Recomend me A Desktop under $1000

[solaris=amazing]

I need just the tower itself, i already have a good 17inch, and other things. I need something i can more or less get easily, through bestbuy, CC or maybe from the net. The desktop has to be really fast-especially at playing video, or downloading-i have a cable connection also if that helps.

PS.. the cpu i got now has a VERY hard time at multitasking, very lagged and i cant even play vids over 300kbps without it looking like a picture slide show. Forgot to mention, this will be form home use, cd burning, downloading, multi-tasking (ie searching the internet while listening to music on cpu while downloading music etc..).

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by solaris=amazing

I need just the tower itself, i already have a good 17inch, and other things. I need something i can more or less get easily, through bestbuy, CC or maybe from the net. The desktop has to be really fast-especially at playing video, or downloading-i have a cable connection also if that helps.

PS.. the cpu i got now has a VERY hard time at multitasking, very lagged and i cant even play vids over 300kbps without it looking like a picture slide show. Forgot to mention, this will be form home use, cd burning, downloading, multi-tasking (ie searching the internet while listening to music on cpu while downloading music etc..).

if you want multitasking get a dual athlon mp. Dualies are best for serious multitasking.

Also if you cannot build it yourself go to some small local compnay and have them build one for you. Don't waste your money on "brand" computers.

PS. Moved to the tech forum.

[Polygon]

I couldn't agree more.

Get your parts from Newegg. You can build a much better system for a much better value than any of the pre-built computers. If you want I can work up some parts for you.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by lurker rex

If you're on a budget, yes, but if you can afford it, "brand" name computers are worth the money. DO NOT go to a small local company unless you're very familiar with them. Most small computer shops don't stay in business very long and close shop after a few months - then when you try to return or repair the computer you bought from them, they are not there! If you build it yourself, you'll be constantly searching for drivers every time you upgrade your OS, and any parts that break down come out of your pocket.

Drivers for quality brand name components are built right into Windows (assuming you're running Windows). Also, you get a warranty and customer support (most tech support sucks holy hell but a few, like Dell, offer good phone and online support).

Just ask anyone here on this site that is well versed in computers and you'll get the exact same answer. Custom built computers are by far the best. the only thing that equals them are super expensive systems like alineware and falcon because they make them the same way as us.

And of course if you go to a small local guy make sure they've been in business for a while and are trsutworthy.

I have to places here locally that I go to get my parts, and i've even got to know the owners and the guys that work there quite well. They have awesome service, they even let me return parts late just because I changed my mind, and they always are honest with me about which parts they have good experience with. So I always go to them to get my stuff.

[Jimster]

Brand name computers are fine, if you want a perfectly acceptable computer.


If you want a computer that'll absolutely blow you away, you're best off getting it custom built by a trusted company.

[solaris=amazing]

Hey thanks alot guys.. I know that custom is always the way to go-thats in fact what i got now-it was made by a friend (who keeps on insisting he can make it better)-but i don't know.. What is it exactly that will make a MAJOR differance?? Is it the motherboard?? now i believe i got 64mb vid card, and an AMD motherboard. It has 256mb and a 40gig hd. Also i believe its running at 800mhz.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by solaris=amazing

Hey thanks alot guys.. I know that custom is always the way to go-thats in fact what i got now-it was made by a friend (who keeps on insisting he can make it better)-but i don't know.. What is it exactly that will make a MAJOR differance?? Is it the motherboard?? now i believe i got 64mb vid card, and an AMD motherboard. It has 256mb and a 40gig hd. Also i believe its running at 800mhz.

well to do a proper upgrade you'll need a new mobo, cpu and memory.


but seriosuly if you want serious multitasking get a dual athlon MP. Two CPU are far far better than one at multitasking.

or if you just one some quik upgrades get a nforce2 400 ultra based mobo with something like a barton core 2500+ amd, and a pair of 256MB sticks to run dual channel. this togheter should be around $200 and your system will be far more powerful

You might need a new powersuply though

[tman]

http://www.tigerdirect.com usually has killer deals on computer stuff

[my3rdskyline]

Dual MP's are outdated though. You can get more megaflops for your dollar with a HT Pentium 4. (hyper threading). For the best value (in my opinion) go with a 2.4Ghz P4 with an 800Mhz FSB. you can build this machine DIRT cheap and you've got quasi dual CPU's too.

what I mentioned is also slightly outdated but that's what you get for under 1000.

basicly for that price you either get a new model "buget" cpu like the new version of the celeron. those are absolute shit. you're better taking a small step back in time and getting the good CPU. aka. get the 2.4Ghz P4 with HT instead of the brand new budget celeron clocked at 3.2Ghz with no cache to back it up and a shitty architecture.

[my3rdskyline]

another good piece of advice. get the slowest model of each "family" fo CPU. take for example AMD athlon bartons. I believe they start at 2500+ and go on up to 2800+ or so.... the best bet is to get the 2500+ because you can overclock it safely to 2800+ speeds on the stock heatsink. it's the same architecture, same cache same everything. Likewise with the P4. I mention the 2.4Ghz 800Mhz FSB HT P4 because it's the slowest P4 with 800Mhz FSB and HT. it's the best value. Far better value of the new fast celery stick of the same cost.

[my3rdskyline]

Originally Posted by tman2093

http://www.tigerdirect.com usually has killer deals on computer stuff

they have great deals on shit. but they are just that, Great deals on SHIT. for the most part. Good for cheap non-vital components or building a computer for your grandmother.

Go to newegg!

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by my3rdskyline

Dual MP's are outdated though.

i would not call them quite that outdated since they were based on palomino cores which are not overly old.

Of course he could always get one of those new tyan dual opteron boads. They are uber loaded, with the only downside that they need reg ECC mem

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4853002

[my3rdskyline]

Originally Posted by Neutrino

i would not call them quite that outdated since they were based on palomino cores which are not overly old.

Of course he could always get one of those new tyan dual opteron boads. They are uber loaded, with the only downside that they need reg ECC mem

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4853002

if you can afford that board, 2 cpus, registered ram and a power supply or two for under 1000 bucks I envy you.

[Neutrino]

Originally Posted by my3rdskyline

if you can afford that board, 2 cpus, registered ram and a power supply or two for under 1000 bucks I envy you.

Well its true all that would be well over 1000 USD, I just wanted to mention it because its the boad i want to get. When I'll be able to save enough money that is.

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4343602
http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1906484
http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4853002


On second thought calculating all that(with 2 cpus of course) minus power supply it comes down to 1166 which is not that much over 1000. Mind you, i'm sure that you can find better prices than the ones I listed.

I just need to find a more reasonable priced extended atx power supply.

[Psman32@af]

wow, my first post in four months here, now thats a long time to go without posting. please dont go dell, they are overrated and overpriced. their service isnt taht great,specailly for laptops. I had one of their techs spend 10 minutes trying to convice me that a parrel port wasnt working after a drive format due to a virus, even when there were no files downloaded onto that computer. go with a custom built one. a friend of mine just built a pretty nice system off newegg for 860. thats with a 17" lcd. It included, a 2800+ A64, a radeon 9600, 52 x 24 x 52 x 16 DVD cdrw combo, 512 ram, and 80 gig hard drive, and an aopen case. The lcd was some off brand, iforget what it was at the moment.