Desktop PC help...looking to buy

[CoCaDoRi]

OK probably been covered but search isn't my friend.

I need a new Desktop PC. Price is a concern.

Here's what I need.

I'm taking tons of pics with the D90 these days so photo stuff is important.

I'll be making and editing video's for the horses we have for sale.

I want and easy transfer of some of the program I have on my PC right now to the new one.

Then the typical e-mail, web surfing and forums stuff.

I need a good quality, little hassle and good track record machine.

I've already got the monitor and stuff...


Lotsa help needed.. thanks!

 

[kbrady]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

Build it! If you don't know how that's ok, find someone you know that really knows computers and tell them what you want. Don't go to some kid that "tinkers with them from time to time" find someone that really knows their stuff. If you already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse you can build an absolute monster pc for $700-800.

Intel has a very good budget minded CPU out called Sandy Bridge, which comes in a variety of flavors. That would be a good starting point.

RAM is cheaper than dirt these days, as are video cards. Get enough RAM to do more than what you need and a video card that also fits your needs.

Your motherboard will need special attention because the capabilities of your motherboard will affect flexibility and future upgrades. Don't build a computer for today, build a computer that doesn't limit what you can do a few years from now.

Get a good case with plenty of room, and plenty of fans because a computer that has a cooling problem is a straight up pain in the ass.

Hard drives....if you ask 1000 different people for a good hard drive setup, you will get that many different answers. My money is for a good SSD(Solid State Drive) and a large bulk drive. The SSD will cost you a good chunk, but totally worth it. Bulk Drives are absolutely dirt cheap as well. Look at the new series of SSD's from Intel, pound for pound the best there is. I am running the previous gen Intel 120gb SSD and it is very nice. The new series, of course, leaves that series behind! Bulk drives come in different flavors as well, some are green and use very little power, and some are built for speed and capacity. Look at Western Digital HDD in 1 and 2 Terabyte offerings.....you will likely never run out of room on a 2TB drive.

To round it all out you will need a good quality Power Supply that will provide plenty of power to your components. I have always used PC Power & Cooling, even after they were bought by OCZ, and have only had one problem. Problem was a clicking sounds coming from the back end of a power supply. I'm not sure if it hurt anything, but I didn't like it. So in about 2-3 weeks total, I had a new replacement. No problem. I am currently running an Antec tru-power that I bought off a friend and it has plenty of power.

There are a million combinations of components for PC building, buy quality and buy something that will last and you won't be disappointed.

Kelly

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

Ummm do you want to build me one?

My budget is about $600-$700

Only reservation is what if it takes a crap on me.

 

[Wolvenhaven]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Only reservation is what if it takes a crap on me. </div></div>

All the parts will have warranties just like if you bought the computer whole.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ummm do you want to build me one?

My budget is about $600-$700

Only reservation is what if it takes a crap on me.</div></div>

Everything will take a crap on you. You must be prepared. I have two 1TB drives in my computer. I also have one additional 1TB in a removable bay. All are WD's.

Western Digital has a FREE program that only works if you have their drives called Acronis. (that is the company that makes the software) It lets you do lots of good things with hard drives. The most important one is drive cloning. I clone my drive every month or so and back up all my stuff on the second 1TB drive in the computer. So if all goes wrong and the wrong time I would have at the worst lost one month. If the second drive fails I have lost backups only. If I lose the main hard drive I just pop in the clone and restore backup files from the second. It is not foolproof but pretty dang close.

 

[Silver_Bullet_00]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ummm do you want to build me one?

My budget is about $600-$700

Only reservation is what if it takes a crap on me. </div></div>

I was going to recommend an Apple OS given you want to do a lot with photo-shop, or a nice Windows custom build.

Keeping it simple for you!
In that price range you will be better off to go to a big box store like Wal-mart or Best-buy and buy a Windows PC with the most hard drive storage you can find, and the best Processor for 600-700 dollars. In that price range look for the AMD Phenom II X6, a little more and you could get a nicer Intel. Find something with 4+g of RAM. More Ram = better performance when multitasking. PC Brands don't really matter that much, they all use the same brands of stuff inside.

And by an Western Digital External Hard Drive for back up.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

I built an Intel Core I-5 processor (Quad) with 4 gigs of ram, half a terabyte drive for $450...big video card, 1 gig I Think (?)...

