$1000 build

[entropy1982]

Hey guys, I have been out of the loop for a while and you guys helped me big time while I was building my machine a couple of years ago. My friend is trying to build something for $1000-$1300. He needs a monitor (22" or 24"), speakers, keyboard, mouse, everything from scratch basically. He is also not very experienced with computers and I don't want to start building an overclock build or a self built computer for him because I am not always available to help him in the case something breaks etc. He will basically be using it for gaming (nothing too hardcore) and general use (browsing, photoshop, etc)... Just to give you a little idea of what he has to compare it to, the computer he currently uses was bought in 1998 =) A prebuilt one (I can't remember the site that puts it together for you for a small premium) would be optimal for him.

Thanks for any help!

 

[aigomorla]

so wait im lost on what your asking here.... are you asking for what parts you shoud look at for a reliable rig? or are you asking us for what prebuilt computers would fit his needs?

If you want part recomendations, i can recomend you some really reliable parts. And im talking about being on 100% load nonstop for months and months reliable...

 

[entropy1982]

Can you give me both? =)

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: entropy1982
Can you give me both? =)

lol.. for prebuilt i would grab whatever is the cheapest without onboard video. That means you can upgrade the videocard at your pleasure. I see a possible upgrade in 1-2 yrs, so theres no point in you grabbing something expensive. You can upgrade all you need yourself.

Also For a prebuilt, look for something something cheap, because todays computers arent the same as those 5 yrs ago. they dont go as long and there slightly a bit more fragile [mostly because people are pushing it by overclockig] I had to replace my dad's dell about once every other year.


As for reliable parts, i would recomend a p35 gigabyte middle series board, or an abit ip35 board. If you dont overclock, or keep it moderate, these boards. Asus, are also great reliable boards.

in short stick with a p35 board.


As for ram, i love crucial, but they dont hold out endurance wize. there great overclockers, but if you push them too long at high voltage, they die. i lost 4 pairs already. You wont find better overclocking ram.

I prefer ocz or kingston for reliability tho. But even on the curical, if you keep the voltage a modesst 2.0v at most, they will last a while.

PSU get a quality one. Ask for advice before you build. I recomend a large class, but many others will say somewhere around a 400watter should do its job.

 

[TemjinGold]

If your friend doesn't know jack about computers and you don't want to be his tech support full time, I highly recommend going with a prebuilt and not building him one. A cheap Dell is probably his best bet (wait for a sale.) While their parts aren't the highest quality, I can definitely vouch for their tech support.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: TemjinGold
If your friend doesn't know jack about computers and you don't want to be his tech support full time, I highly recommend going with a prebuilt and not building him one. A cheap Dell is probably his best bet (wait for a sale.) While their parts aren't the highest quality, I can definitely vouch for their tech support.

you from india??

Sorry unless your talking to XPS support in TEXAS, the india support sucks hardcore.

 

[TemjinGold]

Nope USA. Maybe I lucked out but I've always had great support from Dell.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: aigomorla

Originally posted by: TemjinGold
If your friend doesn't know jack about computers and you don't want to be his tech support full time, I highly recommend going with a prebuilt and not building him one. A cheap Dell is probably his best bet (wait for a sale.) While their parts aren't the highest quality, I can definitely vouch for their tech support.

you from india??

Sorry unless your talking to XPS support in TEXAS, the india support sucks hardcore.

Pay the extra $99 and get the Gold Support.

 

[batuchka]

Well if i were to pick Dell and HP then the latter would nick it
Take a look at this system (HP a6350z) i configured @ the HP website:
http://i137.photobucket.com/al.../batuchka/HPa6350z.jpg
Another from Dell (Inspiron 531)
http://i137.photobucket.com/al...ka/Dell531Inspiron.jpg
Just add in a decent video card and you're set hehe