Searching for a Home Desktop PC

southsider · #1 08-19-2008, 12:24 AM

I am in search of a home desktop pc, however I am quite confused with all of the technical jargon associated with all of the components. I am looking for: reliability (to last at least 7 years), ecconomic ($500 - $1000); quality HD (300+ GB), processor (min 4 GB), and a decent graphics card. I am not a gamer but like a quality picture and resolution. This will mainly be used for research, reports, and minor editing however it currently doubles as my entertainment system (ie: radio, dvd player, etc.). Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

Hawaii Islander · #2 08-19-2008, 12:46 AM

I am very pleased with my Dell Dimension 5100. I recommend that you go to Dell,s website and build your own computer (virtually) and price it out. They often have discounts for online purchases. They also offer a wide variety of options for configuration and price.

I originally got my CPU with a dented panel. After calling them, they arranged to ship a complete replacement CPU and, I got to use the original CPU until the replacement arrived. They paid for all shipping.

Slapp Addict · #3 08-19-2008, 01:16 AM

Personally, I would jump on this one because the price is amazing for what you are getting:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

• AMD Phenom 9550 quad-core (IMO the best out)
• 750GB hard drive (PLENTY of space, you will probably never run out)
• 5GB of DDR2 memory (very fast)
• Burns DVDs and CDs
• LightScribe-enabled
• 15-in-1 media card reader

Also has a NVIDIA GeForce 9300 GE graphics card with 256MB dedicated memory. Which will be perfect for anything you need to do, even if you plan on getting into some gaming down the road. It's a sweet gfx card.

I highly recommend this computer.

Hawaii Islander · #4 08-19-2008, 02:34 AM

HP PC's used to have quality issues in the recent past. I have heard they have greatly improved recently. My brother just set up a bunch of HP laptops for an upper division computer lab and he likes them so far.

I'm not an HP basher either. I used many pieces of high end HP electronics test equipment in the military and civilian world and that gear was top notch (and expensive!).

playinpearls · #5 08-19-2008, 06:10 AM

screw brand name. they will only screw you with parts that can't be upgraded.

get a computer friend and go to www.pricewatch.com

select the "pc's with windows" in the first section and take your pick. you can upgrade them all right there with pricing that changes as you select your different components. Go to a discount computer store and get yourself a monitor, speakers, and a mouse-keyboard combo and you will be set. You may pay a little more initially than going to dell because of the monitor and stuff. but in the long run, you will enjoy it much more. My brothers dell only lasted for a year and a half. then i had to buy all new internal components so he could upgrade it. thats how they make money, by skipping out on upgrade features. make sure you motherboard has 3-5 pci slots. everything else should be picked for you.

ECS and microtech boards are in the "ok" category. If you want it to last a while get an Asus or Intel board. they are sturdy reliable boards that have always been great in my PCs.

*I would be more than happy to help you with getting your computer together. if you are interested, PM me and let me know what your gonna use it for and what you want to spend, and in the next couple of days or so, i can put something together for you and send you a link to it so you can take a look.

DigMe · #6 08-19-2008, 06:45 AM

www.cyberpowerpc.com

Best prices I know of for prebuilt PCs and you can totally customize or you can choose one of their packages. They do good work from the machines of theirs that I have inspected and the power to price ratio is better than Dell or any of the other well-known corporate makes. Get the most powerful box you can possibly get if you want it to last for 7 years. My best friend bought one a couple of years back and continues to be very satisfied with it.

bc

DigMe · #7 08-19-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southsider

quality HD (300+ GB), processor (min 4 GB), and a decent graphics card.

The "4 GB" processor doesn't make sense. Processor speeds are measured in Ghz. You won't find a processor running at 4GHz in your price range (although some of the common CPUs can be overclocked to that speed). Did you mean 4GB of RAM? I think you should go for at least 4GB of RAM and a minimum of 500GB hard drive considering how long you want the PC to last.

Here's a good option for you I think:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/G...inity_9800_GT/

You can select a more normal looking case and that would also bring the price down some.

bc

Bob Clayton · #8 08-19-2008, 10:45 AM

7 years? goodluck.

Philbiker · #9 08-19-2008, 11:35 AM

I have been extremely happy with a PC from budget manufacturer "eMachines" about a year ago. Support has been 100% fantastic and the PC has been excellent. I know it's like the Yugo of PCs, but it works great.

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 08-19-2008, 11:47 AM

Check out anything with an Intel Q6600 core, im running one now, great wee thing

southsider · #11 08-19-2008, 11:48 AM

Thank you all for you help and suggestions. I will do some more searching and be sure to come back with any additional questions.

Slapp Addict · #12 08-19-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

HP PC's used to have quality issues in the recent past. I have heard they have greatly improved recently. My brother just set up a bunch of HP laptops for an upper division computer lab and he likes them so far.

I'm not an HP basher either. I used many pieces of high end HP electronics test equipment in the military and civilian world and that gear was top notch (and expensive!).

Yup, I prefer Dell to HP but im currently on an HP which I have owned for a year and so far so good.