Need Advice on buying a new computer
 

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

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.

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

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.

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....

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.

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/Produc...t=pricegrabber

-S

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

: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:.

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...temno=A4394887

PPS. Samsung Dual Layer 20x DVD writer - $24 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151161

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.

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

MSI NForce 650i SLI - $86 - http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...=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

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?