Guidance needed in buying a new system

I'm getting ready to purchase a new system. Here's what I know: there is certainly a way to shop smart. No computer system is perfect for everything. Some systems are more stable than others. i.e. Our Hewlett Packard lasted for over a decade and never failed, we just got sick of it... it's still sitting behind me, waiting for me to come play a video game on it. I hear Windows 7 is solid but never tried it.

Here's what I want: 1. Good graphics capability with the ability to be upgraded later on when necessary. 2. Reasonably stable system. That's all I really ask. That's NOT asking too much, so PLEASE don't give me all the typical forum lectures about how you just can't, just can't, get a great system with really, really, really good graphics unless you're willing to spend 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 dollars and then buy some nice upgrades for it plus a $5,000 video card and 24 Ram slots... finish with a laugh and snort.

I built my current system back in about '07 for $450 bucks and it ran very well for me. But, I was highly dissappointed in the constant BSOD's of Win XP which was touted as such an awesome gaming OS at the time. Sigh* I would have had more fun with Windows 98. Now that I'm a professional at running System Restore, I really don't want to go through that again. None-the-less, my insatiable appetite for Video games like the Elder Scrolls V, Deus Ex Human Revolution and Hitman 5 with the hope of an Omikron 2 in the future simply takes priority and dictates that I put graphics capability before overall stability! Not that they should have any bearing on one another.

Basically, without having to spend hours on end researching different computers and Operating Systems, I'd like to have some guidance on the best bang for my buck with a new pc before I go out and make an uninformed purchase. Any thoughts are appreciated.

I have thought about building a system once again just so that I can customize it and have fun with hand selecting the parts for it but it's time consuming and I've heard that many people have tried it and then had the system not function for them at all. So, I may have lucked out on the last attempt, I don't really know for sure what the odds are.

So, I'd like to keep it reasonable and not spend more than $1200 to $1500 for a glorified video game console. What do I buy? Should I custom build again?

 

Without going into a ton of geek speak, I think your best bet is to get with a reputable local PC shop or builder and do a custom system.

An experienced system builder can help you choose components that will work togeher properly. Running a PC shop, I have no problem going on newegg.com with a customer to review ratings and check prices. I pass the parts on at cost and charge between $100-$200 for the build, depending on the complexity.

The benefits are:

* No crapware (the amount on a new HP is off the charts). The system will run faster and you won't spend hours having to disable/uninstall all the s**t you don't want on there.

* Easier to upgrade. If you ever want to go crazy and go with dual video cards or a ton of memory, it'll be easier to do so.

* Better components. Most pre-built PCs come with the cheapest grade components possible. The stock power supply will not be powerful enough to handle a video card upgrade, and the cheap grade OEM hard drives are notorious for failing after a few years or less.

If you hire a shop to build it for you, expect to pay between $100-$200 labor on top of the cost of the parts. Be sure the builder gives you a labor warranty of at least one year. Most components (motherboard, CPU, hard drive) have a three year manufacturer parts warranty.

Here's a basic shopping list:

* Intel i5 processor

* Highly rated full size ATX motherboard (lets you add more stuff later if desired). Check newegg.com and stick with a board that has high user ratings. Start with a board that has on-board video - you can always upgrade to a video card (or two) if you start playing high-end games or edit HD video. The stock i5 video will blow away what you're using now.

* 16GB DDR3 (dirt cheap)

* QUALITY power supply in the 650 watt range (IMO, the higher end Corsairs are the best. As an added bonus, an "80 PLUS" rated PSU may cut $20 or so off your electric bill each year).

* WD Caviar Black Hard Drive. My experience is they last a lot longer than standard grade drives. Avoid Hitachi drives like the plague.

* The case is up to you. If you want extra quiet, look for a sound-insulated case (some of the higher-end Antecs) and/or have the builder use quieter fans like Enermax.

* Add any other goodies you think would be handy, such as a built-in card reader.

Including labor and Windows 7 OEM, this should add up to about $1000-$1200. Even if you end up adding a higher-end video card, it should still stay under $1500.

Hope this helps.

 

I agree in your case with gm863- a custom built will fly compared to manufacturers, within a set budget.The only thing is that the version of operating system can come a lot cheaper with a manufacturers setup. I like W7 Ultimate , myself. My last system was a "refurbished" Dell- these are often just not purchased once made, and if you look at the Dell Outlet, you can get a very good spec, very reasonably priced. My one has a core i7, had 4gb ram ddr3, an adequate power supply, and although the graphics card was not that marvelous, it was a starting point. DVD RW,, CARD READERS, AND ESATA, BLUETOOTH, TOO. I justinstalled windows 7 ultimate as well as Xp sp3,
Cost 2 years ago, just £450- so I could spend as I wished on upgrading. If I was a gamer, I would just check that the pc I purchased could take twin pci-16 graphics, if I wanted them (several only take one pci-e 16 an d the seond slot drops it to 8. Really is well worth looking at the better gamer pc manufacturers, and get ther basics, for quick, and quiet gaming performance.
Why not look at the gameing section for more input on that http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16
Good luck