Who knows a TON about computers? (Desktop Purchase)

Like maybe this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883109032

 

Thanks. Really want something with windows 7 if possible.

 

ah crap. I didn't realize that came with vista still....

 

Try this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883109035

 

Sweet! So do I definitely want a dual core with windows 7??

 

You want at least a dual core PERIOD.

For the price of under $400 you might as well get a PC with dual cores so it won't bog down as you add apps, games, etc. I have a dual core laptop from work, and an older single core desktop. I prefer using the laptop. Even though I have a 19" widescreen and 17" standard LCD for the desktop. It has a 256mb video card like that last system I posted while the laptop has 1gig of video ram. Laptop plays videos better and is just faster overall (youtube vids, remote desktop sessions at work, connecting to the work VPN). You may want to invest in a better video card later, but that'll get you up and running once you pick a monitor if you don't already have one.

I'm no gamer, but I occasionally play a game on the laptop that won't work on the desktop. Video doesn't render and sticks, audio stutters on the desktop (2.4GHz processor), but plays perfectly well on the laptop (2.26GHz, but it's a dual).

I like to buy as much PC for as little $ as possible so it doesn't *need* to be replaced soon. Ram, hard drives, and video cards are relatively cheap to get later. The processor though can mean replacing the motherboard AND ram sometimes.

 

Good info. This desktop really isn't going to be used at all for games though. Still looking around and yes I will need a monitor as well. Probably go with a dell 18 or something. Seems I can get those pretty cheap.

 

www.microcenter.com
or
fry's electronics

always has good deals

 

Anything will be fine. Seriously. For what you are doing, any PC made in the last couple of years should be plenty fast.
Check out NewEgg.com or TigerDirect.com. If you have a CompUSA in your area, go see what they have.

 

Yeah, I'm not a gamer either, but I also don't want the PC slowing down because I have Office, Firefox, IM clients, email, etc open. And considering that the last newegg link I posted is only $70 or so more than the ebay one you might as well do dual core. Applications are only getting larger, and if you get a more powerful one now you won't need to buy another one in a few years. It's not like you're spending $1000 for it either. Just a few $ more for something that'll be more than enough for a while.

Checkout some 18" monitors here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020 4017&name=$100 - $200 as low as $109, some with free shipping.

 

If it were running XP I'd say you were right. Many of the PC's made in the last couple years were slow as hell with Vista. Thus many of the complaints. Windows 7 is supposed to be faster, but I have yet to see it on a range of hardware to give any opinion on it. I've only run it on a dual core laptop with 3 gig of ram and 1 gig video. It's fast even with Aero turned on, but would it still be fast on a single core with less system and video ram?

I also recall reading about PCs certified "Vista Ready" as not really being up to the task. So order more than you think you'll need if you can afford it.

 

www.newegg.com
Please go there. There is plenty to choose from there and you can compare and get the best bang for the buck. The reviews are great. You can almost guarantee the 5 egg rated items are gonna be good. If you have any questions just shoot me a pm. In your price range and needs you can definately get a low end laptop. Video cards arn't just for games anymore! They can process a lot of your data.

 

+1 Not to mention all the visual eye candy in Vista and 7 work better/at all with a better video card than a basic PC running XP needs.

 

Just remember all of the computers you are looking at have integrated onboard graphics that will use up memory. If you buy one purchase a separate video card with at least 256 mb of memory. I am running a fairly cheap HD card with 512mb of ram and it works flawlessly. You don't have to spend alot.

 

Like I said before, for what you are doing, virtually anything will do. Besides my desktop, I have an Atom based netbook that runs Windows 7 like a champ. No slowdown even with multiple apps open.
Yes, video cards can do more than just games now, but probably nothing that would help you. Do you do lots of video encoding? How about fluid dynamics simulations? No? Then don't worry about it.

Here is all you really need...

Dual-core processor
2GB of DDR2 or better RAM
160GB Hard Drive
DVD-R/RW drive

I just looked on NewEgg.com and this PC looks perfect for you(overkill really...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113111

 

For AV, take a look at Microsoft Security Essentials, free download. Also, UAC can be turned off if needed.

Cheers!

James

 

I installed that on my Windows 7 test install to see how it works. So far so good. Hasn't slowed the system down. AVG is another free one, and I run that on all my home PCs. I like the fact it does virus scanning, malware scanning, AND scans links for malicious code before I click them.

So far on 7 I haven't bothered disabling the UAC since it seems less intrusive/annoying than the one in Vista.

 

You'll need at least 2gb of ram for anything. I would also suggest a 2 core processor. If you buy an external (usb) video card, make sure it has enough hardware to give you good encoding. The hauppage eternal usb tuner looks the best. Video cards don't really matter that much for watching TV or videos, but if you are going to watch any bluray, you may need a decent card (512 mb).

I've been using Windows 7 for the last 6 months (prerelease beta) and I can tell you it's way better than Vista. I use it primarily for a media center pc and the media center software is really awesome. It has integrated netflix and and a few internt TV shows. You can even get a little hulu integration. Haven't used it myself. I'm watching a show (via internet) right now on my 1080p tv with very little quality complaints. ABC and Fox have the best online players.

The wife and I got rid of all cable/sat a few months ago an solely use the internet/media center to watch TV. I have an HD antenna attached to my duel tuner card to watch/record network tv shows (which is where we watch 90% of our TV). Much cheaper and a few better features than you get with Cable/Sat boxes.

 

DONT DO THAT!! Processor is bad!

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834107039

OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103210
(more your price range and has much better internals, keyboard, mouse and speakers)

This cost a little more but is much more useful. Is $319 your max? On the ebay one, I dont see that including monitor keyboard mouse ect. Laptop is all in one so you save there.