Well after 8 years or so with my current computer, I'm in need of a new one. Thing is, my knowledge of computer components is about 8 years old too. :) So I don't know what the latest and greatest parts (graphics card, processor, etc) are these days. And what would be a great deal when compared to other computers.

I'm looking for a desktop computer. Thing is I cannot spend a lot of money on it, say $500-$600 tops and want it to last say another 8 years or so. I'm open to different processors/graphics cards/sound card etc, but the current one I have used AMD processor/Nvidia graphics. I have a monitor that I can use in a pinch, but its eight years old as well, and the buttons labels are not readable like they were supposed to be. Have a printer too and don't use it much, so don't need a new one. Should be Windows 7 as well. Sound has never been a big deal for me, so whatever goes there.

I'm a gamer obviously, so need a computer than can comfortable handle today's games and tomorrows. I'm a MMORPG kinda gamer if that helps determine the best kind of computer for me. Need a lot of storage space for that, but have a fairly new external hard drive I hope will be compatible with any computer I get

Any advice/websites to look at? Thanks for the help.
Need a good tech support group as well since I'm generally not good with tech issues. Can be online or offline help, love the recent ad for whichever company it is that takes over your computer from their location and fixes things, but doesn't have to be that kind of tech support if that's expensive.

Not sure how much time you have on your hands today, but they're having a Woot-off over at Woot.com. If you're able to peek in every 5-10 minutes, I'm sure they'll roll out a couple of desktop PC's today.

/approves of this thread

I'd think you could get an Inspiron around that price. I'm pretty sure that's what we got, and while it's not really top-of-the-line it handles CoH nicely (though I'm not sure if the ATI card will handle the enhanced graphics options coming in Going Rouge...grr).

/approves of this thread

I'd think you could get an Inspiron around that price. I'm pretty sure that's what we got, and while it's not really top-of-the-line it handles CoH nicely (though I'm not sure if the ATI card will handle the enhanced graphics options coming in Going Rouge...grr).

Nope, Inspiron with Win7 and DVD drive is $699. I'm checking some other Dell configs (this is a fun game I enjoy).

http://www.dell.com/home/desktops#subcats=inspndt&navla=58106~0~911379&navidc=DT:%20Optical%20Drive&navValc=CD-RW%20/%20DVD-ROM&a=51800~0~4308952,58106~0~911379&page=1

Looks like you could customize a Dell Studio starting from:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=ddcwmb4&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&m_16=W7DLDVD&mo=16~W7DLDVD&kc=desktop-studio-mini

I think the only changes I made were to back off to a single DVD-ROM drive, and up the graphics from Intel Integrated (shudder). I ended up at $584, but you don't get a monitor.

Nope, Inspiron with Win7 and DVD drive is $699. I'm checking some other Dell configs (this is a fun game I enjoy).

Bad Request (http://www.dell.com/home/desktops#subcats=inspndt&navla=58106~0~911379&navidc=DT:%20Optical%20Drive&navValc=CD-RW%20/%20DVD-ROM&a=51800~0~4308952,58106~0~911379&page=1)

Wait, doesn't the 580 have that?

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=ddcwyb5&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=inspiron-580)

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
16X DVD+/-RW Drive

edit: still does have the crappy integrated card though

Wait, doesn't the 580 have that?

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=ddcwyb5&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=inspiron-580)

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
16X DVD+/-RW Drive

edit: still does have the crappy integrated card though

My test was to use the selector on the left and select "Inspiron, Win7, CD/DVD-RW" as the options, the latter since they didn't have a DVD-ROM filter. I can try again.

FWIW, I also miss the days when Dell would give you an e-code you could post so a friend or family member could just pull the system up and order it after you figured everything out for them...

If you don't mind building yourself:

TR's Christmas 2009 system guide - The Tech Report - Page 2 (http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/18042/2) (again no monitor)

If you can push your budget out to around $850, this machine will hang around longer:

TR's Christmas 2009 system guide - The Tech Report - Page 4 (http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/18042/4)

I think for your "last 8 years" requirement, you really want a quad-core processor, and I'm not sure you can get that within the budget you put out. But they show alternatives for both of these systems to let you fiddle around with cost and components.

If you were man enough, you could build a pretty good box just just barely over $600, Maximum PC had a great build article this past month. They even for the most part show you how.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_build_awesome_pc_647

You can get a refurbished Quad core with 8 gb of ram for $470, then get a nice video card and come in around $600.

