Need help choosing new/refurb computer tower in $3-400 range

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dedmunne

New Member
We've been using an Emachines W4685 with Windows XP, please don't stop reading :), for years but we're desperately needing to upgrade as it freezes frequently, it's painfully slow, sound no longer works, Chrome won't even allow me to go to a site from the search bar on yahoo or Chrome w/o typing the address in the address bar etc.etc.etc.. We don't need a keyboard, mouse or monitor, just a tower. Do I need a quad core? Should I choose an Intel over an AMD? If Intel, would an i3 suffice or would an i5 better 'future-proof' us? I bought a 1TB External HD because it was black friday cheap. Should I just get a 1TB Comp and return the EHD?

We will be using it for some online College classes using PowerPoint etc., email, watching youtube, internet browsing, burn some CD's, NO gaming and if I could get an HDMI port in the price range would connect it to our smart TV. I've been leaning more towards refurbished comps from BestBuy because of newer systems at a cheaper price and the ability to get extended warranties for very little money. I would rather have a Windows 7 OS Comp because I've heard it's more like XP, no one likes 8 and we could upgrade to 10 if/after we get accustomed to the 7. The ones I've looked at are

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...1313820729.p?id=mp1313820729&skuId=1313820729

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-in...lack/2153018.p?id=1219530046281&skuId=2153018

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-in...1312002522.p?id=mp1312002522&skuId=1312002522

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/4246800.p?id=1219712308322&skuId=4246800

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...hite/7117105.p?id=1219668748148&skuId=7117105

I apologize for all the questions and the super long post but as you can see we're basically computer illiterate concerning systems and knew if anyone could help me that this community could. Maybe one day I'll know half of what most of you here have forgotten about computers and can just build my own. Doubt it, but one can always hope. Thanks for any and all help!
 
None of those boxes are future proof, you need power=you buy better computer. Only two of those machines have HDMI port. Also none of them have Windows 7, because OEM's almost exclusively sell Windows 8 or Windows 10 now.

For basic usage, you don't need quad core, but you should remember that "good" dual core is much better choice than "slow" quad core. For example that first machine http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...1313820729.p?id=mp1313820729&skuId=1313820729

uses quad core processor. Too bad, processor targetted for mobile computers, not desktops.

hat model has HDMI port http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-in...lack/2153018.p?id=1219530046281&skuId=2153018

Last one also has but is IMO overpriced for basic use.
 
dedmunne said:
Thanks for your response. What specs, processor should I look for?
Click to expand...

You need some knowledge about processors to compare them. I can tell if processor A is better than processor B if I know exact models. There are very few general rules on cheap price range. Also better processors usually cost more that makes comparing even more difficult.
 
Look for a nice i3 or i5 tower. The i5 will of course be more expensive but will handle more intense tasks better.

I'd only recommend an AMD machine if it was an A10 series processor.

Edit: the last link there is a good deal for what you're after. I highly recommend it. Stronger i3 (better than the AMD A8) and a 2TB HDD! :D

Also, It's better to just hop to win10 as it's got quite a few changes from win7. :)
 
C4C said:
Look for a nice i3 or i5 tower. The i5 will of course be more expensive but will handle more intense tasks better.
Click to expand...

But there are different series/models of the i5 processor, like i5-3470, i5-2400, i5-650, i5-2500s, i5-4690 etc.. I read a few articles on the performance differences between the i3, i5 and i7 before my OP but I don't know which particular specs would be better for our needs. Couldn't I build a better tower for less than $400, that would suit my specific needs, rather than buying one off the shelf that wouldn't? I've added memory, changed HD's, replaced a fan, installed a video card etc. and it just looked like this plugs to this and that plugs to that, this screws to this, this male plug clips to that female plug and everything looked extremely straightforward to me. I've totally restored many vehicles at a very high level, remodeled homes, replumbed/rewired homes and don't know why I couldn't build my own, IF I knew compatible parts. But I don't know a quality part for my particular needs vs. a quality part for an entirely different type of build need.

Before I asked here I googled builds and all I saw was concerning 'gaming' builds. I guess I'll just do more Googlin' on builds and hope I run across something. I may end up buying, but might end up building:) Many many thanks for all the advice you guys have given me!
 
You would want one of the latest versions of the I5 cpu which would be 44xx, 45xx, 46xx series processors along with a socket 1150 motherboard. Intel just came out with the newest generation of boards and processors called Skylake which are the 6400, 6500, 6600, and 6600k series. Skylake would be a tad more expensive but you would have the latest and best technology available.
 
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