hey guys, my two computers are getting a bit long in the tooth, so looking to spend some of the hard earned cash on a new desk top

i am looking at an overall budget of 1k for computer and monitor, plus or minis 200 bucks if its worth it.

i honestly dont play any games on the computers at all...

my main priorities are in the following order

1. as large of a harddrive as i can get
2. ability to burn DVDs CDs etc
3. As fast of a computer as i can get
4. decent graphics card so i can watch some some HD video from time to time
5. as big of a flat panel monitor as i can get, with wide screen
6. built in card reader so i can read all sorts of memory sticks from cameras and waht not

of cousre, it needs to be reliable

aside from that...nothing else really matters too much...again, dont are about a super duper grapnics card for game playing, dont care about awesome sound card or attached speakres or waht not Dont really care about having it look cool...those are just pluses if i can fit it into the budget

its been a long time since i bought a computer, so...not sure if its better to have someone put one together? or buy it from a source like Dell or Gateway?

if its the former, and anyone here think they can build me a nice one for 1k range, feel free to spat out some prices and specs

tahnks advance

 

custom build one. cheaper and you get what you want.

 

okay...more details please or if anyone offers?

b

 

Given the fact that you're not looking for a specially built computer, I would just wait until Dell has one of their sales. You'll probably be able to snag a computer with 24" widescreen LCD within your budget.

If you would rather go the custom-built route, PM me if you have any questions. I'm currently in the process of putting together my next computer and can give you some ideas on prices.

 

can I have your old spare parts so I can plug it into my tv?

 

NO!

 

I've had great luck from Dell Outlet. These systems are "refurbs", but I've gotten 4 desktops and 3 laptops over the yrs. and each one looked brand new.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineS...=22&l=en&s=dfh

+ there's a 12% off (systems over $350) coupon LF712P2J$TD$9P (it expires today 4/25 though)
+ it's free 3-5 day shipping right now

Here's an example of one of the systems one there now:
Dimension E521
(System Identifier: DDTFDR1H)


Dimension E521 Small Mini-Tower: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0GHz)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium

System Price : $389.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2 DIMMs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Disk Drive
250 GB EIDE SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modem
56K DataFax Modem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scratch & Dent
Scratch & Dent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base
Dimension E521 Small Mini-Tower: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0GHz)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Bay
16X DVD ROM Drive
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software Upgrade
Corel Paint Shop Pro XI - Advanced photo editing
Microsoft Works 8.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Upgrade
USB Keyboard
Dell Optical USB 2-button Mouse


After the coupon and tax, it comes out to $372. You'll need to buy your own monitor, HD TV tuner, and card reader...but that stuff you can get @ Fry's(just check for their sales).

 

id recommend you to just build a computer....but usually people ive known who ask about getting a computer, i end up telling them to just get a computer from dell or soemthing as to better assist you when you have problems or issues...

 

Build it young grasshoppa!

It really isn't hard.

 

This used to be the case, not anymore.

 

actually it still is the case...just depends on what you have in your tower..

 

Get a Dell optiplex, which comes with 3 yrs warranty. Don't upgrade memory, video card, memory at dell.
You can always upgrade by yourself at www.newegg.com later on for cheaper and better.

 

build one way cheaper...

ibuypower.com has some decent deals too. They work fine my friend has one, it is pretty powerful.

 

okay guys, i am more or less leaning towarsd just picking one up from Dell...

now, a quick question:

the last time i was reading into ECU speed, i had a pentium 233 lol

so whats better now? the AMD or the pentium? or does it not really matter for waht i wanna do?

thanks for the coupon, i will check it out, if i find something, i will prolly pick it up

b

 

doesnt matter for what you said youd be doing...but usually if youre going for budget...AMD procesors are cheaper than Intels...hence the reason most companies use AMD processors

 

bought one thanks guys :0

b

 

AMD's will be cheaper, but Intel's core2duo chips just went through a round of price cuts. If you keep your computer around for a while (and it sounds like you do), I would spend the extra money for an Intel chip.

 

here is what i got by the way, all for 1200 shipped including tax:


XPS 410 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6400 (2.13GHz, 1066 FSB)
Dell Optical USB 2-button Mouse
Dell Enhanced Multimedia USB Keyboard
256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
2 GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)
Service Software
AOL Software
Support Software
Operating System Label
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Software CD
ATI Theater 650 PRO Combo Analog/Digital TV Tuner with Remote Control
AOL Software Documentation
AOL ISP Software
Assembly Cable
XPS 410
ISP Search Assist
Microsoft Works 8.5
Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Reader
Earthlink ISP
Processor Label
320 GB EIDE SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Shipping Material
13 in 1 Media Card Reader
Recource CD
Reference Guide
48X CD RW/DVD Combo Drive
Operating System DVD
Net Zero ISP
Software
Roxio Creator LE
Image Restore Software



Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor


Dell AS501 Sound Bar for UltraSharp Brand Flat Panel Monitors


i priced out an identical unit new and after tax and shipping close to 1900 so not too shabyy, and my computer freind said it was a decent deal

 

Nice

 

That's a pretty good deal and I guarantee that you couldn't build that yourself for less. The second you power it up, ****can anything that says AOL.