http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161924

Since some of you never venture into OT -- I am hoping you can help out with a serious computer question. I am looking into getting a PC finally. However, I have been out of the loop for like 7 years ... :eek: :stickoutt ... recommendations, suggestions needed please.

What are you going to use this PC for? Gaming? Just regular word processing? Media editing?

Also, PM AlfaEric or Andy, they might be able to give you some good specs based on your needs.

Well, that's the problem. I'm not sure. I haven't owned one in such a long time ... I foresee using it for:

a) bringing home work from the office to do;
b) burning DVD's and music;
c) surfing the internet;
d) and playing some games.

I guess an all-around computer is what I want ... not great at any one thing; but, not piss-poor either.

James,

Gimme money, I'll build you one like my uber (but slightly outdated now) gaming machine! :D

Originally posted by NoSoup4U
Well, that's the problem. I'm not sure. I haven't owned one in such a long time ... I foresee using it for:

a) bringing home work from the office to do;
b) burning DVD's and music;
c) surfing the internet;
d) and playing some games.

I guess an all-around computer is what I want ... not great at any one thing; but, not piss-poor either.

i used to build pc's, but now the price on pre-built ones have gotten so low that it makes better sense to just buy one with the stuff you want. add in the built-in warranty to the equation and it's a no-brainer.

Yeah, you're right -- prebuilt Dells are great deals nowadays. I still build my own PCs because I want a specific mobo and memory that don't come in a prebuilt PC. I guess you could say that I'm trying to build myself an Alienware-spec PC without paying the high cost. For James' needs, a Dell is more along his alley than an Alienware.


Originally posted by BJO
i used to build pc's, but now the price on pre-built ones have gotten so low that it makes better sense to just buy one with the stuff you want. add in the built-in warranty to the equation and it's a no-brainer.

Originally posted by NoSoup4U
Well, that's the problem. I'm not sure. I haven't owned one in such a long time ... I foresee using it for:

a) bringing home work from the office to do;
b) burning DVD's and music;
c) surfing the internet;
d) and playing some games.

I guess an all-around computer is what I want ... not great at any one thing; but, not piss-poor either.

After my Sony VAIO laptop blew its hard drive (POS!), I got a pre-packaged Dell desktop and it works perfectly for what I do. I use it for the same things you do and it is more that sufficient. It was only like $499 with 17" monitor when I got it in July. I don't have the specs, but for my needs it was perfect. I'll PM or post here the Dell that I got.

Originally posted by NoSoup4U
Well, that's the problem. I'm not sure. I haven't owned one in such a long time ... I foresee using it for:

a) bringing home work from the office to do;
b) burning DVD's and music;
c) surfing the internet;
d) and playing some games.

I guess an all-around computer is what I want ... not great at any one thing; but, not piss-poor either.

My suggestion to most people who list "playing some games" is go to the store and look at the new games out there that you would like to play. Check their system requirements and this should give you a very general idea of what the MINIMUM requirements are for what you need.

Dell's are great and don't forget to check their refurbished section. You still get the Dell warranty on a virtually new system for a pretty nice discount. If you don't see exactly what you want in their refurbished section, give them a call. You might get a nice person who will put it together out of parts they have lying around.

---Eric

Yeah, James are you looking for a desktop or laptop?

How ironic, the Simpsons Im watching is the one where Homer buys a PC. :)

Originally posted by Pro-Imports
Yeah, you're right -- prebuilt Dells are great deals nowadays. I still build my own PCs because I want a specific mobo and memory that don't come in a prebuilt PC.

That's exactly why I build my own. I get everything I want and nothing I dont. I already have a lot of software and parts lying around so for me, it's cheaper.

For someone who is less computer savvy, a cheaper premade system with a warranty should do the trick. Dont buy the cheapest piece you can find, a mid-range Dell/Gateway/Micron would probably work for you. You may want to shop elsewhere for a monitor though, those companies might not have the best prices. I have a 17" Samsung 171N LCD and I love it, it blows my 19" noname brand CRT out of the water. Samsung, Sony, Hitachi, and Viewsonic are all good brands.

Just remember that processor speeds are nice, but RAM is what runs the machine. We have P4 1.7 Ghz machines at work and they cant run WinXP worth a damn with only 128 megs of RAM. Double it and they run just fine. Ideally, 512 is what I would go for in a machine nowadays.

Good luck with whatever you buy James! :)

Oh and I agree 100% with those guys about NewEgg.com. Not always the best prices but usually close and their customer service is wonderful.