Shopping for a new computer

[evilhomer]

I'm thinking about a new computer for a Christmas present but I'm totally clueless about what to look for.

As far as use, we're just typical web surfers, forums and regular web pages. We play a few flash games, but nothing too hardcore that demands super fast processors. Other than that, it's just your typical household use, spreadsheets, word files, pictures and videos. (Hopefully that gives a good enough idea).

I want to stay in a budget of $500. I want at least 4GB Ram, and at least 500 GB HDD. Other than that I have no idea what to look for. I see the ads and you've got the Intel i3, i5 and i7, the AMD A4 and A8. Since I'm totally clueless, I'm a slave to the advertising and the rule "more expensive = better". What kind of processor is the best to look for (at least for my purposes)? Is there anything specific to look for, or anything specific to avoid?

[Chromatix]

The good news is that your needs are quite simple, so you can go for whatever machine you can afford and it will do the job.

I would first look for the AMD A8 systems, as those have a reasonably good CPU coupled with the best "integrated" graphics available. I have one of those myself among my collection, and it makes at least a good effort at running even demanding games - this means that it will last you a relatively long time.

If those are slightly too much, try an A6 or an A4, which are cut-down versions of the A8. Below that, look for the AMD E-series based machines - the E-350 is reasonably common - but understand that this is a substantially smaller and less powerful type. TL;DR version: want cheap, buy AMD.

Intel-based machines tend to be faster in the CPU department but more expensive and, in this price bracket, won't come with worthwhile graphics. Unless nothing else will fit in your budget, I would also avoid an Atom or Celeron based system entirely.

Try to get a system with spare RAM and PCI Express slots (particularly PCIe x16) and at least one spare internal drive bay. This will let you upgrade it in future, if you want to do more demanding things with it such as high-end games. It's probably asking too much for the PSU to be able to accommodate a high-end graphics card, but that can be changed later if required.

Do you already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers? If not, remember to fit those into the budget as well. Try not to skimp too much on the quality here - they will normally outlast the machine you're buying to attach them to, and they are the parts that you will be using most directly.

For the monitor, the minimum requirement should be some kind of digital input - either DVI or HDMI is likely. For the rest, try picking them up and (pretending to) use them, and try to sense if your fingers or wrist will start aching if you continue doing so for several hours at a time.

Finally, note that an online retailer might give you better prices than a store, but you can try things out in a store - before buying online! Just make sure that it comes with a worthwhile warranty, but don't pay extra for more years.

[suburbandecay]

If you want to purchase online, you can always check the major retailers' outlet stores. I realize I'm in the minority here, but I have had almost no problems with the Dell refurbs I have picked up from their outlet store (Note: the majority of our systems here at work are Dells, and almost all are from the outlet store and are refurbs, or scratch and dents). On the occasion where I have had a problem, it was pretty simple getting a hold of Dell and getting the problem rectified.

[DrFaroohk]

Since I too need a new computer, I thought I'd join this thread. Which brands are good nowadays? Which are cheap and crappy? It's hard for me to tell now because a lot of the computers I see don't really list their stats. Oooh my god it's an NVidia Cockknocker XJ57! Like what!? lol...

So I always see Acer, E-machines, HP, IBM, Dell computers out there...probably more. Which brands are good, which ones are cheap, and which ones are absolute junk? I gotta say so far I'm a little more impressed with my emachine than I thought I would be, so I might stick with them. Certainly better than the piece of crap acer I bought.

[Chromatix]

I simply don't buy brand-name computers (except, occasionally, Macs). I build them from scratch. That way I know what's gone into them and I have full control over the balance of the various components.

The next best thing to doing that is to go to a small computer builder who knows what they're doing, and they will basically apply the same skills that I do, after asking you what you need and what your budget is.

The next best thing after that is to buy a brand name, but to read and understand the specs before making a decision - and to actively reject any brand or store which doesn't let you see the full specs. It doesn't particularly matter which brand it is, it's the components inside that matter. Unfortunately you can't rely on reviews unless they come from a reviewer you trust - and those are very few and far between. (I've seen blatantly paid-for marketng material phrased as though it were a review, and which had definitely caught out the person asking me why their new computer wasn't as good as they expected.)

There is one major potential difference between brands - how much they lock down the BIOS and load crapware to subsidise the price, and whether they provide a full Windows install disc or just a "restore" disc which reloads the crapware while they're at it. Or no disc at all, just a recovery partition. Unfortunately I don't know which brands are better at this than others, except that Apple doesn't screw around like that.

I've covered CPUs and integrated graphics for a basic machine fairly well above, but if you want a gaming computer things get more complicated rather quickly. If building from components, you then want to spend about as much on the graphics card as you do on the CPU, m/board and RAM combined, and about the same again on the case, hard disk, and everything else combined. But for a pre-built machine, it's hard to tell where that balance lies unless you have a price list and a lot of patience.

[evilhomer]

Thanks for your advice. I totally forgot about that Windows disc thing, getting just a restore disc with my last computer really pissed me off. That's definately something I'll ask about.

So I was about to run a few specs past you, then I read your last post. The build from scratch thing sounds like fun but it's just something I don't have the expertise to do, or time to learn right now. With that in mind, if you want to throw in any kind of two cents on these ones, please do

HP 8GB ram, 2 TB HD, AMD A8, 2.4 Ghz
Link

Gateway 8GB ram, 1 TB HD, AMD Phenom II X4 810, 2.60Ghz
Link

[RichS]

I like the HP - you lose a bit processor-wise, but you gain with the faster DDR3 memory and better integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D - the A8 processor has that built-in) which should more than make up for that speed loss. You would also have twice the storage, built-in WiFi, and USB3.0 support for future accessories, not to mention it's new vs. a refurbished computer.

[Chromatix]

Now this is interesting, and allows me to illustrate a point.

The Gateway comes with a Radeon 5750 - which is actually substantially better graphics than the 6550D. The latter is one generation newer, but lower in the performance stack. So if you needed a games machine on a really tight budget, the Gateway would be the one to choose.

But for almost anything other than proper games, the HP is better specified - and because it's based on newer stuff, it will be easier to upgrade later on. The clincher is that it's a new system rather than a refurbished one, and is therefore still actually available.

[RichS]

The Gateway comes with a Radeon 5750 - which is actually substantially better graphics than the 6550D. The latter is one generation newer, but lower in the performance stack. So if you needed a games machine on a really tight budget, the Gateway would be the one to choose.

Gah, you're right! I read that the Gateway had integrated graphics, but neglected to look at the pictures, which show an independent PCI-E card.

But for everything else, like you and I both said, the HP is the better choice.

[evilhomer]

Gah, you're right! I read that the Gateway had integrated graphics, but neglected to look at the pictures, which show an independent PCI-E card.

Okay, you guys just broke the sound barrier flying over my head.

Thanks for your advice, it's great to be able to make an informed decision.

[emax4]

I'm all for building computers, but from a consumer standpoint, I say to let the application define the computer. If you're going to do basic web surfing, email, something from Wal Mart would fit the bill. If you want to play some of the latest and high-end games, it's better to build your own or have someone else do it for you. When you buy an all-in-one system, you also get tech support from the manufacturer. If you have someone build you a computer, the builder is your tech support.

[magician5]

I didn't ask the question, but I sure did find the information useful - thanks all!