Electronics New Desktop Tower - Page 5

**lewdog** · 04-28-2014, 06:57 PM

I'm in need of a new desktop computer tower. I have a 20" Samsung monitor so I only need the tower. My current HP is about 7 years old and the display driver keeps crashing, even when uninstalling and installing again, it's running slow, and crashes multiple browsers on a consistent basis.

The max I want to spend is $500. I don't play games on it but I do stream sports. Other than that, I don't use it much for anything but browsing the net.

I'm not a tech guy so any help would be appreciated in pointing me to something that will perform well without breaking the bank.

htismaqe · 05-02-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

I know how hard it is to take that first step in building a computer. I just built a gaming one myself for the first time about 2 months ago. However, that computer is phenomenal, has the parts that I want, and there is a certain ownership/pride about it. I will never again buy a prebuilt computer, and I would encourage anyone considering it to do so. It's REALLY easy to do.

I built my first PC 18 years ago. I've probably built 100 since.

At one time, I was #8 in the MSI User HoF for the highest over clock of an AMD CPU.

It is easy to do. It is gratifying when it works. It's also EXTREMELY frustrating when it doesn't, and if lewdog doesn't really know what he's doing, he might end up having to spend money to pay somebody to make it right.

He said he doesn't play games and he doesn't really want to build. That seems pretty cut and dried to me.

jd1020 · 05-02-2014, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

Intel homer?

Don't need to be an intel homer to dislike pretty much everything about that suggested build.

You could build a Haswell i5 system for that price.

ModSocks · 05-02-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It is easy to do. It is gratifying when it works. It's also EXTREMELY frustrating when it doesn't, and if lewdog doesn't really know what he's doing, he might end up having to spend money to pay somebody to make it right.

This

kccrow · 05-02-2014, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

Don't need to be an intel homer to dislike pretty much everything about that suggested build.

You could build a Haswell i5 system for that price.

If you can beat the overall system performance with an i5 at that price, then go for it. I built myself an i5 system, I've built tons of i5 systems. I don't know what to say to this. Of course, I only build with quality components unless someone flat out tells me to go for "more performance" with shittier stuff.

I don't have to use and MSI or ASUS board, but I don't like to. I don't have to use G.SKILL RAM. I don't have to use San Disk, PNY, or Crucial SSDs, but I dont' like to. I don't have to use Corsair Power Supplies when I can get others at half the price, but I don't like to.

If all someone does is cruise the internet and play solitaire, I'll happily install Ubuntu on an old P3 system for you.

htismaqe · 05-02-2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

If all someone does is cruise the internet and play solitaire, I'll happily install Ubuntu on an old P3 system for you.

Or you'll price them out this:

SILVERSTONE ML03B Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case - 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163174
ASUS M5A78L-M LX Plus AM3+ Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - 50.79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131795
SilenX EFX 80mm Effizio Quite Case Fan - 8.99 x 2 (ID DO AT LEAST IN/OUT)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835226034
AMD FX-4300 Vishera 3.8 GHz AM3+ Processor - 109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113287
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2x4GB) 240-pin DDR3 1600 RAM - 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416
ASUS R7 240 2GB 128-Bit Low Profile Vid Card - 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121799
PNY XLR8 PRO 120 GB SSD - 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820178452
LG Internal Multi Drive DVD/CD Burner - 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136270
Corsair CX430 Power Supply - 44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

kccrow · 05-02-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

I kind of agree with you on this. He can probably get by with integrated graphics, but if I were using my comp for streaming, I'd want something a little better.

Edit: At that price point though, integrated graphics might be the right choice.

