What Computer Should I Get?

[Atheist]

Well I'm looking to get a computer that's more for gaming than anything else and I'm talking about everything included like a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. I've been stuck with the same Pentium 4 computer since forever and am in desperate need of a new computer I mostly just play WoW and ET and would like to play Black ops one the computer but my brother has recently made me aware of the fact that the computer we have now will definitely not be able to handle that game. I'm not looking for something to expensive just at a reasonable price. Thanks in advance!

[SkyeDarkhawk]

Any prebuilt system ranging from 499 to 699 would be a pretty good start. Most prebuilt computers today come with at least a dual core processor, some with triple core (AMD) or more (quad core). 4GB of RAM is standard, as is PCI-express 16x slots. Drop around 550 on a new computer and then buy a new video card for 100 bucks and you should be ready to go. Might need a new power supply, might not.

[gigabyte]

Build your own instead, cheaper, and to your likings. If you buy a store PC it will most likely come with unwanted software pre-installed.

[Achiyan]

700 bux = crap dell pc...700 bux = great game pc

 

well, thats what happened to me anyway.

[SkyeDarkhawk]

Any actual proof to that other than claims?

 

http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-Elite-HPE-400F-Desktop-PC/product_911735?cmArea=SEARCH - 800 bucks. Includes 1 year tech support, and product replacement if anything fails, provided by the manufacturer.

 

Or as you claim:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103675 - 140 - Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366 - 100 - Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311 - 90 - RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129155 - 65 - Video card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 - 150 - Hard drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716 - 190 - Operating System

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140053 - 73 - DVD Burner with Lightscribe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833316115 - 79 - Wireless N

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223108&cm_re=card_reader_internal_3.5-_-20-223-108-_-Product - 25 - Card Reader

Those are matching parts, and it totals 912, before taxes and shipping. You now also have at least 7 different warranties, so that's 7 different companies you have to call to see if you can get a replacement part or tech support; and possibly fight compatibility issues. Not to mention, some of that pre-bundled software can come in handy.

So, pay around 800 bucks and get a pre-built computer with easy tech support, or pay over 900 for a bunch of parts, fight putting them together, getting upgrades, and if you have problems, calling several different companies trying to get support.

 

I think the prebuilt wins.

 

Edit: Also, there's nothing stopping you from asking the retailer you buy your computer from to remove the extra software or to add any extra hardware. The worst that will happen, they'll say no. The best? They'll do it for free.

[rolf]

If you try to build exactly the same PC, then yes, it wil be more expensive.

 

I'm not from the US, not familiar with newegg, so I'm not going to explain evertying in detail. But I can pretty much guarantee you that you can get a DVD burner (lightscribe is not necessary) for 20$. A comparable motherboard for $60 (HP doesn't have expensive motherboards). I don't know that much about wireless, but I think that $20 is enough. You selected $190 for operation system, however that is incorrect. You require an OEM version (sold with hardware, as does HP), which is only $100. I want to add that you didn't have an casing, but that will require about $80.

 

$170 cheaper than you suggested. Yes, you need someone to be able to build the pc (no offence, most people who ask "I need a pc" can't do it themselves). A default computer store is able to set it up if you buy everything by them (with guarantee, tech support, in the Netherlands for 50 euro incl taxes, about $50 without taxes). However, you have the opportunity to add your own hardware. Instead of choosing an Ati HD5450, you can choose for a HD5770 for twice as much. But with that, you have an gaming computer, which in the case of your HP, you haven't.

 

There are many reasons to get a default PC (laptops for example), but on the other hand I have two *really* quiet gaming PC's which can't be build by any manufacturer for a comparable price (passive 9800GT, SSD, only two fans at 800rpm to make a sound, while remaining cool under full load. You can't buy that). On the other hand, for enough people I just tell "buy that pc, that works". It all depends on money and requirements. Suggesting that an pre-build computer is the best, is however not always the case. And for gaming computers, most of the times it is the worst.

 

 

Unfortunately, I can't help you specifically since I expect you're living in the US. If you were living in the Netherlands I could help you. For other people to help you, I suggest you give an budget. Without a budget, no one can setup a computer.

[SkyeDarkhawk]

That's usually the claim. "I can built the same computer for less." So, I provided some evidence where that's just not the case. Yes, you can pick different parts, go with different specs, but then, it's not really the same computer.

 

The system builder's version of Windows 7 is intended for resale after the computer is built. Try to stay within licensing. Yes, I'll admit, I forgot a case, but this is the second set of PC parts I had to come up with today, so forgive me for leaving it out. But a case can range from 30 to 80 depending on the features you want from it.

 

But back on topic. All in one bundle example: http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p6616f-b-Desktop-PC-Bundle/product_905058_HC2?storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=Staples&cmSearchKeyword=hp+bundle&fromUrl=home&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&cmArea=SEARCH&ddkey=StaplesSearch - 630 USD. Everything included as requested in the first post. This saves 170 from the HP Elite, allowing you to purchase a new video card for the machine. Not bad for getting a fairly fast PC and a 20 inch wide screen HD LCD monitor with all the other fixings.

[rolf]

That's usually the claim. "I can built the same computer for less." So, I provided some evidence where that's just not the case. Yes, you can pick different parts, go with different specs, but then, it's not really the same computer.

