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Desperate Need of Upgrade/brand new PC
TransientMetal
Member Posts: 6
So recently, my PC went haywire, got a virus and is not working anymore. Realizing getting it fixed would probably cost more than getting a new one, i have opted to get one.
My old computer was 4+ years old, and since i can't check the stats, i have to recite them from memory. It was like 1.8 gHz, 512 ram , graphics was a radeon 9550 something or other, and thats all i can remember.
I'm looking for a new pc perferably pre-built that is somewhere in the middle ( better than this crap). It's been more than two weeks since i have touched a computer, and am typing this from a friend's laptop. I prefer to get it from bestbuy/future shop (canada), but if i have to build one, i will. Again, i'm not looking for a top of the line to play AoC, but one that can play the asian clones on high, and the "decent" ones on medium-ish.
Help?
Comments
MSI Socket AM2+ 790FX motherboard-$190
Phenom 9850-$240
MSI factory Overclocking ATI HD 3870-$160
OCZ 4GB Platinum Ram-$80
Thermaltake 500watt powersupply-$50
Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit -$140
Total Cost about $860
Or
Lenevo 3000 Desktop PC $599.99
XFX GeForce 8800 GT $189.99
Total About: $790
Thanks for replying.
I've been searching up newegg (through the recomendations of others) for a PC. I'm not really that computer savvy, but i'm sure my friends could help with constructing a computer. My price range is around 700. i saw this one and was just wondering if it was okay
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227060
I checked out a Lenovo on there as well, but one of the reviews didn't recommend it at all. I don't care much for Vista either, and XP is just fine with me.
That Cyberpower one isn't too hot. It is displaying the right stuff an Intel 8400, but under the hood its pretty limited.
Here are the problem areas.
430watt power supply.
GeForce 8500.
Vista Home.
2 Memory Slots- Maximum of 4GB
Realtek Audio.
CyberPower Badge.
You are going to get ripped off with it. It has no real upgrade future.
Also Newegg doesn't have good pre-builts. They have good priced PC components though. That and Newegg doesn't ship to Canada, which is why I went to Tigerdirect.ca first.
By NO MEANS get a AMD Phenom. COMPLETE waste of money. $200 E8400 will out-perform it on every game and and quite a few applications. AMD has fallen behind and INTEL is now a mile ahead of them.
ATI I wouldn't recommend but they do make some solid cards, while having lots of issues for some reason.
Sadly to say but OCZ RAM isn't what it use to be. They are putting in downgraded modules on low-mid range (Platinum now uses bad modules compared to the Micron D7 they used 2 years ago).
Get Mushkin HP2 (Micron D8-9 modules) or Crucial. Cheap yet top of the line.
8800GT. No excuse not to get one as they are now going for $160 after rebate.
E8400 if you can swing the $200. then a E6750/E6850 when drop in price.
NEVER buy a prebuilt from BestBuy/FutureShop/Dell. Tigerdirect.ca has PROPER priced pre-builts even and if anything, just have them assemble it for you. You will save $200-500 getting a gaming machine yourself and having them put it together for you.
Oh and motherboard, you should never have to spend over $150 on one unless you NEED the accessories it provides.
ASUS P5K ($120) is a extremely solid board or if you think you will be doing SLI, then ASUS P5N-D (not a fan of nvidia chipsets as they run hot and provide sub-par overclocking).
Edit: Powersupply, minimum of 600-WATT. ULTRA, BFG, and ThermalTake are some brand names that I trust for products. Always look at reviews though. 10 mins of reading can save you hundreds and also increase your gaming performance by leaps.
Thanks for the replies guys.
Yeah, i realized newegg didn't ship to canada after a while. I will check out tigerdirect soon. Are there any particular pre-builts you would recommend? Or some guidelines i should follow when looking for parts (i.e., minimum memory/ bare minium graphics card, companies/brands to avoid)?
You guys have been a great help!
Actually TigerDirect lately have been jacking up prices on a lot of things... I would still recommend just getting separate parts and having someone throw it together for $50. If you live around Mississauga Ontario I'll even take you to the stores, get the parts with you, and throw it together for $50.
And from the looks of what TD has to offer.. Nothing is good for pre-builts. Stay away from Dynex and RocketFish (horrible bestbuy brands)
pure wattage is not what to look for in a good psu. check the amperage on the 12v lines.
Phenoms have thier place. They may even play future games better then the E8400. You have to remember most games are not optimized for multi-threading, especially at 4 cores. With the E8400, and Q9700 you have several limitations that actually make Phenom an ideal choice. 1st is the lack of a Memory Controller. Granted Nelhiem corrects this, without a memory controller it results in lower memory bandwidth. No point going enthusiast if the FSB can't handle it.
Also Phenom has a universal cache. Right now it takes twice the cycles when the cache must be accessed, but it pays of on multi-threaded applications. Where as the entire Intel Lineup must mirror cache data across its l2 cache, the Phenom can load similiar cache data in the l3 cache shrinking redundancy, but comes at the cost of double the cycles. However, it beats having your l2 cache filling and needing to read from elsewhere. Also Intel needs this technology in order to progress into 8 cores.
The last couple years was rough for AMD, but they pretty much have passed that slump and have the basic architecture on what will propel them into the lead again. Its also the ground work on Fusion which will substantially improve graphics rendering.
You live in calgary AB? If so ur in luck, because you wont need to worry about buying from a site like tigerdirect, which i would personally not recomend over a bad experience, for there is an amazing store right here. Memory Express, they have 3 locations in Calgary so it shouldn't be a problem to get to 1. They offer virtually any component you could want and they actually have pretty good prices, better than most of internet vendors. Even better for you is the fact that they offer their own pre-built systems.
I just took a look at what they are currently offering for pre-builts, and they are nothing special. Basically what u would expect from a 500-700 dollar computer. To be truthful the systems u can buy aren't really worth it when compared with what u could get by building it yourself... Um, i've been lookign at some of this for a bit now, but its late and im really tired, so check it out. http://www.memoryexpress.com
The pre-builts are under under the first title on the lefthand menue, Computer Systems. Go ahead and PM me if you have any questions or want more info. You could also buy the componets and have them put the system together for a service charge of $40. If you would like to consider that I can give u a hand with choosing the parts.