What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Help with buying a PC (1 Viewer)

Tick

Tick

Footballguy
It's been 8 years or so since I last bought a desktop.  The wifey got a new iPhone SE, which requires a version of iTunes that can't be installed on Vista.  We're overdue anyway, so I'm in the market for a new desktop.

Stuff that's important to me:

1. Bought in one transaction, not Frankensteined together.  I used to do that back in college but don't want to spend that time and energy anymore.

2. Lots of RAM - I always go large here and it seems to make a PC last an extra 3-4 years before it's too underpowered.

3. Quiet - I can't handle a super loud fan like the one I have now.  I think that's a remnant of a time when chips took a lot more power, so it might not be much of an issue.

I have a decent monitor, so I don't really care much about that.  I have a couple of old games, but don't plan to buy any new games, so any video card will do - quiet is more important there.  I have a couple of external hard drives that mean I don't care much about the hard drive size.

Can someone who's up to date help me find a good match?

 
I don't really have a price range.  I think that just by ruling out a gaming system, I'm saying it's below $1000.  Call it $500-$800 I guess.  It looks like that rules out the custom fanless site as well.

Regarding the sound, I suspect that anything I get will be a huge improvement over what I currently have.  I guess I'm just looking for small tweaks that would drive the sound down, like a lower video card and maybe a solid state drive.  I'm not sure what all affects it in current PCs.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Super secret for FBGs only...  you simply cannot beat them : http://www.ebay.com/usr/poweron.com?_trksid=p2047675.l2559.

Sure you have to bid and wait for something along your lines/budget to come up. But you will save so much money and get so much value.

I have a $2.2k+ laptop sitting next to me that I paid 500 for. Full tilt running out of box and mine was as close to new as I could get.

Sure it was 3-4 year old, but only thing I could realistically upgrade was adding a big SSD which is a small cost and a new video card (there are always newer video cards every year though).  They do new computer lots every couple weeks. So you need a little bit of patience.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
 As far as the RAM goes, for what you are describing you don't really need more than 8 GB, and pretty much anything new is going to run rings around 8 year old hardware.

if you are feeling adventurous (and this is coming from a Windows guy), a Mac mini might work for you too.

 
Nah, not planning on a Mac.  I'm too old for that.

I'll check out the ebay thing.

Thanks, guys.  Does anyone see a decent big-name model like a Dell that's a great deal?  I'm also looking, just wondering if someone else has done this same search recently.

 
Tick said:
Nah, not planning on a Mac.  I'm too old for that.

I'll check out the ebay thing.

Thanks, guys.  Does anyone see a decent big-name model like a Dell that's a great deal?  I'm also looking, just wondering if someone else has done this same search recently.
Click to expand...
The ebay guy re-sells dells, macs, alienware and all sorts of grade-A brands.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Huh - looks like Dell has killed their old configurator where you could choose the options you wanted and check price.

 
Huh - seems to be hard to find a desktop with a solid state hard drive that isn't over $1200.

 
Tick said:
Huh - seems to be hard to find a desktop with a solid state hard drive that isn't over $1200.
Click to expand...
Here are two already completed auctions from the link I provided... the first one would have been right down your sweet spot at 590$ I'm guessing...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XPS-8500-i7-3-4GHz-10GB-500GB-256GB-SSD-GOOD-CONDITION-NO-OS-/201577837108?hash=item2eeef9b234:g:S30AAOSw3mpXK5FT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XPS-27-All-in-One-Touch-i7-3-1GHz-16GB-1TB-SSD-GREAT-CONDITION-NO-OS-/391449694724?hash=item5b24385204:g:aiMAAOSwKfVXK5gf

:shrug: both are no OS, but that is literally 90 bucks and an two hours of time, and allows them to sell these at such prices.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tick said:
Nah, not planning on a Mac.  I'm too old for that.

I'll check out the ebay thing.