Add Windows 7 pro in for $150 (Wholesale cost) and voila my monster machine is 600 bucks...

You can buy a Dell cheaper, strip off the crap software...unfortunately but they do run well...they spam the crap out of you if you buy online though...otherwise not a bad deal.

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

Found this for $600

Thoughts?

Processor & Memory:

Intel® Core™ i5-2320 Processor (3.0GHz)
Intel® H67 Chipset
12GB DDR3 Memory (4 slots, 32GB MAX)

Drives:

2TB SATA II Hard Drive
22x DVD±RW Drive
Front Panel 19-in-1 digital multimedia card reader

Graphics:

Integrated Intel® HD Graphics (dual monitor capable)

Communications:

10/100/1000 Mb/s Gigabit LAN

Audio:

Flexible 8-channel audio with jack sensing

Keyboard & Mouse:

USB Keyboard
USB Mouse

Expandability (total bays/slots):

2 x 5.25" external (1 occupied)
1 x 3.5" external (1 occupied)
4 x 3.5" internal (1 occupied)
1 x PCI-Ex16
3 x PCIe x1

Ports:

1x DVI-D
1x HDMI
1 x VGA
2 x USB 3.0 ports (rear)
6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front, 4 Rear)
3 x Audio Ports
1x S/PDIF out
1 x PS2 port
1x RJ45

Operating System:

Genuine Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64-bit

Additional Software:

Microsoft® Office Starter (reduced functionality versions of Word and Excel; not the full version of Microsoft® Office 2010)
Symantec Norton Internet Security 2011 (60-day trial)

Additional Information:

Dimensions: (HxWxD): 13.9" x 7.1" x 16.9" (approx.)
Power supply: 350W
Lifetime, 24/7 toll-free phone support
1 Year Limited Parts & Labor Warranty

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

Talk to me how I transfer some of the programs I have currently on my computer to the new computer...

 

[Sami]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Talk to me how I transfer some of the programs I have currently on my computer to the new computer... </div></div>

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

Depending on what software you use for video editing, a dedicated video card (GPU Acceleration) might help you a bit on that i5.

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

sweet thanks!

So any thoughts on the above config. good bad ugly?

 

[Sami]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sweet thanks!

So any thoughts on the above config. good bad ugly? </div></div>

Nothing wrong with that. Unless you do heavy HD video editing or 3D design you shouldn't have any issues with that setup.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sami</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sweet thanks!

So any thoughts on the above config. good bad ugly? </div></div>

Nothing wrong with that. Unless you do heavy HD video editing or 3D design you shouldn't have any issues with that setup. </div></div>

Well put.

Normally the Windows 7 would run $150 to $199 so a system like that for $450 is good.

Sounds about the same as I have.

Not bad.

 

[300WSM]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

dell? good experience but it's been years since I've bought a computer. I guess I need one too

 

[texasmotor]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
You can buy a Dell cheaper, strip off the crap software...unfortunately but they do run well...they spam the crap out of you if you buy online though...otherwise not a bad deal. </div></div>


+1

 

[Guest]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

My advice, based solely on me doing this stuff everyday for a living.

Yes, you can build your own PC and save some money - as long as time > money in your situation.

Pros:
You learn about the system and save money, probably, maybe

Cons:
No factory recovery image
No factory self-diagnostics partition or utility
No benefit from manufacturer's R&D to make sure that components play well together.
No benefit from manufacturer's buying power. They buy millions and you buy ones and twos.

Also, most of the new systems these days are coming with little to no crapware. It's nowhere near as bad as it was a few years ago. At worst on a new Dell you'll get a trial antivirus and a MS Office Trial. Big damned deal. Uninstall them and replace them both with free software.

Not 5 minutes before clicking into this thread, I just bought a new Dell i7 2600, 8 GB RAM, Blu-ray/DVD-RW, 1GB HD Graphics, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit, 1TB Hard Drive, THX Sound...
AND a Dell Ultrasharp 24" HD Monitor for $999 plus tax - free shipping.
http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/270881

I used to build my own stuff, but it just doesn't make sense anymore.

You look through the deals on the Techbargains.com site and find what you want at a great price.

