looking for a desktop

[Chris27]

Or more precisely, my brother is. I'm hesitant to build him a custom pc as 1) I'm only going to be home for about a week (and not till august) and 2) playing the role of long distance tech support kinda sucks so I'm thinking it would be best if I just recommend him a prebuilt one from a major retailer. He is willing to drop $2k+ (including monitor, speakers, kb/mouse) but I'm thinking he really doesn't need to go that high. He will be using it for college work and some gaming. I can also get a 10% employee discount either through amazon or hp. Both of us are students so student discounts apply as well.

Here is something I quickly spec'ed up at hp

total: $1253 + tax
Is this roughly in the ballpark for price/performance I should expect from prebuilt? I guess I could also prowl slickdeals for dell sales.

 

[Ultralight]

If he is willing to drop $2k as he said, I'd get a more powerfull ATI card. He certainly can afford the 5800 models.

And if there is any way possible don't allow them to install Norton.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

It seems the 5770 is about the highest HP offers on most models I'm looking at. Dell offers a goddamn 5870 on its XPS 9000 models, not even going up to their overpriced Alienware BS. You may want to choose another brand because HP is slouching in the GFX area.

 

[Chris27]

I having a hard time finding anything with a 58xx that isn't a super overpriced alienware. Is the XPS my best bet? It still seems quite a bit overpriced. Would getting a mainstream model and swapping out the video card be an option or would this totally void the warranty and/or overload whatever crappy PSU it comes with?

 

[Brainonska511]

It won't void the warranty if you add your own graphics card. Just check the specs of the system before you buy to see if the PSU would be big enough to support something better. Steer clear of low-end systems, as a lot of them have no PCI-Ex16 slot.

 

[Chris27]

I would think it would be safe to assume that anything with a discreet graphics card would have to have a PCI-Express slot. What else would the card be plugged into? PCI?

 

[Brainonska511]

I would think it would be safe to assume that anything with a discreet graphics card would have to have a PCI-Express slot. What else would the card be plugged into? PCI?

True. I'm just thinking back on the budget systems from a few years back (like the Dell Dimension 2400/3000). They had integrated graphics and no PCI-E slot, so the only upgrade path would be PCI; yuck. If you got a system which came with the option for a dedicated card, you should have the slot available, even if you don't get it with the card.

 

[bamacre]

The Studio XPS 9000 is a nice system, comes with a good PSU for high-end cards. The 8100 model is not quite as nice, but does have a PSU with one 6pin, capable of running cards like an HD 5770. There's also a more budget-minded 7100 model with AMD cpu's. Stay away from the Alienware, they really offer nothing over the Studio XPS 9000 model.

 

[Chris27]

The problem is that I feel almost guilty recommending something like

over

build $1,395.46 +monitor $240 = $1635

:\

 

[Ultralight]

I completely understand your sentiments. As I was reading through I was thinking to myself, "Building one would be cheaper with better parts."

But you also can't be there if there is an issue. By the way, if you do go Dell have him unistall McAfee as soon as possible and install much better options.

 

[bamacre]

Have you looked in their Outlet inventory? Same warranty as "new," and much better prices...

The Studio XPS 435 is the same as the 9000 model.