Need Advice on buying a new computer

[Subnuts]

Hi everyone,
My current computer is an obsolete piece of sh*t, and I want to buy a new one. I can't even run DW on my current computer unless I turn off all of the graphics settings and play on the smaller scenarios. I don't need a monitor, printer, speakers, keyboard, etc., just a solid "box." I'm willing to spend up to $800 on a new machine, with the best possible processor, RAM, CD and DVD-ROM player, and graphics card that amount of money can buy. I don't need a bleeding edge gaming supercomputer, but I'd like one that could play SHIII and SHIV without any real snags. I'm rather computer illiterate, and have never bought my own computer, and was wondering if one of the "gurus" here could hold my hand and walk me through the process. Thanks! :D

[Peto]

800 will build you a nice dual-core system if you're willing to build it yourself. I can't go into detail right now as I'm in the process of--well--building a computer ;)! Just wondering if you'd be willing to risk the PITA that building a system can be. After that, it's a matter of picking out the parts.

[SUBMAN1]

I think what you really need to do is figure out what you want in your core components and then build around it. I'd spend the most on a GPU. An 8800 GT 512 MB or 3870 512 MB should hold you over for a couple to even a few years of gaming/simming. Expect that to run at least $200 on a deal. Secondary is CPU, and a dual core for the future will be a must. Next is RAM, which needs to be 2 GB minimum.

If you do not care about your old system, you might cannabilize the case, possible the PSU, but I doubt your old PSU will power a new system these days, but its worth a look. Make sure any PSU you do buy has at least 30 AMps on the +12 volt rail, so you won't have a problem running at least 1 modern GPU like the two mentioned above. Also, you might consider cannabilizing the optical drives, and the hard drives to hold you over till you buy new.

Last look at motherboard + any little extras you may need like case fans and a decent CPU cooler.

Figuring that out - $200 GPU + $150 CPU + $125 motherboard + $50 odds and ends + assume you cannabilize your old system to the max, and you have a base. Your base is $525 at that point. This leaves you $275 to buy anything from a new hard drive (saw Seagate SATA 300 GB with 16 MB cache for only $69 yesterday), a decent case for $50, a PSU for $75, DVD-Burner for $30. I see deals for $30 for 2 GB of fast DDR2800 RAM too.

The point is - $800 is very doable for a pretty fast system that will even play a game like Crysis, let alone SHIV.

-S

[Peto]

Agreed except you forgot to price in the RAM ;). Figure about 100 for that (don't get the cheapest)! Building your own = the hassle of doing it (short term). But you get a lot more system in the end--and better components than in most any stock system.

[StdDev]

While Peto and Subman1 are both correct that you can assemble a good system for $800, you must also take into account the "cost of ownership"..
If you are indeed "computer illiterate" your best bet might be getting a system from Dell (or any manufacturer) that also provides tech support and warranty service.
If you feel that you CAN handle maintaining (and fixing) the system by yourself, by all means build one yourself!.. it really isnt all that difficult.. kinda like tinker toys.. ie "connector A goes into slot B" sorta stuff... but if something goes wrong (and stuff goes wrong all the time!) you will have to be the one to deal with it..

Be carefull... I know several people who have the most expensive "cheap" systems....

[SUBMAN1]

Agreed except you forgot to price in the RAM ;). Figure about 100 for that (don't get the cheapest)! Building your own = the hassle of doing it (short term). But you get a lot more system in the end--and better components than in most any stock system.RAM like 2x 1 GB crucial DDR2 800 CL 4 to 5 is only about $30 now days. DDR is not hoaever, but any new system will use DDR2.

[SUBMAN1]

Here is an example - decent Crucial DDR800 2x 1 GB (2 GB total) with heat spreaders - $36 - http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=202541818

Check this - 2x 1 GB Corsair (2 GB total) DDR800 with heat spreaders - $23 - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85025-5&prodlist=pricegrabber

-S

[Peto]

Good Call Subman :up:! I always tack on more cost for memory (still should be under 100 in this case). Trying to get used to memory being so cheap is hard for an old guy like me. I've had good luck with Corsair in the last couple years.

StdDev is correct :yep:. Building your own system and being able to support it can be a serious PITA. Only do so if you have patience! Many know that I've expanded Webster's Dictionary a couple pages while working on systems :nope:.

Why is always harder to fix my own computer than one a customer brings in :shifty:?

[SUBMAN1]

Good Call Subman :up:! I always tack on more cost for memory (still should be under 100 in this case). Trying to get used to memory being so cheap is hard for an old guy like me. I've had good luck with Corsair in the last couple years.

StdDev is correct :yep:. Building your own system and being able to support it can be a serious PITA. Only do so if you have patience! Many know that I've expanded Webster's Dictionary a couple pages while working on systems :nope:.

Why is always harder to fix my own computer than one a customer brings in :shifty:?Becuase yours simply must be perfect, whereas your customers system simply need work. :D

-S

[Peto]

Becuase yours simply must be perfect, whereas your customers system simply need work. :D

-S

:rotfl:

Actually--I can honestly say I put as much effort into a customer's computer as my own. However--(thinking about it)--their systems typically are fairly standard, off-the-shelf types. I won't allow anything but a Peto Frankenstein in my little corner of heaven :yep:.

[Etienne]

Slightly off topic:

I'm looking for a new laptop. Has anybody heard anything bad about Dell recently? They seem to have the best prices / component specs, and they're the only laptops that'll ship out with a physics card.

