So my computer just broke and it looks like I am in the market for a new one. I must admit I'm pretty illiterate when it comes to computer hardware. My brother built my last one for me. I was searching on bestbuy and found this comp
Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year limited
Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited
Product Height 15.8"
Product Width 7.1"
Product Weight 13 lbs.
Product Depth 16.9"
Processor Brand AMD
Processor AMD Phenom™ II X4
Processor Speed 3.0GHz
System Bus 4000MHz
Cache Memory 2MB on die Level 2 and 6MB shared on die Level 3
System Memory (RAM) 8GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 16GB
Type of Memory (RAM) DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive Type SATA (5400 rpm)
Hard Drive Size 1TB
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4650
Video Memory 1GB (dedicated)
Audio High-definition audio support (8-speaker configurable)
Speakers None
Network Card Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN
Wireless Networking Built-in 802.11a/b/g/n wireless LAN
Recordable DVD Drive Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/Blu-ray Disc/CD-RW
Recordable DVD Drive Speeds Drive speeds not specified
Direct-Disc Labeling Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader
Available Expansion Bays External: 1 (3.5"), 1 Personal Media Drive; Internal: 1 (3.5")
Available Expansion Slots 1 PCI Express x1
USB 2.0 Ports 7 (3 front, 4 rear)
Keyboard Description HP USB
Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.) HP USB optical mouse, HP Media Center remote
Operating System Platform Windows
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Software Included HP MediaSmart Software Suite; Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe; Microsoft Works 9 and more
ENERGY STAR Qualified No
BBY Software Installer No
HDMI Output Yes
Blu-ray Player Yes
Warranty Terms - Parts 90 days
Warranty Terms - Labor 90 days limited
Product Height 15.3"
Product Width 7"
Product Weight 9.8 lbs.
Product Depth 16.9"
Processor Brand AMD
Processor AMD Phenom™ II X4
Processor Speed 2.6GHz
System Bus 4000MHz
Cache Memory 2MB on die Level 2 and 4MB shared on die Level 3
System Memory (RAM) 8GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 16GB
Type of Memory (RAM) DDR3 SDRAM
Hard Drive Type SATA (7200 rpm)
Hard Drive Size 750GB
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4200
Video Memory 256MB
Audio High-definition support (8-speaker configurable)
Speakers None
Network Card Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN
Wireless Networking Built-in 802.11a/b/g/n wireless LAN
Recordable DVD Drive Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Recordable DVD Drive Speeds Drive speeds not specified
Direct-Disc Labeling Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader
Available Expansion Bays External: 1 (3.5"), 1 (5.25"); Internal: 1 (3.5")
Available Expansion Slots 2 PCI Express x1, 1 PCI Express x16
USB 2.0 Ports 8 (2 front, 6 rear)
Keyboard Description HP USB
Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.) HP USB optical mouse
Operating System Platform Windows
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Software Included HP MediaSmart Software Suite; Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe; Microsoft Works 9 and more
ENERGY STAR Qualified Unknown
BBY Software Installer No
HDMI Output No
Blu-ray Player No
for $450.
I need some opinions on these comps or suggestions on where to buy a good CHEAP comp. Thanks.
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If your brother can build, spend the $650 on parts instead and get him to assemble. What broke in your comp? May be able to get away with upgrading a few components instead of the whole thing.
Edit: Option one has a better video card and a BluRay player, I'd say it's worth it. But I still think you could get better buying parts. I spend maybe $700 (Canadian) on my new PC, fairly nice parts in it, so I imagine $650 USD is worth a bit more?
Motivates to get a new one. The old one was about four years old and wasn't to good to begin with. My brother made it just to learn how to. Like I said, I know next to nothing about hardware except adding ram. I don't think building one is an option.
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If building one isn't an option, then I would say the first one. May be more expensive but it has a better video card, and a BluRay player. Those two sell it for me. Also, faster CPU is faster. Hell I'd take that PC, remove the videocard, sell it for next to nothing and spend a bit more getting one of the 5700 ones. I'm using a 5770, love it.
Don't go by what I say alone, wait for others to comment. I know a decent bit about computers (I've built many, including this one) but I'm probably inexperienced compared to some folks on here.
Diablo 3 will probably be the highest running game I play on my comp. For the most part, I use it for school. So it doesn't have to have that great of a graphics card. Not that I want d3 to run like shit but I don't need anything more than what I will need for d3.