Thanks, guys.  Does anyone see a decent big-name model like a Dell that's a great deal?  I'm also looking, just wondering if someone else has done this same search recently.
Click to expand...
Just picked up a $1500 Mac for $1049 (open box at Best Buy).  Knocked off another $50 with the college discount.  Sound quality is amazing as well as the Retina display.  It displaced a Mac mini to the office which I picked up for $350 (another open box).  If you have a great monitor that's the way to go.  I had been a windows guy all my life, after a day I had it down and struggle with my Windows based pos at the office.  The difference in speed is amazing.

 
Thanks, BST - you're right, Poweron is a good deal.  I'll hunt around there.  I've been fighting a server/workstation setup at work that has me so weary of installing an OS... it's messing with the way I'm thinking.

 
I bought my Alienware laptop and within 3 weeks had three different friends ask to buy it off me for what I had paid++.

One of them (does design work) recently bought a Alienware Desktop of his own, he said he saved about a thousand dollars going this route.  Your considerations typically come down to 1) OS or no OS. 2) Condition= As-Is, Fair, Good, Great, Mint. Mine was Great and I cant see how its not new/unused. 3) Video Card. This really bumps up the poweron price, so doing this on your own can be a better option sometimes. 4) SolidState or not.

FTR: Mine wasnt supposed to have a OS, but it came with Windows 8 and updated all drivers flawlessly and running like a pure champ.

 
Couch/bed - nothing but a tablet for me (single guy, don't own a television). If I'm sitting upright, I dig my large screen all-in-one w/touchscreen. Give me a respectable off the shelf processor, 8 GB memory, SSD, and an overpriced Comcast internet connection and I'm good - emphasis on the overpriced internet connection.

Could not fathom the possibility of spending more than a grand on a home rig.

 
Wow, I just went back to Dell through our employee perk portal... and the prices rose by about $150 over what's available to everyone at Dell.com.  That same $500 desktop with an extra 4 GB of RAM is over $700.

 
Sometimes you get a better warranty from Dell through the employee sites, sometimes the prices just suck. It could also be that those prices were bid out and put in a contract almost a year ago, so they might have been a good deal once, but not so much now until the contract gets renewed again.

 
I'm the same as you, I get a new desktop computer when my OS gets becomes unsupported. I also used to build my own but as I've aged I find I appreciate more buying something that is ready to go out of the box. In 2006 I bought an HP desktop that worked great up until it became obsolete this year. Since I had a great experience with HP I went back to them when I bought a desktop a couple of months ago. I wound up buying this, an HP Envy. It has:

Microsoft Windows 10 operating system

Windows 10 brings back the popular Start Menu from Windows 7 and introduces new features, like the Edge Web browser that lets you markup Web pages on your screen. Learn more

6th Gen Intel¿ Core i5-6400 processor


Smart quad-core, four-way processing performance. Intel Turbo Boost Technology delivers dynamic extra power when you need it, while increasing energy efficiency when you don't.

12GB system memory for full-power multitasking


Plenty of high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once.

SuperMulti DVD/CD burner


Reads and writes to a wide variety of media formats, including DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, DVD-RAM and double-layer DVD.

2TB hard drive for immense file storage space


Holds your extensive collection of digital photos, music, HD videos and DVD-quality movies. 7200 rpm spindle speed enables rapid read/write times for handling large files and complex applications.

Cloud support lets you access your files anywhere


Store your photos, videos, documents and other files on Dropbox for secure access across multiple devices. Fees may apply.

4 USB 3.0 ports maximize the latest high-speed devices


Also includes 4 USB 2.0 ports to connect more accessories and peripherals. The USB 3.0 ports are backward-compatible with USB 2.0 devices (at 2.0 speeds).

Next-generation wireless connectivity


Connects to your network on all current Wi-Fi standards. Connect to a Wireless-AC router for speed nearly 3x faster than Wireless-N. Ethernet LAN port plugs into wired networks.

Bluetooth 4.0 interface syncs with compatible devices


Wirelessly transfer photos, music and other media between the desktop and your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or MP3 player, or connect Bluetooth wireless accessories.

