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Help JT find a desktop PC

JohnnyT

JohnnyT

New Member
I've been looking for a few weeks now at buying a desktop to replace my very old and aging one. I'm using my 46" LCD as my monitor, and I have a bookshelf speaker system for audio, and I just got a 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard and mouse - so all I need is the desktop. Plain and simple.

I'm not the techiest when it comes to PC's - I know the basics and what they do but I've been out of the PC world for a long time.

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Windows 7 (64 bit)
- Dual core processor
- 3+ GB RAM (not sure if DDR is better than SD and so on..)
- 300+ GB HDD
- DVD burner
- Decent video card
- HDMI out
- Ability to expand memory and slots
- Open to all brands - not sure what's good/bad/otherwise anymore
- $400-500

These are the basics, and yes I know they're pretty low for the price range. I'm not sure where the AMD vs. Intel debate stands - open to opinions on that. This won't be a gaming machine - just a general home office computer/porn surfer.

Here's what I've looked at (newegg surprisingly hasn't come up with much):

Links aren't working: SKU's on Best Buy's site are: 9541766 and 9533588

Wouldn't mind getting some sort of all-in-one printer at the same time if a deal is available.

Thanks for the help!
 
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mndsm

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Here's how you do it. Call Colin. Colin builds PC. You trade colin 150$, an RC car body, and a plate of wings. Done.
 
Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Second link doesn't work, and I would strongly encourage staying away from emachines, they tend to use cheap components.

Couple other things, you can output to HDMI via the DVI ports on a standard PC via an adapter (cheap at monoprice) though video cards w/ dedicated HDMI outputs are not uncommon.

You'll likely see DDR2 memory at your price point (possibly DDR3) either will be fine for most situations, you are wise to get 3gb+.

Try and get a system w/ a PCI Express x16 slot if the PC has on-board graphics so that you can expand later to a dedicated graphics card if you so desire.

At that price point AMD would allow you to spend more on other components however Intel is generally faster right now. AMD DOES have VERY reasonably priced quad core solutions available now, I don't know how they compare to intels dual core chips though. As much as I hate to say it if you aren't very technical and don't want to have to fool around with stuff at all buying a pre-built will probably be the way to go.

Ill look around later and see if I can come up with anything to fit your needs.
 
JohnnyT

JohnnyT

New Member
My problem is when I want something - I want it yesterday. I'm all for a custom PC and a local builder would be great (especially someone I can trust like Colin), as long as my minimalistic needs are met. I surely know it's the cheaper route.

edit: second link isn't working: search on the site for the sku: 9541766 (model is Asus CM5570-AP003)
 
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Z

ZoomZoom Diva

New Member
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DDCWTA1&s=dhs

DANG! It didn't save the one I configured for $539.

Software & Services
SYSTEM COLOR Piano Black edit
PROCESSOR AMD Athlon™ II X3 425 (2.7GHz, 1.5MB) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English edit
Dell Recommends
Transfer your data, music and photos to your new PC with the Belkin Easy Transfer cable.
Upgrade to Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium,64bit + Belkin Easy Transfer Cable [add $30]


OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 9 edit
Dell Recommends
Office Home & Student.

Lets you create great-looking documents, spreadsheets and presentations quickly.
Upgrade to Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 [add $99 or $2/month1]


WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1 Year Basic Service Plan edit
Dell Recommends
Keep your warranty working longer.
Upgrade to 2 Year Basic Service Plan [add $79 or $2/month1]


In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis: for issues covered by Limited Hardware Warranty, technician and/or part will be dispatched, if necessary, usually in 1 or 2 business days following Remote Diagnosis. During Remote Diagnosis, you may be asked to access the inside of your system (where safe to do so) or to participate in troubleshooting until a cause can be isolated.
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter, 30-Day Trial edit
Dell Recommends

CAUTION ! You have not upgraded your security protection to the maximum available for your new Dell.
Add McAfee SecurityCenter pre-loaded today! Help protect against viruses, hackers, identity theft, and more from the moment you turn on your PC.
Upgrade to McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months [add $89 or $2/month1]


MONITOR No Monitor edit
Dell Recommends
Get a 21.5" Flat Panel monitor to enhance your viewing experience!
Upgrade to 21.5" Dell S2209W Full HD Widescreen Monitor [add $199 or $5/month1]


MEMORY 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 3 DIMMs edit
HARD DRIVE 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive edit
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB edit
SPEAKERS No Speaker Option edit
Dell Recommends
Multimedia Speaker System delivers an ideal combination of performance and value
Upgrade to Bose Companion 2 Series II Multimedia Speaker System [add $110 or $3/month1]


SOUND Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio edit
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse edit
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader edit
MODEM No Modem Option edit
OPTIONAL PORTS 1394a High Speed AV Port edit
My Accessories
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit
ADOBE & ENTERTAINMENT Wild Tangent Games edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Inspiron 546 MT Inspiron 546 Minitower w/ Black Bezel
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Adobe Software Adobe® Reader 9.0
 
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Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Ill see if I can't put together a custom system on newegg in that price range, stay tuned.
 
Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Here was my first attempt - Little over your stated budget...
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=8614649

Note you could probably nock $25-75 off by choosing a different case and or power supply, I caution against skimping on power though. I've used both the case and PSU listed here and have had great luck with them.

Includes 4gb of memory (easily expandable to 8gb with 2 more dimms), 500gb HD, an 'okay' graphics card that does HDMI (Including HDCP) output, Core2Due that could later be upgraded to a quad core chip if necessary, etc.
 
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Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Perhaps you have to be logged in to a newegg account to see it, argh.

Alright here's the list, click each item for a link to the product on newgg's site.

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz - Core2Duo - $64.50
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM - $104.99
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel $101.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500gb - $55.99
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $54.95
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V Power Supply - $59.99
LG DVD Burner Black SATA - $28.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $89.99
POWERCOLOR AX4350 256MD2-H Radeon HD 4350 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - $34.99

Total $596.38


Add $100-200 if you need a monitor.
 
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Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Honestly JT that Asus system on Best Buy's website looks pretty damn decent for the money, it has a PCI-Express x16 slot so you could upgrade the video card when you feel you need to. Also on a desktop, if you buy one from best buy. Don't get their silly warranty IMO. Anyone number of people on here could replace any item in that PC for less than half what they will charge you for the warranty.
 
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Picklz

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Asus is a huge OEM (original equipment manufacturer) they make some very well respected enthusiast stuff and a lot of their standard parts are good also. I can't say exactly how good each part is that they put in that system, but I suspect you'd be in pretty good shape.
 
derrian

derrian

Pika-Zoom!
Staff member
Asus is good. The freaking gaming laptop they have out is amazing.

They also have a netbook out now I want :)

Asus is good :D
 
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