Trying to get a new desktop

[Black Yoshi]

So the title got the gist of it. My desktop pretty much is crapped out. It can't even run youtube any more.

Trying to convince my mom that we'll need a new computer, especially because by the time she has grandchildren old enough to use computers, she'll really need one that can actually function.

In the event I can convince my parents to help me out, I'll need to know what I want specifically. I'm guessing my budget will be around $1000, give or take a couple hundred. It would be nice if it was a decent gaming computer, something that can run Minecraft and Portal and TF2, etc etc. Dual core would be nice, but not sure how common that is in $1000 PCs.

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone here has recommendations. Specs would much appreciated, advantages and faults, all that wonderful stuff. I can always look up specific models. Any suggestions you guys have would be great!

 

[sovram]

you can build a good PC for like $650

here you go

 

[Black Yoshi]

you can build a good PC for like $650

here you go

I've considered that. I'm not much good at things like that, but I will sit on that option a little more since you brought it up.

Looked at the chart thingy. Very intimidated by it all. ._. But I'll talk it over to a few people who know more about that stuff. Challenge considered.

 

[Zero Moment]

I absolutely love my HP Pavilion p7-1234. It has:

An AMD Quad-Core A6-3650 Advanced Processor
A 8GB DDR3 system memory
An AMD Radeon HD 6530D integrated graphics card
1 terabyte hard drive
SuperMulti DVD Burner
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n

I read that off the sticker on the side. It has not failed to play any game on the highest settings. It only cost $700 or $800, too!

 

[Black Yoshi]

I absolutely love my HP Pavilion p7-1234. It has:

An AMD Quad-Core A6-3650 Advanced Processor
A 8GB DDR3 system memory
An AMD Radeon HD 6530D integrated graphics card
1 terabyte hard drive
SuperMulti DVD Burner
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n

I read that off the sticker on the side. It has not failed to play any game on the highest settings. It only cost $700 or $800, too!

Ooooooh, that sounds nice. I checked a few places online. Seems like they're out of stock pretty much everywhere, but the 1235 pops up in a few places. I'll look into it more!

 

[Zero Moment]

Ooooooh, that sounds nice. I checked a few places online. Seems like they're out of stock pretty much everywhere, but the 1235 pops up in a few places. I'll look into it more!

Huh. Well, I hope you can find one. I bought mine at Best Buy, they might restock it sometime soon.

 

[Vipera Magnifica]

Huh. Well, I hope you can find one. I bought mine at Best Buy, they might restock it sometime soon.

Dang, Zero, we have the same computer!

 

[Adriane]

May or may not be your cup of tea but I am really digging the System76 Sable.

Also I would *really* not recommend buying something like a PC from Best Buy :(

 

[sovram]

Also I would *really* not recommend buying something like a PC from Best Buy :(

yeah seriously you definitely need to build it yourself, no question. like ... seriously.

building a pc is actually pretty simple (as in, putting it together), as long as you're diligent in picking out good parts that work with one another. which is not that difficult to do either, especially with a guide like that.

you're definitely capable of it. build it, save money, be happy.

 

[Zero Moment]

May or may not be your cup of tea but I am really digging the System76 Sable.

Also I would *really* not recommend buying something like a PC from Best Buy :(

WHat why

I haven't had any problems with mine

 

[opaltiger]

For what it's worth, I would always go for nVidia GPUs over Radeon.

Building desktops is indeed easy, but if you don't want to do that, look around for small computer stores that build their own custom desktops.

 

[Cerberus87]

Don't buy "ready" desktops, they come with shitty video cards and you can't game properly. I suggest assembling your own.

Premade desktops are more meant to companies, so they buy lots of cheap standard models. If you want a home desktop, you need to build a machine yourself, buying different parts.

For what it's worth, I would always go for nVidia GPUs over Radeon.

Building desktops is indeed easy, but if you don't want to do that, look around for small computer stores that build their own custom desktops.

On a tight budget I'd always go for ATI (AMD), even if I prefer Nvidia.

 

[fresh fruit for Adol]

WHat why

I haven't had any problems with mine

it's not that they're bad, but anything and everything they sell can be bought at a different store for much cheaper; they tend to overprice their goods.

also yes i have to agree with opal, nvidia is much better than radeon, even if a bit more costly

if you don't want to build one from scratch, you can always try browsing newegg or tiger direct, they tend to have some decent pricing on their things and have some nice deals sometimes

 

[Storm Earth and Fire]

Dual core is cheap enough that I'd call it a near industry standard for prefab computers nowadays. My $400 laptop from 4 years ago has one. Running TF2, Minecraft, and Portal can be run on good settings on a $400~ desktop that you build yourself. Graphics cards are especially easy to wheel-and-deal for, just keep an eye out in stores (both internet and physical,

Building desktops is indeed easy, but if you don't want to do that, look around for small computer stores that build their own custom desktops.

This is what I would recommend if building one yourself sounds too daunting. There might be places on the internet where you can get a custom-made PC as well as checking out brick-and-mortar places. At least in my area, many of the computer repair places will assemble a computer for you if you get them the parts. They might also be willing to help you if you're unsure of what parts to get.

 

[Hiikaru]

This is my new computer! http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.956683

It's dual-core and only $250, so I'm pretty sure you can get a dual-core thing if your price range is ~$1000.

It also has a terabyte hard drive and one-second overclocking and 4GB RAM and some other specs that are apparently good? (especially for the price) I haven't tried too much with it so far, but it seems really fast! I can run Gamecube games at 100% speed if that's meaningful (I want to do some other stuff to test how fast it is but I don't actually know what).

You should consider looking at the Do it Yourself PC combos on Newegg!

There's an option on the left to select your price range, so you can browse through at whatever price you want, and then the parts ought to work well together since they're pre-chosen. Newegg is also supposed to have a good return policy, so if something is wrong you can send it right back.

I didn't put this computer together, but I watched my dad do it; I think you could learn how! It was mostly about plugging things into each other and screwing the case together. If you get a case that doesn't need screws, you don't even have to do that part!

(also this particular computer doesn't come with a monitor or keyboard or mouse or speakers; I had those so it didn't matter, but note that that's the case for most if not all of the DIY kits! Some of them are also missing stuff like RAM or a CD drive.)

 

[Black Yoshi]

Well, I appreciate everyone's advice. :3

I've decided on something, but won't be able to ge it for some time. Turns out my dad is losing a couple of shifts, and my mom says it'll take about six months to adjust financially, so I'm not getting any help from them. My brother outright told me he wasn't helping me at all, so I've got to gather all the funds myself.

Thanks again, guys.