Looking to buy a desktop, help a brotha out.

[boost]

My laptop has been having overheating problems, and I want a desktop since I rarely use my laptop as anything but a desktop. Looking to spend under $500. It looks like a lot of systems for ~350-450 have onboard graphics so I'd have to install a graphics card to run multi monitors, which is fine. I'd mostly be using it for poker, word processing, and intertube browsing. Storage isn't really a big deal for me as I have stopped hording movies due to netflix and stopped hording music on account of getting a pandora subscription.

Is PCI-E pretty much standard on motherboards now? Some of the refurbished systems I've been looking at don't say what expansion slots they have.

Heres one I've been eyeing, obv it would need to have a graphics card installed. Thoughts?

ASUS Essentio CM5671-05 2.8GHz 1TB Desktop Computer (Refurbished) | Overstock.com

[boost]

Maybe this is better since it has a better processor at the sacrifice of storage space.

Dell Inspiron 560 Intel Dual Core 4GB 500GB Mini Tower Desktop (Refurbished) | Overstock.com

[boost]

no one?

[Ash256]

Do you want to play good games? How about mess with audio/video on professional quality software?

[boost]

I would like the capability to play games.. at least play the addons for half life 2 and maybe some sc2... however the price point is kinda more important that this. I am so busy and have so little time for games that paying an extra big sum for the capability seems silly. Also, if I decide to drop in a solid video card in the future, shouldn't these machines be plenty capable?

As for audio/video stuff, I couldn't care less. So long as it can play pandora/itunes and dvd/netflix I'm happy.

[boost]

Also I'd like to point out that I played SC2 ladder (albeit on low settings) and some hl2 and gta (which stuttered at times) on my current laptop which is a 2.4ghz core 2 duo p8600, with 4gigs of ram, and a geforce 9800m GS. Not really sure how the 9800m GS compares to the current budget video cards (50-100$) that I would need to install just to get multi monitor capability, but everything else seems better than my current setup if only slightly so.

[Jack Sawyer]

This site has the lowdown on parts to build a gaming PC under $500 (use the green text items)

Budget Gaming PC | Hardware Revolution

It looks like a lot of systems for ~350-450 have onboard graphics so I'd have to install a graphics card to run multi monitors, which is fine.

Not really. I have this board and I have two monitors connected to it, via DVI and HDMI with nary a hitch.
It still has displayport and HDMI outs if I would want to connect other monitors, but I'm not sure that there won't be any problems/slowdowns if I connect all 4 outs. Plus I use virtual desktops, so it's not such a big deal.

Of course it all depends on your particular configuration, but onboard graphics should not restrict you to just one monitor though.

[Warpe]

Is your budget including monitor? Or just for the box? I got a good deal at Costco on an HP pckg but it was about twice that ($CDN)

This might be more than you need/want but who knows what games are going to require in a couple of years? I shopped around quite a bit and this was my best bang for the buck:

Processor and Memory:
AMD Phenom™ II 1035T six-core processor 2.6 GHz
3 MB L2 Cache and 6 MB L3 Cache
8 GB (shared) DDR3 SDRAM, upgradeable to 16 GB

Drives:
1 TB SATA, 7200 RPM
DVD±RW SuperMulti drive with LightScribe
15-in-1 card reader

Display and Graphics:

HP 2509m 25-in HD LCD display with BrightView™ technology, 1920 x 1080 (native)
3,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
1 GB (dedicated) ATI Radeon™ HD 5570 graphics
DVI, HDMI, and display port capabilities via the Radeon™ HD 5750 graphics

Audio
Integrated high-definition audio with 8-channel audio support
External ports: Line-in, line-out, microphone, and speakers

Communication:
10/100/1000 integrated Gigabit LAN
Integrated wireless LAN, 802.11b/g/n

Keyboard and Mouse:
HP USB keyboard
HP optical mouse

Ports:
6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 back)
IEEE 1394
RJ45 Ethernet
Digital audio output
DVI - via the graphics card
HDMI™ - via the graphics card
Display port - via the graphics card

Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit version

[Warpe]

Btw, I have one of these lying around (never used) if anyone is interested. Make me an offer.

[Jack Sawyer]

Display and Graphics:

HP 2509m 25-in HD LCD display with BrightView™ technology, 1920 x 1080 (native)
3,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio

New version is out Warpe, same price-ish as predecessor

Amazon.com: HP 2511x 25-Inch LED Monitor - Black: Computer & Accessories

[mbiz]

I build my own desktop when i buy. The best value can be had from the lower end of mid-range gear. Its all so powerful now and mygawd its cheap. As i got money to burn ill prol splurge a little more than usual when i next upgrade/getnew.

