Cheap desktop???

**Bossman** · 12-07-2009, 08:54 AM

Im looking for an economical desktop for my 18 yr old son. Im not that knowledgeable when it comes to computers. Ive heard some say I need a dual processor or surfing the web will be slow? The kid is just going to use it for facebook and Im sure viewing porn.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to look for a desktop package a blue collar guy can afford?

TIA

**DSM4Life** · 12-07-2009, 08:59 AM

You need a monitor and all ? Would you order it online without seeing it or would you rather go into a store to buy it ?

BTW
A dual-core is a requirement these days.

**Bossman** · 12-07-2009, 09:06 AM

I dont mind ordering from a reputable store. Yes, monitor and all. No printer needed. I have wireless in the house so if it isnt set up, I would have to add it.

Ok, so dual-core it is.

**Kibble** · 12-07-2009, 09:11 AM

Don't forget the wireless signal adapter for the computer- so it can get a signal

**DSM4Life** · 12-07-2009, 09:12 AM

I build all my own PC's and newegg is where i order all my parts, the site can be trusted.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113110
isn't bad.

That would have more than enough power for everyday use.

**drdeath613** · 12-07-2009, 10:53 AM

im all about building your own pc but the only reason i can see for doing that is cause i like to have the best money can buy

if u want a simple computer for surfing the porn and face book and watching porn
then this will do fine http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12347220

if u want just a lil more power http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=13228523

and to let u know the I need a dual processor thing is aint true the only time ull see a differnce is if u run a 64 bit os most of the computers ull buy only have a 32 bit os

so download or try and buy a copy of windows xp 64 bit as vista is crap

**Bossman** · 12-07-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks DSM, I'll give it a look.

**drdeath613** · 12-07-2009, 10:58 AM

and if ur really wanting to build your own pc another trusted site is www.pricewatch.com most of the time they beat neweggs prices

**Bossman** · 12-07-2009, 11:39 AM

Great info guys, thanks!

**sannong** · 12-10-2009, 06:11 PM

I agree building your own PC generally is the cheapest route, and then you can explicitly control what you throw in. Plus you get the joy of putting it all together

. Another site with parts I've used is http://www.tigerdirect.com/, basically a different flavor of newegg.

More then likely you're best bet is just to bite the bullet and go with Windows 7 for the OS (which actually is looking better then Vista), since XP will be harder to find and its unclear what Microsoft's support of it will be moving forward. Could always go with Linux, but that depends on your confidence level. It would reduce the overall system requirements though, resulting in a cheaper PC possibly. As for 32 vs 64 bit, in your case it doesn't matter.

Really all you need is a wireless card (draft N is overkill unless your router supports it), integrated video, and a decent sized HD. All of which are standard run of the mill components. As far as processors, most everything is at least dual core nowadays. The main advantage in normal situations is that the OS can offload different applications to different cores, so when your browsing the web your music app doesn't slow down basically.

**drdeath613** · 12-10-2009, 09:45 PM

lol i run xp 64 and still get updates windows is kinda good about supporting older os systems hell i was getting 98 up dates for my parents when xp came out

and since vista was a flop and no one was buying it there going to keep up with xp updates till after the new windows comes out and i dont mean windows 7 even still id go with xp its been tested to work windows 7 could end up being another vista the way they rushed it out

**jbm** · 12-10-2009, 09:54 PM

**sannong** · 12-10-2009, 10:52 PM

I agree completely, XP will still be around a while and is the more tested OS. I was just thinking 7 might be easier from the standpoint of the end user who just wants something that will work, is easy to obtain, and, despite any short-commings it will have, will most likely be widely supported well into the future.

**DSM4Life** · 12-11-2009, 04:31 AM

Windows 7 is a good OS.

**jccnewbie** · 12-11-2009, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

Windows 7 is a good OS.

x2 I have tried it and it's way better than Vista.

**DSM4Life** · 12-11-2009, 01:23 PM

Vista was a waste. It is so bad I kept XP until windows7 came out. So far I'm impressed with windows. It's about time my OS see all my memory!!

**drdeath613** · 12-11-2009, 02:27 PM

lol xp 64 bit sees all 8 gigs of my ram and my two 10 tb hard drives and my 250 gb hard drive thats my os sits on

**oakdad** · 12-11-2009, 10:15 PM

Here are 2 what to build guides out on the web right now.

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/18042/2

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/...uide/page2.asp

You can use them as to guides of what you might want to be looking for.

