Need Guidance for Buying a CPU

[Archie F. Swin]

We have a Dell desktop that is probably weeks away from giving up the ghost and I wan't replace it. I really like my monitor and all the peripherals, I just want to replace the CPU/tower, but I've never been down this road before. Is it possible to buy a refurbished tower with warranty? Do I necessarily have to concern my self with brands? Should I buy one with an OS already installed or do that myself? Honestly, I don't know which questions to ask. I just need some guidance.

[Beef Supreme]

Originally Posted by hometeam

While I understood this worked out for you, these guys arent building basic budget towers. Also any time you are letting a boutique PC store like that build for you, you are gettin jacked somewhere.

No, it isn't basic budget towers. I thought I relayed that info. As far as getting jacked somewhere, like I said, I priced every single component out separately and searched for the lowest price. It came out to a very similar price. I had a good experience with them, and didn't feel jacked in any way.

[hometeam]

If you re use your case, you can probably build a decent web machine for 200 bucks.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

No, it isn't basic budget towers. I thought I relayed that info. As far as getting jacked somewhere, like I said, I priced every single component out separately and searched for the lowest price. It came out to a very similar price. I had a good experience with them, and didn't feel jacked in any way.

When I say jacked, I dont mean taken to the cleaners bigtime (some places will do this though) I just mean anytime you are paying labor for someone else to build your PC you are throwing away money.

And believe me, they arent doing the shit for peanuts~

Again, fine it worked for you, I just cant recommend anyone buy from PC boutiques, unless they don't care about the value they are getting.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by hometeam

If you re use your case, you can probably build a decent web machine for 200 bucks.

If it's a Dell, I doubt he can, unless his existing MOBO accepts the new CPU. Especially if a desktop.

[ragedogg69]

Originally Posted by hometeam

When you are buying keys from reddit, they are legit keys. No need for it.

i realize that. they are legit keys from students or business accounts. while legit, it is still part of the gray market. why spend any money?

[Baby Lee]

In case it remains unclear, grey market is the bridge between pirated and the intended purchase transaction. ie, transactions outside the intended distribution channels.

Student licenses purchased by non-students.

Asian versions purchased by Americans or Europeans.

Canadian prescription runs.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

If it's a Dell, I doubt he can, unless his existing MOBO accepts the new CPU. Especially if a desktop.

You can get mobo/cpu/ram combos that will be a fine web machine for about 90 bucks, cheap HDD, cheap PSU, re use case and optical drive. 15 dollar window key.

KABAM

[hometeam]

Assuming your case is full ATX, and your optical drive is sata, here you go~

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($47.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88X-D3H ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($67.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 500W ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $213.45
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-13 14:29 EST-0500

If your case supports a different sized mobo you can of course switch it up, if its micro ATX it will actually likely be a couple of bucks cheaper.

[Kiimo]

Ah I miss the days of building up my PC piece by piece.

But I love my 27" iMac so much more.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

Ah I miss the days of building up my PC piece by piece.

But I love my 27" iMac so much more.

[jjjayb]

Originally Posted by Buck

http://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

Friends and I have bought 4 windows 7/8 keys from here for ~$15 the last month. I bought mine from some guy named Sean5 or s5ean and it was completely legit.

I bought a cheap windows key online from a bulletin board a few years ago. It worked for a couple months then got blacklisted.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by hometeam

You can get mobo/cpu/ram combos that will be a fine web machine for about 90 bucks, cheap HDD, cheap PSU, re use case and optical drive. 15 dollar window key.

KABAM

I think what he means is that most Dells have a BTX case. Mirror image of an ATX case. Most mobos will be ATX only and won't work with his Dell case. You can find some mobos that work with both BTX and ATX. But not real common.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Fish

I think what he means is that most Dells have a BTX case. Mirror image of an ATX case. Most mobos will be ATX only and won't work with his Dell case. You can find some mobos that work with both BTX and ATX. But not real common.

Yeah, I see the ambiguity in my post now.

'I doubt he can' re-use the case, not 'I doubt he can' build for $200.