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best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: bobaloo ()
Date: December 06, 2010 09:58AM

Anybody have good advise on the best desktop computer deal? What specs should I look for? What processor? Where to buy?

I will be using the computer for watching movies and some gaming. Any advise would be appreciated.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: TheMeeper ()
Date: December 06, 2010 10:13AM

bobaloo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I will be using the computer for watching movies
> and some gaming.

trs80b.gif

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Numbers ()
Date: December 06, 2010 10:42AM

You came to the right place!!
FU is clearly the best place for computer buying advise. Don't waste your time checking out computer review sites or going to a computer store and checking out various makes and models.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Warhawk ()
Date: December 06, 2010 10:46AM

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bobaloo Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > I will be using the computer for watching
> movies
> > and some gaming.
>
>


Don't try and mislead him. He needs a modern day computer.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.
Attachments:
wang.jpg

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: December 06, 2010 10:47AM

bobaloo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody have good advise on the best desktop
> computer deal? What specs should I look for? What
> processor? Where to buy?
>
> I will be using the computer for watching movies
> and some gaming. Any advise would be appreciated.

Go to Best Buy. Beware of their return policy.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: DIY ()
Date: December 06, 2010 11:06AM

Build it yourself if you can - best computer for you is one that is built for you - and building for you BY you helps to learn it inside out as well.

Newegg, microcenter, zipzoomfly (!), mwave et al can get you the right parts.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Date: December 06, 2010 11:12AM

My advice? Most PCs are cheap shit manufactured in China these days. In fact, most of the components are probably made in the same factories regardless of brand. They will all break in two years. My advice is buy the cheapest PC with the best processor. Also, try the thing out in the store to make sure it operates relatively quickly.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: December 06, 2010 11:15AM

DIY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Build it yourself if you can - best computer for
> you is one that is built for you - and building
> for you BY you helps to learn it inside out as
> well.
>
> Newegg, microcenter, zipzoomfly (!), mwave et al
> can get you the right parts.

I used to subscribe to this notion as well, but really, technology is so cheap these days that you're not really saving anything. It's much easier to spend $700 to $800 on pre-built, then upgrade the RAM/video card if necessary.

I know I'm going to draw aggro for this, but building it yourself can open you up to compatibility problems and such. Plus, you have to purchase all the software separately.

For gaming, Alienware is the standard go-to. I got a Dell at Best Buy maybe a year or so ago that runs any game I install, and looks pretty doing so. The off-the-shelf models are coming with 250GB hard drives, 8+ gigs of RAM, 256MB name-brand video cards, etc. these days.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: DIY ()
Date: December 06, 2010 11:34AM

My post was aimed at built-for-you rather than built-cheap-for-you - every time I get a new computer - all homebuilt - I end up spending on the order of a couple thousand bucks - this has been the case for the last couple decades at least.

In each case, of course, the built computer was state-of-the-art as far as graphics and CPU were concerned.

If fast off-the-shelf is sufficient, it for sure would be less expensive.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: December 06, 2010 11:59AM

DIY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My post was aimed at built-for-you rather than
> built-cheap-for-you - every time I get a new
> computer - all homebuilt - I end up spending on
> the order of a couple thousand bucks - this has
> been the case for the last couple decades at
> least.
>
> In each case, of course, the built computer was
> state-of-the-art as far as graphics and CPU were
> concerned.
>
> If fast off-the-shelf is sufficient, it for sure
> would be less expensive.

I tend to stay a generation or two behind technology. I built my own state-of-the-art computer once, and was constantly having problems with drivers and compatibility. I'm not saying that building one's computer from scratch is a bad practice; I just don't have the time, patience, interest, and money to do it.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: December 06, 2010 12:32PM

bobaloo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> I will be using the computer for watching movies
> and some gaming. Any advise would be appreciated.





Most anything made by Cray will meet your needs. Will 1.75 petaflops be enough to play your games?

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Britdrnva~ ()
Date: December 06, 2010 01:54PM

If you can find something you like off of Costco or Sam's Club go there. Costco lets you tweak some of the computer specs. They have a very generous return policy should you want to take it back.

cyberdirect.com, ibuypower.com and tigerdirect.com are good too.

you don't say what your budget is - so I'll assume ~$1,500 for a solid mid-range computer.

Get the intel chip set core i7 870 or higher, if you're going budget go intel core i5 760.

At least 4 gigs of RAM - preferably 6 or 8.

GPU = ATI 5850+

HD = 2TB - if you've got the money buy an SSD drive as well.

Also look for computers that have USB3.0 ports already installed. This will be mainstream next year so try and get at least a couple of those on.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Registered Voter ()
Date: December 06, 2010 04:45PM

HP seems to be the best bang for the buck these days. Costco sells a bunch of decent computers, and they work.

Best buy... only go there if you know what you want to buy. The Geek Squad is not all they are reported to be, and their main intent will be to sell you add-on services. Here is my current ratings based on recent experiences:

1. HP - best bang for the buck right now, and good quality
2. Sony VAOI - A little more pricey, but I have had good luck with Sony VAOIs from MicroCenter. Don't let them sell you a coverage policy unless you buy something over $1500.
3. Dell - but you have to go for the higher quality setups, either laptop or desktop. Their inspiron line is crap.
4. Toshiba - eh
5. Lenovo and a bunch of the rest are more geared toward business use. Don't go Gateway (although someone else owns them now) - as their support is dicey at best.