Other guides to look at are

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...70,2491-2.html

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php

**oakdad** · 12-11-2009, 10:16 PM

Oh and the ideal Operating System if you are to ask me is windows 7 64bit.

**rx8rone** · 12-11-2009, 11:02 PM

apple is the way to go, but they are not cheap at all!

**jbm** · 12-11-2009, 11:56 PM

**DSM4Life** · 12-12-2009, 04:38 AM

**lovbyts** · 12-13-2009, 12:16 AM

Building your own desktop is NOT cheaper to do it yourself anymore, 5+ years ago yes if you wanted a mid - high end desktop but anymore it's not worth the time.

Why does it have to be a desktop? you can get a decent laptop for $400 now days with built in everything. I have a $400 HP and LOVE it. I have never had a problem with it.

**drdeath613** · 12-13-2009, 03:40 AM

as i stated befor i can only see building your own computer for 2 reasons

1 u want something more powerful then stores sell
2 u wanna do custom builds

other then that its best to buy a store bought one and get the service plan
to protect your computer

walmarts has good low cost computer and best buy has better top end computers but ull pay more

**lovbyts** · 12-13-2009, 03:47 AM

Believe it or not the last 2 laptops I have bought I found the best price at Office Depot. Personally I dont care for Best Buy, they dont seem to care about you at all if you have a problem, yes worse than Walmart.

**drdeath613** · 12-13-2009, 05:02 AM

lol did u know best buy owns musicland and Future Shop a Canadian based shop

**jbm** · 12-14-2009, 09:45 PM

**DSM4Life** · 12-15-2009, 04:49 AM

Originally Posted by lovbyts

Building your own desktop is NOT cheaper to do it yourself anymore, 5+ years ago yes if you wanted a mid - high end desktop but anymore it's not worth the time.

Why does it have to be a desktop? you can get a decent laptop for $400 now days with built in everything. I have a $400 HP and LOVE it. I have never had a problem with it.

It is worth it. When you buy a $400.00 PC if you pull the parts out the computer and look at them individually you are getting $hit products. Furthermore if you where to go buy each of them cheap parts separately you would get the PC even cheaper.

The machine i build a few years ago was market value of like 3000 dollars which cost me 1200 to build myself.

**zimmy** · 12-15-2009, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

It is worth it. When you buy a $400.00 PC if you pull the parts out the computer and look at them individually you are getting $hit products. Furthermore if you where to go buy each of them cheap parts separately you would get the PC even cheaper.

The machine i build a few years ago was market value of like 3000 dollars which cost me 1200 to build myself.

I just build my dad a top of the line i7 quad with 16 gig memory and 1.5 tb of hd space for 800. Find that at walmart. And we are talking high end hardware. Build my mom a top end amd athlonIIx4 with 8 gig ram for 400 bucs.

**DSM4Life** · 12-15-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by zimmy

I just build my dad a top of the line i7 quad with 16 gig memory and 1.5 tb of hd space for 800. Find that at walmart. And we are talking high end hardware. Build my mom a top end amd athlonIIx4 with 8 gig ram for 400 bucs.

What kind of video card? The video card alone in my rig cost me 550.00. It was geared more towards gaming.

Normal every day PC can be so cheap to build and with a new i7 for that price shows it. Me personally am waiting at least another year before I jump to i7. I have more than enough power with overclocking.

**zimmy** · 12-15-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

What kind of video card? The video card alone in my rig cost me 550.00. It was geared more towards gaming.

Normal every day PC can be so cheap to build and with a new i7 for that price shows it. Me personally am waiting at least another year before I jump to i7. I have more than enough power with overclocking.

Lol...i did cheap out there :P My dad doesn't game so I just put 2 GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 1GB DDR2... sli of course.

I didn't put a FUFME, so that could be where i'm saving money :P

**DSM4Life** · 12-15-2009, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by zimmy

Lol...i did cheap out there :P My dad doesn't game so I just put 2 GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 1GB DDR2... sli of course.

I didn't put a FUFME, so that could be where i'm saving money :P

Hey if he doesn't need it then why spend the extra money ? My parents PC that i built use to use motherboard video until i gave them an old 1900XT i found laying around. I paid 500.00 for that card and they can't even tell the difference between the card and the MB video

**zimmy** · 12-15-2009, 04:42 PM

lol on a side note...fufme.com

**DSM4Life** · 12-15-2009, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by zimmy

lol on a side note...fufme.com

http://www.fmylife.com/

**jbm** · 12-15-2009, 11:52 PM

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