If i were you i'd ask aruond if you have any nerdy friends and find out the place with the cheapest systems, this is usually not 'brand name' gear like dell or HP or whatever, but just systems that the store puts together. The quality would be just as good generally, i mean its hard to bugger up since the parts in any computer are all just standard stock.

This way you can customise to ANY spec you want and just pay lik ea $50 premium for the store to put it all together for you. Get an idea for your spec (eg. warpes post and sawyers), run it by the PC store person to make sure it all works together, and youre all good.

[Ash256]

If i were you i'd ask aruond if you have any nerdy friends and find out the place with the cheapest systems, this is usually not 'brand name' gear like dell or HP or whatever, but just systems that the store puts together. The quality would be just as good generally, i mean its hard to bugger up since the parts in any computer are all just standard stock.

This way you can customise to ANY spec you want and just pay lik ea $50 premium for the store to put it all together for you. Get an idea for your spec (eg. warpes post and sawyers), run it by the PC store person to make sure it all works together, and youre all good.

This is spot on. FWIW, I've also seen deals where they ship you the shell of the PC, i.e. they screw in the mobo for you etc, and leave you all the easy stuff like inserting the RAM and installing the OS.

A final, albeit minor advantage is that you don't have to spend the first day on your brand new PC uninstalling all the annoying bloatware shit they install for you.

[boost]

ya, my last desktop I built myself.. maybe I'll go this route again.

The price range I listed is sans monitor.

Thanks for the tips so far, gonna explore this link Jack Sawyer posted.

[aka_red]

just switched back to a built computer and couldn't be happier. i just went to some store and they helped me figure out what i want after i described my price range and my needs and they built it for me and i came the next day to pick it up. just like getting a boxed computer except you get to decide what goes into it, and they offer advice if you have no idea what you're doing (me). plus i've found boxed systems to be less reliable (more random problems), and you'd never want to call support about anything anyways. seems like the more you care about what's in your box the more you should lean towards getting something built.

[caddie444]

Build your computer @ NCIX.com, great website great reputation and you can pricematch everything

[boost]

Ya, definitely gonna build my own now. The Hardware-Revolution link that Jack Sawyer provided is fucking awesome. For 500$ I'll have a desktop that can play the latest games are high or at least reasonable settings. I just need to find the time to sit down and order, then assemble it all. Also gonna consult my resourceful norge friend fatb about windoze7.

[Smith]

I always build my own, but get a SSD. (Solid State Hard Drive) I'm getting one soon, and all I hear is that they are the SHIT. SSD is the new RAM booster for performance.

[Jack Sawyer]

Ya, definitely gonna build my own now. The Hardware-Revolution link that Jack Sawyer provided is fucking awesome. For 500$ I'll have a desktop that can play the latest games are high or at least reasonable settings. I just need to find the time to sit down and order, then assemble it all. Also gonna consult my resourceful norge friend fatb about windoze7.

Glad I could help!

I always build my own, but get a SSD. (Solid State Hard Drive) I'm getting one soon, and all I hear is that they are the SHIT. SSD is the new RAM booster for performance.

Indeed, but a proper SSD such as the OCZ Vertex 3 120GB or the Intel SSD510 120GB would be come in at more than half of boost's budget, so this is something best left for another day.

But even so, there is hope! (if you are willing to make massive sacrifices space wise)
Best SSD HDD | Hardware Revolution

[boost]

mmm ssds are sexy.. I may consider going for the cheapest one and just put windows and some key apps on there like HEM.

[!Luck]

Meh on the SSD. I have one, the performance is nice, but I personally didn't feel that huge of a boost (har), especially if your price range is semi tight. Though work apps load instantaneously (excel), which is pretty nice.

!luck

[kevster]

Ya, definitely gonna build my own now.

I always used to do this. For less money you can build a rocket ship compared to entry level spec machines.

[Renton]

yes yes defff get a friend who knows about this stuff to build you one, its way more cost effective.

[boost]

yes yes defff get a friend who knows about this stuff to build you one, its way more cost effective.

lol.. I am "that guy" sadly.. I hang out with a bunch of artist who couldn't tell you the differences in function between a HD and a CPU.

[mbiz]

the HD cooks pancakes, the CPU makes coffee

[boost]

Just ordered the Tier 1 from Jack's link: Budget Gaming PC | Hardware Revolution

I find this funny, because I concluded the title of my OP with "help a brotha out", and Jack responded with the most adequate help.

