Picking a computer. My head hurts :(

B

bubbaaaaaa

n00b
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Dec 26, 2005
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Hello all. I did post about the eMachine but I think I'm in abit more trouble now while looking at other PCs. Maybe its because I'm looking way too deep but maybe I need too. I'm getting paid tomorrow so I'll have around $830 for a PC and monitor. I know its not a lot but I could wait but dont want too. I would like an A64 3500+ if possible and while looking it seems thats a more popular one. I am upgrading from a 500Mhz compaq so anything will be faster and better. Anyways, I'm thinking about going to Best Buy or Circuit City (CC only has one computer I'm looking at). I've heard both good and very bad things about Best Buy service. Here we go! I'll try and tell and diff on the computers. I will buy another stick of 512RAM and depending if I need it a PCI-E Graphics card. I will do basic computer stuff like internet, afew programs (DVD/CD burning), and RTS games maybe RPG too. Nothing to special. I'm thinking on getting a 6800GS card for it too. Better PSU if need be. Hope Compaq/HP can take standard ATX PSU :).

Compaq-
SR1625NX-Presairo SR1625NX Specs on compaq site SR1625NX specs What I can tell is this has a SATA HDD 160GIG, 1 GIG ram, No USB 2.0 Port(dont understand why since all compaq and HP has same board) but thats what it says and on the spec page says "Athlon 64 (V) 3200+ 2.0 GHz" Dunno what that is exactly never saw the (V) before. Was released in Nov.

SR1630NX-Presairo SR1630NX Specs on compaq site SR1630NX specs Has Ultra IDE HDD 200gig, 512 RAM, USB 2.0. Released Aug.

Hewlett Pakard-

A1210N- Pavilion A1210N Specs on HP site Specs on HP site Has SATA HDD 200 gig, 512 RAM, Windows XP Media Center (kinda the same as the SR1630NX without the Media Center) Released in Nov.

eMachines-
T6412
Specs on eMachine site
eMachines T6412
About the same as the HP and 1630NX compaq but no info if hdd is sata and A64 3400+ FBS 1600

Those are the 4 I'm looking over. I'm leaning on the HP because of the SATA HDD (dunno if I should just because of that). I would like to know if anyone knows is that are Compaq/HP computers can take a standard Power Supply (if I need to get a new one). The price difference isn't much so I dunno. Maybe I should base it on HP/Compaq vs eMachine. Who makes the better product? My uncle told me "They make them in the same place so it doesn't matter" heh. Compaq and HP use the same board thats what the site says. So maybe I should base it on that? Asus vs MSI. I think I'm looking at it the wrong way. Pick which case looks pretty? HAHA. So please if anyone can tell me which I should take out or maybe even bring in I would be so thankful! I dont want a P4 I know that much. Thank you for reading past my bad grammer. Haha goodbye. Thank you!
 
I don't really want to build right now. Just want a basic computer that will play RTS/RPG games. Plus everything I was going to buy to build a computer was priced around $975-$1100. I think I'll just wait 6 months then I might try and build one. Anyone know if I can put a reg PSU in the Compaq/HP towers?
 
EMachines is doing very well these days, I'd seriously consider them.
 
You can replace the PSU in a HP machine with a standard ATX PSU. I highly reccomend looking at a HP with an Athlon 64 processor. Just need to reformat and re-install windoze without the crapware.
 
I know he didnt ask about building his own but maybe try monarchcomputer and go to the configurator and get EVERYTHING you want assuming you know what you want specifically, another alternative im thinking of is give us a price range and well tell you what to put in the configurator?

Failing those options i recommend the eMachines or the HP :)
 
I did try ABS and PC Club but they either didn't have the vid card I wanted or the price jumped over 1000 bucks and to be honest I dont wanna spend that much :( Which I kinda wanna stay under $700. Also I'm guessing reformatting these computers with the company restore disk will just put the crap programs back in the computer? Another down fall :( haha but to be honest I'm not that picky just something I can use for DVD burning and RTS/RPG games.
 
I just emailed PC Club and told them they should offer the 6800GS as it's a popular offering at about $100 below the cost of a 6800GT.
 
I've had good experiences with Emachines, their machines are solid, priced well, expandable to a good degree, and their tech support is VERY, VERY good...they were able to help me with a problem with a video card I boought, it was an Nvidia card, and the Emachines tech support were able to help me on the phone with the problem, even though the video card had nothing to do with them. Top of line pre-built computers, if I must say! :)
 
I was thinking about getting the 6800GS simply because it will last me a good 2 years if not more. If I get the 6800GS then thats another $200 added on the $650 HP or eMachine then if I get the HP thats another $50 bucks for another 512RAM. So about $850-$950 depending on which PC I get. But that is over the time period of 3-4 months so price doesn't matter that much to me. Only upside to HP or eMachine if it doesn't work out of the box I can take it right back for another. I guess I should head over to the vid card forum and maybe see when the price of the GS will go down. Anyone know? I heard the next batch of vid cards will be out very soon.
 
it probably wont go down for a bit, but right now im look around for OEM's that have a system builder option with the GS and trying to ween it down to under 800 cause im bored out fo my mind. :D

right now i have one @ ncix.com (us version) for 1000 with processor, 1gig of ram, 200gig hard drive, dvd burner et al and the 6800gs for 1000ish (just under) with an operating system :) dont think it gets any better than that im afraid :( WITH assembly of course :)
 
Those type of chassis are hideous...I can't stand some of the 'bling' stuff coming out of Taiwan. All flash and no substance.

God bless Silverstone and Lian Li.
 
I've have 2 powerspec (Microcenter's generic brand?) and they have been doing GREAT. And I've also have 2 emachine's, they're doing great too. I'd go for those machines anyday. Take a look at microcenter.com and see their powerspec line.
 
Save yourself a headache, do not deal with cyberpower or ibuypower, as a past customer of theirs (laptop) it was pretty hectic. Especially when I went down to their laughable headquarters in baldwin park.
 
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