Computer illiterate mom needs help! Ugh!

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Marybabs73

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Nov 27, 2015
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Thanks for helping in advance. I bought my daughter an all in one HP for these things:
she wants it for class projects, some gaming (nothing serious.. Minecraft and little things like that), she mentioned some place she wanted to buy games online though (steam?) so I'm worried I didn't buy a good enough computer for that, etc. I am worried that I didn't buy enough GB RAM to run her games and it will be slow with the quad processor after reading previous reviews. Would I have been better off buying a faster dual processor or something with more RAM? We are on a bit of a budget and I'm not smart enough to build her a computer. I can return it before Christmas and get something better if this won't run her games.
Thanks
I bought this...


HP Pavilion 23t All-in-One PC
Product number: N0X22AV#ABA


•Microsoft Office Trial
•No Additional Security Software
•Home and Home Office Insert
•4GB DDR3L-1600 SODIMM (1x4GB) RAM
•Integrated Sound
•1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6G 3.5 Hard Drive
•HP USB Wired Keyboard and Optical Mouse (White)
•HP 3-in-1 Media Card Reader
•4th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4460T processor quad-core [1.9GHz, 6MB Shared Cache]
•SuperMulti DVD Burner
•Intel Integrated Graphic
•Windows 10 Home 64-bit OS
•HP Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 1x1 with Bluetooth M.2 NIC (Stone Peak 1)
 
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viewtyjoe

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Jul 28, 2014
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AIOs are difficult, if not impossible, to install discrete GPUs inside of, which means you're basically limited to what you get. That said, the integrated graphics on the i5-4460T probably can handle most very light gaming, so your daughter would be fine playing Minecraft and other games that aren't extremely taxing. Of course, if she's looking at purchasing games on Steam, then she may be looking at more serious gaming than that particular computer is built for.

If you have a budget, let us know, and we can suggest prebuilt systems that either have better graphics to support more serious gaming or have room to add one separately later on. Regarding RAM, 4GB of RAM is getting to be the requirement now for most heavier games, and you'll typically see 8GB recommended for most builds, if not 16GB as DDR3 is getting fairly cheap.
 
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Marybabs73

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Nov 27, 2015
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Thank you for your reply. I almost went with those Alienware ones but holy smokes are they pricey. After doing more reading I regretted not getting a faster dual processor instead of the quad that looks slower. I also regretted not getting the 8GB. I haven't received the system yet so I could send it back and get something else. She mentioned wanting to get some games on steam but she is pretty novice too and so far the games she plays a lot are minecraft and that stupid Five nights at Freddy's all the time.
 
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Marybabs73

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Nov 27, 2015
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Thank you so much for your answer.

 
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chimera201

chimera201

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The system you chose is fine for light gaming. What the system lacks is a dedicated graphics card. If you are thinking about getting alienware desktop you will probably have to buy monitor, keyboard and mouse, Windows separately. That might pretty much go over budget in your case.

This pre-built desktop has a good enough discrete GPU for 450$
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-steam-machine/pd?oc=dkcwa01s&model_id=alienware-steam-machine

Of course nothing beats a custom-built PC.
 
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cats_Paw

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Oct 19, 2007
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If you can send the pc back, it might be the best option.
There are many pre-build PCs that are rather cheap and also powerfull enought for very good gaming without spending a fortune.
I would advice going for what people in this site would call at mid class gaming pc.
I would stay away from Alienware (they are overpriced for what they can do).

Are you interested in buying the PC online or in physical shops?
I ask because it might be easier to look for PCs once we know where you feel comfortable buying.

Also, this is a site that mostly will have people who are into gaming so its easy for us to cover that area, however, can you tell us anything more about the class projects?
Depending on the programs she will be using she might need a different set up (if its for word, excel and the microsoft office programs its no problem but there are other programs that are more advanced).

Once we got that information it might be easier to point you in the right direction.
 