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If D3 is the highest you'll play, either PC will do perfect. I'd still say go with the more expensive one - BluRay = sexy, better CPU = less lock up, better video card = more gaming options
I would go for the first one since the second model is a refurbished model due to the warranty time.
The second computer maybe the better gaming computer since it does have the pci express 16 slot. The first computer does not say it has one. I do not recall offhand at the moment if the graphic card on the first model is available as onboard.
If any of the models is a slimline, then I would stay away from them.
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Both PC's will play DIII with ease, probably at the med-med/high lvl. They're both really good deals as well, although check prices on pc's at Costco. They usually have much better deals, and the warranty there far exceeds Best Buy's warranty, and Costco you don't have to pay extra for the warranty.
Personally I would skip over the first pc. I have no use for a blue ray player, and the video card can be upgraded just as easily as RAM. Also you would most likely be able to overclock the processor (although that wouldn't be necessary).
If you don't want to install a new video card, I'd take a look at this computer for $639.
It has a better video card, plenty of RAM, a slightly faster processor, and most importantly, room to upgrade. Not to mention I'm sure that pc looks a helluva lot better than anything you're gonna buy at a store. One drawback is that it has a 500GB hard drive compared to the 1TB that your examples have, but you didn't say how much space you needed.
Or if you have a couple more bucks to spare and want something a little more wild exterior, with a significantly better graphics card, 4GB of RAM (plenty still), and a slightly better processor, check out this one for $699.
Okay, I just checked, and the Costco online pc's are basically all fluff. Big RAM and hard drives, but crappy outdated video cards. The pc's in the store might have better cards, but unlikely.
If you've got any questions, feel free to ask. I've built 2 pc's now, one is my current rig, and I've overclocked it quite a bit.
Also, to answer Hans' question, the 4650 is not available as an integrated card. Not that it really matters that much. Every single motherboard that can support AM3 processors are guaranteed to have at least one slot for a video card. Scyber also posted the dimensions, and neither of them are a slimline.
Not really :3 mine is way more badass than any Alienware case. Not to mention HAF means high air flow (as far as I know) and everything runs really, really cold. Amazing case. That's all Alienware is good for, looks - the parts can be gotten cheaper elsewhere.
Nice PC Nektu! Everything in your system looks up to date and well balanced. Ram speeds are lower than I'd want, but depending on the Latency they could still have high performance...I'm picky, sorry. :rolleyes: I've read that the q8300 is a breeze to get to 3.0Ghz as well. I still need a better video card and a bigger monitor, when funds allow. 9600GSO only overclocks so far. But the 5770 and a 24" are both soon to be on their way.
I'm glad we all can agree that Alienware is simply overrated, overpriced cases with the rest of the parts found elsewhere for far cheaper.
Honestly, this computer stuff isn't that hard to learn. Just a bit of reading, and anyone can have a decent understanding.
@Scyber: TBH, I didn't find that many good deals out right now. Wait until the beginning of summer if you can, there should be some good mid year sales, and with any luck the Nvidia 300 series cards will be out, dropping the prices of everything else.:thumbsup:
I need some opinions on these comps or suggestions on where to buy a good CHEAP comp. Thanks.
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the News team
Edit: Option one has a better video card and a BluRay player, I'd say it's worth it. But I still think you could get better buying parts. I spend maybe $700 (Canadian) on my new PC, fairly nice parts in it, so I imagine $650 USD is worth a bit more?
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the News team
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the News team
Don't go by what I say alone, wait for others to comment. I know a decent bit about computers (I've built many, including this one) but I'm probably inexperienced compared to some folks on here.
Find any Diablo news? Contact me or anyone else on the News team
The second computer maybe the better gaming computer since it does have the pci express 16 slot. The first computer does not say it has one. I do not recall offhand at the moment if the graphic card on the first model is available as onboard.
If any of the models is a slimline, then I would stay away from them.
Personally I would skip over the first pc. I have no use for a blue ray player, and the video card can be upgraded just as easily as RAM. Also you would most likely be able to overclock the processor (although that wouldn't be necessary).
If you don't want to install a new video card, I'd take a look at this computer for $639.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229172
It has a better video card, plenty of RAM, a slightly faster processor, and most importantly, room to upgrade. Not to mention I'm sure that pc looks a helluva lot better than anything you're gonna buy at a store. One drawback is that it has a 500GB hard drive compared to the 1TB that your examples have, but you didn't say how much space you needed.
