When is best time of year to buy complete computer, I have an old e machine T2958 need to upgrade. budget $300/400

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anpetty

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Feb 18, 2013
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What is Best time of year to buy complete personal computer? and where? I have an old e machine T2958 need to upgrade. budget $300/400. Are refurbished ones worth the money? I,m not comfortable building my own although I can put in components. Maybe a bare bones kit?Need some advice.
 
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anpetty

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Feb 18, 2013
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I would like 1-2gb Ram good graphics but don't have to be great, I play a lot of BIG Fish Games (bigfishgames.com) which are really simple. 1T memory would be fine. Don't know much about processors or graphics cards and such. Need just basic CPU. Can install cards and such. Will use windows XP.

 
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anpetty

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Am not comfortable installing motherboard/processer. Where do I read?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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You haven't specified the PURPOSE of the machine.

1) Refurbished can be okay, but I don't recommend them. I don't think the small cost savings justify the potential issues.

2) There are some really great $400 laptops as well that I recommend even to primarily desktop users. You can still hookup to a monitor and use without it's screen. You also get a battery of course so it won't crash in a power outage.

3) You can't build a PC anyway for $400 that's a good value. Windows alone costs about $100 when bought separately.

4) If you want light-gaming your best bet is an APU, if you don't care about even light gaming I'd get a laptop or desktop with an Intel i5 CPU.

Here's a nice $400 laptop with a 17" screen: http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=2854029&pid=1219079079760&pcatId=pcmcat247400050000

Here's the APU equivalent. It's difficult to compare but I think the CPU portion might be slightly weaker than the Intel but the graphics might be slightly better on average:
http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=2287004&pid=1219071221794&ev=prodView

Best time of year?
When the big sales are on.

However, to get a good sale on a computer you generally need to know what you want and possibly camp out to get a good deal. Also, keep in mind the crappier or poorer selling items are often the first to be discounted.

Desktop?
The real big advantage to the desktop is the possibility to upgrade the graphics, in which case I'd get an INTEL CPU system, and definitely not an APU. Other than that, there aren't a lot of choices, but I recommend Windows 8 regardless of what system you buy.

Windows 8:
Great OS, however I also use START8 from Stardock (tweak the settings). It's only $5. This avoids the new interface which I dislike.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Just read the motherboard manual and probably the case one as well. There is really nothing to it. You screw the necessary posts into the case to line up with the holes of the motherboard, install the i/o shield, set motherboard down on the posts and install screws. If you can use a phillips screwdriver, you can install a motherboard.
 
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anpetty

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okay you convinced me? What components do I need to know about first?
Any help would be appreciated. I have some nervousness but willing to give it a go.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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pcpartspicker is also really great, pick your parts, then post the link (not the website URL) near the upper left and ask people advice on it.

Again though, difficult to build a sub-$400 machine once you factor in the price of Windows which is about $100. For $400 you get a great laptop or half decent pre-built desktop.

Here's a quick build I made for $460 (not including shipping): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2gPgi

It's got an "okay" CPU and basic graphics (HD5450). I could have shaved off a bit by getting an APU (CPU and GPU) setup.

Now here's a pre-built PC for $340 (it's on sale but that's the price today): http://www.bestbuy.com/site/desktop-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive/1682374.p?id=1219060354648&skuId=1682374&st=categoryid$abcat0501000&cp=1&lp=9#tab=specifications

It's arguably similar as well with a half-decent CPU and basic graphics. (the pre-built Power Supply would have to be swapped if adding a better graphics card.)

So do you want to spend time learning how to build a PC, order the parts, build it (maybe have problems) or just walk in and buy one for LESS than you can build it?

(I still think a LAPTOP is a great idea as well. You can get a great laptop for $350 to $400 and use it as a desktop PC with a different monitor/keyboard/mouse if you wish and even close the lid when using it.)
 
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anpetty

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I'm new to all this. How do you use a laptop that way. With your own monitor, keyboard, etc.? The one thing I'm not thrilled about in laptops is the funky "touch" mouse and small screen. Didn't know you could fix that. I have friends with note(net)books and laptops that the sceen is going out so the laptop is worthless. Maybe that is not so? Also don't Laptops have a shorter life span than desktops? ---- How do I / Should I put the above on a different thread? I'm also new to this forum thing--first time I have used one, But you guys have been so helpful I feel I can get answers here. Thanks.

Okay I get that My budget amount is too low. I'm doing research now but am not in a panic to buy.

These are the specs of my computer I want to replace:
E machine T2958:
CPU Type Intel Prescott, 2666 MHz (5 x 533)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Brookdale-G i845G
System Memory 502 MB (PC2700 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (05/12/04)
Video Adapter Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller (64 MB)
3D Accelerator Intel Extreme Graphics
Audio Adapter Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-1]
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H10N

So you see I am definitely in need of a replacement !!!!

Your specs are so far above mine for your "quick build" That it is comical. HEE HEE

"I didn't know, I just didn't know"

This will be my first build so I need as much help as I can get.

I just thought of an interim solution,would I be able to get more ram for this dinosaur, it does have room for another card and where would I look? To Dell maybe?


 
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anpetty

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Feb 18, 2013
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I do agree. My max budget is $400 not including OS, keyboard, mouse, monitor and Hard Drive.

Would you recommend IDE Or Sata hard drive. Is there much of a difference as far as quality/lifespan or price.
 
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