SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic - Looking to buy a new CPU tower once I get my tax return

Posted: Apr 12 2011 08:01 pm

Okay, so I need a new computer. My computer is about 7-8 years old at this point, and everything runs like shit on it. Sometimes I'll right click on a file and it'll take as long as 30 seconds for the Windows menu to come up and ask me what I want to do with it. I have a perfectly fine keyboard, monitor, mouse, and speakers, so I don't need those. All I really need is a new tower. I don't want to build something. And I don't want to order something online. I want to pay $300-600 for a computer and I want to be able to walk into a store and get it. I want something with a good processor speed and RAM. Hard drive space is fairly irrelevant; I have three external HDs, one of which is 2 terrabytes. So I'm set in that category. And I could give a fuck less about the graphics card. I mean, I guess I want something that'll be able to play Diablo III, but I don't really give a fuck about PC gaming outside of that. Any suggestions?

Posted: Apr 12 2011 08:14 pm

I believe it's pretty easy to get a desktop PC with a decent graphics card at around $400. I need a new laptop soon as well, there are so many problems with my current one like usb ports not working and the fan trying to die for over a year.

As far as companies to go with are concerned, I hear HP is good and I hear they suck, as well as hear that the Toshiba's are godly and that they are also apparently an overrated shithole that comp nerds love because it's Japanese.

Posted: Apr 12 2011 08:47 pm

Honestly I've never had a problem with Dell. My first Computer was an old Gateway 2000 and I never had a problem with it.... How does Gateway stack up nowadays?

Posted: Apr 12 2011 08:49 pm

I've had one of these for about 3 years now. I don't know any stats for it but it's pretty cool.

Posted: Apr 12 2011 08:50 pm

Where's the computer part?

Posted: Apr 12 2011 09:06 pm

Blackout wrote:

Where's the computer part?

The screen actually probably has the "tower" inside of it. I've seen a few of those recently, pretty neat but I'd be worried about overheating.

Personally I would get a Sony, Dell, or HP if I was forced to not build one because they seem to be decently priced with the more current hardware. Compaqs and eMachines in my experience tend to market themselves as pretty cheap but then you get stuck with dated hardware and it causes some longevity issues.

Posted: Apr 12 2011 09:14 pm

Yeah, what BB said. Everything is in the monitor. I've never had an issue with overheating or anything. Mine is bigger than that one though.

Joined: Aug 04 2009 Posts: 2515

I have a HP and i've had little problems with.

Posted: Apr 12 2011 10:41 pm

dell outlet man.
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandid=2202&c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

cheap stuff.

Posted: Apr 12 2011 11:09 pm

IBM has never disappointed me either

Posted: Apr 12 2011 11:11 pm

I didn't think IBM still made PCs... I thought they only made high end business machines these days.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

IBM sold their desktop line to Lenovo. IBM no longer makes hardware for home users.

Syd, would you be OK with ordering the computer from an online store? You will find that you get more bang for your buck if you open your options to stores like NewEgg and Amazon.com

Posted: Apr 13 2011 04:07 am

Get a PDP-12, they're pretty sweet looking.

Posted: Apr 13 2011 10:01 am

Yeah, I know you aren't interested in ordering online, but you really do get better deals for your dollar.

If not though, You can always go to your local bestbuy or COMPUSA or whatever you have. Problem is, their stock changes so who knows what they have? and without being able to read the little card that says all their specs it's hard to make a recommendation.

Posted: Apr 13 2011 10:52 am

If you want cheap and don't want to order online, then just buy a Walmart e-machine. As long as you reformat and reinstall windows right off the bat, (To get rid of all the junkware/bloatware) it will serve you well.

Something like:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-s5703w/15737683

Posted: Apr 13 2011 12:21 pm

Get this one, it's 64 bit, so that must be good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108461

Posted: Apr 13 2011 02:33 pm

You should reconsider doing it yourself with bits and pieces, it would be a learning experience, plus you could make one of these!

Posted: Apr 13 2011 03:08 pm

Blackout wrote:

You should reconsider doing it yourself with bits and pieces, it would be a learning experience, plus you could make one of these!

That thing is amazing.

Posted: Apr 13 2011 05:08 pm

Probably not a lot of room for air circulation though, probably gets hot. How silly would it be if the controller ports still work and you could play roms on it? Razz

Joined: Apr 13 2011 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 27

Starcraft 2 had these requirements:
* Windows® XP/Windows Vista®/Windows® 7 (Updated with the latest Service Packs) with DirectX® 9.0c
* 2.6 GHz Pentium® IV or equivalent AMD Athlon® processor
* 128 MB PCIe NVIDIA® GeForce® 6600 GT or ATI Radeon® 9800 PRO video card or better
* 12 GB available HD space
* 1 GB RAM (1.5 GB required for Windows Vista®/Windows® 7 users)
* DVD-ROM drive
* Broadband Internet connection
* 1024X720 minimum display resolution

PC Recommended Specifications:

* Windows Vista®/Windows® 7
* Dual Core 2.4Ghz Processor
* 2 GB RAM
* 512 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX or ATI Radeon® HD 3870 or better

Diablo III will probably have slightly higher requirements, but those should be a decent guideline as to what you should look for.

Posted: Apr 14 2011 12:02 am

welcome to the forums Beldantazar

Posted: Apr 17 2011 03:57 pm

I'll second Fontaine and Atma's recommendations that you give online stores, such as Newegg and Amazon, a look. You should also give Dealzon a try; the link will send you to current desktop deals from several different companies. In the very least, it could help you find competitive prices.

You would also need to talk to the more tech-savvy members, but you should also make sure your older equipment, such as the monitor and keyboard, are compatible with whatever new desktop you're buying. For example, my ghetto keyboard and mouse use PS/2 (round, green and purple-colored) connectors, and my monitor uses VGA (blue) hookups. I'm pretty sure that nowadays, most computers use USB, DVI, or HDMI ports, which means I'll have to buy special adapters to use the older equipment on newer model towers. Be concise, dammit: Make sure your old stuff will work with the new stuff. If your goods connect through USB ports, you should be fine; if not, you will probably spend extra on special connectors.

Joined: Apr 13 2011 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 27

At least from what i've seen, unless you get one of those "all-in-one" computers (the ones which are part of them monitor) you pretty much always have ps/2 connectors as USB is not supported by default in initial setup (in other words, you can access the bios without a keyboard and most motherboards (especially cheap ones) don't have DOS USB support enabled by default)