shopping for a new desktop PC...any helpful tips/input?

tmcksmith

New Member
here's some of the features i'm looking for -


- desktop computer (not huge in size)
- around 60-80 gigs of space
- verrrrry fast
- doesn't come with an operating system - hard drive empty (is this possible? i already have a Windows XP disc that I can load on to it, and I hate all of the junk/useless programs that comes on a new PC)
- dvd drive, cd burning drive
- a 3d accelorator card (is that what it's called?) that will allow me to play all of the latest PC games if I wanted
- flat screen monitor
- ethernet jack (i'm sure this comes on all new computers anyway)

i'm currently an information science & technology major. is there any specific features that i'll need for my future college work?

what brand/company of computer should I buy? where should I order it? i'd like to be still using this computer that i'm going to buy in like 4 years. i'm looking to spend altogether around 1,000 - 1,500.

any input would be appreciated. even if you don't have an exact computer to recommend, if you could tell me what features you'd recommend (how much memory, space, video card, etc.)
 

Praetor

Administrator
Staff member
doesn't come with an operating system - hard drive empty (is this possible? I already have a Windows XP disc that I can load on to it, and I hate all of the junk/useless programs that comes on a new PC)
Possible if you build it yourself.

is there any specific features that i'll need for my future college work?
Depending on what you're doing, maybe 64bit is a possibility; I know that's what our class is doing in our Operating Systems course (I'm Soft, Eng)

i'd like to be still using this computer that i'm going to buy in like 4 years. i'm looking to spend altogether around 1,000 - 1,500.
You can use it but dont expect much from it. Especially since you want it upfront, "verrrrrry fast"


any input would be appreciated. even if you don't have an exact computer to recommend, if you could tell me what features you'd recommend (how much memory, space, video card, etc.)
For a budget-midrange system, have a look at Option 01: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/93097
 

Flash_AAA

New Member
Are you gona build this yourself? If you plannng on shopping online and custiminzing it from their site I can give quite a few differnet sites to choose from. I'm currently coparing sites myself to find the best deal.
 

Flash_AAA

New Member
Ok here's a list of the online computer stores ive found. Many of them allow you to custumize your computer, some with a huge selection of componets to choose from. The hard is finding out who is cheapest when it comes to labor and the price of their parts. Here is a site that has many major companies most of them give you the choice of AMD or Intel. http://www.intel.com/buy/wtb/wtb1024.htm?pl_code=MIHC110C6495P107525B107526S2&cprn22382=1466826770

here are the rest.
http://www.amberpcusa.com/
http://www.emachines.com/index.html http://www.advantagepcinc.com/
http://www.unitedmicro.com/
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...d=-840&langId=-1&storeId=1&categoryId=2049132
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/
http://www.computers4sure.com/bto.asp?u=1

This is the entire list in my favorites folder. It's a huge selection to choose from but there are some great deals in here. The prob is just finding the right one for you. Good luck :rolleyes:
 

Praetor

Administrator
Staff member
AmberPC
http://www.amberpcusa.com/smoreinfo.asp?iid=1445

USB-A19 Midtower 400W
ASUS A7B8XE-DLX
1024MB DDR400 PC3200
No floppy (unless you really want one)
No RAID controller
MX 120GB ATA133 7200RPM 8MB (trust me 80GB wont last)
No secondary harddrive
LiteOn 52x32x52x16 Combo
No secondary optical drive
No DVDRW drive
GeForceFX 5700 256MB
Soundblaster Audigy 2 6.1
No Modem
No networking (it's built into the mobo)
Logitech Internet Keyboard + Optical Mouse
No Mouse
No speakers
Samsung 17" Synchmaster 765MB (although i'd personally get the monitor separate)
No scanner
No OS
No Software
One year warranty
Cost: $1108.62

eMachines
Wouldnt get this because it doesnt allow for customization

Advantage Computers
Would get it because of the extremely limited customization options

United Micro
http://www.unitedmicro.com/

Turbo Case X-SuperAlien Aluminum Case + 500W PSU
ASUS P4P800
Intel P4 2.80Ghz
P4 Heat Sink and Cooling Fan (i.e., get your own on the side)
Bullshit. They dont have a feasible/good 1GB option. I'd go with the PC2700 and OC it.
No controllers
Maxtor 120GB 7200RPM 8MB
eVGA 128MB GFX5700
Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS
No modem
No CDROM
ASUS 52x32x52
Liteon 16X DVDROM
No DVDRW
No floppy
No zip drive
No speakers
Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard & Optical Mouse
No mouse
Viewsonic E90f+sb
No camera
No OS
No software
Cost $1366

IBM
No customization

HP
Crap.

Computers For Sure
Crap

Realistically you're STILL better off building your own computer
 

Praetor

Administrator
Staff member
I'll say it again. You're gonna spend XXXX amount of money on a system anyways... might as well do it yourself and (a) learn something and more importantly (b) get more for your money

All the sites you've listed are either (a) horribly difficult to navigate (b) have extremely limited customizations or (c) dont have any customizations. And ALL of them charge oodles of money for the labour of installing the system. You're really better off building it yourself :)
 

Flash_AAA

New Member
Do you know of any sites that give you step by step info on building your computer. Do you think i can order all the parts and have it built in a month?
 

Praetor

Administrator
Staff member
Do you think I can order all the parts and have it built in a month?
If you're apt you can built it within 30 minutes.... even for a begiiner within a couple hours :) Your case and mobo manual will have the basics you need... everything else is "plug it in"
 
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