Need a new PC

[pony_killer]

My current Dell PC is about 9 years old but has been upgrade recently to xp and upgraded the memory. Lately I noticed my internets been running really slowly and so has the pc in general and I think its about time to upgrade to something new. Looking for something I can use pretty much for web, dl mp3s, pictures, etc. Not into the hardcore gamer stuff but anything extra is always a plus. I just need a pc and a monitor and don't want to exceed $500. Any recommendations? Also I'm really not into computers at all but Im not a noob to them either.

[Casanova]

u should be able to find a website where they create a comp for u.

Or go into your local "electronis" store and pick up a comp for $500 man. Easy. If you dont want stuff for gaming etc then this is perfect price./

[TriX]

www.pricewatch.com

www.newegg.com

and if you feel courageous and want to learn how to build your own:

www.hardforums.com

[Kirk Lazarus]

CAN you build your own?

[bstansbu]

someone that has had the same dell pc for 9 years, im guessing he cant build is own. I cant either. lol-

[Wired 24/7]

Go for something with 4GB of ram (DDR2-667 is sufficient, but DDR2-800 is usually not much more $), an intel core2duo with any clock speed above 2.0GHz, and don't get any video cards from Dell or whatever -- you will get ripped off and they are easy to purchase separately and install yourself.

7200 RPM hard drive, stay away from 5400RPM drives

If you want to go with dual monitors now or in the future be sure to get a video card that has 2 DVI outputs.

Don't be afraid of getting vista. Go for the 64 bit version, otherwise you'll be missing out on some of your RAM and you will greatly suffer in terms of RAM upgradability. Vista is not nearly as bad as you've heard (I haven't had a single issue yet, most of the whiners are mac users anyway). Yes, vista uses a lot of RAM -- but 4GB is way way more than enough, and 4GB of RAM is dirt cheap these days. The reason vista uses a lot of RAM is because it is doing intelligent processes in the background that over time, greatly improve vista's functionality and speed.

[roast]

Originally Posted by pony_killer

My current Dell PC is about 9 years old but has been upgrade recently to xp and upgraded the memory. Lately I noticed my internets been running really slowly and so has the pc in general and I think its about time to upgrade to something new. Looking for something I can use pretty much for web, dl mp3s, pictures, etc. Not into the hardcore gamer stuff but anything extra is always a plus. I just need a pc and a monitor and don't want to exceed $500. Any recommendations? Also I'm really not into computers at all but Im not a noob to them either.

for 500 bucks you're going to get the bottom of the line pretty much regardless of what you do.... you get what you pay for.....

dell has some entry level monitor / desktop combos for right at $500.... since that dell obviously served you well for 9 years... might as well get another.... you will not be able to buy or build anything of similar specs any cheaper....

I'm DCSE certified in just about every Dell product, so if you have any questions... feel free to ask.

[Smackin]

Theres a link on the Dell's website for their outlet computers. I would give them a look. I bought one of my computers for 350.00 with tax/shipping. Then I have upgraded each part that has needed to be.
I just bought a 700 watt PSU and a 8800gt video card for the computer yesterday.

[DesiZ_06]

get a refurbished mac

[dspiel]

go to slickdeals.net and find a dell deal that is in your budget. pretty much any computer dell sells will be fine for you.

[Kirk Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Wired 24/7

Go for something with 4GB of ram (DDR2-667 is sufficient, but DDR2-800 is usually not much more $), an intel core2duo with any clock speed above 2.0GHz, and don't get any video cards from Dell or whatever -- you will get ripped off and they are easy to purchase separately and install yourself.

7200 RPM hard drive, stay away from 5400RPM drives

If you want to go with dual monitors now or in the future be sure to get a video card that has 2 DVI outputs.

Don't be afraid of getting vista. Go for the 64 bit version, otherwise you'll be missing out on some of your RAM and you will greatly suffer in terms of RAM upgradability. Vista is not nearly as bad as you've heard (I haven't had a single issue yet, most of the whiners are mac users anyway). Yes, vista uses a lot of RAM -- but 4GB is way way more than enough, and 4GB of RAM is dirt cheap these days. The reason vista uses a lot of RAM is because it is doing intelligent processes in the background that over time, greatly improve vista's functionality and speed.

Listen to what Wired said.

[Blk03G35]

9 years old? I have an old server that i use for file management. Quad 900mhz Xeon's, 8 gigs of ram and 7 15K SCSI's. Yeah it's slow but it's so cool.

Back on topic. For 500 dollars you can goto walmart or even order online. JUST make sure you get an intel C2D.. Core 2 Duo

[dspiel]

wired suggestion is overkill, just get a budget dell you will be happy. he has a 9yr old computer currently and just noticed it started acting slow? clearly he is using very basic functions.

dell.com and look for a computer in your price range. They usually have bundled specials with monitor etc...

[SOLO-350Z]

I just purchased as a gift to my mom a new computer that I built and it cost me less than $300 bucks. She has a older Dell that is a POS with a loud HD that you can hear from the other room. It also needs to be blown out every 6 months, for some reason this thing is senstive to dust, if it gets too much it sounds like a jet engine because of the Big rear fan blowing at max speed.

No monitor, or HD.

She didn't need a gaming machine, but this machine can definitely do it. I also like the Express Gate feature on the ASUS board where if you just need to get on the web real fast, 5 seconds you are on from power off. It screams and it has good onboard video for what she needs. The case had free shipping (since cases cost the most to ship was the key to keeping the price low) and it actually is a nice case. I also had a spare 120gig SATA WD 7200 RPM HD I am giving her, and she has a 18" LCD currently.

Here are the items I got.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO4400DOBOX - Retail

1 ASUS M3N78-VM AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

1 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK - Retail


1 ENERMAX PANDORA 185 ECA3070BS Black/ Silver SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply - Retail

1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106263

2 Nippon Labs 4-Pin PC power to 2 x SATA Converter Cables Model POW-SATA-2 - Retail


1 Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM

[dspiel]

^ Thats great if he can build a computer but considering he is asking for help I take it he cant build a computer.

[Blk03G35]

Spend some extra $$$$ and you'll be happy with this one for YEARS

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=9252415

[SOLO-350Z]

OR

You can get this Dell right now for $299...no monitor, but a good deal.

http://www.dell.com/content/products...=04&l=en&s=bsd

Vostro 200
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core E2160 (1.80GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800FSB)
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic, Service Pack 1
Operating System
Optical Drives
Single Drive: 16X DVD-ROM Drive
Optical Drives
Memory
Free Upgrade From 1GB memory to 2GB Memory
Memory
Primary Hard Drive
80GB2 Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

Video Card
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Video Card
Sound
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Sound
Sound
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Sound

[SOLO-350Z]

Originally Posted by Blk03G35

Spend some extra $$$$ and you'll be happy with this one for YEARS

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=9252415

HP's are POSs

[Blk03G35]

Originally Posted by SOLO-350Z

HP's are POSs

I've heard that from so many people but i've had nothing but success with them. I've had 4 and they were all great.

I have a dell laptop now and it sucks.

[SOLO-350Z]

They may keep running, but to what I have seen with them, they don't perform as fast as they should. I also use to repair them, HP, Compaq, Toshiba, Sony, etc. And got most HP's in for repair. Usually blown powersupplys.

Yeah, Dell's aren't that great anymore either. Their quality has gone down a great deal. I would recommend a Gateway over a Dell these days just for quality.