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Marybabs73

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Nov 27, 2015
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Marybabs73

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Nov 27, 2015
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Well this morning I tried to cancel and they gave me some story about how they already are working on the order so I imagine it will take forever to get my money back. What she wants is something to do projects (with some kind of PowerPoint or Google driven presentations I think). The other day I walked in on her working with kids from school in real time on some history report and they were working on it from their own remote locations. They were all editing and creating this thing from their own homes. She also needs a word processor. I really thjnk she could do most of that from my laptop though. I was more worried about this gaming she wants to do. When she mentioned am downloading games from steam I realized she might not even know what kind of power she is looking at that is needed to run some of those games. I asked her which games and she said, "Well I am not sure yet". She asked for a gift card for downloading some games. I know she plays minecraft on my parent's custom build but it's over 15 years old and it is a monstrosity (size wise) My dad had a friend whose son built computers and he owed my dad a favor for something my dad fixed for him so he took my dads computer (which was super old and broke) and replaced everything in it. I'm just not sure what he did to it but she keeps saying "I need a desktop like grandpa' has". Trouble is I don't know what is in that mammoth beast! She always wants to be on that computer and I'm pretty sure that these newer computers HAVE to be somewhat better! I'm going over there tonight so I will see if I can pull up what's inside of it.
 
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Math Geek

Math Geek

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Oct 15, 2014
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those games are all very light on the pc needs. but it's always better to get a big more than needed for the future sake. i'm thinking something along the lines of a decent i5 and a gtx 950 type gpu for a good balance of power and cost. do you have a price range in mind? can do some looking around and see what i can find. looking for other people as well so will be browsing anyway :) will you also need monitor, mouse, keyboard and such or do you already have those items?
 
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Math Geek

Math Geek

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you mentioned her granddad's pc was custom built. would you have access to this person to build you one if you got the parts? $500 is not a lot to work with on pre-built ones but custom can be worked with. honestly though, including monitor/windows leaves very little to go to the pc itself. you'll have little better than the all in one you already canceled!!

but we can configure one that will be good for now but can be upgraded as you go to keep up with her gaming demands :)

this acer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883101216 is a good start and with a monitor can stay around $500. for another $100 you can add a video card that is compatible and will be enough for her to play her games nicely. a low power 750ti will work in the system and bring the total cost to about $600 all in or the video card can wait until later on.
 
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James Mason

James Mason

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Well, Minecraft, FNAF and Undertale are all extremely low spec games and can be played on nothing, so a laptop may be within your price range. I've got two links for you but their for the same product, one is the instructions on how to get to the page, the other is a direct link to the page:
http://slickdeals.net/f/8319565-lenovo-ideapad-300-series-14-and-15-6-skylake-6th-gen-i5-6200u-8gb-500gb-1080p-laptop-449?src=catpagev2
http://shop.lenovo.com/perksoffer/us/en/laptops/ideapad/300-series/300-15-inch/?sb=:000001C9:00015FD4:
It's a 15" laptop with a 6th gen i5, 8gbs of ram and 500gbs of hard drive space with windows 10 home.
If you need a word processor, like Microsoft Office Word, check with her school, as she may be able to get it for free or at a discounted rate:
https://products.office.com/en-us/student/office-in-education
If not you can get Office 365 Personal for 59.99 a year, or you Office 2016 for students for $99:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/All-Office/categoryID.69403900

If you still want a Desktop, you can get this $299 one from Dell with a coupon code applied in the checkout window: BFBIZDEAL100
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-3900-mini-tower/pd?cs=04&s=bsd&oc=smov3900w7009&model_id=vostro-3900-mini-tower&dgc=BF&cid=22740&lid=4279737&acd=12309198376456750&ven1=10549103-1225267-92ab65de956a11e5a431e2322f8ed2120000&ven3=263503104373676941

And you can put this GPU in it for increased graphics performance. (Play most modern/new games at some level of quality)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127783&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

The desktop doesn't come with a monitor though, but it sounds like you may already have one. If not:
$69 today only:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009POS0GS/?tag=pcpapi-20
$89 if not today: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160069&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 
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Marybabs73

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Nov 27, 2015
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Hi everyone! I am back! Hewlett-Packard refunded all of my money and were actually on the up and up. IBe been looking for a new PC and reading all of your suggestions have been beyond helpful!!!!! Thank you all a ton!!!!!
 
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