I did provide a link to a well-equipped AMD A10 based comp that is pre-built with Windows 8.1. I think total price was 520. I think his best bet for overall performance for streaming real video vs cost will be to stick with an APU.

kccrow · 05-02-2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Or you'll price them out this:

SILVERSTONE ML03B Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case - 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163174
ASUS M5A78L-M LX Plus AM3+ Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - 50.79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131795
SilenX EFX 80mm Effizio Quite Case Fan - 8.99 x 2 (ID DO AT LEAST IN/OUT)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835226034
AMD FX-4300 Vishera 3.8 GHz AM3+ Processor - 109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113287
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2x4GB) 240-pin DDR3 1600 RAM - 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416
ASUS R7 240 2GB 128-Bit Low Profile Vid Card - 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121799
PNY XLR8 PRO 120 GB SSD - 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820178452
LG Internal Multi Drive DVD/CD Burner - 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136270
Corsair CX430 Power Supply - 44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

"Streaming Video" can mean a lot, now that I know he is not technically steaming it himself to other devices, it makes a difference. However, he DID state that he does want to watch NFL Sunday Ticket on this, so video performance matters more than your run of the mill business comp.

htismaqe · 05-02-2014, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

"Streaming Video" can mean a lot, now that I know he is not technically steaming it himself to other devices, it makes a difference. However, he DID state that he does want to watch NFL Sunday Ticket on this, so video performance matters more than your run of the mill business comp.

NFL Sunday Ticket runs just fine on a run of the mill business computer. I've done it many, many times. You do know that most video streaming services still don't support full acceleration, right? Performance is a function of RAM and CPU, much more than GPU.

kccrow · 05-02-2014, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

NFL Sunday Ticket runs just fine on a run of the mill business computer. I've done it many, many times. You do know that most video streaming services still don't support full acceleration, right? Performance is a function of RAM and CPU, much more than GPU.

I don't normally dabble much in the streaming realm myself, but yes, RAM matters. CPU architecture matters, not the published clock. Very little takes advantage of full acceleration even in gaming. I never recommend more than a 4-core system. I recommend 8 GB RAM. I recommend a mid-level video card for those that watch a lot of video and play some games. Frame rendering is different between an integrated intel chip and a stand-alone card. You can watch video on just about anything. The quality will not be the same. The quality display between a 1GB-128-bit Card and a 2GB-256bit card is noticeably different, even in basic video playback.

He doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles but he could have a computer that can do just about anything he wants to do at that price point of $500 and I gave him a suggestion at that price point.

I can give him this and it will do what he wants, but I wouldn't sell it because he could go to Walmart and get an equivalent machine for less money. I'm one of those that gives someone as much as I can for their money:

DIY ATX Mid Tower - 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811353006
AMD A8-5500 3.2GH APU - 98.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113288
ASUS A55M-E MicroATX Motherboard - 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813132030
GSKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2x2) DDR3 1333 - 44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231275
Seagate Barracuda 500GB HD - 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148767
Diablotech 500W ATX Power SUpply - 23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817822008
LG CD/DVD Burner - 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136270
Total Cost: $317.93
Add Windows 8.1: $98
Ready to roll: $415.93

htismaqe · 05-02-2014, 07:42 PM

The thing is, he said he doesn't want to build a computer.

This laptop is $40 more than the machine you spec'd.

It has an AMD A8-5550M 3.1Ghz CPU, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, and a Radeon 8550G integrated GPU.

It's also completely portable, has HDMI out, and built-in wireless.

kccrow · 05-02-2014, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The thing is, he said he doesn't want to build a computer.

This laptop is $40 more than the machine you spec'd.

It has an AMD A8-5550M 3.1Ghz CPU, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, and a Radeon 8550G integrated GPU.

It's also completely portable, has HDMI out, and built-in wireless.

Did you read the post I made immediately following that spec that said something along the lines of "oh shit I didn't see that you aren't tech savvy and don't want to build your own," or are you just stirring shit? And when did he say he wanted a laptop? Maybe he doesn't want a laptop, maybe he wants a desktop like he stated? And here you are talking about laptops...

htismaqe · 05-02-2014, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

Did you read the post I made immediately following that spec that said something along the lines of "oh shit I didn't see that you aren't tech savvy and don't want to build your own," or are you just stirring shit? And when did he say he wanted a laptop? Maybe he doesn't want a laptop, maybe he wants a desktop like he stated? And here you are talking about laptops...

