The Computer Megathread

[Trymos]

don't go alienware.

instead have someone get you a list of parts for $600 and you can take it to your local technician (NOT FROM STAPLES OR BEST BUY!!!) to build it for you.

or have a $700 price range and build it yourself.
i recommend building it yourself but if you don't know how/afraid to mess it up then do the $600 + technician path for better specs.

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[Trymos]

oh no
only complaints i ever hear about them is that they're overpriced

that alone is a pretty loving big problem.
but there's more.

the case is cheap plastic.
not only that the laptop is prone to overheating, combine that with the cheap plastic and you're brown townly forgeted.

want more?

edit: forget, thought i was modifying, oh well.

[Awdax]

Yeah I want to get a set-up for $700. The other thing is I am used to using a laptop - so I'm going to need everything else except a mouse; speakers, keyboard, monitor etc.

So if I'm going to stay at $700, I guess the specs will have to be lowered to keep it at that. Ethan was going to help me out and get a list together, then he disappeared.

Basically what I am looking for is a whole new desktop set-up between $500 and $700, that can run games like Blockland and Left 4 Dead 2 at good settings, and I won't have to upgrade my cards for a while.

[Trymos]

Yeah I want to get a set-up for $700. The other thing is I am used to using a laptop - so I'm going to need everything else except a mouse; speakers, keyboard, monitor etc.

So if I'm going to stay at $700, I guess the specs will have to be lowered to keep it at that. Ethan was going to help me out and get a list together, then he disappeared.

Basically what I am looking for is a whole new desktop set-up between $500 and $700, that can run games like Blockland and Left 4 Dead 2 at good settings, and I won't have to upgrade my cards for a while.

are you going to build it yourself or go the technician way?

also, if a $700 laptop (the one i have) can run blockland and l4d2 at good settings then your demands will be cake walk.
upgrade for awhile depends on the persons idea for awhile, if you could tell me that then thanks.

[Awdax]

I guess two to four years. Mostly because there could be some other cool games that come out that would need better specs, and the fact that I just want to start off slow then in the future upgrade it so I can have games like Left 4 Dead 2 at max settings. I would much rather get a laptop, but they are usually pricey since everything is crammed into one small PC.

I think I'll build it myself though. It can't be that hard can it? Just knowing where to place everything inside the case and hooking it up? Plus it would be better than way so when I do upgrade I know what to do.

[Trymos]

I guess two to four years. Mostly because there could be some other cool games that come out that would need better specs, and the fact that I just want to start off slow then in the future upgrade it so I can have games like Left 4 Dead 2 at max settings. I would much rather get a laptop, but they are usually pricey since everything is crammed into one small PC.

I think I'll build it myself though. It can't be that hard can it? Just knowing where to place everything inside the case and hooking it up? Plus it would be better than way so when I do upgrade I know what to do.

2 to 4 years will work if you're okay with low-medium settings near the end.
9800 gt lasted 3-4 years and still can run stuff on medium fairly well at 1440x900.

also, since i think you said you didn't need a mouse keyboard speakers or anything else like that i didn't include it in the build.

i can give you some youtube building tutorials so you know what to do if you want.

here's the build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/enSA
total without rebates: $700.82
total with rebates: $690.82

i3 + 560 ti will be balanced, but not much further, so when you upgrade the card, try to upgrade the processor to an i5 3550k to avoid bottlenecks.

[Awdax]

Haha, sorry - I said I was going to need everything except a mouse. Things I would need are a keyboard, speakers, monitor etc. I'm especially unsure about the monitor, I'm looking for something that will go well with the build and 1280x720 is perfect.

[Trymos]

Haha, sorry - I said I was going to need everything except a mouse. Things I would need are a keyboard, speakers, monitor etc. I'm especially unsure about the monitor, I'm looking for something that will go well with the build and 1280x720 is perfect.

ok.
this is going to be a bit harder.
brb baking the new build and do you want any building tutorials?
can you go over budget?
if so, how much?

[Awdax]

I think I'll be able to find some tutorials on my own, thanks though.

My budget is anywhere from $500 to $700. I will not go over $775.

[Trymos]

I think I'll be able to find some tutorials on my own, thanks though.

My budget is anywhere from $500 to $700. I will not go over $775.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/eorM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121013

before rebates: $751.82
after rebates: $716.82

good enough?

since you are used to using a laptop then speakers like that shouldn't bother you much or at all.

[Awdax]

Actually on second thought I don't think I'll need speakers. I can just use my headset.

Also, thank you for the list! Are you sure all these parts will go together well? Honestly, I'm a bit worried about ordering them and having them shipped to me only to find out it doesn't work.

[¥ola]

I'm going to just jump in here right quick and ask a few questions.

My current PC is being given to my dad for his work computer and such, and I get a new one.

My budget for a completely new setup is around $900 - $1100, the higher end only an option with some work hours on my part.

My questions:

1) In the price range I have would it be smarter to go with a custom desktop or prebuilt laptop?

2) Anyone have good custom desktop specs for that price range?

A little more info, I don't really care what the case looks like, as long as it serves it's purpose.  I have 2 monitors that are very nice quality I get to keep.

3) Would it be okay to run dual monitors on a computer of that price range?

[Trymos]

Actually on second thought I don't think I'll need speakers. I can just use my headset.

Also, thank you for the list! Are you sure all these parts will go together well? Honestly, I'm a bit worried about ordering them and having them shipped to me only to find out it doesn't work.

i'd say the biggest worry would be the case so i'll recheck it to make sure it's compatible, it probably is though.

I'm going to just jump in here right quick and ask a few questions.

My current PC is being given to my dad for his work computer and such, and I get a new one.

My budget for a completely new setup is around $900 - $1100, the higher end only an option with some work hours on my part.

My questions:

1) In the price range I have would it be smarter to go with a custom desktop or prebuilt laptop?

2) Anyone have good custom desktop specs for that price range?

A little more info, I don't really care what the case looks like, as long as it serves it's purpose.  I have 2 monitors that are very nice quality I get to keep.

3) Would it be okay to run dual monitors on a computer of that price range?

going to assume you have every peripheral for the computer so i can set up just the tower, to you this means better specs, especially since you get to keep the monitors.
fyi
1) custom desktop, $400 is best for a travel laptop, don't see a reason for anything more expensive unless you really need a faster laptop.

2) i'll bake you a build but it will take time.

3) yes.

[¥ola]

going to assume you have every peripheral for the computer so i can set up just the tower, to you this means better specs, especially since you get to keep the monitors.
fyi
1) custom desktop, $400 is best for a travel laptop, don't see a reason for anything more expensive unless you really need a faster laptop.

2) i'll bake you a build but it will take time.

3) yes.

Yeah, everything else is being kept except for the tower. 

I actually prefer a desktop so good, thanks for helping. 

[Awdax]

Are there stores where I can go to with a list? I prefer buying things in a store rather than having it shipped. Could you recommend any stores?