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  #1  
Old 01-23-2011, 05:39 PM
dirttrackracer dirttrackracer is offline
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Default what new computer to buy

i am looking to buy a new compuer. i have a tosiba satellite. which has upgraded memory and over 2000 pictures, photoshop, a movie editing software, over 5hr of HD video and shes startin to show the age. it is xp but i want the newer version. OK now for the question i am looking for a desk top. and im getting a big monitor. i dont watch movies just i record races, games, and anything else people want recorded. im asking what shuld i look for in a desk top that would handle all this and still run fairly quick? i dont know like anything about computers so any info will be appricated.
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  #2  
Old 01-23-2011, 05:49 PM
TurdFX4 TurdFX4 is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

I always had good luck with HP's... and I know a lot of people that had bad luck with Dell and gateway, my girlfriend had a Compaq laptop and it was a hunk of shit
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  #3  
Old 01-23-2011, 05:54 PM
ObsoleteE ObsoleteE is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

HP FTW. I bought one from Best Buy 2 years ago. Up until this computer, I always built my own, but I found the price hard to pass up. Keep in mind its 2 years old when I tell you the specs.

AMD Phenom quad core processor
6 GB RAM
1.5TB hard drive, its 2 drives.
23" HDMI monitor


It came with a printer, but I didn't need it so I sold it on Craigslist. Go check out Best Buy!
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  #4  
Old 01-23-2011, 05:59 PM
dirttrackracer dirttrackracer is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

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Originally Posted by ObsoleteE View Post
It came with a printer, but I didn't need it so I sold it on Craigslist. Go check out Best Buy!
i might go there and have their geeks (no offence) tell me and show me what would be the best. staples had been pretty good to me with photography stuff. ill probally go to boath
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  #5  
Old 01-23-2011, 06:04 PM
ObsoleteE ObsoleteE is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

Staples is quite good, but their selection sucks in comparison. Now, the last computer I bought was over a year ago (laptop), the only thing you need to get is windows 7 64 bit. Everything else can be cheaply upgraded.

----------

As for the geeks, do your research. Every time I make an expensive purchase, I know more than the salesmen do. It's all about research.
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  #6  
Old 01-23-2011, 06:06 PM
dirttrackracer dirttrackracer is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

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Originally Posted by ObsoleteE View Post
Staples is quite good, but their selection sucks in comparison. Now, the last computer I bought was over a year ago (laptop), the only thing you need to get is windows 7 64 bit. Everything else can be cheaply upgraded.

----------

As for the geeks, do your research. Every time I make an expensive purchase, I know more than the salesmen do. It's all about research.
whats the difference with windows 7 64 bit?
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  #7  
Old 01-23-2011, 06:11 PM
ObsoleteE ObsoleteE is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

32 bit is outdated, 64 bit will be around for a bit. Newer software will only support 64 bit. A 64 bit CPU handles information more quickly than a 32 bit CPU. 32 bit versions of Windows do not handle more than 4GB of RAM well.
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  #8  
Old 01-23-2011, 06:13 PM
schultzkenneth schultzkenneth is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

my netbook is a gateway and it's not to bad. They have improved since they got bought by Acer.

Stay away from Dell and Lenovo, horrible experience with them.

Good Brands: HP, Acer, Asus, Sony, Samsung, Toshiba, MSI, Alienware(made by dell but a tad more reputable)

Minimum specs:
Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher OR AMD Phenom II or higher (2.8GHz or higher)
RAM: 4-6gb or higher
Graphics: nVidia GeForce GT(s)(x) OR ATI Radeon HD
HDD: 500gb
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Display (monitor):24inch-If you can afford it, get an LED one, it's worth it in my opinion.

Some words of advice..taking the cheap way out, usually isn't the best way. If you go to a computer store like Best Buy, Circuit City, etc, they will help ya out. Don't go the Walmart route unless you have to, shop around, and if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

EDIT: I agree with Obsolete, make sure you research it. Also, don't put your full trust in the good ol' Geek Squad, they royal F'ed over my dad's comp when they worked on it, and DON'T fall for all the stuff they try to push you into buying. If you research stuff a bit, you'll walk in knowing what you need to get and what is a waste of money.
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Last edited by schultzkenneth; 01-23-2011 at 06:16 PM. Reason: Read what was posted while i typed this up
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  #9  
Old 01-23-2011, 07:07 PM
More_Cowbell More_Cowbell is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

i make my own computers when i want a new one but heres what i would look for as far as specs

processor ( CPU): Quad Core is your best bet if you want it to last as long as possible the higher the Ghz the better just make sure its a quad core the AMD comps will normally be cheaper then the Intel ones but they are both good
AMD normally gives you more bang for your buck

Ram- 4+ gbs i mean i run 4 gb and ive never had a problem and i use mine for gaming so unless your going to do like heavy video editing or CAD your probably wont need more then 4 gbs

Hard drive- 1TB+ hard drive for your purposes would be best mine runs a 1.5 and ive only got it about half full if that and i have tons of stuff on it

Graphics- basically anything thats not an intergrated video card will be best but if you want to play games and what not i would recommend an nvidia GTS 450 or GTX 460 or a Radeon HD series that is in the 6000's because they run Direct x 11 which more games are going to start coming out in


thats my advice on what to look for hardware wise at least
and stay away from laptops because you cant upgrade them later on down the road

oh and LG makes good monitors if your looking to upgrade that
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  #10  
Old 01-23-2011, 07:27 PM
Ranger Sport Ranger Sport is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

Quote:
Originally Posted by dirttrackracer View Post
i am looking to buy a new compuer. i have a tosiba satellite. which has upgraded memory and over 2000 pictures, photoshop, a movie editing software, over 5hr of HD video and shes startin to show the age. it is xp but i want the newer version. OK now for the question i am looking for a desktop. and im getting a big monitor. i dont watch movies just i record races, games, and anything else people want recorded. im asking what shuld i look for in a desk top that would handle all this and still run fairly quick? i dont know like anything about computers so any info will be appricated.
I like bestbuy as long as the geeks don't try to push their overpriced stuff.

