Looking for new computer

[Scroby 0]

I've been thinking about getting my own computer (finally) and I've been thinking about going through dell so I can do monthly payoffs on it instead of paying the whole thing since I really don't have the cash flow to do that. So I was wondering if someone could point out one of their newer computers that I should possibly consider. I would ask my friends bu their views on stuff are kinda ifey so I was hoping someone on here might give me a little bit of help. I'm not looking for something to fancy just something for internet, maybe a few games, and converting movie/music files to a flash card so I can watch and listen to stuff on my Gameboy Advance.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

If you, or anyone you know, knows how to build computers, I'd reccomend you do that. The cost-benefit of building your own computer is extraordinary.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

If you're feeling adventurous enough to go for it yourself, study/print this article out

 

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20020904/

 

Then you'll probably start at www.newegg.com to look for the parts you want.

 

Given the description you gave for what you want to use the computer for, I can actually recommend a configuration that might be in the same ballpark as what you want. This is my current system:

 

AMD Sempron 2400+ CPU(1.7ghz)

 

256mb pc3200 ram (you'll want 512 MB to start. It's pretty much the minimum standard for newer programs)

 

120 and 80 gb western digital hard drives( This will give you more than enough room to store music, movies and programs)

 

52x cd writer/DVD reader

 

On top of this, if you add a decent mid range video card(IE: ATI 9800), I think you'll be set.

 

There are a ridiculous number of configurations within this range that you can go with that are affordable and will serve the purpose you have. Do some research and compare prices, and you'll be set. Most parts also can be returned if they are working or whatever under the usual circumstances you'll see.

[Scroby 0]

Yeah I friends asked me about building me one and I don't trust them well enough on that, espically if their asking for pay.

[Youth N Asia 0]

I'm thinking about having a buddy build one for me.

 

Why don't you trust them? Just get recipts if you think they're going to price F you. They should be compensated though.

[Scroby 0]

The reason I don't trust them is because whenever I see them put something new into or add something to their computer, it gets all screwey pretty soon after. Me giving them the money and them charging me overprice for something is the problem the fact their building it is. For example; my friend decided to add something, I think some sort of card can't remember what kind at the moment, to his computer so he asked my other friend to do it or my over friend offered to do it, and the guy who offered or was asked to do this is the guy who offered for me to pay him to build me one, anyways the guy goes and installs this card into my friends computer but after a week or so it starts having issues. So the guy takes his computer to one of my other friends to see whats the problem. This guy cracks open the tower and peaks around and he notices that the new item that was installed onto the computer is resting on some metal screws, apprently the guy who put the card or whatever it was into the computer switched the screws around and I guess there were suppose to be plastic or rubber or some kind of material pegs there. So basically the metal screwed up not only the computer but whatever was added onto the computer. I know it sounds like just a small mistake but the fact the owner of the computer asked the guy who was installing the card/whatever into the computer, if the screws would screw up anything and the guy said no. So yeah thats sorta why I rather just buy a new one but from a place where I could make monthly payments, thats why I was looking at dell for their computers. I would ask the other guy, but he's extremely busy with work/school and helping my friends fix their computers as it is plus I don't feel like computer shopping for stuff I have no idea what they do.

[skullman80 0]

Build your own. If you buy a prebuilt you are asking to get screwed over on price..

 

I just built/put together a P4 3.0ghz, 160 gb hd, 1gb ram, ati radeon 128mb vid card, dvd burner, and cd burner..basically everythign minus a monitor..my total cost was just over 600$...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

You can build a really sexy computer for just over $1,400

[NoCalMike 0]

Question: Do computer stores and/or places like Frys, let you buy the pieces and then build them for you?

 

I mean I know basically the pieces I would need to build a computer, but I wouldn't want to buy like a wrong SCSI cable or something like that and have it affect system performance and never know what is going on.

 

I am thinking of a service of where, you kind of tell the clerk what you are looking for, and then he kind of goes up and down the aisles with you, making sure you get the best connectors(and correct) for the job, and then once you have all the pieces, they build it for you?

 

Does any place do something like this?

[Slayer 0]

I built my own comp

 

If I can do it, I imagine most computer geeks could also

[Jobber of the Week 0]

You can build a really sexy computer for just over $1,400

Of course you could. That's not exactly cheap.

 

And for "internet, a couple games, and copying things to a GBA flash cart" you don't need a machine that can run Half-Life 2 at full textures and 4X FSAA.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

I mean I know basically the pieces I would need to build a computer, but I wouldn't want to buy like a wrong SCSI cable or something like that and have it affect system performance and never know what is going on.

 

Read the guide i posted above, you'll have no problem. When you buy parts, they are generally packaged with their connectors aswell. Plus, motherboards are idiot proof. It's nearly impossible to connect something to the wrong hole until you're doing the jumpers(power switch connector etc), and even then, motherboards should come with thorough documentation RE: what connects where.

 

Addendum to my system posted above: With new 17 inch crt monitor, that system cost me about $550 dollars CDN to build.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Which is like $2.50 in US dollars. Good deal!

[Scroby 0]

So getting back to my first question....can someone please point out a decent enough computer over at the Dell site?

[Guest Vitamin X]

Mine was 700 dollars, I took a Dimension 3000 and customized it to have an Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz with an 80 gig hard drive and 512 MB of RAM. Came with flat panel monitor free, and free shipping. If the deal doesn't look good right away, just wait until they change whatever offers they have at the moment, they do so every couple weeks.

[Scroby 0]

Thank you X, I was actually thinking maybe the 4000 model, they have the same deal if i do it over online.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Personally I did it with the 3000 to save money and just customized what I needed from there. PC technology changes so much that you can basically upgrade all you want afterwards, so it's best to just start off with a good basic system to get the real expensive shit out of the way (like the processor for example).

[skullman80 0]

I would stay away from Dell, Gateway..etc, but that is just my opinion...

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

After having my monitor die on my hp pavilion 5385 laptop (an awesome 2.8 ghz, 60 GB, 1 GB RAM combo), and finding out that the cost to replace the monitor was absolutely ridiculous, I did something I thought I'd never do again.

 

I bought an Apple.

 

Powerbook G4, 1.5 ghz (essentially a 2.8 if it matched up because of the way the systems work), a GB of RAM, and 120 GB harddrive. Plus a superdrive. Cost? 1000. Thank you, eBay.

 

But yeah, if you're looking for a real deal and something that's guaranteed to last, I'd go with something you build yourself. Dell has been known to crash a bit.

 

--Ryan

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Wildbomb, you are a brave man to buy a laptop from eBay.

 

Desktops, fine, but laptops have always been a real gamble.

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

Jobber, considering that nobody would give me enough financing except for PayPal Buyer Credit...I was pretty much limited to either spending $400, or going ahead with the laptop.

 

I needed the portability. The thing goes with me for play-by-play events and other games that I cover. Plus, the Apple has the option to let us do live shots from wherever in the country, put 'em into the laptop, and from there they'll broadcast to the Internet and then the satillete.

 

Basically, this was a purchase not just for me, but for my school as well. (Figures that Emerson would try to run everything on apple.)

 

But hey, the thing works great, I took it apart as soon as I got it to make sure everything was in order, and the thing has been flawless so far. Then again, so was my old computer before it nearly shat the bed.

 

--Ryan