He assumed he needed a new tower because that's what he had before. His stated requirement was that he already had a 20" monitor, which will work just fine with a laptop. His existing keyboard and mouse will work fine with a laptop as well, even if they're PS2.

In addition, he stated he frequently streams sports. A laptop with HDMI out would allow him to plug his laptop into any available HDTV and stream his sports right into his living room. I'm talking about laptops because I actually READ what he posted and considered his needs. Not only that but I gave him an idea about additional functionality he currently doesn't have.

I'm absolutely NOT stirring shit. However, this forum (not you in particular) has always had a propensity to over-engineer things when people solicit advice about buying new computers. There's absolutely nothing wrong with building PCs, maximizing your dollar, and getting maximum performance. There's also something to be said for listening to what the person is actually requesting.

jd1020 · 05-02-2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

If you can beat the overall system performance with an i5 at that price, then go for it. I built myself an i5 system, I've built tons of i5 systems. I don't know what to say to this. Of course, I only build with quality components unless someone flat out tells me to go for "more performance" with shittier stuff.

I don't have to use and MSI or ASUS board, but I don't like to. I don't have to use G.SKILL RAM. I don't have to use San Disk, PNY, or Crucial SSDs, but I dont' like to. I don't have to use Corsair Power Supplies when I can get others at half the price, but I don't like to.

You don't have to buy generic brand parts found in Dells to match that price with an i5.

You built a computer for a guy to surf the web that included a case fan, a gpu, an overpriced case, and a ssd... Talk about not building a computer for the desired use.

Even if he wanted to do light gaming on the computer, you spent $180 on a 4300 and r7 240. You could have picked an A10 APU for the same price and nearly doubled the graphical performance of the computer.

kccrow · 05-02-2014, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd1020

You don't have to buy generic brand parts found in Dells to match that price with an i5.

You built a computer for a guy to surf the web that included a case fan, a gpu, an overpriced case, and a ssd... Talk about not building a computer for the desired use.

Even if he wanted to do light gaming on the computer, you spent $180 on a 4300 and r7 240. You could have picked an A10 APU for the same price and nearly doubled the graphical performance of the computer.

On your last paragraph, what?

You can achieve similar graphics performance, but you are by no means going to double it.

To get the combination of CPU and GPU performance I put out there, you have to jump into the Kaveri series, which runs 160 or 180 depending on which one you get.

You're stating myths that add no value.

I get that he doesn't need as much as I put up there for his needs, but I did atone for that mistake in a post immediately following my post of the first build. Now I'm left arguing with you guys, and when I see shit like this it boggles my mind. I even went on later to show a prebuilt, near his budget with an A10 in it.

jd1020 · 05-02-2014, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccrow

On your last paragraph, what?

You can achieve similar graphics performance, but you are by no means going to double it.

To get the combination of CPU and GPU performance I put out there, you have to jump into the Kaveri series, which runs 160 or 180 depending on which one you get.

Ummmm.... the graphics performance of the Kaveri is about the equivalent of a 7750. That is far better than a r7 240, bud... for the same price.

Think its best you move on from this one.

04-28-2014, 06:57 PM
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $1771900	New Desktop Tower I'm in need of a new desktop computer tower. I have a 20" Samsung monitor so I only need the tower. My current HP is about 7 years old and the display driver keeps crashing, even when uninstalling and installing again, it's running slow, and crashes multiple browsers on a consistent basis. The max I want to spend is $500. I don't play games on it but I do stream sports. Other than that, I don't use it much for anything but browsing the net. I'm not a tech guy so any help would be appreciated in pointing me to something that will perform well without breaking the bank.
Posts: 45,617

05-02-2014, 07:42 PM	#70
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	The thing is, he said he doesn't want to build a computer. This laptop is $40 more than the machine you spec'd. It has an AMD A8-5550M 3.1Ghz CPU, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, and a Radeon 8550G integrated GPU. It's also completely portable, has HDMI out, and built-in wireless.
Posts: 100,022