Check out Tigerdirect.com for research (i use .ca myself), they sell 4 and 6 cores barebones for much less than dual-triple-quads cpus at BB. With the new chip integrations, you can run most games from the internal video now (not high settings, but you get my point), buy an entry level video card and you're set to go.


Liquid cooled 6 cores

Complete 4 cores

Usually they have more listed, but you can always mix and match from the parts sections.

It's worth it to read a lot on the subject, or you'll overpay for a machine that'll only give you satisfaction for a year or two.
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  #11  
Old 01-23-2011, 07:51 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

Quote:
Originally Posted by dirttrackracer View Post
whats the difference with windows 7 64 bit?
It's necessary on a computer with a 64 bit hardware bus. Otherwise windows 7 64 bit version does nothing.
A system with a 64 bit bus is fundamentally faster than one with a 32 bit bus.
It actually makes a big difference.
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  #12  
Old 01-23-2011, 09:06 PM
GenHornet18 GenHornet18 is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

These are all fairly good recommendations (I'm pretty good with computers) so I'll throw my 2 cents in.

First off 64-bit dictates the overall architectures main data capacity(registers,data/address bus). This typically means while a 64bit computer may not process the data twice as fast the data will arrive at the processor twice as fast. Essentially your transferring twice as much data so the processor has more to work with (less wait). Most 32-bit applications are backwards compatible on a 64-bit machine so there shouldn't be very many compatibility issues but you will notice a few.

Operating System: 64-bit will prepare your computer for future 64-bit applications which will take advantage of the architecture, Windows Premium/Professional/Ultimate 64-bit is probably your best bet (or if your a Mac man Snow Leopard)

Processor: As said previously AMD is typically your bigger bang for your buck, however currently the performance market is dominated by Intel's i7 platform. If you've got the cash an i7 quad will last you for the long run.

Graphics: ATI or Nvidia it doesn't really matter but be sure to get a class 1 graphics card to speed up video decoding/gaming performance.

Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM is probably sufficient, but I'd say at least 3GB. For a harddrive, your better bet is to go with a small internal harddrive (around 250-500GB) so windows doesn't have to index as much data and then to get a bigger external harddrive(7200rpm) for all your videos/pictures etc.

On a final note the Brand of your computer pretty much solely dictates the customer support. The components themselves (with the exception of Mac's) are all from different vendors and put together pretty much the same in everyone.

Good luck and do your research (building a custom rig is typically more expansive but the performance increase typically makes up for it). I should also recommend getting a dual monitor setup (saves time).
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  #13  
Old 01-23-2011, 09:41 PM
Ranger Sport Ranger Sport is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

Quote:
Originally Posted by GenHornet18 View Post
building a custom rig is typically more expansive
I respectfully disagree.

Building custom means you choose the parts you want, not what companies like hp and dell impose on you with a huge markup. So you can pick which manufacturer you want in your setup, and enjoy the occasional rebates.

As for AMD vs Intel, it's like comparing a bugatti veyron to a viper venom TT. The veyron will be fast, really fast and reliable, you'll get the prestige the likes of apple products (oh the fanboy-ism!), but that's mainly what you'll pay for, because the viper will be modified to be quicker, for much less.

Just a reminder, AMD-based boards and cpus are built to work best with ATI video cards.
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  #14  
Old 01-23-2011, 10:05 PM
buggman buggman is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

I've had good luck with DELL's from Dell, not aftermarket sellers like WallyWorld, etc.

I wouldn't spit on Best Buy if it was on fire. Everything I ever bought in store or online from them was complete junk.

Just make sure whatever you get has plenty of Ram 3gb-6gb, at least a 500gb hard drive, a good 256mb-512mb video card with output options like hdmi, lots of USB ports, dvd burner... make sure you spend the extra few bucks to get the install discs, if you ever need to reinstall the OS & original software you'll be glad you did.

I wouldn't worry too much about a monitor, you can grab a nice 26"+ hdtv with PC input pretty cheap.
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  #15  
Old 01-23-2011, 10:31 PM
Ranger Sport Ranger Sport is offline
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Default Re: what new computer to buy

Quote:
Originally Posted by buggman View Post
I've had good luck with DELL's from Dell, not aftermarket sellers like WallyWorld, etc.

I wouldn't spit on Best Buy if it was on fire. Everything I ever bought in store or online from them was complete junk.
But Walmart isn't a re-packager like HP/Dell/Gateway/Acer/etc, it's just a store selling them. In fact, it's the only store i've seen so far that abides by the laws on warranties and returns. If WM started assembling computers, judging from their business etiquette and price/quality value, i'd be in line to get one.

I've had my dealings with BB, they don't even follow what the manufacturers dictates them in their exclusivity contracts, sad really.
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