looking to get a new pc, where should i get it? budget, want a good rig

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by cluongo18, Feb 10, 2011.

  1. #1
    Im looking to get a new desktop pc, im sick of using a laptop 24/7.

    I have about $600-$900 to spend. I'm looking for somewhere to buy on either online or in store.

    Basically I want to be able to:
    +Multi-task like a mofo. I have a lot of programs/windows/stuff going on at once and need my pc to run flawlessy through this with no lag. (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Web Browsers with many tabs)
    +Compile large video files/programs/etc
    +Game reasonably. Not looking for the highest settings, but the ability to at least play more recent games like Fallout New Vegas/Call of Duty, etc.

    I have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. Just looking for the tower.

    I was told to stay away from websites such as iBuypower and Cybertech. so what would be my best bet? can anyone point me towards a nice rig?
     
    cluongo18, Feb 10, 2011 IP
  2. Keo777

    Keo777 Peon

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    #2
    What I would personally do is just buy the parts myself and build my own custom rig. ;)
    With a budget like yours I'd be able to build a kickass computer. :p
     
    Keo777, Feb 10, 2011 IP
  3. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #3
    +1

    I've always built my own computers, but I recently decided to bite the bullet and buy a new pre-built desktop to save myself some time and just to *get it done*.

    I had a look around and eventually realized that the premium I'd be paying for a crap pre-built system just wasn't worth it. ...So I did a few days research (I was YEARS out of the PC hardware loop), worked out what I needed, posted my shopping list on a few forums, and went DIY again.
    I couldn't be happier with my new PC :)

    The convenience of buying a prebuilt system just isn't worth it. You will get such a better deal by building it yourself.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2011
    Kerosene, Feb 12, 2011 IP
  4. cluongo18

    cluongo18 Member

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    #4
    Cant argue with that. But at the same time it's not the hardest to just build on what I get. I was looking at getting a Lenova desktop due to them being business grade GOOD SOLID machines that hold up. Comes with a 3 year warranty too. Very expandable.
     
    cluongo18, Feb 13, 2011 IP
  5. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #5
    I had a quick look at the S series Xeon ThinkStations, for around $700-800 you don't appear to get a lot for the money (250GB drive, 2GB RAM etc).

    I think you should write out the specs of the Lenovo that you're looking at, then work out how much it would cost to build something similar yourself.
    You'll probably save enough to double the RAM, get an SSD drive, and get a better GPU.

    Whirlpool has a great list of "recommended builds" for several budgets, which are a good way to get started.
    Have a look under PC Configurations here:
    http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs
     
    Kerosene, Feb 13, 2011 IP
  6. cluongo18

    cluongo18 Member

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    #6
    Kerosene,

    I was looking at the K-series: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=66641808A2774F7D8D0B535325416381

    K320 - $949
    i5-750
    NVIDIEO GEFORCE GT330
    6GB DDR3 SDRAM
    TB HD

    (i bumped my budget up to right under $1000), figured i need to shell out for something better then decent.

    between that or the M75E:

    http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...=D5EFACB1AF10F1B7D02C8C75641A2B36&action=init
    I was planning on adding a $100 video card to the M75E and some more RAM. and going with the Athlon II X4 640(3.0GHz, 2MB Total Cache, AM3, 95W) C3 45nm processor. thats about it

    which do you think would be a better out of those two?

    also ill check out the link you gave me. again im looking to be able to multi-task (photoshop, dreamweaver, internet browsers, compile videos) as well as be able to play the latest games on at least medium settings. in all honesty the K320 i listed above looks like it could work. but id like the utmost best opinion. you seem to know what your doing!
     
    cluongo18, Feb 13, 2011 IP
  7. real_skinner

    real_skinner Notable Member

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    #7
    Sweeeeet... I think that's a good buy for $949

    [​IMG]
     
    real_skinner, Feb 13, 2011 IP
  8. cluongo18

    cluongo18 Member

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    #8
    For 949 I found this HP with 8GB RAM, an i7.
    http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s.../psg/desktops/High_performance/HPE580t_series
    but a lot of people talk bad about HP. would yall go with the HP or Levona? both are the same price..but the HP has more RAM, better processor, and the graphics card looks better

    edit:

    heres what i configured on the HP rig with a $300 instant rebate and a coupon code for $50 off. Total price would be $969.99

    Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-950 quad-core [3.06GHz, 1MB L2 + 8MB shared L3 cache]
    8GB DDR3-1066MHz SDRAM [4 DIMMs]
    FREE UPGRADE! 1.5TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive from 750GB
    No additional office software
    Norton Internet Security(TM) 2011 - 15 month
    2GB DDR3 AMD Radeon HD 6570 [DVI, HDMI. VGA adapter]
    LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
    Integrated Ethernet port, No wireless LAN
    15-in-1 memory card reader, 1 USB, 1394, audio
    No TV Tuner
    Integrated sound
    HP USB keyboard and optical mouse
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2011
    cluongo18, Feb 13, 2011 IP
  9. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #9
    After the rebate, the HP seems to be a pretty good deal.
    - Be prepared to NOT to get a physical Windows disk. HP will probably ship your PC with a recovery partition that will require you to make your own Windows disk backup.
    - Be prepared to find obstacles when you go to upgrade anything on an HP/Dell/etc. May or may not be a big deal.
    - Don't install Norton.
     
    Kerosene, Feb 13, 2011 IP
  10. Oceanus

    Oceanus Member

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    #10
    I can't speak for other brands but I bought an HP desktop recently with the same requirements and price range as you. For about a $1000 which included a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc - so you won't have to pay that much - multi-tasks great (has 8GB DDR3) and has been good for video gaming (I play League of Legends, Counterstrike, Rise of Nations, Starcraft, and WOW if you are wondering. I had to replace the fan but that's all I changed.
     
    Oceanus, Mar 4, 2011 IP
  11. deew

    deew Peon

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    #11
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    deew, Mar 7, 2011 IP
  12. Blackcastle

    Blackcastle Member

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    #12
    Blackcastle, Mar 13, 2011 IP