Now I just need to wait for school on monday and see if I can get a windows7 key through the msdn program. If not, gotta figure something else out. Not paying 100$ for that shit.

[mbiz]

Jack responded with the most adequate help.

hey show some love for the rest of the helpers

[oskar]

If you can solve this, you can assemble a PC.
Srsly, a 12/10 can do it.

[boost]

red and blue are tricky...

but srsly, I built a gaming rig back in highschool.. its like a lego set. Only kinda scary part is installing the cpu and putting on the heat sink.

p.s. <3 to all the helpers.. just wanted to point out that my brotha from anotha motha was the most helpful with his link. Def appreciate it gais, excited to have a computer that actually works!

[Jack Sawyer]

Np!

Just one more thing: be sure to apply the thermal paste on your CPU using an old credit card or something similar; buy some Arctic Silver 5, scrape off whatever thermal paste or thermal strips the CPU cooler comes with by using the highest concentration rubbing alcohol you can find (>90%), and then apply a small dab of thermal paste right in the middle of the CPU. Then proceed to evenly distribute that dab along the whole processor using the old CC or some other hard flat plastic; try to make it look as if its a very fine layered paste on top BEFORE seating it in the socket and putting the CPU cooler on it.

That advice would have saved me a ton of headaches on my first build in a while; I was within seconds of sending the mobo or CPU back in for a totally unnecessary RMA

[Muzzard]

sup, I want a new setup too. Its just a pokerz rig, so cheap is good as it doesnt need to be high spec. Just needs to internezt/HEM/table ninja etc. I have dual screens already.

I'm in the UK btw

[Jack Sawyer]

Try it same as in the above link (green text), except substitute the CPU and the Mobo parts with

CPU: Core i3 2100
Mobo: Asus P8H67-M PRO

Those two together will run you just under 200 pounds, but the videocard is integrated and you get like 3 video outs, so you save the money you'd otherwise put in a discrete card. Plus, you can simply drop in any other Sandy Bridge processor in it in the future when the price goes down for instant performance boost. That motherboard can hold up to 32GB (!) of RAM, so you will have a much easier time upgrading when the prices come down (and these parts start existing).

[Keith]

sup, I want a new setup too. Its just a pokerz rig, so cheap is good as it doesnt need to be high spec. Just needs to internezt/HEM/table ninja etc. I have dual screens already.

I'm in the UK btw

here's a link for ya to ask on Muzzard. If ricedg replies he knows what he's talking about , plays play money poker and used to build computers for people.

System Builders and Upgraders

as far as getting cheap bits , ebuyer and aria.com are pretty cheap , but watch the delivery costs as buying from more than 1 place may cost more than the savings you make on the individual items. Aria are based in manchester if thats near enough to collect from .

[Muzzard]

Try it same as in the above link (green text), except substitute the CPU and the Mobo parts with

CPU: Core i3 2100
Mobo: Asus P8H67-M PRO

Those two together will run you just under 200 pounds, but the videocard is integrated and you get like 3 video outs, so you save the money you'd otherwise put in a discrete card. Plus, you can simply drop in any other Sandy Bridge processor in it in the future when the price goes down for instant performance boost. That motherboard can hold up to 32GB (!) of RAM, so you will have a much easier time upgrading when the prices come down (and these parts start existing).

cool thanks, I might actually have a go at building my own.. I have a gfx card in this set up pciexpress that I can just switch over.

[Keith]

actually had a look for you and came up wit his thread
Amazing what you can get for £200

[Muzzard]

actually had a look for you and came up wit his thread
Amazing what you can get for £200

thats what I have now, just want something a bit speedier, can get a bit laggy 20tabling.

I've got a gfx card, monitors, harddrive that I can harvest. Could even harvest the optical drive, but it could probably do with an upgrade too really.

[Keith]

I suggest making a post on the micromart forum and see what they come up with . Good things to have in the post would be your budget, do you need an OS...i.e have you got a retail version of windows or was itthe version that came with your computer from manufacturer.
is it just for poker or do you want gaming capability as well( tends to imply better (more expensive) motherboardsto allow for dual graphics cards etc, faster memory)

[boost]

posting from my new homebuilt desktop. Thanks for the help guys!

[Sasquach991]

So you went with Tier 1 all the way?

[boost]

So you went with Tier 1 all the way?

I did. Haven't got around to playing any games yet, but so far its been quick on its toes with 12 tabling + hem + hud + pandora + etc. Also boots to desktop like instantly... quick boot to desktop is to new computers what new shoe smell is to new shoes.. Just makes your day that much better!