Trying To Build A Desktop Computer Online What Features Are Important?

[TheMoneyShot]

I have an old HP Custom Built PC Model from 2005. I think it's time for a new computer. When I purchased this one back in 2005.... This had 4GB RAM... NVidia Graphics Card (Top of the line) etc... I think I spent about $2,300 at the time. As of right now... I think I only have 2GB RAM... one memory stick has failed... (not worth replacing) and the NVidia Graphics Card has failed... I can't play any PC Games... the video is all scrambled. I just wanted to ask a few questions to posters who have searched for new computers... or advanced gaming... what do I need??? And what I don't need. I'm only looking to spend around $1,200 or so... but naturally I'm looking for a great deal.


I heard in regards to RAM you should have as few sticks as possible. For instance... let's say you wanted 16GB of RAM. I heard it's better to have 2 DIMMS of 8GB each... than 4 DIMMS of 4GB Each. What do you guys believe is true? Why do people prefer a setup like that?

From past experience... I had 2 computers with that AMD processor... and both failed within 2 years.

Also for Graphics Card... what do you recommend? I've only looked at HP website and Dell website... any other brands I should consider? It's kinda cool building your own computer online... I like how you can add and subtract different features... and see the price differential etc. Dell's website is crazy... some computers are like $4,000 and up... what's that all about? lol Thanks.

[brooks85]

You can build a very good pc for 1200 bucks, buy one premade though and it won't be comparable for the same price. If you want a great deal just build one yourself, pretty easy with help online and youtube if you have never done it before. This forum is great(http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-74.html), just post and let everyone else do the work or find someone's build and just copy it. For example, this one is in the same price range and comes with a high end GPU which you could scale down or you might not even want an SSD. http://pcpartpicker.com/user/thijdjo/saved/nPxV3C

I won't buy pre-made pc's unless it is from the big sellers. Mainly Dell or lenovo outlet store looking. If you buy the same pc you could build yourself for 1200 from most custom pc companies you're going to be paying a huge markup. And, when you consider it doesn't take but a few hours to set a pc up and doesn't even require your full attention as software loads.


Those 4k pc's are just packed with power usually for video editing, transcoding, and just intensive multi-tasking; all kinds of stuff that is usually outside the realm of normal use for a consumer. They usually have very powerful GPU which most people will not need amongst other things like multiple hard drives.

[Snowball]

money shot.. if you want a nice desktop see here:

http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com/

[Nut_Flopper]

I built my own desk top for the first time earlier this year and will never buy another factory premade POS. I did what basically Brooks said, watched some youtube vids on how to do it. Looked up various builds based on my needs and put the parts list together with pcpartpicker.com It has a compatibility checker so you know each part will work with each other. Shopped around for the best priced components from newegg, amazon, and my local Fry's electronics.

Highly recommend getting an SSD drive for your OS and games, they are relatively cheap now and the performance is amazing. You can get a regular hard drive for mp3's and whatever else you use that doesn't need quick start up access time.

[TheMoneyShot]

Sounds very interesting. I had a hard time putting leggos together when I was a kid.

I'm going to copy and paste this HP computer... and someone tell me... (ballpark) how cheap I could make the same computer. I'd like to see how much I'm really saving.




Don't know if you'll be able to read this or not? If not... no big deal. Just trying to see how much I could save by attempting to build it myself.

[brooks85]

That is a solid build. A lot of geeky snobs will tell you not just because it is HP, DELL etc but that is why I said I won't buy from other places. The other places make better rigs and are put together MUCH more carefully but you are generally going to pay more for it especially since they don't have near the volume of HP.

First thing you'll want to do before you power on the HP is take the side off and just make sure it looks like everything is hooked up.

[TheMoneyShot]

I just figured if it only saves me $300 from $1,269.... it's not worth it to me to put one together. I mean... it's cool to put a computer together... don't get me wrong. And I would want the best Video Card on the market. For some reason... you can't get the best with HP (custom build set up). You can only get their BEST they offer on website.

But if I was going to save 50% off $1,269... I would attempt to put one together.

[ChalkyDog]

Depends what you want.

CPU - 4th gen i5 or better
GPU - dedicated graphics (at least 2gb)
DDR2 or DDR3 - don't skip on ram
SSD over traditional hard drive (64 gb's at least for startup) (don't worry about size of traditional harddrive as they're very cheap these days).


After that, it's all user preference.

Your build encompasses all of those things well, save SSD - but it's not that big a deal.

[PerfectGrape]

I've read the difference between 3rd and 4th gen intel is not big. I'm sure you'd notice more of a performance difference with a SSD over hard drive vs 4th gen over 3rd gen.

This pc has a better graphics card, SSD, 4th gen i7, more ram (not that you need more than 16), bluray player.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883156623&ignorebbr=1

You're probably paying a premium to customize it and could probably get a better deal just buying a pc without customizing

[Ra77er]

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to game then depending on the type of game (FPS, MMO, Tetris, Steam etc) will dictate where you can save money and where you need to spend. If you don't really game much then you can certainly get away with buying a lower end PC.


The problem with rich people (or non computer nerds) is they want the best of everything and in the PC world the technology changes so rapidly that no matter what you spend now it will need to be upgraded in just a few years time. Hence why so many get into building their own because you can extend the life of your investment much longer than simply choosing the best options on Dells website and letting it ride until the wheels fall off.


Everyone has an opinion on what's the best brand or having one custom built etc, I'd recommend setting a budget and doing some shopping around within that parameter. Good luck money

[TheMoneyShot]

All very good points. Makes me think a lot deeper into it.

I also don't understand what DDR2 and DDR3 mean? Guess I'll google it.

It sucks when your Video Card malfunctions.... I can't even play Madden 03 on this computer anymore.

I had the urge to quickly buy a model.... but maybe I will think it through more thoroughly now.....

What do you guys think of a Nvida GeForce GTX 970 card? Is it worth it?? Or a lower model would be just as good?

[Nut_Flopper]

All very good points. Makes me think a lot deeper into it.

I also don't understand what DDR2 and DDR3 mean? Guess I'll google it.

It sucks when your Video Card malfunctions.... I can't even play Madden 03 on this computer anymore.

I had the urge to quickly buy a model.... but maybe I will think it through more thoroughly now.....

What do you guys think of a Nvida GeForce GTX 970 card? Is it worth it?? Or a lower model would be just as good?

Great card but probably overkill for what you want, I am running GTX 770 4gb right now and run most games on Ultra with no issues.