[SUBMAN1]

Slightly off topic:

I'm looking for a new laptop. Has anybody heard anything bad about Dell recently? They seem to have the best prices / component specs, and they're the only laptops that'll ship out with a physics card.I put them on instant delete - they try and call me constantly too. I have some Dell laptops out here, and they used a proprietary ATI GPU in it so that you are not able to use the standard ATI drivers, and they have not even bothered to update the drivers once over the course of about 3 years! I've asked them to do it, still no go after 3 tries. I will never buy another laptop or desktop from them again.

By the way, no other driver has been updated by them on these things either (I bought 2 of them - almost $3K systems at the time for almost $6K total).

Have fun, but don't say I didn't warn you.

-S

PS. Found even cheaper mem - ADATA for $22! http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4394887

PPS. Samsung Dual Layer 20x DVD writer - $24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?nm_mc=AFC-TechBargains&cm_mmc=AFC-TechBargains_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16827151161

[AVGWarhawk]

OK, try not to laugh....I just purchase a E-machines. You can get a decent set up at a great price. I purchase one, add the video card and RAM I need. Maybe a PSU if needed. I dump off the preloaded crap and that is it. OK, you can laugh now :D. All I have ever owned is E-machines(2) and have had zero problems with them. Add cards, RAM or anything other goodie has never been a problem. I'm not one to build a computer that would probably fizzle as soon as I hit the big red button.;) There are some great deals on dual cores that are ready to plug in and go.

[SUBMAN1]

I'm going to price up your whole computer at this rate:

MSI NForce 650i SLI - $86 - http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=BA23532&CartID=done&nextloc=

$106 - $20

THis is a Core2 Duo based chipset.

At theis rate, I'll beat the $800 mark by $200 to $300 too! :D

-S

[AVGWarhawk]

I got a question for you Subman, when you make a computer and put it all together don't you need to purchase new MS operating systems like XP or Vista?

[SUBMAN1]

You do? Why not use your old one?

-S

PS. By the way, you can use a single copy of XP on up to 3 systems without needing to call MS. I've completely rebuilt my current box 2 times on my current copy of MCE 2005, and it activates fine. I think your Eula might even call out that it is OK to have it on 2 seperate machines at the same time. I know you can with Office, but XP or Vista I am not so sure about.

I do know that if you have a retail copy of XP, you can move it to new systems as many times as you want. THe only hang up is that if you move it to more than 3 systems, you must do the call in activation so MS can issue a special bypass code. I'd had to do that for work machines a few times.

[AVGWarhawk]

Thanks Subman. Always a question I had but never got around to asking.

[SUBMAN1]

I wonder if you can still get this deal? A full 512 MB 3870HD - $214. That's worth looking into. Most boards in the $200 range only have 256 MB.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8636666&type=product&id=1194053242087&AID=10474050&PID=227502&SID=107275-n-20&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage. jsp%3FskuId%3D8636666%26%26type%3Dproduct%26id%3D1 194053242087

-S

[AVGWarhawk]

She be sold out. That is a good deal I imagine. My last go around with ATI I was not impressed.

[FIREWALL]

If your going to build your own I only have 2 words TIGER DIRECT.

Good deals like this
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3557020&sku=MCM-680ILT-Q6600A&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1541VS

With lots of money left over for the other goodies.
They have good support and warrantie service.

Even free help in putting it all together.

There's great feeling of satisfaction and acomplishment in building it your self.

You can look at it one of 3 ways.

You can buy it off the shelf and get usally a 1yr warrenty.
And when that runs out they never heard of you unless you wave a $100.00 bill under their nose to do a diagnostic only to hear you need a new rig. And through all this you've learned NOTHING about your own computer.

Or you can roll up your sleeves and say " I can do this " and being carefull and asking alot of questions you WILL succeed. AND save alot of money and know your computer and feel confident about future upgrades yourself and not be at any companys mercy.Btw the parts all have a warrenty.

Or you have a 3rd choice of getting the parts and have a reputable outfit assemble it and demand at least a 90day garrentee.

BTW I built my 1st rig on 7/15/2005 and only now am haveing a glitch with it. I first booted a computer 1yr earlier. He11 i only figured out copy&paste this past month.:D So your probably alot smarter on computers than me.:yep: :yep:

Well Good Luck which ever way you go. :up: FIREWALL


P.S. Remember Always ask questions this website is a great resource and the Community is always here to help.

[Subnuts]

I just realized something. I have no intention of buying a new PC for about three months, but I've been looking at computers that are available right now. At the rate at which computers become obsolete, one of the $800 setups I've been looking at might be only $500 three months from now, and I could get a better machine for $800 than what I'm currently look at. Makes sense, no? :hmm:

[SUBMAN1]

It does to me, but in 3 months, you'll be saying the same thing! :D

-S

[fatty]

I just realized something. I have no intention of buying a new PC for about three months, but I've been looking at computers that are available right now. At the rate at which computers become obsolete, one of the $800 setups I've been looking at might be only $500 three months from now, and I could get a better machine for $800 than what I'm currently look at. Makes sense, no? :hmm:

Which is the predicament that I was in last month when I bought my system. But I opted for the $500 system at the time - i.e., hardly bleeding edge. The latest and greatest is never cost effective (you get an extra 10 frames per second for how many hundreds of dollars?) plus I was only interested in some old but new-to-me games like SH4 and Battlefield 2.