Finally aquired funds quick re: needed.

[coryg]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=D-540-915-K4&cm_mmc=geekmail-_-newarrivals_html-_-18Sep10-_-D-540-915-K4

first off, exactly how crappy is this? could this be upgraded? woudl it be worth it just for the HDD/DVD/extra junk(mouse,speakers,keyboard)/case?

I am looking to get a new computer and I will buy this if it is something that could be worked with (to get some non-gaming performance out of).

Thanks in advance for the Replies!

 

[505090]

depends entirely on what you will be using it for

 

[treefrog07]

I wouln't buy it and the other items you'll have to buy. First it is labeled new and refurbished, but does not say which parts are new and which are refurbished. It is 2005 technology. You probably would not want to spend the $ to upgrade. To get this system running will require between $370 and $420, the $170 cost of the "system" and other components you will have to buy.

At the bottom of the webpage its says
Product Requirements:
-- Some assembly required
-- CPU heat sink
-- DDR RAM
-- Operating system
-- The rest of the system

CPU heatsink/fan: ~$10-$30
Thermal grease (Thermal interface material): $2-$10
RAM: ~$18-$100
OS: ~$100-$140, you'll have to shop around if you want XP, newegg has W7 Home premium for ~$100

The PSU has very few power connectors for HDDs and ODDs:
# One (1) 12-inch 20+4-pin ATX power connector
# One (1) 12-inch 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
# Three (3) large 4-pin Molex power connectors (It notes that there are two (2) 6-inch 4-pin Molex to SATA power connectors.)
# One (1) Floppy connector
So you might a need a better PSU, ~$55

If you have some of these items, and you are ONLY going to read email, surf the internet, and perform office-type work: word processing, spreadsheets, briefings, etc., then this MAY be a good deal for you.

 

[coryg]

now that i have failed at everything what would you suggest on a <500 budget.

I will be using this for web browsing, photoshop, and some online gaming(addictinggames.com), and would like to be able to load/listen to youtube videos without pauses/crap (ie like my current situati, my netbook)

I would like to DIY(myself) but if there is a half way decent prebuilt then im ok with that too, as long as it leaves me something to play with down the road (upgradeability)

thanks peoples, i almost bought it haha

 

[ScrewySqrl]

$500. thats a decent budget gamer system. Do you need a monitor? keyboard? Operating System?

fill out this form, let us know what you need to get:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[treefrog07]

now that i have failed at everything what would you suggest on a <500 budget.

I will be using this for web browsing, photoshop, and some online gaming(addictinggames.com), and would like to be able to load/listen to youtube videos without pauses/crap (ie like my current situati, my netbook)

I would like to DIY(myself) but if there is a half way decent prebuilt then im ok with that too, as long as it leaves me something to play with down the road (upgradeability)

thanks peoples, i almost bought it haha

You didn't fail. Finding compatible, reasonably-priced components is not easy. Also wanting to be able to upgrade adds to the complexity because if you want to upgrade, you really need to have a current technology motherboard and CPU because by the time you upgrade other components, they will be "old." Fill in the template ScrewySqrl linked. Even on a $500 budget, the OS is going to be 20% of that, leaving only $400 for motherboard, CPU, RAM, Video Card, HDD, ODD, and PSU. You may be able to use a motherboard with on-board video, saving the Video card for a later upgrade. And if you don't already have them: monitor, keyboard, speakers or headphones, and mouse.

Edit: Youtube pauses are often caused by the network traffic/ISP/router, and not your computer.

 

[coryg]

$500. thats a decent budget gamer system. Do you need a monitor? keyboard? Operating System?

fill out this form, let us know what you need to get:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Approximate Purchase Date: within the next two months


Budget Range: <500 after or before.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: surfing the internet, watching movies, gaming(internet mostly(addictinggames.com maybe getting into something more but doubtful after spending the money to build this thing)


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: anything from USA


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: best bang for your buck with future in mind (most likely AMD since i5/i7 is probably out of budget)

Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: doubt it.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Additional Comments: dont care for bling.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

alright, you're doing flash games, which can usualy be handled by on-motherboard graphics

I'd say this should do, $500, shipped:

Rosewill Blackbone Case and LG DVD burner: $42.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492949

Its a basic case with and intake and exaust fan. Should fit the needs of this system fine. DVD is basic.

AS Rock Extreme 3 AMD 770 chipset motherboard: $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157195

a top notch, inexpensive board, ready for future upgrade with SATA 3 and USB 3 capability

AMD Athlon II X3 Rana 445 (3.1 GHz) and Sapphire HD5670 1GB Video card: $165.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.500407

a solid processor. The GPU is a bit of a step slower than a 5770, but it will run 1080i HD video nicely, and can game at your resolution at medium settings of most newer games, like Starcraft and most MMOs. For flash games like you are doing, it's more than enough.

4 GB DDR3-1333 (10666) RAM, Mushkin: $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Basic RAM, don't need anything fancier than this.

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB Hard drive: $58.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Its on sale right now only $4 more than a 500 GB model. if you wait on this, you can step down to the 500 GB model at $54.99 and be just fine.