I agree, but that is only for the lightscribe burner. For *ALL* other parts I gave, you cannot see what the exact product is or the price (other than replacement parts of HP). I gave prices for comparable products, since we want comparable products. Anyway, a Lightscribe DVD burner for $19,99.

 

Trying to build exactly the same computer is useless, then the HP would indeed be the cheapest. I can build you a comparable computer for a better price, which was kind of my point.

 

The system builder's version of Windows 7 is intended for resale after the computer is built. Try to stay within licensing. Yes, I'll admit, I forgot a case, but this is the second set of PC parts I had to come up with today, so forgive me for leaving it out. But a case can range from 30 to 80 depending on the features you want from it.

Then that is different from the US and Europe. Here, every company sells OEM software. However, I can not see if HP delivers OEM, so I have to assume it doesn't.

 

But back on topic. All in one bundle example: http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p6616f-b-Desktop-PC-Bundle/product_905058_HC2?storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=Staples&cmSearchKeyword=hp+bundle&fromUrl=home&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&cmArea=SEARCH&ddkey=StaplesSearch - 630 USD. Everything included as requested in the first post. This saves 170 from the HP Elite, allowing you to purchase a new video card for the machine. Not bad for getting a fairly fast PC and a 20 inch wide screen HD LCD monitor with all the other fixings.

Good point. Good pc, good price. However, you need to update the videocard indeed.

 

Unfortunately I cannot see what power supply is in it, but as long as you don't put an dualGPU in it, it will most likely be fine

[Achiyan]

oh yeah...i forgot about buying an OS. i already had a licensed windows 7 ultimate from my school :/ so i woulda spent upwards 900 bucks...but to me, my pc is still better than a 900 dollar pc from dell/walmart/kmart, etc., which i was looking at the time. plus, i was buying on a super sqeezed budget. i didnt want to break $800 so i didnt here is everything that i bought last year when i built my pc

[Atheist]

Boy you guys sure seem to know your stuff! Yeah I don't think I'll be able to build my own PC to many mess ups I was looking for a pre-built PC. Anyways Thanks alot guys! Especially to Skyedark! I just ordered that HP Pavilion p6616f-b Desktop PC Bundle thanks alot! Any suggestion on what video card I should get for gaming? Like the latest games and stuff.

[Timberwolf]

Any actual proof to that other than claims?

 

http://www.staples.c...5?cmArea=SEARCH - 800 bucks. Includes 1 year tech support, and product replacement if anything fails, provided by the manufacturer.

 

Or as you claim:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103675 - 140 - Processor

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131366 - 100 - Motherboard

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231311 - 90 - RAM

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814129155 - 65 - Video card

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136313 - 150 - Hard drive

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116716 - 190 - Operating System

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827140053 - 73 - DVD Burner with Lightscribe

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16833316115 - 79 - Wireless N

http://www.newegg.co...3-108-_-Product - 25 - Card Reader

Those are matching parts, and it totals 912, before taxes and shipping. You now also have at least 7 different warranties, so that's 7 different companies you have to call to see if you can get a replacement part or tech support; and possibly fight compatibility issues. Not to mention, some of that pre-bundled software can come in handy.

So, pay around 800 bucks and get a pre-built computer with easy tech support, or pay over 900 for a bunch of parts, fight putting them together, getting upgrades, and if you have problems, calling several different companies trying to get support.

 

I think the prebuilt wins.

 

Edit: Also, there's nothing stopping you from asking the retailer you buy your computer from to remove the extra software or to add any extra hardware. The worst that will happen, they'll say no. The best? They'll do it for free.

[gigabyte]

50 Bucks cheaper

 

 

 

http://www.frys.com/product/6393021?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[SkyeDarkhawk]

The on-board video is already going to be pretty half decent for playing games at Low to Mid settings without lag.

 

Otherwise, any mid-range PCI-Express x16 version 2.0 video card will work wonders. The more features you want to see in games, put more money towards the card. I usually buy my cards 2 to 3 generations back (currently running an ATi 2600 HD Pro), since they run in the sub-100 USD range and still push pretty good graphics. Yes, I can't use all the spiffy little features, but that's fine. I usually play my games at 800x600 with most features turned down or off. I just want to play a game, not watch a movie.

[NoGooD]

Funny, I still see people claiming to be able to build a comparable computer for less, when in fact its just not the case and hasn't been for quite some time. You would need to be able to order in bulk direct from the manufacturer to receive the kind of deals on hardware that most OEMs get.

 

Granted building your own you can usually get a bit better quality components, more customized components and if your not in a hurry find deals on things like shipping etc. From past experience, PC manufacturer warranty's are generally worthless unless your item is DOA or has a major problem out of the box. Otherwise your better off buying a new part yourself.

[PHANTASM]

You can get an almost new used computer for less than $200 if you look around online (craigslist is good). There are lots of formerly wealthy people selling their fancy computers for pocket change.

 

Call them, drive over, look at the computer, turn it on, turn it off, and ask to look inside the case. See if the guy knows how to open the case. If he does, that means he might have switched parts around. You don't want that. Most people never open their computers, that's what you want actually.

 

After you buy one, clean the keyboard and mouse, wipe the hard drive, reinstall windows, drivers, (you can almost always download the drivers off the internet if the seller lost his restore disc), all your games, and you're good to go.