Buying a new desktop for D3

nm59

Honorable
May 17, 2012
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10,510
Hi everyone,

I'm buying my husband a new desktop because his laptop cannot handle D3. I don't know much about computers, and I am wondering if you all could help me consider this desktop I have found on Craigslist. I am willing to buy parts to upgrade anything, because my husband can replace those. Any advice is appreciated :)

Here are the D3 recommended specs:
Windows® Vista/7 (latest service packs)
Intel® Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 5600+ 2.8 GHz
2 GB RAM
NVIDIA® GeForce® 260 or ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 or better

Here is the desktop I am interested in:
Specs:
Model: IBM ThinkCentre A55 9265-02U
Processor: Intel Pentium 64-bit dual-core E2160 1.8GHz, 1MB L2, 800MHz FSB, Socket LGA775
Hard drive: Seagate 320GB SATA 7200RPM
Memory: 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 (2 x 1GB in dual-channel mode)
Video: Intel GMA 3000
Windows XP Pro SP3 with the latest updates
New Samsung Super Writemaster 20X DVD±RW DVD/CD burner
Wireless network: D-Link 802.11b/g
Wired network: 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Stereo sound
Original Lenovo keyboard and mouse
Front and back USB ports
CD/DVD burning and authoring software
Security/Antivirus, PDF tools, Firefox, & more
Restore DVDs included
Includes brand new IBM/Lenovo Thinkvision 16" LCD flat panel monitor

Is this a good deal, and will I be able to upgrade any parts as needed?

 
Solution
COOLER MASTER Elite 335 Upgraded RC-335U-KKN1 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119244

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
$17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120
$124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$104.99...
I don't care what the price is for this computer it's most defietly not worth it unless all you want to do is surf the web.
1. You cannot play Diablo 3 with intergrated graphics.
2. The monitor is 16" and Is way too small for gaming.
3. The cpu is not good enough to run Diablo 3 and the core clock is only 1.8ghz ???
4. 2GB of DDR 2 ram is most defietly not going to cut it at all.
5. Windows XP is outdated and Microsoft is no longer supporting it so there are no updates and the recomended settings did say Windows Vista or 7.

With what you would have to upgrade you might as well buy a whole new computer. This computer will not run Diablo 3 and you will have to upgrade the cpu, ram , video card , operating system and monitor.

What would be the total budget amount that you want to spend on a computer fror your husband?
 

nm59

Honorable
May 17, 2012
13
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10,510
Thanks a lot,

I would like to spend at most $600, so that's why I was thinking of buying used and then adding parts.


Here is something else I saw, the owner is selling for $250

PROCESSOR: phenom X4 Quad core 2.3ghz.
MEMORY (RAM): 8GB (VERY FAST)
VIDEO CARD: ATI RADEON HD 5450 2GB
OPERATING SYSTEM: WINDOWS 7 64BIT
TOWER: HP PAVILLION CASE

Any ideas?
 

nm59

Honorable
May 17, 2012
13
0
10,510
I'm sorry for posting so much, I'm just trying to figure this out.

This one seems more reasonable, for $450:

It seems I could just buy a new graphics card and it would be good to go

--Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 (non-k)
--1Tb (1024gb) Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 7200rpm hard drive.
--Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit SP1 Oem w/Product Key and Recovery Media.
--4gb ddr3 1333Mhz Crucial Ballistix (2x2gb).
--ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard (has pci-x16, pci, and pci-x1).
--Rosewill FBM-01 Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case (120mm intake fan, 80mm exhaust with room for 120mm side fan as needed).
--SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA
--COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply. Again, this has 38A total 12v power and 1 pci-x 6-pin power cable to power a huge discrete graphics card.
 
That one is a little bit better but you would have to upgrade the video card. The ram is good and the cpu is boarderline and the operating system is good. Did it list the power supply? You want to have around 500w for a power supply.
I personaly would not buy a used computer from craigs list , you could be taking a big risk by doing that. You can build a very good gaming Pc for $600 and would be much better off with all new parts.
Here's a suggeston , can your husband build a computer if you were to buy the parts?



Thanks a lot,

I would like to spend at most $600, so that's why I was thinking of buying used and then adding parts.


