New Computer

[Kuyuk]

Hey, I'm looking at getting a computer for my girl for the summer. Dont know if anyone has any good deals they've been looking at.

Price <1000
Able to play some games (WoW, etc)

Laptop or desktop.


K.

[Bobmuhthol]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227046

Enjoy!

[Kuyuk]

the carrying bag and free t-shirt is a pretty sweet topping on that computer bob :)


K.

[Blud]

I don't know if you're into building your own, but for a thousand bucks, you can build a better PC than you can buy a pre-built one for.

http://www.pricewatch.com/

[Asha]

Just reading the graphics card spec made my computer and me explode.

[The Ponzzz]

I'd really suggest you get something with a decent video card if ANY gaming is going to be an option. While that will bring your price tag up over your range if you go laptop, I just don't think it's smart to buy something that is already dated.

What Alex linked is an awesome computer for the price.

[AnticorRifling]

CPU and video card are what's important. HDD, RAM, etc are all easy swaps/upgrades.

[Bobmuhthol]

Video card is an easier swap than hard drive. I prefer buying machines with no video card so I get to put in the one that I want without any extra cost.

[AnticorRifling]

Video card is an easier swap than hard drive. I prefer buying machines with no video card so I get to put in the one that I want without any extra cost.

I was talking laptop, I agree with you on a desktop though.

[AnticorRifling]

This thread made me want to get a new rig. I'm looking at something that's an upgrade from my current computer but it doesn't need to be bleeding edge. This is what I am leaning towards:

Base Price: $545
CASE: Xion III Gaming Mid-Tower 420W Case with Side Window (SILVER COLOR)
CASUPGRADE: 12in COLD CATHODE NEON LIGHT [+10] (BLUE COLOR)
CS_FAN: Default case fans
CPU: AMD Athlon™ X2 5200+ Dual-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology
CD: 20X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER (BLACK COLOR)
CD2: 16X DVD ROM (BLACK COLOR)
FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
FAN: Raidmax Maxcool AMD CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent at 20dBA & Overclock Proof)
HDD: Single Hard Drive (320GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
KEYBOARD: PS2 MULTIMEDIA INTERNET CONTROL KEYBOARD (SILVER COLOR)
MOUSE: PS2 INTERNET MOUSE W/ WHEEL [-2] (SILVER COLOR)
MOTHERBOARD: Asus M2N SLI NVIDIA nForce 560 SLI MCP Chipset DDR2/800 SATA RAID PCI-Express MBoard w/GbLAN,IEEE1394,USB2.0,&7.1Audio
MEMORY: 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory
OS: NONE - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
SOUND: ESS 3D WAVETABLE SOUND PCI
SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 1GB 16X PCI Express [+12] (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA

Total Price: $596


Site is www.cyberpowerpc.com
If you needed/wanted they can do 6mo no payments, rush shipping, etc. One of my coworkers uses them and says they are good to go so I thought I'd give them a try.

[Celephais]

Quick look over the components/newegged looks like a decent deal, not a steal or anything

CPU - $110
RAM - Was a slick deal earlier today for $20 for 2GB DDR 800, regular $50
MB - $90
GPU - $75
HDD - $75
other crap ~$200

My biggest complaint would be the video card... I'm surprised they bother putting so much memory in a "low/mid" card, really good for HD video decoding I suppose, but not as great of game graphics.

[AnticorRifling]

Would I be better off going higher card with lower memory for gaming? (Video cards haven't ever been something I cared about since I've played 1 game WoW that's needed anything bigger than onboard)

[Celephais]

Would I be better off going higher card with lower memory for gaming? (Video cards haven't ever been something I cared about since I've played 1 game WoW that's needed anything bigger than onboard)
WoW isn't exactly demanding, but if you were looking for a card that could handle more demanding games then yes, less memory, more gpu/shaders would be the way to go. Your card is currently a $75 card, along the lines of Bob's 'get one without a card and buy your own' you can get a nice 8800GTS 320MB for $115 on newegg right now (although I would suggest a 8800 GT w/ 512 as more of a middleground). 1GB of memory in a card like the 8500 is going to be a waste...

[AnticorRifling]

Would something like a XFX GeForce 8600 GT Video Card - 512MB DDR3, PCI Express
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3504453&CatId=1826

suit me?