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Help buying a new PC.


Koby

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So well I can pretty much repair a PC by replacing parts but I do know know enough to completely build a PC myself. Is there any site out there that sells parts cheap and will put all the parts together to form a PC for you? Or one that'd go step by step for each part needed so you can fully pick each part you want? I'm looking to build a great PC, for under $1000.

It's going to be a while before I'll be able to afford it but I'm likely to get a job soon and I was thinking I'd buy a new PC when the opportunity to do so arises. I'd like to build one with multiple cores if possible, and have at least or close to 4 GHz per core or whatever and at least 4GB of RAM, a Blu-ray drive if possible, and at least a 500GB hard drive. If anyone wants to help pick out the parts, or find a computer that meets these specs please let me know. I'll understand if this PC isn't in the price range I specified. I'm not knowledgeable in this area as all my PC's I've bought before were pre-made from Office Depot or Best Buy.

Let me know some good sites to check out for buying PCs and parts etc.

Main uses for it would be playing 1080p video, ripping and encoding a lot of videos, graphics designing, and possible gaming.

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Hm. Have you tried Newegg Koby? I was looking around on Newegg for laptops and then googled around to find my laptop at a lower price.

My brother bought most of his computer parts for his custom built desktop by ordering parts from Newegg and buying a cheap case from Microcenter for like $40. Actually, he got funding and grants from the government (because he's on unemployment and enrolled himself into college) and put together a decently functioning computer for about $650. Excluding monitor and like, speakers and whatnot though. So technically he didn't pay for it :P Uncle Sam did.

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How is this?

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit

AMD Phenomâ„¢ II X6 1055T + ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 6450 1GB

No Monitor

1 Year Premium Hardware Service

6GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMS

1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache

Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)

No speakers

THX® TruStudio PC™

Dell 1525 Wireless-N PCIe Card (Without, subtract $40 from price)

Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard

Dell Laser Mouse

No Dial Up Modem Option

Studio XPS 7100 Minitower

Standard USB 2.0 + 10/100/1000 Ethernet

Price: $749.99

Or is it worth another $250 to upgrade to:
AMD Phenomâ„¢ II X6 1090T + ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 6770 1GB
Do you think I'd even need the wi-fi card? I kind of think I wouldn't likely use it. This computer is just what I was able to come to by customizing a computer on the Dell website without choosing one that'd cost me a couple grand.

*edit*

How do you feel about this one made on the HP website?

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium [64-bit]

AMD Phenom™ II X6 1065T six-core processor [2.9GHz, 3MB L2 + 6MB L3 shared, up to 4000MHz]

6GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs]

1TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive

1GB DDR3 AMD Radeon HD 6450 [DVI, HDMI. VGA adapter]

SuperMulti DVD Burner

Integrated Ethernet port, No wireless LAN

15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, audio

No TV Tuner

Integrated sound

Premium HP keyboard and optical mouse

Price: $719.99

Can anyone come up with a better computer that I will not have to put together myself?
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Depends, your config. is pretty good for a mainstream PC, but the graphics card albeit a little bit weak, I will say that you should go with ATI Radeon HD 6770 1GB, AMD Phenom II X6 1055T is essentially a re-branded Athlon with six cores, so you should take that 250$ upgrade of AMD Phenomâ„¢ II X6 1090T + ATI Radeonâ„¢ HD 6770 1GB. Moreover, I would advice to build a PC by yourself than buying it from OEMs(They tend to remove some features from stocks to save a few bucks), Newegg is a better choice.

Edit: Opps, I ignored that you don't want to build a PC by yourself, well, I don't think I can get up with anything better, well, still check that those motherboards have atleast two native USB 3.0 ports, so you don't need to bother with an additional add on card.

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perhaps have a look at this http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc,2969.html (though, since you dont emphasize on GPU in the configurations you just presented, the couple of 6850s in this one seems unreasonable)

i am pretty subjective in my choice of hardware, preferring intel to amd in CPU field and amd to nvidia in GPU, without really considering which is stronger (irrational, yep), so i'm not much of a help in advices. Good luck finding a good configuration.

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How is this?

Or is it worth another $250 to upgrade to:

Do you think I'd even need the wi-fi card? I kind of think I wouldn't likely use it. This computer is just what I was able to come to by customizing a computer on the Dell website without choosing one that'd cost me a couple grand.

*edit*

How do you feel about this one made on the HP website?

Can anyone come up with a better computer that I will not have to put together myself?

Well its a desktop so I wouldn't really advise on having a wireless card. Just save yourself $40 and stick to a normal ethernet route. In case you ever need wireless capability for your desktop - you can buy a wireless usb adapter for like $20. Hardline is better if you're using a desktop, especially if you're like right next to your modem or your router. Plus it maximizes download speeds =p

As for mouse/keyboard/monitor options, you can recycle your old ones unless you already scrapped them, which is about $30-50 on its own I think if you're they're name brands.

---

My brother was telling me usually store-bought PCs and premade computers normally have their bios locked so you can't overclockem for maximum efficiency (because you know, in a nutshell weak tech can be juiced with extra electricity to run and perform like higher end tech) so regular users don't mess up their computers.

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Just something to add... If you bought from someplace like the HP website, be sure to before you do... type in "hp coupons" in google and have a look around, you'll be amazed what you can find. If your not in a hurry a few coupons pop up for PC's maybe ounce every 2 to 4 months for a few days for like 35% off any PC over $999.

A good website I check is http://www.meancoupons.com/hp/ normally for these coupons.

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So well I can pretty much repair a PC by replacing parts but I do know know enough to completely build a PC myself. Is there any site out there that sells parts cheap and will put all the parts together to form a PC for you? Or one that'd go step by step for each part needed so you can fully pick each part you want? I'm looking to build a great PC, for under $1000.

It's going to be a while before I'll be able to afford it but I'm likely to get a job soon and I was thinking I'd buy a new PC when the opportunity to do so arises. I'd like to build one with multiple cores if possible, and have at least or close to 4 GHz per core or whatever and at least 4GB of RAM, a Blu-ray drive if possible, and at least a 500GB hard drive. If anyone wants to help pick out the parts, or find a computer that meets these specs please let me know. I'll understand if this PC isn't in the price range I specified. I'm not knowledgeable in this area as all my PC's I've bought before were pre-made from Office Depot or Best Buy.

Let me know some good sites to check out for buying PCs and parts etc.

Main uses for it would be playing 1080p video, ripping and encoding a lot of videos, graphics designing, and possible gaming.

Hey Koby, Did you ever check out www.lycomputers.com

If you haven't you should, they build it for you with parts you want.

They have Desktops ranging from Gaming, Slim, House, Office.

If you haven't already looked into my thread, I recently purchased one and

Im waiting for the delivery.

http://forums.kametsu.com/showthread.php?t=19472

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I think you've got the right idea with the Dell. I just can't find the savings anymore in building your own computer vs retail. Unless you're going for a hardcore water cooled gaming rig. Companies like Dell buy in massive bulk so they get better discounts then you and I could ever get. Every time I price a retail PC to a custom built one, getting as close as I can to same specs, the custom is always a little bit more. The only way you really seem to save is if you skip on Windows OS. Not saying that it can't be done, but I just can't see it happening without some kind of major sell or coupon being used. If you do find all the parts for a cheaper price you're most likely going to be dealing with several different vendors, if anything goes wrong it can be a total nightmare dealing with them. Some places will even make you pay for the shipping back to them if anything is DOA.

I've never owned a dell myself but I see the damn things everywhere I go, and the ones I used at school always seemed to be rock solid. As popular as they are they must be doing something right and will probably have better customer service then some of the parts vendors you could get stuck with. Only thing I might look out for is that they don't put some pos mobo in the case like some of the other PC vendors would. The HP I have now has an asus mobo inside it, and if a buy right like HP is using stuff like asus. Then I doubt Dell would be using crap in there systems, so you should be ok. The mobo probably won't offer the up-gradable options that a retail purchased one would offer, but since it comes with one graphics card you can atleast upgrade it. I think you could probably skip on the wifi as well because I wired network will almost always be more secure then a wireless one. The processor/graphics upgrade is entirely up to you but a little more power is always nice to have.

All of this being said I still prefer a computer built by myself and buy almost all of my parts from Newegg. Most of it has to do with all the add-on-ware that companies like HP will pre-install on windows for you. The rest is just being able to set back and take pride in a job well done once you've got everything together and working.

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Just something to add... If you bought from someplace like the HP website, be sure to before you do... type in "hp coupons" in google and have a look around, you'll be amazed what you can find. If your not in a hurry a few coupons pop up for PC's maybe ounce every 2 to 4 months for a few days for like 35% off any PC over $999.

A good website I check is http://www.meancoupons.com/hp/ normally for these coupons.

I just checked there and found a 25% off coupon for Dell Desktops. I'm not sure if it'll work for the one I've chosen or not. Anyways I've checked a couple other sites and compared and haven't found anything better or equal within about the same price range. So I'll probably be getting the Dell for $709.99 (with 25% off if the coupon works).

I think I may try to do payments on it if they'll let me. Never done anything like it before (credit), so don't know if my credit will be approved. But if I purchased before July 26th then I'll have no interest until February 2012 which I would have hope to have paid off in full before then. I currently have only about half the money saved up.

