks for the tip. I'm not even sure what I need though. This computer will be used for spreadsheets/Microsoft office, emails, and some IM/AM programs... that's all.
Best advice ever. The worst case scenario is that you'll have to do is get a CPU cooler and install it. Piece of cake. Try to get an i5 or i7. If you have to sacrifice other things like the amount of hard drive space or ram, do it. The processor is the most important part in a computer.
Something like this is Intel in the new i series. They are faster than AMDs and have a better rep. I have an AMD now so I am not too biased.
Newegg.com - HP Pavilion P6530 Intel Core i3 540(3.06GHz) 6GB 1TB Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
If you want to hookup a normal TV plasma I am not sure if you will like the results. What is the resolution? What connections does it have. You should be matching it carefully to the video card if you want to do dual monitors at the same time. Difficult in this price range.
The above computer is Win 7 with a terabyte drive.
I am not so sure about building a machine if you haven't done it. I used to be a computer tech and I still get confused sometimes. I had a DOA Gigabyte motherboard recently that blew a power supply and no spare parts and it wasted half a day.
Newegg.com - HP Pavilion P6530 Intel Core i3 540(3.06GHz) 6GB 1TB Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
If you want to hookup a normal TV plasma I am not sure if you will like the results. What is the resolution? What connections does it have. You should be matching it carefully to the video card if you want to do dual monitors at the same time. Difficult in this price range.
The above computer is Win 7 with a terabyte drive.
I am not so sure about building a machine if you haven't done it. I used to be a computer tech and I still get confused sometimes. I had a DOA Gigabyte motherboard recently that blew a power supply and no spare parts and it wasted half a day.
^^^This x1000
So much more bang for your buck with a custom build.
The worst thing you'll encounter when building a PC are minor cuts. Beware of stabbing your fingers on the motherboard I/O shield. If you can, buy a cheap electrostatic strap or mat; the last thing you want is zapping your motherboard/CPU/RAM on accident and waiting for a replacement.
Considering how he'll use it, I doubt he'll need a screaming machine. A simple HP on sale from Costoco/Best Buy with a clean install of Windows 7 (HPs have great hardware, just terrible software installed) will do everything you need and then some. Get a nice Samsung monitor although you might see bundle deals with an HP monitor (HPs have nice monitors, also so its not a big deal). Years later, you could upgrade specific components if you really wanted to make a screaming machine on the cheap, such as a beefy HTPC, etc.
AMD are pretty reliable in my experience, I had one for 6 years (Athlon XP) and I never had an issue with it till someone physically broke it. Aparently the newer intel processors do exceed AMD but to be honest high end stuff probably surpasses your needs. I wouldn't custom build one as you're after something quick and easy, that and building a computer with no knowledge can be a little confusing as I'm finding out. And once you get started finding components it can suddenly get a whole lot more expensive if you're prone to getting carried away. You could try checking ebay for prebuilt stuff. I'm not sure where in the world you are but ebay UK used to have some pretty decent deals on new stuff with warranty but they usually come without the OS. I also only ever looked for AMD because I think they're so awesome.
Gateway One ZX4800-01 Pentium Dual-Core 2.1 GHz All-in-One Touchscreen PC
$549.99
Gateway One ZX4800-02 Pentium Dual-Core T4300 2.1GHz 4GB 750GB DVD±RW DL 20" Touchscreen Windows 7 Home w/Webcam Gateway PW.G8502.002 ZX4800-02
$549.99
Gateway One ZX4800-02 Pentium Dual-Core T4300 2.1GHz 4GB 750GB DVD±RW DL 20" Touchscreen Windows 7 Home w/Webcam Gateway PW.G8502.002 ZX4800-02
Exactly, I'm not looking for some crazy machine. I just need something to do the basics, then I can upgrade later on if need be.
Gateway One ZX4800-01 Pentium Dual-Core 2.1 GHz All-in-One Touchscreen PC
$549.99
Gateway One ZX4800-02 Pentium Dual-Core T4300 2.1GHz 4GB 750GB DVD±RW DL 20" Touchscreen Windows 7 Home w/Webcam Gateway PW.G8502.002 ZX4800-02
Pretty interesting... any experience with this?
More reason to get a desktop, preferably a custom build, something like above looks as though it would be difficult to build on and you likely wouldn't be able to without voiding warranty. If you really want something cheap and basic that you can replace later, get a netbook and a decent monitor. I love mine, its more powerful than it should be and easily plays wow, acts a media center for streaming, hooks up to a monitor, keyboard and mouse effortlessly and is tiny for easy transporting if you take it to college. Just a thought. They're probably way better than mine now too.
Just re-read your post and saw that you don't want to transport it but it gets pretty tiresome disconnecting it after a while
its also cool having the option to take it anywhere.
More reason to get a desktop, preferably a custom build, something like above looks as though it would be difficult to build on and you likely wouldn't be able to without voiding warranty. If you really want something cheap and basic that you can replace later, get a netbook and a decent monitor. I love mine, its more powerful than it should be and easily plays wow, acts a media center for streaming, hooks up to a monitor, keyboard and mouse effortlessly and is tiny for easy transporting if you take it to college. Just a thought. They're probably way better than mine now too.
Just re-read your post and saw that you don't want to transport it but it gets pretty tiresome disconnecting it after a while
Well I have a mac laptop I take with me when I'm on the go. When doing IM and internet work I tend to get in a trance, so that's the reason I want a desktop. That way I won't be thinking about IM/AM unless it is work time. I've got my mac to take to classes and "have fun" on.
not with this desktop, but with computergeeks.com - prices are decent, shipping is very quick and anytime I've had any problem with an order, I call them up and they take care of it.
The desktop itself being an all in one, will save you some space.
The desktop itself being an all in one, will save you some space.
Yeah I'd rather have a seperate tower, but definitely cool. I'm looking at Hp currently getting either the basic Slim model with Wifi card or the regular model with wifi card.
You can get a great, pre-built pc for just $500 today. This Gateway at TigerDirect is plenty of power for the criteria you listed.
Gateway DX4831-01U PT.GAJ02.037 Desktop PC - Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz, 6GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, Media Reader, 300 Watt PSU, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit at TigerDirect.com
If you're cool with refurbs, check this place out:
Refurbished Desktops
About a year ago I bought a refurbed gateway from these guys. 500GB HDD, 6GB ram, AMD x2 processor for only $250. No way in the world I could tell it was used, thing runs like brand new and has not given me any trouble up to this day. Not sure how they stack up now, but it might be worth a shot.
Refurbished Desktops
About a year ago I bought a refurbed gateway from these guys. 500GB HDD, 6GB ram, AMD x2 processor for only $250. No way in the world I could tell it was used, thing runs like brand new and has not given me any trouble up to this day. Not sure how they stack up now, but it might be worth a shot.
check out alienware.. about twice as much as your budget but so very very beautiful