Or if you have a couple more bucks to spare and want something a little more wild exterior, with a significantly better graphics card, 4GB of RAM (plenty still), and a slightly better processor, check out this one for $699.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227218
Okay, I just checked, and the Costco online pc's are basically all fluff. Big RAM and hard drives, but crappy outdated video cards. The pc's in the store might have better cards, but unlikely.
If you've got any questions, feel free to ask. I've built 2 pc's now, one is my current rig, and I've overclocked it quite a bit.
Also, to answer Hans' question, the 4650 is not available as an integrated card. Not that it really matters that much. Every single motherboard that can support AM3 processors are guaranteed to have at least one slot for a video card. Scyber also posted the dimensions, and neither of them are a slimline.
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I think Alienware is over rated. And over priced.
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Not really :3 mine is way more badass than any Alienware case. Not to mention HAF means high air flow (as far as I know) and everything runs really, really cold. Amazing case. That's all Alienware is good for, looks - the parts can be gotten cheaper elsewhere.
Edit: Archie's first link is nice
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Not really. I bought a nice comp through Tigerdirect.com. Here are the specs:
Condition: New
Lifestyle: Gaming
Operating Systems: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Platform: PC
Orientations Allowed: Vertical
Form Factor: Mid-Tower
Bays: 4 - 5.25" Drive Bays
1 - 3.5" Drive Bay
Internal Bays: 6 - 3.5" Drive Bays
Available 5.25" Drive Bays: 3
Colors: Black
PCI Slots (Total): 4
PCI Slots (Available): 4
PCI Express X1 Slots (Total): 1
PCI Express X1 Slots (Available): 1
PCI Express X16 Slots (Total): 1
PCI Express X16 Slots (Available): 0
PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: 1
PS/2 Mouse Connectors: 1
Serial Communication Ports: 1
Parallel Ports: 1
USB Ports: 6
LAN Ports: 1
Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Class: Core 2 Quad
Processor Number: Q8300
Processor Speed: 2.50GHz
Processor Interface: Socket 775
Processors Supported: 1
Processors Onboard: 1
Additional Technologies: Quad-Core Technology
Intel® Virtualization Technology
Memory Type: DDR2
Memory Size: 2x2GB & 2x1GB
Total Memory: 6.0GB
Memory Speed: PC2-6400
Memory Slots (Total): 4
Memory Slots (Available): 0
Maximum Memory Supported: 8.0GB - 64 bit
Hard Drives Included: 1
Hard Drive Types: Hard Disk Drive
Interface: SATA 3G
SATA NCQ
Capacity: 750GB
Speed: 7,200RPM
Optical Drives Included: 1
Optical Drive Type: DVD±R/RW
Optical Drive Class: DVD±RW
Interface: SATA
Audio Chipset: ALC 888 chipset
Channels: High Definition 8-channel audio
Graphics Description: PCI-Express x16 Video Card
GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Video Memory: 896MB
Video Interface: 2 DVI (single-link or dual-link)
Communications Description: Integrated LAN Support
Interface Type: RJ-45 - Ethernet Connector
Chipset: Realtek RTL8111C
Data Transfer Rate: 10/100/1000Mbps LAN
Here are the specs for the new monitor:
Display Type: Widescreen LCD
Screen Size: 23 inches
Pixel Pitch: 0.265mm
Display Format: 16:9 Wide LCD
Display Colors: 16.7 million
Vertical Refresh Rate: 50~75Hz
Horizontal Frequency: 24~82kHz
Condition: New
Interface Type: DVI
VGA
Speakers: 2 x 2 Watt Speakers
Audio Input: 3.5mm Stereo
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
Brightness: 300 cd/m²
Response Time: 5 ms
Horizontal Viewing Angle: 170 degrees
Vertical Viewing Angle: 160 degrees
Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080
VESA Mounting Compliant: VESA 100mm
Unit Dimensions (WxHxD): 21.6" x 12.8" x 2.5"
Dimensions With Stand: 21.6" x 16.3" x 9.7"
Unit Weight: 10.1 lb.
Power Consumption: 45W
The comp has a 650 watt power supply x80.
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I'm glad we all can agree that Alienware is simply overrated, overpriced cases with the rest of the parts found elsewhere for far cheaper.
Honestly, this computer stuff isn't that hard to learn. Just a bit of reading, and anyone can have a decent understanding.
@Scyber: TBH, I didn't find that many good deals out right now. Wait until the beginning of summer if you can, there should be some good mid year sales, and with any luck the Nvidia 300 series cards will be out, dropping the prices of everything else.:thumbsup:
Questions? Anyone? Ask away!!:cheers: