Newb here - Need some wisdom...

[ElCount]

I need to buy a desktop within the next month or so...I've been on another site where deals are posted and a few have interested me. I'm trying to spend under a thousand which I'm sure is easily manageable.

I need it for school mainly, IM, and internet, downloading movies and music, photoshop, music producing and film editing software. On my current computer it's slow at times, lags, and freezes, and I get blue screen once in a while and don't want those problems again.

-Need at least 160GB hard drive
-Flat Screen monitor
-CD/DVD burner
-Don't know much about RAM but I've heard 1GB is excellent, and I've even seen deals for 2GB.
-As for processors, I'd like something good but nothing powerhouse, but there are so many varieties of processors that I just don't understand 'em.

Here are some deals someone recommended me off another forum.
Incog Deals: Dimension E521 Desktop with Dual Core Processor, 512MB, 80GB & 19-inch LCD Monitor - Nas Forum - The Illest Hip Hop Forum on the Internet

Incog Deals: Dell SB - Dimension C521 Desktop with Athlon Dual Core Processor, 1GB, 80GB & 20-inch LCD Monitor - Nas Forum - The Illest Hip Hop Forum on the Internet (just need 2 upgrade HD)

Incog Deals: Dimension 9200 Desktop with Core 2 Duo Processor, 2GB, 160GB and 20-inch Widescreen LCD - Nas Forum - The Illest Hip Hop Forum on the Internet (just need a burner)

-> One of them has a videocard which I don't know if is necessary, from what I've heard a videocard or graphics card is only necessary if your into gaming.
-> As for processors, I've heard AMD's are faultier than Intel but I don't even know myself. And I dont quite understand all the specs on processors especially AMD...all this athlon x2 3000+ stuff...For Intel ones, I've always been told get something better than 3GHz. And even then the MB, Cache, and FSB stuff still confuses me. And then I see these dual core processors and don't get what thats about either.
-> And also for CD/DVD drives and burners I don't get this 8x, 16x, 48x stuff either...

If any1 can answer my questions, or overlook the deals I posted, or even recommend new ones that'd be great, thanks.

[Sora]

You mean you are looking for a pre-built computer? do you realize how powerful of a school computer like that you can build for a grand yourself? I mean your talking a VERY nice school computer that will make anyone with a pre-built jealous

[peterhuang913]

yea, 1k prebuilt is $400 in parts, a 1k parts comp is crazy

[Sora]

We could pick out the parts for you and then you could assemble them yourself which is EASY

If you order parts piece by piece like the majority of people in this Forum here is what you could get in about 3 weeks for under 1000 bucks.

Core 2 Duo E6750 (VERY FAST CPU)
Gigabyte DS3R (Will support the newest chips that will be coming out if you want to upgrade)
2x1Gb G.Skill DDR2-800 RAM (2GB is what you want and DDR2-800 is fast)
Western Digital 320Gb HDD
Sceptre 20.1" Wide Screen Monitor
MSI 8600GT Silent Pipe (powerful videocard with PureVdeo2 and is fanless for quiet, you can also do some ok computer gaming)
400w FSP PSU (Very trusted and Quiet)
Cooler Master centurion 5 case (quiet, cool, well built, and looks good)
Microsoft keyboard+mouse combo

Total $930 before shipping and about 980 with

That is one POWERHOUSE of a school computer and would last you through like 4 years of college easy lol, however you can cut that price down in half and still be much better than the other computers

[peterhuang913]

agreed, dont be intimidated by a computer, it is fairly easy to make and if you need help, take pictures and describe it here

[meat_helmet]

I concur! (lol, is that how you speel it?)

The PC Sora suggested is twice as good as any of those prebuilt ones you have. Also, most of the parts come with a 3 year waranty, wheras dells and the like often come with only 1 year.

And yeah, everyone here will happily help you put it together - really its easier than putting together something from ikea.

[ollithemagicbum]

pre-built FTL!!!

[ElCount]

I've always heard that it's better to build it yourself and much cheaper but my experience is quite limited. If people on here can guaranteedly guide me through the process then I'm willing to do it. Worst comes to worst I'll have to take the items to the shop which I doubt will be necessary since everyone here seems more than knowledgeable enough.

The $930 deal looks like some really powerhouse stuff and I doubt I'll need something that great, I'd like to save some money and not spend my entire budget, maybe drop my budget to $700 max and it sounds like I can still get an excellent computer.

I can definately opt out of a mouse and keyboard which will save maybe $30. All of the other parts look essential, and everyone thinks its great so I'll go with it, I'll just have to dumb down some parts in specs to save money.

I'd like to thank everyone who replied, I didn't think I'd get this much love when I first posted. I'm looking forward 2 building it.

[vernong1992]

Originally Posted by peterhuang913

yea, 1k prebuilt is $400 in parts, a 1k parts comp is crazy

that is true... i mean when i was planning on buying a PC,, with that x2 3600+ brisbane we all love...... that cheap 500$ system, was like nearly 900$ and i was omfg

[ElCount]

Sounds good, I'm settled on building a PC now...