HP Pavilion a6750f Refurbished Desktop PC - AMD Phenom X4 9650 2.3GHz, 8GB DDR2, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, Vista Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5580041&CatId=5140)

thanks guys you've given me lots to look at here, keep it coming :)

Oh and if this matters at all, already have a wireless network here-the computer I'm using temporarily uses it as well.

I see Best Buy has a number of computers in my price range that might work and would have their Geek Squad tech support as well. Anybody recommend Best Buy's computers?

Computers: Laptop, Desktop & Computer Hardware - Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Electronics/Computers-PCs/abcat0500000.c?id=abcat0500000)

Posting on here would be better that trying to get good Geek Squad help. Don't let that be a factor in your decision.

Posting on here would be better that trying to get good Geek Squad help. Don't let that be a factor in your decision.

Definitely.

Wondering how this computer compares to the ones you guys found for me? The problem with it is the (I think) integrated graphics, so guess I would need to get a graphics card to go with it. Got really (mostly) good reviews from the people who bought it.

Walmart.com: eMachines ET1331G-03W Desktop PC with AMD Athlon II X2 Dual-Core Processor & Windows 7 Home Premium: Computers (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=12347221#ProductDetail)

I haven't been real impressed with eMachines in the past.

I got myself a free computer today... Dell, 2.9 ghz, 2.0 gb RAM, brand new.

I'm letting a company do a study on my farm so they threw in a new computer and printer for my trouble..

<----looks to buy a farm now. :)

I haven't been real impressed with eMachines in the past.

Yeah EMachines are in a group that make me leery when it comes to computers-HP, Compaq, Acer, etc. But the reviews seemed so positive on it that I figured I should ask here about it.

The problem with it is the (I think) integrated graphics, so guess I would need to get a graphics card to go with it.

If you want to be able to play the games you are talking about, you do NOT want integrated graphics. That's for e-mail and web surfing, for almost any kind of gaming you want a video card. Mind you, you'll probably be happy with cards in the $100 - $150 range, no need to spend $300+, but you'll be cursing any integrated graphics pretty quickly.

<----looks to buy a farm now. :)

They are also hoping I'll spend $30,000 on the product the trial is centered around once the trial is done :)

If you want to be able to play the games you are talking about, you do NOT want integrated graphics. That's for e-mail and web surfing, for almost any kind of gaming you want a video card. Mind you, you'll probably be happy with cards in the $100 - $150 range, no need to spend $300+, but you'll be cursing any integrated graphics pretty quickly.

Thanks that's what I thought. It looks like a good deal, but would have to buy a video card, bigger power supply from what I've been reading about it, and a wireless internet card perhaps as well. So probably not a good fit for me right now. Rather find a computer with everything in it I need and ready to go.

I've always been a big fan of custom built Dell's. Not sure on how well they'd stack up for gaming, but I've gotten some relatively powerful computers for cheap over the years.

NewEgg has also been a good place to find a deal. Something like this would work and I believe you can upgrade the RAM down the line.

Newegg.com - HP Pavilion P6330F(AY022AA#ABA) Intel Core i3 530(2.93GHz) 6GB DDR3 1TB Intel GMA HD Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - Desktop PCs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147093)

Thanks that's what I thought. It looks like a good deal, but would have to buy a video card, bigger power supply from what I've been reading about it, and a wireless internet card perhaps as well. So probably not a good fit for me right now. Rather find a computer with everything in it I need and ready to go.

was gonna comment about that. Been shopping myself for an video card upgrade for my HP which came with an integrated NVidia 6150LE. Looking at an ATI 4670 of some sort that would allow to play a bit more of the newer stuff but I'm finding that it needs a PSU with at least 400 Watts and the one HP (and probably most ready-made computers) puts into their PCs is probably a 300 Watts...

FM

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

Dell outlet


<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>System Price</TD><TD>:</TD><TD>$589.00</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tblLayout><TBODY><TR><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD class=gridCellAlt vAlign=top width="50%">
Operating System

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium <HR>Memory

4 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz (2 DIMMs) <HR>Hard Disk Drive

750 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) <HR>Video

512MB ATI Radeon HD 4350 <HR>Modem

56K DataFax Modem <HR>Certified Refurbished

Certified Refurbished <HR>Media Bay

6X Blu-ray (BD-RE) <HR>Hardware Upgrade
125V Power Cord
No Floppy Drive
USB Keyboard

Optical 2-Button Mouse <HR>Network Interface Card

Dell 1525 Wireless-N PCIe Card <HR>Processor

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 (2.33GHz, 4M, L2Cache, 1333FSB) 65W <HR>Software Upgrade
Windows Live
Microsoft Works 9.0
64BIT Operating System DVD <HR>Base
Inspiron Desktop 537s SlimTower
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Oooh thanks Mizzou for that link-I hadn't looked at Dell's Outlet stuff before. Could be something good in there for me.

