Computer Nerds! Halp!

In reply to moparman76_69:

What are you wanting to do? I ran all sorts of E36 M3 on just that APU, 8gbs of no name ram, and an old as PSU. If you are willing to turn down the graphics, I didn't find much of anything that gives it too much trouble. It didn't like Saints Row 4 but I think that had a lot to do with the quantity of rendering. It ran Borderlands 2 alright (Hell my 6 year old HP with a dedicated card ran that game). It will run all but the most advanced games without too much trouble.

alfadriver wrote: Having read this thread with some interest, some of you need to stop assuming that people are willing to work on their computer. While I *can* open the case and change components, I have zero interest in doing it. I will never assemble a computer, or trade parts from an old one to a new one. Other than the screen, since it's generally not included in desktops. When my laptop starts to go away, I just get another one. So assume that. When my last computer started to have memory problems- I got it working by taking the memory in and out. But at the same time, I already ordered a whole new desktop computer to replace it. I had no interest in replacing or rebuilding what I had. So what would be good for the "just buy the damn think" buyers?

There are plenty of decent options out there if you just want to buy the thing, but this is GRM and not Ferrarichat, so I assume people won't mind a little assembly for a nice big savings

In reply to GameboyRMH:

No, look at it in a different way. Instead of buying up to a Ferrari, I still have Fiesta money and need something new. I'm not going to spend the money resotring an M3, as that's not in the cards. We may be on GRM, but the assumption of buidling a computer vs a car are not even close to the same. One I have done a few times, the other, probably never (even though I've had many, many opportunities, since I grew up with the personal computer- we had an Apple II+ brand new).

What is the best system out there for $500?

And don't tell me none- systems are so much better now than they have been in the past- what cost $2000 5 years ago had less processor than a $500 one today.

So given the limited budget, what's a good new computer?

In reply to singleslammer:

I basically want it to be a steam box and run minecraft. My 4 year old laptop is struggling to keep up with the graphical demands, so I want to build a desktop to connect to my TV. I have the case and DVD drive, I just need the mobo+processor, ram, hdd, a new PSU, and a Vid card if I go that route. I can save about 250 bucks by going APU instead of CPU/GPU but wasn't sure if I'd like the performance.

Going through the same process myself right now - I've just been poking around pcpartpicker.com and looking at other people's builds. Seems like building it yourself is a good way to get a decent computer for cheap, and putting it together isn't hard.

I can't speak to a good off the shelf system - I find comparing specs between manufacturers to be (intentionally) annoying, not to mention the "value added software package!" they all come with.

Alfa, to stick with your car analogy, Chris (the op) is essentially asking about finding a car that can tow and do some hpde's for 10k.

Yeah, I'm a dick like that.

I fully accept that my needs here may be unreasonable, and that, if building is necessary, then build I shall.

I don't think it's unreasonable, but yeah, I think you're going to be happier if you put in the effort to build.

alfadriver wrote: What is the best system out there for $500? And don't tell me none- systems are so much better now than they have been in the past- what cost $2000 5 years ago had less processor than a $500 one today. So given the limited budget, what's a good new computer?

There are so many computers out there, I couldn't tell you THE good one, but I could find you A good one for everyday tasks for the price you want. Even if you tried to narrow down THE best for any particular purpose, the answer might change more than once a day. What you want to do is important or it's like asking for "a land vehicle."

I think you vastly overestimate the difficulty of building a computer. Assembling a computer from individual components is about as much work as changing a set of pads & rotors, and you usually don't need anything beyond a Philips screwdriver - no impact gun or breaker bar!

Software work can be another matter, but at a basic level you just click through the installation wizards for the OS, drivers, and then any additional software you need and you'll be up and running.

Alfa, for a laptop this is my rule of thumb. Get the newest business class laptop from a name brand that you can afford. Desktops get more complicated due to the vast amount of different parts that go inside them.

FWIW, my wife has one of these:

http://www.costco.com/Dell-Inspiron-11-3000-Series-2-in-1-Laptop-%7c-Intel-Core-i3.product.100145717.html

Its like a Surface, but half the price and better (you can use it on your... lap). Does all of the things the average person would use a computer for. Would fall a bit short on gaming, cad, rendering, etc.

Extremely portable - she takes it places frequently as she is currently in evening classes for her MBA. I am so envious of it when I have to go on a business trip and drag my business laptop/cad machine.

Screen is a bit tiny, so I'd recommend a decent monitor to hook up to it at it's most frequently used location(s). No docking station though :(

For my use, I have a $500 ish gaming desktop that I periodically upgrade. Just replaced the processor/mobo/ram ($260) after more than 6 years of use.