Wireless keyboard and wireless mouse reduce cable clutter


Chiclet-style keyboard features volume control. Mouse offers reliable optical tracking.

Multimedia software package included


CyberLink Power Media Player, PhotoDirector and PowerDirector. 3-month trial of Evernote Premium.

Bang & Olufsen audio


High-definition audio with up to 5.1 surround sound capabilities.

Multidisplay capability


Connect up to 3 monitors to expand your viewing space for work and games. (Monitors sold separately.)

Additional ports


2 HDMI outputs for use with high-def monitors or HDTVs
Click to expand...
Bought a HDMI cable and simply hooked it up to a 40" LED TV instead of buying a monitor. The wireless mouse and keyboard are great, it's a full keyboard that has the 10 key which I use a lot. Best of all it is super quiet. I got an open box model on sale and walked out the door for less than $570. The only knock I have on it is the CD/DVD tray is kind of cheap feeling, I imagine if you used it every day it would eventually fail. Other than that I've been very happy with everything about it. I use it for mostly e-mail, spreadsheets and databases, light gaming, web surfing, and streaming video. It's been flawless. It may not be cutting edge, but it's far enough above the curve that I should have another 8+ years before I have to replace it.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Not going Linux, too old.

Statcruncher said:
I'm the same as you, I get a new desktop computer when my OS gets becomes unsupported. I also used to build my own but as I've aged I find I appreciate more buying something that is ready to go out of the box. In 2006 I bought an HP desktop that worked great up until it became obsolete this year. Since I had a great experience with HP I went back to them when I bought a desktop a couple of months ago. I wound up buying this, an HP Envy. It has:

Bought a HDMI cable and simply hooked it up to a 40" LED TV instead of buying a monitor. The wireless mouse and keyboard are great, it's a full keyboard that has the 10 key which I use a lot. Best of all it is super quiet. I got an open box model on sale and walked out the door for less than $570. The only knock I have on it is the CD/DVD tray is kind of cheap feeling, I imagine if you used it every day it would eventually fail. Other than that I've been very happy with everything about it. I use it for mostly e-mail, spreadsheets and databases, light gaming, web surfing, and streaming video. It's been flawless. It may not be cutting edge, but it's far enough above the curve that I should have another 8+ years before I have to replace it.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that verifies what I've been thinking - new standard desktops are just really quiet compared to models from 10 years ago.

I found a techbargains link that improves the Dell I'm looking at very slightly for the same price:

http://www.techbargains.com/deal/85264/dell-inspiron-small-3000-desktop

 
Try newegg.com too.  You'll get immensely better prices than direct for the manufacturer.  Also, they sell a ton of refurbs that are of great quality.  I've purchased a ton of refurbs from their site with no problems and have saved alot of money.

 
captain_amazing said:
Try newegg.com too.  You'll get immensely better prices than direct for the manufacturer.  Also, they sell a ton of refurbs that are of great quality.  I've purchased a ton of refurbs from their site with no problems and have saved alot of money.
Click to expand...
I did that last night and didn't find anything that looked like a better deal than the Dell I'm looking at.

 
I think I'm zeroing in on a price - $500.  I'll take the best deal I can find at that price.  I'm not patient enough to go with the ebay store, though I can tell that's a smarter way to do it.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
BassNBrew said:
Just picked up a $1500 Mac for $1049 (open box at Best Buy).  Knocked off another $50 with the college discount.  Sound quality is amazing as well as the Retina display.  It displaced a Mac mini to the office which I picked up for $350 (another open box).  If you have a great monitor that's the way to go.  I had been a windows guy all my life, after a day I had it down and struggle with my Windows based pos at the office.  The difference in speed is amazing.
Click to expand...
I had a MacBook for about 3-4 years and it started giving me issues and I just went and bought a Windows based laptop 12-15 months ago...yuck. I will be going back to MacBook fairly soon. I haven't enjoyed this laptop much at all. It's a Toshiba, it was like $450 and it works alright but nothing special. The 365 Office has come up for renewal or purchase, thin I might just apply that on a new PC. 