Antec 400W OEM Power Supply $49.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

Plenty of power, from a reliable company. Because it's OEM, we add this:

Apevia 5 ft. Power cord: $3.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201007

But you can probly use one you already have lying around


Total $471.91
Plus $27.36 in Shipping
Grant total: $499.27

 

[coryg]

im going to get "nit picky" (but only because ur so good at what you do...)

if i were to say that I have another 100 bucks lying around I wouldn't mind throwing into this what would you suggest then? a GPU? (not saying I want a GPU, just curious)

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[skervy]

if your not comfortable building your own pricewatch has cheap basic systems i got my first couple computers there for the 200$ range and they served me well for years. still have the last one a 4200 xp that got me through the last few years of guild wars haha. i ordered mine from ascendtech through pricewatch but i picked them due to being the closest to where i live and best reviews on there at the time

http://www.pricewatch.com/computer_systems_no_os/

also if your playing web games theres absolutely no need for a decent video card. maybe a 5450 or 5550 radeon in the $50 or under range if you dont find the onboard to be enough

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I'd up the GPU & CPU. some combination of 4-core processor (athlon II X4 or Phenom II X4) and a HD 5770 or GTX 460

 

[coryg]

would anyone else recommend this website?
could I get portions of it from this place and then others (the 74 dollar RAM) from newegg?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

no reason not to mix-n-match parts, as long as the site is reliable

 

[skervy]

this combo would do you well should easily find a case/psu/dvd for under 150 and prolly under 100. has ddr3 and decent onboard but no hdmi if thats something you need
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466557

or this and find a case/psu/hd/dvd prolly around 150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.472904

if you do something like screwy said id switch the mobo for the 870 extreme3 its only 15$ more and alot more features. you could also find a decent power supply around 30-40

good example

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023


actually that first combo has a mobo thats more expensive then it needs to be and for your use

 

[duk3]

I would upgrade to an x4 955 and 5770, a better motherboard, a better power supply and case/dvd burner/ram the same.

SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
$15 MIR

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996586
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Combos:

Rosewill Blackbone Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
and
LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492949

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
and
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022
$20 MIR

ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard
and
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.509748

Total: $571.74
With that $30, you could get some faster ram, maybe a nicer case or just keep it.

Faster ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321
Total: $593.74

 

[coryg]

how about this combo with the x4 CPU rather than X3 ?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.494149

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.500407&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=447zhvryt2

yes? no? doesnt matter?

 

[duk3]

The Athlon x4 is going to be better for multitasking than the x3, however the x4 955 I have in the build for $571 is going to be faster than either of them but may be overkill for web browsing, movies and browser games.

Additionally, you could save money by switching to a cheap 5550 or something as none of your applications need anything better than an onboard GPU.

 

[coryg]

my mix and match so far?

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 - 58.99

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029 - 49.99

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748 - 74.99

CASE/DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492949
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492949
= 42.98

CPU/MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.509748
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.509748
= 229.99

+ 43.99 for 1 yr extended warranty (IS THIS WORTH IT?!)

w/ shipping =$515



warranty worth it? do the products not come with a warranty of their own??

Thoughts? anything i missed? thanks!

 

[obsidian86]

get this instead same price after promo code

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

 

[skervy]

dont get them extended warranty not worth it imo through a 3rd party and pain in the ass. the manufacture should be enough unless your dishing out like a grand on a single item. he also said non gaming performance and that he plays webbrowser games theres no reason tryin to push in a 100$ video card. a 5450 or 5550 in the 50$ range will serve you well for videos and minor gaming. low power quiet or silent but strong enough to do some low setting real gaming

 

[ScrewySqrl]

No need for warranty.


for your needs onboard video will be adequate, but if you want to be able to run non-flash games, I'd consider picking up the DDR5 version of a GTS 240 or 250, or a 5550 or 5570. They'll speed up doing any video encoding and will play games at medium settings, and are in the $60-100 price range

 

[duk3]

That motherboard lacks onboard video.
A $20 8400gs/hd4350 should be fine.

 

[coryg]

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185 - 58.99

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030 - 59.99 (15 MIR)

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146748 - 74.99

CASE/DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492949
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492949
= 42.98

CPU/MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.509748
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.509748
= 229.99



w/ shipping =$479.82


now i just need a video card...?
will the $20 8400gs do everything I want it to?


this guy?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187108&cm_re=8400gs-_-14-187-108-_-Product

 

[obsidian86]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150484

this is better

 

[coryg]

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185 - 58.99

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371030 - 59.99 (15 MIR)

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146748 - 74.99

CASE/DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492949
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.492949
= 42.98

CPU/MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.509748
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.509748
= 229.99

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150484 - 39.99


w/ shipping = $519.81
after MIR =$ 494.81


If you had a $500 budget for what I'm going to be doing is this what you would buy? anything else I need to make up for the ~$50 I will have afterward?

*side question- If I wanted to order this with two different debit cards would the shipping be more if I split the order and bought some with one and the rest with the other??

Thanks so much for your help!