Help with a Pre-Built PC

J

jtomlinson

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Joined
Aug 15, 2004
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My fiance and I are looking at getting new computers, but I don't really have the time/drive to build two new computers so we're looking for advice on pre-builts. We mostly play World of Warcraft and just do normal serfing. I'd like us to be able to play newer games if we find anything that catches our eyes, as well as her son to be able to play any games when he is staying with us. I'd like to stay within a budget of $700-$900 per computer. We both have displays currently, me a Dell 2005FPW and her Samsung equivalent. We wouldn't mind being able to upgrade parts at some point, but that doesn't have to happen.

Any advise or direction on where to go and possibly what to get would be perfect, as I have been out of the hardware loop for a bit. Any questions please ask. Sorry for the wall of text and thanks.

[edit]
I've been looking at ibuypower.com are they even worth looking at?
 
What the hell is "normal serfing?"

I'd advise you to stay away from IBuypower and look at what boutique builders like Velocity Micro, Puget and Maingear can do for you in your price range.

That's my advice.
 
Check gotapex.com for some dell deals. Many desktops they have can be upgraded with an aftermarket 9600GT.

http://www.gotapex.com/ said:
This is the best desktop deal going on right now at Dell. For $499 after $260 instant discount, you get an Inspiron 530 mini desktop with:
  • 2.4Ghz Core 2 Quad Q6600
  • 3GB DDR2
  • 500GB HDD
  • 16x DVD+/-RW double layer burner
  • 1 year warranty
  • Windows

This is set to expire on 11/19/08 at 11:59PM CT:

* With Vista Home Premium: DELL INSPIRON 530 VISTA DESKTOP DEAL
* With XP Home: DELL INSPIRON 530 XP DESKTOP DEAL
Click to expand...

$150 - eVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB ($10 MIR)
 
Do some real comparison shopping. There are a lot of companies that do great prebuilts who are coming down a little on their pricing, Puget included. The market's very competitive right now, so all of us boutique builders are offering specials and deals.

Also, and I know I beat this to death, make sure that you buy from a company with a great rep for support. It always pays off in the long run.
 
I think you'll either need to raise your budget or you'll be very close to the $900 mark with boutiques. IMO, your budget is too low for a boutique builder, despite their little lower prices. I think you'll get more from a major OEM like Dell... the system just won't look as cool or have as good support/customization/upgrade ability as a system from a boutique.
 
You might be able to get a rig from AVA at that price, and we have configuration options right now that can put you between $700-900. Of course, enginurd is right--buying from a major OEM would be cheaper, and if you really wanted to go that way, the only pre-built I would recommend would be something from Dell. Tech support aside, their computers are usually pretty stable.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go with a local computer shop that a friend works at (sister company of the software company I work for). Going to order the pieces I want and put it together for me at cost. Thanks again.
 
jtomlinson said:
Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go with a local computer shop that a friend works at (sister company of the software company I work for). Going to order the pieces I want and put it together for me at cost. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Interesting... I'm curious... is the cost of a similar spec'd system (the dell quadcore I listed above) less or the same as the Dell?

In any case, did you decide on a list of parts? If so, which?
 
enginurd said:
Interesting... I'm curious... is the cost of a similar spec'd system (the dell quadcore I listed above) less or the same as the Dell?

In any case, did you decide on a list of parts? If so, which?
Click to expand...

I'm still working on the part list, will update later. As for choosing to go with the local shop I did this because I have an easier time choosing the parts I want because they are open to whatever I want to choose. Plus it allows me to throw in some of the parts from my previous system and save a little money.
 
jtomlinson said:
As for choosing to go with the local shop I did this because I have an easier time choosing the parts I want because they are open to whatever I want to choose. Plus it allows me to throw in some of the parts from my previous system and save a little money.
Click to expand...

Actually, I was just wondering if they got parts cheaper then dell... but yah, thats what I was assuming (your reasons), and thats totally understandable.
 
jtomlinson said:
My fiance and I are looking at getting new computers, but I don't really have the time/drive to build two new computers so we're looking for advice on pre-builts. We mostly play World of Warcraft and just do normal serfing. I'd like us to be able to play newer games if we find anything that catches our eyes, as well as her son to be able to play any games when he is staying with us. I'd like to stay within a budget of $700-$900 per computer. We both have displays currently, me a Dell 2005FPW and her Samsung equivalent. We wouldn't mind being able to upgrade parts at some point, but that doesn't have to happen.

Any advise or direction on where to go and possibly what to get would be perfect, as I have been out of the hardware loop for a bit. Any questions please ask. Sorry for the wall of text and thanks.

[edit]
I've been looking at ibuypower.com are they even worth looking at?
Click to expand...


hit me up and i can build you a couple for that price and ship them off.. i have 5 yrs experience building computers and i kinda run my own home grown company called Downfall pc. that specializes in HPC's ... out of all the computers i've custom built for people ive had 0 complaints ever . ;) id be happy to help you out if you don't have time to do it yourself
 
Savidge said:
hit me up and i can build you a couple for that price and ship them off.. i have 5 yrs experience building computers and i kinda run my own home grown company called Downfall pc. that specializes in HPC's ... out of all the computers i've custom built for people ive had 0 complaints ever . ;) id be happy to help you out if you don't have time to do it yourself
Click to expand...

Not to threadcrap or anything but OP, if you're going to go with this guy just be advised that he has been a member for less than one week.
 
Gen.Ben said:
Not to threadcrap or anything but OP, if you're going to go with this guy just be advised that he has been a member for less than one week.
Click to expand...

hey dont be haten :p..ive been reading these forums for about 3 yrs so far i just havent signed up :p but hey worth a shot though... i get a decent amount of people in my area, got another client in colorado i have a build coming up for ;) she owns a income tax company and needs a few for her bussiness
 
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