General Discussion
Forums > General Discussion (Archives) > A new computer on a budgetSearch | New Thread
Thread Locked. You cannot edit or reply to any messages.
A new computer on a budget
 
Page 1 of 1
IcarusBen
Peon
Scout Pole
Dancer

P: 01/23/2016 20:28 EST
    I've been wanting a new desktop computer for quite some time, but have never gotten around to it, due to financial and space difficulties.

If I do get a new computer, it'll be in the 300-450 price range, meaning I don't expect to have very good graphics. However, I'd like very much to play Fallout 4 with good graphics and at least 30 FPS, and be able to record TFC at 60 FPS.

Does anyone have a list of parts, including a Wifi adapter and OS, that would fall within my 300-450 USD price range? I don't need any fancy cases or something, and I have an HDMI TV, a USB mouse and a USB keyboard.
  
XenOz3r0xT
Super Regular
Shotgun Quick
Draw

P: 01/23/2016 20:45 EST
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1JA24KCAjE&list=PL8mG-RkN2u...  
Ignorant_Florist
Daycare Manager
Pipebomb Monkey

P: 01/23/2016 21:05 EST
    What are you currently using?

If it's a "brand" name computer, you can still get a "better" motherboard to drop in there, but you may need a better power supply, depending on what all you plan on putting in the rig.

If it's a "home rolled" case, just as easy(maybe easier, since those cases tend to fit almost any MB in there with lots of room).

Again, power supply has to exceed what you're going to put in it. A "middle of the road" graphix card runs newer games pretty well.

I'm not sure how "tech savvy" you are, but upgrading what you have will probably net the results you want, while saving on the expense part.

Oh, and if you want to talk about "Space Considerations".... realize: I have 3 arcade cabinets in my dining room, and 1 in my living room.
  
IcarusBen
Peon
Scout Pole
Dancer

P: 01/23/2016 21:21 EST
    I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop from 06. It's got no way to upgrade it. Believe me, I checked. I had, like, 4 gigs of ram I wanted to add, but there was no room.

I'm building this thing from scratch.
  
Ignorant_Florist
Daycare Manager
Pipebomb Monkey

P: 01/23/2016 22:10 EST
    Oh..... laptop.

Oy vie.

Alright..... scratch build..... Give me a minute.....

I don't know where you're located, but start here, and see if you can find something(other than a damned Dell) that you like:

http://www.microcenter.com/category/4294967292,519/Desktops
You could nab up a cheap HP rig, and drop a real nice video card in there and update the HD, for around the same money you're talking.

I like HPs.... they are pretty much all I'll buy. My rig is 8 years old, and while I've upgraded many parts of it, she's still running great.

Or you could go hit their parts page, pick out a nice chassis, PS, MB, Memory, HDs, etc... and see what the bundle comes to.
  
IcarusBen
Peon
Scout Pole
Dancer

P: 01/23/2016 22:19 EST
    I'm in Flagstaff, AZ. Got any stores like that around here or should I just go with Amazon?  
XenOz3r0xT
Super Regular
Shotgun Quick
Draw

P: 01/23/2016 23:06 EST
    Newegg.com

I would recommend MicroCenter as well but the one in my state sold out their customers. The store is 45% Apple Store, 45% Microsoft Store and 10% MicroCenter. They sold their retail space to give way to the two corporations to duke it out on the sales floor while regular merchandise takes a back seat. Newegg is usually cheaper as you don't have to pay taxes if there is no Newegg warehouse in your state. I know their is one in California but I don't know about Arizona. But check and you can save some money that way. Or even if they do have a warehouse in your state and its close to your house, you can use the Will Call service to pick up the merchandise from their warehouse same day and save on shipping.
  
ElKaBong
Super Regular
Soldier Flag
Defense

P: 01/23/2016 23:37 EST
    try pricewatch.com great place to start
  
IcarusBen
Peon
Scout Pole
Dancer

P: 01/24/2016 01:04 EST
    Alright, this is the list I've come up with.

http://i.imgur.com/JQDMMUV.jpg
All in all, it comes to $592. Is there anything, anything else I need? I already have a monitor, speakers, a keyboard and a mouse.
  
elf poo
Super Regular
WMD Creator

P: 01/24/2016 02:09 EST
E: 01/24/2016 02:12 EST
    I bought my pc 7 years ago from cyberpower and i think they give the best bang for the buck. Assuming a completed rig.

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/AMD_SFF_Configurator
and if you can spend 550

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/AMD_Quad_Core_Configurat...
  
IcarusBen
Peon
Scout Pole
Dancer

P: 01/24/2016 18:23 EST
    Alright, thanks.

I'll post whatever config I come up with.
  
Gize
Super Regular
Scout Crowbar
Master

P: 01/25/2016 19:14 EST
    http://i.imgur.com/Ie2HQvp.png
WiFi card (Mini PCIe) and O/S included. Longer PCIe graphics cards could be an issue. Depending on your budget, you could also add an SSD since there's a 2.5" spot above the HDD (You'll need two fine thread screws + an extra SATA cable too): http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/10397...
  
IcarusBen
Peon
Scout Pole
Dancer

P: 01/25/2016 20:11 EST
    I don't plan on getting an SSD (I'm a strong proponent of hard storage) but your build looks interesting. I'm looking at a custom rig, though, since it'll probably be cheaper in the long run with an i5 and maybe upgrading to a better card later.  
Smoke
Super Regular
Soldier Flag
Defense

P: 01/27/2016 08:01 EST
    If you're building a laptop with the intention of portability, you'll wanna have ssd. No spin up time (instant boot and load), no moving parts to catastrophically explode should you drop it while it's powered up. They generate next to no heat, and make no noise. The only thing you sacrifice is storage capacity and price. Well worth it in my opinion. If it's a desktop I would boot the OS from an ssd and then store everything else on a hdd.  
Page 1 of 1
Forums > General Discussion (Archives) > A new computer on a budget