Yeah EMachines are in a group that make me leery when it comes to computers-HP, Compaq, Acer, etc.Anything in particular bad about Acer? I just picked up an Acer laptop - Intel i3 2.13ghz/4gb ram/"Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD" - for $500. I'm sure the specs, particularly video capabilities are well below what you're looking for with the laptop/desktop differences, but is there anything I should be scared of and looking for?

Acer used to be real bad but has come a long way over the years. They bought Gateway and Packard Bell and are more consistent with their hardware now.

Acer used to be awesome back in the mid-late 90s, then they turned to crap.

Acer laptops piss me off. The keyboards wear out in no time at all.

Anything in particular bad about Acer? I just picked up an Acer laptop - Intel i3 2.13ghz/4gb ram/"Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD" - for $500. I'm sure the specs, particularly video capabilities are well below what you're looking for with the laptop/desktop differences, but is there anything I should be scared of and looking for?

Basically what Rainmaker said. Back when I was last looking for a computer 8 years ago, Acer didn't have that good a reputation from what I was reading at the time. Apparantly they are much better now, which is good. So I wouldn't worry about your purchase. :)

Well I was fiddling with Dell's site and this is what I came up. The first is a Dell Studio Desktop, the next is Inspiron 546. Is there any real difference between a Studio Desktop and an Inspiron that I need to worry about?

Dell Studio Desktop $550
Software & Services
Intel® Pentium® dual-core E5300 (2MB L2, 2.6GHz, 800FSB) (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 1))

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 11))

Microsoft® Works 9 (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 22))

1 Year Basic Service Plan (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 29))

McAfee SecurityCenter, 30-Day Trial (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 25))

No Monitor (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 5))

4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 3))

500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 8))

16X DVD+/-RW Drive (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 16))

ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 6))

Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 17))

No Speaker Option (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 18))

Desktop Cordless S520 Keyboard with LX5 Laser Mouse (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 4))

Mouse included with Keyboard purchase (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 12))

My Accessories

Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(2, 34))

WildTangent Games (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(2, 195))

Also Includes
Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader
No Modem Option
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
Integrated 10/1000 Ethernet
--------------------------------------
Dell Inspiron 546 $605

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 11))

AMD Athlon™ II X2 240 (2.8GHz, 2MB) (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 2))

Microsoft® Works 9 (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 22))

1 Year Basic Service Plan (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 29))

McAfee SecurityCenter, 30-Day Trial (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 25))

No Monitor (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 5))

4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4 DIMMs (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 3))

500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 8))

16X DVD+/-RW Drive (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 16))

ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 6))

No Speaker Option (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 18))

Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 17))

Desktop Cordless S520 Keyboard with LX5 Laser Mouse (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 4))

No Floppy Drive or Media Card Reader Included (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 10))

No Modem Option (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 14))

True Blue (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(1, 9))

My Accessories

Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(2, 34))

Wild Tangent Games (http://javascript<b></b>:to_page_mod(2, 195))

Also Includes
Inspiron 546 Minitower w/ Black Bezel
Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Adobe® Reader 9.0
-------------------------------------------------------------
Couple questions, some of which may be stupid.

1) Don't need speakers with integrated audio?
2) Don't need Dell's Wireless network card for my wireless network?
3) Studio has Dell's Integrated 16-1 Media Card Reader, Inspiron does not. I have no idea what a Media Card Reader is :) Do I need it?
4) Decided not to include a monitor at this time, will my old Samsung SyncMaster 712N monitor be compatible with this computer/Windows 7?
5) I have a lot of games, some quite old, will I be able to play most on this system?

Now looking towards the future, how does this computer stack up in terms of the kind of things future games will need to run on it?

1-Processor-Enough Speed/Memory on it?
2-Memory-4GB enough? I can bump it up to 6GB on the Studio and keep it just under $600.
3-Hard Drive Size-500GB enough? Ran out of room on my old computer, and had to go out and get a 500 GB Seagate Free Agent External Hard Drive. Between the two that should be enough right given how much room games take? The External Hard Drive should be compatible with this computer right?
4-Video Card-The ATI Radeon 4350 512 MB was the only video card offered-know nothing about it-good option here?

Thanks again for all your help and advice on this guys. Been looking at all the links you gave and they've all helped.