Here is something else I saw, the owner is selling for $250

PROCESSOR: phenom X4 Quad core 2.3ghz.
MEMORY (RAM): 8GB (VERY FAST)
VIDEO CARD: ATI RADEON HD 5450 2GB
OPERATING SYSTEM: WINDOWS 7 64BIT
TOWER: HP PAVILLION CASE

Any ideas?

 



This is a much better computer and you would have to get a video card , is this also on craigs list.
 

XmortisX

Distinguished
Oct 30, 2011
116
0
18,690


Hey! for 600 you guys can actually build something decent to run the game then add later. I'm not to sure buying used from craigslist is a great idea, what if something fails within a day or two (I hope not!) Its better to get it new with warranty's and peace of mind. if you folks are intersted have a look at this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.864943

$377

then with the extra 200 you save you guys can get a decent gpu for the games:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

$134

Total cost $511!!

hope this helps...if you guys don't mind building it.
 
COOLER MASTER Elite 335 Upgraded RC-335U-KKN1 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119244

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
$17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120
$124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279

Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT2G3D1609DS1S00
$27.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148542

CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$69.99 and a $20 rebate makes the final prce $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Western Digital Caviar Green WD3200AZRX 320GB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236181

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card ( 11202-00-20G)
$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms Full HD Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Speakers 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR)
$169.99 and a $20 rebate makes the final price $149.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

Logitech MK120 Black USB Wired Slim Desktop
$16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126097

The total after rebates is $827 and this is for the complete build and all parts are new. I know this is over your budget and I guess the problem that I have is I don't like to buy or recomend junk substandard parts and while this is by no means a top of the line computer build it is a very good computer with quality parts. I do think you can build one for less if you wanted to go with less quality so that will be up to you. If you want I can put together another cheaper build if this one is too much.
 
Solution

nm59

Honorable
May 17, 2012
13
0
10,510
$827 is pretty steep, I definitely won't feel comfortable spending that much. Lesser quality isn't a problem for me since it is going to be just for D3, which doesn't have as great of graphics as some of the other games out there. If you have the time to look into another setup that is around $600 that would be helpful.
 
Logitech S120 2.3 Watts (RMS) 2.0 Speaker System - OEM
$12.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121013

Logitech MK120 Black USB Wired Slim Desktop
$16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126097

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

MSI N550GTX-Ti-MD1GD5 GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$124.99 and a $10 rebate makes the final price $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127649

Diablotek DA Series PSDA600 600W ATX12V v2.2 Power Supply
$29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822013

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBXL
$25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231425

ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314

HANNspree By Hanns-G HF225DPB Black 21.5" 5ms Full HD WideScreen LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 X-Contrast 30,000:1 (1000:1)
$129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824262011

Intel Pentium G850 Sandy Bridge 2.9GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G850
$87.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
$17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

APEX SK-393-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$21.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154109

The Final price after rebates for this one is $718 and that's $100 less if you want to get a smaller monitor then you could knock off $20 and be right at $700.
With new parts I'm not sure that you would want to go much lower and still be able to have decent gameplay , a used Pc is the way to go for that and you wold be taking a chance with used items as there will be no warranty or guarrenty that the thing will work for a decent period of time. Don't forget this list is everything that you need for the build and nothing was left out. So the choice is yours to make and at least with the listing of the parts you will have something to compare to if you look at used computers.

HANNspree HF Series HF205DPB Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 X-Contrast: 50,000:1 (1000:1) Built-in Speakers
$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824262020














 

nm59

Honorable
May 17, 2012
13
0
10,510
inzone, you are truly my hero!!!! :) We have spare speakers/mouse/keyboard, so I took those off your list, and I also took the monitor off the list because I am fine buying a used monitor. With those removed, the setup you built is only $469!

If you were to suggest an upgrade in processor/graphics than what is included in your list, what would you suggest?
 
Intel Core i5-2310 Sandy Bridge 2.9GHz (3.2GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52310
$179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115089

Intel Core i3-2130 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32130
$149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115092

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$199.99 and a $30 rebate makes the final price $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661

EVGA 01G-P3-1561-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$229.99 and a $30 rebate makes the final price $199.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130623

I listed two of each so that you would have a choice and of course the more expensive item being the better choice and better performing and in both cases they are upgrades over what was recomended previously.