New Computer, Old Budget

[Baerlynd]

So, I am thinking I need to get a new computer, because this one is sort of getting wonky. I can't even recall when I built this thing. No, I do not want to build my next one. I want to plug the damn thing in and have it work.

Main uses will be web surfing, listening to music, watching YouTube, playing GS, and I suppose the most CPU-intensive use I foresee doing on this computer would be watching a DVD or streaming Netflix. If it came with MS Office, that'd be great, but I can get the educator version through my wife. That's it. I haven't kept up with computers for several years now, but I don't imagine I'd need more than a Core i3. How much RAM should I be looking for? How much HD space does Windows take up these days?

Finally, the most multitasking this thing would see is playing music while I was playing GS and had a few tabs of Firefox open. I am graduating in May and might get some cash, but not a lot. Any advice or ideas would be lovely. Thanks!

[Suppressed Poet]

500 gb hard drive, 4gb of ram, and an I3 processor should do you just fine. You could probably get my with a pentium dual core for what you are doing, but I'd go for the I3.

Computers are dirt cheap now and continue to trend that way.

If you are on a tight budget, look at factory refurb deals through major retailers. I bought plenty of factory refurbished CPUs and never once had an issue.

For what you need it for, you simply can't build one for any cheaper.

[Bobmuhthol]

I would go larger than 500 GB, but I am a bit of a hoarder. I've found that two 500 GB internals and two 1 GB externals is hardly keeping me satisfied.

[Androidpk]

500GB sounds pretty excessive for what he'll be doing with the computer. That's pretty much what I do with my desktop and I get by just fine with a 75GB SSD.

[Androidpk]

$399

http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemNumber=N82E16883155565

[Back]

Solid state drives are the now. i3s and i5s are still fine. i7s are no deal breaker.

Make sure to drill some holes in it to keep the processor running under 100c. I recommend the left side of the box.

[Baerlynd]

I would go larger than 500 GB, but I am a bit of a hoarder. I've found that two 500 GB internals and two 1 GB externals is hardly keeping me satisfied.

I understand, but I am currently running a Vista machine with one full 75GB drive and one almost completely empty 75 GB drive. 500GB will hold my music and the few programs I'll need.

[Wudd]

500GB seems to be the smallest they're offering on most of the major build your own PC sites. I'm using a 55GB SSD and win7 takes up over half of that by itself. That being said, running the OS on a SSD is a pretty awesome experience, everything is super fast and smooth.

http://www.ascendtech.us/intel-core-i3-2100-windows-7-pc-system_i_dtwpch67ci32100.aspx?agent=pricewatch

$349 base. Adding thermal grease, case fan, and a DVD +/- burner brings the cost up to $372.

So $350-$400 looks to be about what you can expect to pay for a new system. Refurbished you may be able to drop it down to around $250-$300.

Ascendtech I can vouch for, as I've ordered many of my PC components from them the past few years. Overall good prices (especially on low-mid range components) and on time shipping along with good packing. Newegg of course is also great. I would however stay way from Portatech, used them once and they didn't ship when they said they would, still charged me for the expedited shipping, and then sent me the wrong item. Another friend also had problems with them not shipping on time when paying for expedited shipping.

[Wudd]

Also, if you're not opposed to using AMD processors/mobos you can shave another $50-$60 off the price of a comparable system. An A6 (2.1ghz triple core) barebones system with the same add-ons I listed above would run about $315.

Personally I've been using AMD in all my personal PCs for years and have never had any problems. If you're going for high-end gaming, then you'd be better off with an i7 over AMD at the moment, but that's not what you're looking for. AMD is, in my opinion, every bit comparable to Intel in the low to mid range PC market today.

[Baerlynd]

Not opposed at all. AMD was a better choice for a long while. High end gaming holds no interest for me anymore.

[Baerlynd]

So, out of these three, which would any of you choose? I already have a 23" monitor, the old G15 Keyboard and a mouse I like, and my kids will love playing Roblox and Club Penguin on this older machine.

Click me to Compare! (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100019096%20600184112&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=10|83-256-536^83-256-536-02%23%2C83-256-717^83-256-717-02%23%2C83-256-800^83-256-800-02%23&percm=83-256-536%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B83-256-717%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B83-256-800%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24)