 
I will be most likely looking for a good desktop soon (assuming I get this one job I want and will end up working out of home a decent amount of time).

What are the specs you want these days in an above average but not top of the line computer to last you the next 3 or 4 years? Assume use as internet usage, photo/video downloading, some work related stuff (shouldn't be too big of a need- mostly internet stuff) and some turn based gaming (think Civ, Total War, etc). I currently only have a laptop that does the job but is aging beyond my phone (wife uses a Fire device too).

 
Tick said:
Chad, that's pretty much what I was after.  I ended up going with this:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/885164/HP-Pavilion-Desktop-PC-Intel-Core/?cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-CJ-_-1800376-_-11272891

The Woot deal wasn't as good once handling was included - still a better deal than what I chose, but with only 90 days of warranty on a refurb.  I went for the year warranty on a new machine.
Click to expand...
Even with my laptops, I feel like every 5 or so years- give or take that I end up being a new machine I have to do a crash course on what means what for all the different specs available.

My one thought for me was that since I am not replacing a desktop and thus don't have a monitor- I might get one of them PC all in one thingees. No idea if that is smart or if it is just another way to somehow trick the consumer into spending more that they shouldn't but in theory it would save me money, no?

 
I read around and it sounded like all-in-one is only for aesthetics, which isn't important to me (I can close some closet doors to make the desktop and desk disappear).  I prefer to have things separate for my own purposes - it means I can mix and match better, like this time where I kept the monitor from the old PC - twice now I've been able to avoid buying a monitor when getting a new PC.

If you have your PC out in the open, or don't already have a monitor, or don't expect that desktops will still exist in 5 years to re-use a monitor, all-in-one is probably a good idea.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwidjdn5jvHMAhWE1h4KHVfPC74QFgg4MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitaltrends.com%2Fcomputing%2Fwhy-you-shouldnt-buy-an-all-in-one%2F&usg=AFQjCNEXL-MV1ULXPq5_3J_9Lk8uYctTyg&sig2=PH2f9zdaOTE_oZmjSJKhpQ

 
Otis said:
Mac.  Seriously.
Click to expand...
Depending on what you want to use it for, this is an ok solution for those who want to overpay for component power.BUT, if you're paying for the Apple experience, that's different and has absolute value.

My desktop that I built for about $2000 would cost something like $5000 if I wanted the same power from a Mac.  That was about two years ago and I've since upgraded some parts.  No idea if Apple even puts out a computer as powerful as my desktop.

 
Tick said:
I read around and it sounded like all-in-one is only for aesthetics, which isn't important to me (I can close some closet doors to make the desktop and desk disappear).  I prefer to have things separate for my own purposes - it means I can mix and match better, like this time where I kept the monitor from the old PC - twice now I've been able to avoid buying a monitor when getting a new PC.

If you have your PC out in the open, or don't already have a monitor, or don't expect that desktops will still exist in 5 years to re-use a monitor, all-in-one is probably a good idea.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwidjdn5jvHMAhWE1h4KHVfPC74QFgg4MAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitaltrends.com%2Fcomputing%2Fwhy-you-shouldnt-buy-an-all-in-one%2F&usg=AFQjCNEXL-MV1ULXPq5_3J_9Lk8uYctTyg&sig2=PH2f9zdaOTE_oZmjSJKhpQ
Click to expand...
Or if I want to do one of those cool three screens at once thing (though I have no idea how I would actually use that)

 
Most video cards can do two screens.  It's really simple to set up - just plug both in, right-click on the desktop, and tell it to extend the display somewhere in the display menus.  I run three at work (laptop plus two from a docking station) for engineering work and it's really nice and very easy.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Chadstroma
Brain Storm Help with a Youth Football Program
Replies
28
Views
487
Chadstroma
Chadstroma
dgreen
Automobile DIY work that everyone should do
2
Replies
76
Views
1K
MTskibum
MTskibum
JohnnyU
Neighbor dumping his grass clippings
2
Replies
80
Views
2K
Zow
Zow

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top