best buy black friday computer - thoughts?

[fourfourtytwo]

I know you end up paying a little bit more when you buy a prebuilt system from a big chain store, and I'm sure the video card in this is crap, but what are your thoughts on this black friday deal:

HP Desktop - AMD Quad Core Processor, 20" Widescreen LCD, 8GB RAM, 1TB HD, FREE Printer at Best Buy - $499.97

 

[HardwareGuru]

That's actually a pretty good deal. If you won't be gaming on it, then that AMD Quad Core system should meet your needs. I think that's the HP Quad Core Desktop using the X4 620 2.6ghz Propus cpu.

 

[vict0r]

all you need for a perfect gaming machine is a new videocard for it...nothing more, nothing less...

 

[obobski]

all you need for a perfect gaming machine is a new videocard for it...nothing more, nothing less...

agreed.

honestly for $500, not a bad deal

that printer is junk though (so just CL it for like $30-$50, whatever)

grab a 4770/4830/4850 or GTS 250/GTX 260
and away you go

 

[HardwareGuru]

Unless he puts in a low powered 9600GT, 9800GT or 4670 video card, he will have to upgrade the PSU to accomodate other graphics cards. A Radeon HD 4770/4850 will be very good for that 20" HP with 1600 x 900 resolution. Swap the PSU for an Antec Earthwatts 430/500Watt psu and he's good to go.

 

[vict0r]

are these for in store only?

 

[obobski]

Unless he puts in a low powered 9600GT, 9800GT or 4670 video card, he will have to upgrade the PSU to accomodate other graphics cards. A Radeon HD 4770/4850 will be very good for that 20" HP with 1600 x 900 resolution. Swap the PSU for an Antec Earthwatts 430/500Watt psu and he's good to go.

didn't even think about that...

they're still putting 200-300W PSUs in these boxes? gah.

 

[engiNURD]

Yah, if you add a high end card, grab a 500W or higher PSU (good quality, Earthwatts, TP New, Corsair, etc).

 

[HardwareGuru]

By the way, Best Buy sometimes have the Antec Earthwatts EA500 for $69.99-$74.99 on sale on their website. They can price match it in store. Also, they carry the Antec EA650 psu for $74.99-$79.99 when it goes on sale also. These power supplies along with the Corsair 650TX and 750TX are the only ones I see worth getting at Best Buy. If you buy it locally, at least you can return it amd exchamge it if you get a DOA unit.