Since you're doing video editing, you may be interested in the new software developed with AMD's new GPU's in mind.
It's called vReveal, and even the free version has some great high end features.
http://www.vreveal.com/

 

[michael_aos]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

You can get into a Mac Mini for $600 - $800.
--

 

[Guest]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cocadori</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I want and easy transfer of some of the program I have on my PC right now to the new one.

</div></div>

Most programs do not transfer. You can transfer and migrate data and files, but programs will have to be reinstalled, and sometimes upgraded or replaced altogether.

Microsoft Office files maintain compatibility, but if you're using some Accounting softwares, or photo and video editing programs you'll likely need to upgrade to something newer.

Microsoft replaced their free e-mail client, Outlook Express, with a new one called Windows Live Mail. You can export and import from Outlook Express to the new one.

Their free program Windows Live Photo Gallery does a decent job of organizing your pictures, and it has some basic editing functions as well.

Their free video software, Windows Live Movie Maker is similarly functional.

If you don't want to buy a newer copy of MS Office, you can install your previous one if you have the CD's or you download OpenOffice free from Sun Microsystems. The files will be compatible.

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

great info thanks!

 

[upjeeper]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

SSD is a very good idea. i recently had another platter type hard drive go out. this was my "back up". so needless to say i'm not happy.

my choices are as follows
1. back everything up to something like crashplan, carbonite or mozy
2. setup a RAID system (which can either combine multiple hard drives into one large or can have mirrored drives incase one dies)
3. SSD - since these are solid state, no moving parts there's not much to go wrong with them. i've lost probably a dozen hard drives over the years, and i've read an SSD is good for something like 50 years.

please do yourself a favor and put a lot of thought into your backup system

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

You can go to idrive.com and get free, 5 gigabytes of storage.

It is encrypted with AES, 256 bit - the most secure going right now.

Now pay $50 and get 150 gigs.

Send that stuff on up to idrive and let it sit encrypted.

If your sh*t crashes, rebuild, download.


I lost my profile, and my email with my isc2 certification in it, but I had it stored up there, bada bing - had it back in no time.

This way I don't have to worry if one of my 5 hard drives crashes...or if I forgot to back up (Mine are automated but corrupted files backed up in an automated system is bad)...

So do your local backup, but first rule of backups is OFFSITE STORAGE (In case house burns down)..

idrive.com - they rock.

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: Desktop PC help...looking to buy

Well I went with Digital Storm.

I don't know how you can beat this company. Fully Custom to already pre-built machines. For the price of the Box store machines. With much better componients.

Totally a hands on company.

Here's some cut and pastes starting Tuesday of how they let you know exactly what is going on at each stage of your order.

I recieved these e-mails over the last three days.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stage 1: (Payment Processed)
Your order has been successfully processed. Our accounting department is now preparing your build sheet and passing this over to our inventory control department so we may allocate the components necessary for your order.

Stage 2: (Inventory Assignment)
A special component bin has been assigned for your order. We then locate components from our inventory and placing them inside your component bin. If any components are out of stock, we are then waiting for them to be delivered to our storage center. Once all of the hardware is inside your component bin, it is then placed in queue for phase 1 stress-testing.

Stage 3: (Phase 1 Integration)
Your order is now placed into one of our specialized test benches. The installation of the operating system, drivers and any applications that are specific to the system you ordered are completed here. Our Digital Storm Integration Engineer will also install any demos, benchmark utilities, and burn-in software necessary to correctly monitor your systems performance throughout our burn-in process.

Stage 4: (Engineering Lab)
Your order has successfully passed our phase 1 stress testing, it has now progressed into our engineering lab. A specialized Digital Storm Assembly Engineer will carefully put together your order as if it was their own. They have a passion to build every system as if it was their show piece.

Stage 5: (Phase 2 Stress Testing)
Your order has been passed to our final phase 2 stress-testing team. They run a final batch of tests to verify the integrity and stability of your system. This allows us to ensure that every system we ship will be a rock solid machine for years to come.

Stage 6: (Quality Assurance)
Your system is undergoing a very detailed quality control analysis. A Digital Storm Quality Inspector is tasked with inspecting your machine from missing screws, loose cards, checking for special requests, verifying the configuration, and double checking our stress-test results. Our Inspectors are trained with a eye for detail and insure that every system leaves our facility with the art of perfection.

</div></div>