You can go the Mac route - but you will pay 1/2 again to double the price for a comparable setup, and the software is more limited, and more expensive as well.

If you find a PC or model you like, check slickdeals.net - from time to time you can find special deals available on HP or Dells via their links.

My opinion for what it is worth.

If you can’t model the past, where you know the answer pretty well, how can you model the future? - William Happer Cyrus Fogg Brackett Professor of Physics Princeton University

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: basic ()
Date: December 06, 2010 06:20PM

Don't be so hung up on the desktop idea. You may want something more portable so you can snuggle up on the couch while watching movies.

compaqI_be80609d-c8e7-4ceb-81c0-ad6cd2e7

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Stinkfist ()
Date: December 06, 2010 07:22PM

If you drop $1,500 like doc assumed, you're doing to get a GREAT desktop.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: tomahawk ()
Date: December 06, 2010 08:08PM

basic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't be so hung up on the desktop idea. You may
> want something more portable so you can snuggle up
> on the couch while watching movies.
>
>
> Compaq portable pic

I once worked for a company that had some of those. They weighed a ton and the picture tube was longer than it was wide. They had some test equipment software that would only work with those machines so they were still using them years after everyone else had forgotten about them.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Bill Gates ()
Date: December 06, 2010 08:13PM

Do what Registerd Voter says to find a computer but when you're looking for one I would get a 2.4ghz quad-core if I could with at least 4 gigs of RAM since you mentioned gaming. After that you need a graphics card since most integrated graphics won't do it. Unfortunately this also means you'll probably have to replace the power supply since these machines seem to be packaged with a PSU to barely provide enough power to run. As for a graphics card I haven't been keeping up on hardware but I have a 5670 which is pretty cheap and draws less power than most so you might not need a PSU.

When you do buy the parts get them off newegg, tigerdirect or Microcenter if you're shopping locally.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Gaming is Overrated ()
Date: December 06, 2010 09:24PM

If you want to get into gaming, go for an XBox or PS3. Play your games on the big screen.

In regards to computers, buy a quality used computer and run Ubuntu as the Operating System. Lots of great open source applications out there to make your life more productive.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: bobaloo ()
Date: December 07, 2010 09:51AM

Thanks for all the advise. I'm leaning toward buying the computer below and buying a big monitor seperately.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Studio+XPS+8100+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+Processor+/+8GB+Memory+/+1.5TB+Hard+Drive/1244502.p?id=1218240957609&skuId=1244502

I will definitely do more research before I make a final decision.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Registered Voter ()
Date: December 07, 2010 12:03PM

bobaloo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for all the advise. I'm leaning toward
> buying the computer below and buying a big monitor
> seperately.
>
> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Studio+XPS+8100
> +Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i7+P
> rocessor+/+8GB+Memory+/+1.5TB+Hard+Drive/1244502.p
> ?id=1218240957609&skuId=1244502
>
> I will definitely do more research before I make a
> final decision.

Check around for a good price, and also I would advise going with Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit if you get the box. You can upgrade online via Microsoft once you have the PC at home, although that may be more expensive in the long run versus getting an OEM disk from MicroCenter, or asking the BestBuy (or whomever you buy it from) folks to upgrade the OS.

Check the Dell site also - sometimes they run specials that will be better priced than the stores.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/performance-desktop-deals?dgc=CJ&cid=47997&lid=1546742&acd=10841919-227502-E011A0G0O5B00228B0A1A0A0C5

If you can’t model the past, where you know the answer pretty well, how can you model the future? - William Happer Cyrus Fogg Brackett Professor of Physics Princeton University

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: cheapskate ()
Date: December 07, 2010 12:14PM

> ...Check the Dell site also - sometimes they run specials...

This http://www.edealinfo.com/ works for me.

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Gravis ()
Date: December 07, 2010 09:30PM

bobaloo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody have good advise on the best desktop
> computer deal? What specs should I look for? What
> processor? Where to buy?
>
> I will be using the computer for watching movies
> and some gaming. Any advise would be appreciated.



buy a Playstation 3. it does both of those and does them well. it has an HDMI output and many new monitors (like mine which is a few years old) have HDMI input.

you never have to worry about getting a computer virus or fucking up your configuration. the PS3 can use just about any USB keyboard and mouse. it also has a flash enabled web browser works with netflix and can play almost any kind of media file you throw at it. google can provide you with all your office suite needs, including email, word processing and lulz.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."095042938540

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Jeremy ()
Date: December 08, 2010 03:12PM

Microcenter

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: ITRADE ()
Date: December 08, 2010 03:54PM


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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Gravis ()
Date: December 09, 2010 12:39AM

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://blog.makezine.com/200612659_17cf67995b.jpg

miniaturization ftw!


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."095042938540

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: Olde Farte ()
Date: December 09, 2010 08:35AM

I still have 8" and 5.25" floppy disks "downstairs" - as well as the disk drives that used them.

CP/M anyone?

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Re: best desktop computer/ where to buy?
Posted by: *Bearded Lady* ()
Date: December 09, 2010 09:56AM

"best desktop computer/ where to buy?"

THRIFT STORE.

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