Looking to buy a new desktop

[CleBrownsfan]

I'm in market for a new desktop/monitor package. I'm purchasing one mostly for gaming (would like a system that has enough power to play Crysis) but would like to be able to stay under $1500.

Circuit City has a decent system : hxxp://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=222589&om_keycode=85

any great deals out there?

~thanks

[gstelmack]

That looks like a decent system, as long as you clean off any bloatware (all too common with anything you buy off-the-shelf).

[CleBrownsfan]

I take it bloatware is crap companies like Circuit City put on the PC?

[gstelmack]

And companies like HP ;-)

All the marketing stuff that's on there and/or runs in the background. Most of it you just uninstall, or you wipe the box and redo the OS (assuming you got an OS disc with the PC...)

[Edward64]

You can catch pretty good deals on Dell desktops by monitoring the below websites.

www.techbargains.com
GotApex? Deals & Coupon Codes

Three additional items you need to factor in:

1. These desktops won't have a good graphics card, so be prepared to buy a separate gaming card.
   
2. The gaming card you pick may require a larger PSU than the Dell unit provides, so doublecheck the requirements.
   
3. The 19 and 22 inch monitors that come with the desktops are good enough for me but I've read otherwise from hardcore gamers.

I think you can buy a good Dell config CPU, RAM, HD and monitor for < $800-$900 which will leave you plenty to buy a good graphics card.

[Edward64]

Here's a possible Dell config. Quad Core2, 3GB, 640GB HD, 22 inch monitor for $799. Have to config $999 to get $200 off. Add a graphics card.

Dell Inspiron 518 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz Desktop (3GB/640GB) w/ 22in LCD $799 Deal - Best Price Cheap Sale Items Review Wholesale Sale Discount inspiron 518

I would change the configs a little for my taste but a starting point for you.

[CleBrownsfan]

I saw from hxxp://www.gotapex.com/ :HP Home & Home Office Store - $400 off $999+ Desktop PC!

That seems like a good ass deal - I'm going to toy around the configs on the HP's @ lunch.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

I saw from hxxp://www.gotapex.com/ :HP Home & Home Office Store - $400 off $999+ Desktop PC!

That seems like a good ass deal - I'm going to toy around the configs on the HP's @ lunch.

Keep in mind it doesn't come with a 22inch monitor so factor that into your decision making process.

Do tell us what you decided to get.

[sachmo71]

There are some great deals at dell, especially if your company has an EPP with them. I noticed the other day that you can now remove the Mcafee when configuring your system with dell, as well as Works. Nice.

[stevew]

I saw some Samsung TOC 25.5 inch monitor at sam's the other day, i must make it mine. It had 2 hdmi, optical out, an ATSC tuner. I forget what else. Basically it's just a glorified TV, but for 500 bucks you can't even get a shitty 3 series samsung 26" LCD

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

There are some great deals at dell, especially if your company has an EPP with them. I noticed the other day that you can now remove the Mcafee when configuring your system with dell, as well as Works. Nice.

Of course it's better to protect your computer for free for a year, then to not use any type of protection... IMO.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Of course it's better to protect your computer for free for a year, then to not use any type of protection... IMO.

And you may not want the protection that the particular manufacturer wants to provide...

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

And you may not want the protection that the particular manufacturer wants to provide...

Very true, but from my experiences most people don't protect their computers unless they get something when they first get their computer, because they don't know any better. I'm not a big fan of McAfee but it's not any worse nor better then any of the others out there, it's all a matter of preference.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

I'm not a big fan of McAfee but it's not any worse nor better then any of the others out there, it's all a matter of preference.

Not quite true: 2007-04, 23 April-10 May | :: Virus.gr ::

But McAfee is VERY hard to uninstall. So I would rather get a PC without the headache and install AVG or Avast.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Not quite true: 2007-04, 23 April-10 May | :: Virus.gr ::

But McAfee is VERY hard to uninstall. So I would rather get a PC without the headache and install AVG or Avast.

That article is from April 2007

I'm talking about the whole suite.

Anyway, I've never had issues with uninstallation of it, but I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones?

As reviewed by Consumer Reports.

McAfee suite was 3 and 4 out of 9 (McAfee Total Protection 2007 / Internet Security Suite)
McAfee Virus Scan Plus was 5 out of 12

These were from Sept 2007, I could have swore they did more recent reviews, but I can't find them on their site.

I'm not defending the product, it's just not good to deter people from using security software.

Anyway, sorry to threadjack. I suggest getting a Dell.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

That article is from April 2007

I'm talking about the whole suite.

Anyway, I've never had issues with uninstallation of it, but I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones?

As reviewed by Consumer Reports.

McAfee suite was 3 and 4 out of 9 (McAfee Total Protection 2007 / Internet Security Suite)
McAfee Virus Scan Plus was 5 out of 12

These were from Sept 2007, I could have swore they did more recent reviews, but I can't find them on their site.

I'm not defending the product, it's just not good to deter people from using security software.

Anyway, sorry to threadjack. I suggest getting a Dell.

Wikipedia has a pretty good list of results for each product, but you have to register to see the results on Virus Bulletin. I used this one because it was free and easy to read.

[CleBrownsfan]

So after all my research I'm going with the Gateway FX4710 (hxxp://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8891684&type=product&id=1214611180474) from BestBuy - open box (demo) for $950. I went to a buddies house that has the same model (he bought it for $1300 a few months ago) and it ran every game he showed me(including Crysis) very smooth. Plus I can get two free years financing on my BestBuy credit card

It's comparable to the HP I was initially looking at - maybe not as good as a couple desktops I've been looking at but I don't think I can beat the price for what I'm getting.

Now that I'm finally upgrading my puter - what games should I be buying??

I'm also getting the Gateway - 22" Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor.. do you guys suggest I get Best Buy's warranty for the monitor?



Specs:

Processor
Intel� Core"2 Quad

Processor Speed
2.5GHz

System Bus
1333MHz

Cache Memory
2 x 3MB on die Level 2

System Memory (RAM)
6GB

System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
8GB

Type of Memory (RAM)
PC2-5300 DDR2

Hard Drive Type
Serial ATA II (7200 rpm)

Hard Drive Size
640GB

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT over-clocked

Video Memory
512MB (dedicated)

Network Card
Built-in high-speed 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)

Wireless Networking
None

Recordable DVD Drive
Yes, double-layer DVD�RW/CD-RW

Recordable DVD Drive Speeds
8x DVD+R DL; 8x DVD-R DL; 18x8x16 DVD+RW; 18x6x16 DVD-RW; 12x DVD-RAM; 48x32x48 CD-RW

Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes

Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader

Total Expansion Bays
5 (3.5"), 2 (5.25")

Available Expansion Bays
4 (3.5"), 1 (5.25")

Total Expansion Slots
2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2

Available Expansion Slots
1 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1

USB 2.0 Ports
6 (2 front, 4 rear)

IEEE 1394 Ports
2 (1 front, 1 rear)

S-Video Outputs
1

Additional Audio/Video Connectors
HDMI, 2 DVI, 6 audio

Serial Ports
None

Parallel Ports
None

Game Ports
None

Keyboard Description
Elite multimedia (Blackhawk FX Copper)

Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.)
USB optical 2-button wheel mouse

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1

Software Included
Microsoft Works 9.0, Money Essentials; Vista DVD Playback; Adobe Reader; CyberLink Power2Go; Gateway BigFix and more

[tyketime]

Originally Posted by CleBrownsfan

he bought it for $1300 a few months ago

I've been working a fair amount of overtime in the past couple of months and have saved enough "extra" money to buy a mid-level gaming computer. I even got Mrs Tyke to agree to the purchase. But I'm having a hard time placing the actual order. I keep thinking with the economy in the toilet, the Holiday season fast approaching, and dire forecasts for retailers... the price will have to come down. I've waited 2+ years to buy a gaming computer, so I would be more than willing to wait another month if I thought the price would drop 10% or more. What do you think? Do you believe or have you heard whether computer prices will drop fairly soon? I just saw an article indicating that HDTV's are getting ready to see a significant price in anticipation of the Holidays.

On the other hand... if these boutique type computer stores keep prices constant, then I either need to resign myself to the current price, or shop around.

Thanks for the advice and feedback!