Problem is my bank canceled my debit card and I'm waiting for a new one in the mail and I dunno when it'll arrive. Hopefully it'll be here in the next few days.

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I found a nice set of parts... the total including tax and shipping is $637.91...

Antec 300 case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Asus AM3 motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131654

Graphics card Nvidia GTX 550 (Really nice mid range card)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500194

Antec 750W Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026

4GB GSkill DDR3 1333 RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

Processor AMD Phenom II x4 2.8GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103940

Bluray Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151222

500GB Western Digital Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

The ones you suggested are really nice as well, and I think you'll be happy no matter which one you choose to go with.

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I found a nice set of parts... the total including tax and shipping is $637.91.... I was trying to keep the cost as low as possible.

Antec 300 case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Asus AM3 motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131654

Graphics card Nvidia GTX 550 (Really nice mid range card)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500194

Antec 750W Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026

4GB GSkill DDR3 1333 RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

Processor AMD Phenom II x4 2.8GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103940

Bluray Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151222

500GB Western Digital Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

The ones you suggested are really nice as well, and I think you'll be happy no matter which one you choose to go with.

Look at the thread I made.

I got the same thing.

With 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, PHENOM 2 QUAD (3.5GHZ), BLUETOOTH AND 1000MBPS LAN CARD

For around 700$ including SHIPPING.

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Look at the thread I made.

I got the same thing.

With 8GB RAM' date=' 1TB HDD, PHENOM 2 QUAD (3.5GHZ), BLUETOOTH AND 1000MBPS LAN CARD

For around 700$ including SHIPPING.[/color']

The computer you posted is a bit different than the one I came up with. I personally wouldn't recommend using an AMD 4350 graphics card. It still is a really nice build though and you could always upgrade the card later on to something more powerful if you do intend on playing games.

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The computer you posted is a bit different than the one I came up with. I personally wouldn't recommend using an AMD 4350 graphics card. It still is a really nice build though and you could always upgrade the card later on to something more powerful if you do intend on playing games.

Yup, I know what you mean, and nicely put.

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AMD Phenomâ„¢ II X6 1055T------------------------------------------$160

ati radeon hd6450 1gb-----------------------------------------------$52- $59

8gb DDR3 1333MHz---------------------------------------------------$78

WD 1.5TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 64MB Cache--------------$60

LG Black Blu-ray Drive Model UH12LS28---------------------------$70

APEVIA X-PLORER2 PC-Case----------------------------------------$60

ASUS M4A88TD-M/USB3 AM3----------------------------------------$95

Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W-------------------------------------$75

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM--------$100

Logitech MK550 Black USB RF Wireless Combo------------------$60

Total-----$810

This was what I came up with earlier. Wasn't going to post but I thought it is was pretty cool that me and ballard had the same mobo and power supply. Almost had the same case but I own two Apevia cases so I just went with it. It was all from Newegg as well. Sorry about not keeping the links I can find them again if you want. It was about as close to what the dell one was offering that I could get.

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I found a nice set of parts... the total including tax and shipping is $637.91...

Antec 300 case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Asus AM3 motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131654

Graphics card Nvidia GTX 550 (Really nice mid range card)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500194

Antec 750W Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026

4GB GSkill DDR3 1333 RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

Processor AMD Phenom II x4 2.8GHz

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103940

Bluray Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151222

500GB Western Digital Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

The ones you suggested are really nice as well, and I think you'll be happy no matter which one you choose to go with.

Not really a fan of that case, but then neither am I of the Dell cases.

Taking a look at the different parts and using Google to help me better understand them it seems the graphics card you've chosen is a lot better than the one on the Dell according to: http://www.hwcompare.com/10247/geforce-gtx-550-ti-vs-radeon-hd-6450-oem-1gb/

I'm confused as to how I would know what fans or how much of a power supply I'd actually need for various builds.

I'm kind of thinking I'd enjoy at least 6GB of ram, but from what I know, 32-bit OS only supports up to 4 GB.

The thing is it seems places like LYCOMPUTERS will charge $109 just for the OS. :/ I tried a pirated version of Windows 7 once before but it failed to install and I had to redo the install with XP again on this current PC.

I believe the 6-core 2.9 GHz processor of the Dell would be a much greater option then the Processor chosen.

Checking prices of Blu-ray drives and burners on newegg, it seems I can get a Blu-ray Burner for the same price as just the Blu-ray reader on the Dell site would cost. If I do go with the Dell I might drop the Blu-ray drive and purchase the burner from newegg later on and install it myself.

I've tried LYCOMPUTERS as Leki suggested and I love some of the cases they offer, however no matter how I go about it, a close to equivalent specs ends up coming up to near $900. :/

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