• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

~1500 bucks for a new PC

jefboyardee

jefboyardee

Extreme Android User
I should have some money later this summer and one of the first things I'll want to replace is this ten-year-old HP, a monster in its day. I'll be considering going to Costco:

Dell XPS 8700 Desktop | Intel Core i7 | 4GB Graphics | Windows 7 Professional

Processor & Memory:
Intel
 
XPS is one of Dell's cheapie lines. For instance, the video csard isn't the standard one you buy in a box, it's the same GPU, but the parts are cheaper. We used to keep a supply of fans to replace when the bearings went (which was frequently). That never happens with the retail versions.

You can build a better box for less, or check Micro Center's house line - they have some pretty good boxes for some pretty good prices.
 
I bought a PC from Costo over 6 years ago, and it's still kicking. It's not a Dell tho. :p

Can't remember what brand it is, but I've replaced just about everything except the Case, Processor and the HDD.

If you know someone who can help you, I'd try and put one together. The whole process of research, building and loading the PC up can be rewarding. Makes the build that much better.

Or of course you could buy what you need / want and be as happy as a duck in a pond.
 
With 200GB spread over nine partitions, an extra gig of RAM, and everything soft apparently up to date, this old 32-bit beast does about all I need a PC to do, albeit slowly and with the occasional bsod. So, hate to admit, I don't actually need a new PC, but I certainly want one, just to get current. But I am not interested in getting as current as W8x, so I'm confining my searches to bundles with W7x. And not really needing it makes it harder to spec a customized one.
 
$1500 is a lotta money for a PC these days. I've always built mine from parts since the days of the 286 cpu and DOS, dozens of boxes by now. Really easy to do, only takes an hour or two to put one together with a Phillips screwdriver. You can build a powerhouse unit for under $1000 a good one for under $500.

IMHO, I'd build using a motherboard without onboard video. Get a separate video card, particularly if you do any gaming. $75-100 or even less gets a pretty good card. But onboard video is ok for basic stuff if you want to simplify.

I'd go with a SSD instead of conventional HD. Blinding fast, more reliable and prices are reasonable now. If you need lotsa storage, add a conventional HD as a second storage-only drive.

At least 8GB of good memory. Good power supply - no cheap stuff.

Everyone has favorite brands, etc. I have mine, but not gonna get into that argument here. I will say my favorite source is Newegg.
 
Yea, if I'm gonna buy a prebuilt, I'm sure I don't have to spend that much. And if I build my own, even less still, although I'm pretty sure I'll break things and drive costs up.
 
I've had an XPS laptop for nearly 3 years and I've found the quality to be fine. In fact, I've had Dells since the late 90s and they've all been fine - or at least, when they haven't, they've been fixed under warranty.

That PC sounds like a total beast .. but $1,500 is a lot of money to pay for a PC these days :eek:

Think if I had $1.5K to spend on tech I'd be looking at a slightly less awesome PC and a new tablet or phone.
 
Rukbat said:
XPS is one of Dell's cheapie lines. For instance, the video csard isn't the standard one you buy in a box, it's the same GPU, but the parts are cheaper. We used to keep a supply of fans to replace when the bearings went (which was frequently). That never happens with the retail versions.

You can build a better box for less, or check Micro Center's house line - they have some pretty good boxes for some pretty good prices.
Click to expand...
Uh... Dell XPS is not a cheapie line... some of those XPX's are high end. ;)
And it sounds like he wants to buy one already made.
 
Perhaps this would suit me better:

Valid 6/12/14 through 7/31/14. While Supplies Last.
Online Price $869.99
Less -$70.00
Your Price $799.99
Shipping & Handling: $29.95

23" Display
8GB Memory
1TB Hard Drive

Processor & Memory:
Intel
 
Is there anyway you could do a custom build?
Click to expand...

I spoze I could, but pretty sure I'd miss this and forget that. I also know a casino pal that builds them -- he could do it for me or or at least guide me. Might be a great idea and thanks.
 
This maybe? TigerDirect Cybertron

CybertronPC Forge Barebones - AMD Dual-Core A4-3400 2.70GHz, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVDRW, NO OS, - TBB1223A

With that I think I'd just have to ad OS, monitor, keyboard and mouse... another threeish for that puts me almost right back where I started.
 
I've built many high-end desktops and some very fast servers using AMD CPUs. They have run Novell, Unix, Linux, and Windows. These units run 24/7 for years with no failures. Actual performance is equal to comparable Intel CPUs but at less cost.

Exactly what is it you find wrong with AMD?
 
Crashdamage said:
I've built many high-end desktops and some very fast servers using AMD CPUs. They have run Novell, Unix, Linux, and Windows. These units run 24/7 for years with no failures. Actual performance is equal to comparable Intel CPUs but at less cost.

Exactly what is it you find wrong with AMD?
Click to expand...
I REPEAT: AMD is nowhere as good as top end Intel. PEROID! :rolleyes:
 
jack58 said:
I REPEAT: AMD is nowhere as good as top end Intel. PEROID! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Please give some evidence to back up your broad statement. My 20-25 years of experience building, deploying and maintaining computers for both personal and enterprise use with AMD processors has been extremely positive.
 
jack58 said:
I REPEAT: AMD is nowhere as good as top end Intel. PEROID! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Does the OP need a "top-end Intel" processor though? How much would he have to compromise elsewhere in the system to get one within his $1500 budget? It's always better value to build a balanced system rather than one which favours one particular part at the expense of bottlenecks elsewhere.
 
Crashdamage said:
Please give some evidence to back up your broad statement. My 20-25 years of experience building, deploying and maintaining computers for both personal and enterprise use with AMD processors has been extremely positive.
Click to expand...
I'm not going to waste time arguing a known factor. Thousands of Benchmarks tells the true tale and AMD cpu's don't fare as well in any of them... They are used in budget systems only. Take a look at all the "cheap" notebooks $400 and under at Best Buy for example, they use AMD cpus. Not one mid to high end notebook sold there uses AMD. ;)
AMD fares a bit better for Desktops, but Intel still is the big gun there too.
I've been doing this since 1984 and still have my Tandy 600 notebook from that year. I've experimented with AMD from time to time and always go back to Intel. I'm done here. Unsubscribing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom