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**JazzySmooth** · 08-10-2009, 04:16 PM

What do you plan on doing with it? If just browsing the web, sending email, etc then that system is complete overkill.

I typically build my own as well but purchased a refurb HP from Ubid.com about a year ago as I couldn't build it for the price I paid. It was a quad core q6600, 3 GB ram, 500 GB HD, etc and cost about $350. Its now a dedicated HTPC and I've been very happy with it. The built in IR repeater works great. Only thing I'd recommend with any new machine is to blow away the OS and reinstall to get rid of all the junk they preinstall. This machine was so loaded down with crap that it ran like a dog until I wiped it and reinstalled. Been flawless ever since.

**Ajax** · 08-10-2009, 04:29 PM

Don't know if it would affect your decision, but Windows 7 is due out in late October. I've been hearing some really good things about it.

**TechFan** · 08-10-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by JazzySmooth

What do you plan on doing with it? If just browsing the web, sending email, etc then that system is complete overkill.

I typically build my own as well but purchased a refurb HP from Ubid.com about a year ago as I couldn't build it for the price I paid. It was a quad core q6600, 3 GB ram, 500 GB HD, etc and cost about $350. Its now a dedicated HTPC and I've been very happy with it. The built in IR repeater works great. Only thing I'd recommend with any new machine is to blow away the OS and reinstall to get rid of all the junk they preinstall. This machine was so loaded down with crap that it ran like a dog until I wiped it and reinstalled. Been flawless ever since.

Thanks for the reply....I do a lot of basic stuff, but would like to have the ability to transcode audio and process video reasonably quickly, as well. And I would also like to 'future-proof' so I don't find myself needing more than I have in the near future. It is a curse, but I am not too good at buying 'just what I need.' :D

Randy

**Hugh** · 08-10-2009, 04:36 PM

I 2nd what Jack said.

We got nothing but problems from using Vista here at work.

Mr. Randy Sir,
Do you really need that souped up PC?

Originally posted by Ajax

Don't know if it would affect your decision, but Windows 7 is due out in late October. I've been hearing some really good things about it.

**TechFan** · 08-10-2009, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by Ajax

Don't know if it would affect your decision, but Windows 7 is due out in late October. I've been hearing some really good things about it.

Hi there, Jack! Good to hear from you....

I am very much looking forward to Windows 7...I downloaded the release candidate but never got to install it. The nice thing about buying a PC is that I will get it free when it comes out. I have a buddy that works for MS, though, so I can usually get stuff like that for a pretty reasonable price.

And just to really open up the proverbial can of worms, I have even considered going Apple...probably a 24" iMac toward the upper end of the spectrum would be the likely candidate. But they sure are proud of them! Ironically, I saw Windows 7 running on an iMac just the other day...looked nice. And I wouldn't mind taking advantage of 18 month no interest financing from BB, but it isn't absolutely necessary. BB also offers the HP box I am looking at, but online only....

I think I just started kind of rambling there...sorry!

Randy

**TechFan** · 08-10-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by Hugh

I 2nd what Jack said.

We got nothing but problems from using Vista here at work.

Mr. Randy Sir,
Do you really need that souped up PC?

Now Hugh....you know me well enough to know better than to ask that!!! Since when does 'what I need' prominently figure into 'what I want'???? :biglaugh:

Randy

**BobJoe123** · 08-10-2009, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by Ajax

Don't know if it would affect your decision, but Windows 7 is due out in late October. I've been hearing some really good things about it.

And the free upgrade to Windows 7 is included, as well.

If you want something with less ram and HD:

In the other thread I mentioned I got an i7 920 Dell XPS for $550. It has 3GB ram, Radeon HD 4850, etc. If you go to the Dell outlet and search by that proc and sort by price a few come up every day. Your best bet is to use Firefox and the auto-refresh plug-in. They disappear in about 30 seconds. It took me two lunchtimes of refreshing to get it but it's a heck of a computer for the price.

**TechFan** · 08-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by BobJoe123

If you want something with less ram and HD:

In the other thread I mentioned I got an i7 920 Dell XPS for $550. It has 3GB ram, Radeon HD 4850, etc. If you go to the Dell outlet and search by that proc and sort by price a few come up every day. Your best bet is to use Firefox and the auto-refresh plug-in. They disappear in about 30 seconds.

Interesting, thanks! I could get a Dell Studio XPS 435T (I think) with 6GB RAM, the 4850, 1TB, etc., for $999 after rebate, as well. It is tempting, as well....

Randy

**etcarroll** · 08-10-2009, 06:23 PM

Randy -

Forget the old PC.

Based on this thread, I'd grab an i7 for $550, and add Win 7 to it. I re-purposed my original P4 based XP MCE htpc to desktop duty after a new htpc build, and put Win 7 RC on the P4, and I love it. Its the Vista that Vista should have been.

It almost seems like you WANT to spend a grand, I don't get it. You're not gaining anything for the extra $450, based on your stated objective.

And, here's another direction if you're open to AMD;

"Building an inexpensive, high-performance PC for Windows 7"

Building an inexpensive, high-performance PC for Windows 7

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9136104/Building_an_inexpensive_high_performance_PC_for_Windows_7?taxonomyId=12&pageNumber=4

With Windows 7 right around the corner, the time is right to start putting together a system that will make Microsoft's new OS shine -- without breaking the bank.

**koa** · 08-10-2009, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by TechFan

Interesting, thanks! I could get a Dell Studio XPS 435T (I think) with 6GB RAM, the 4850, 1TB, etc., for $999 after rebate, as well. It is tempting, as well....

Randy

I have had a 435T 750g, 4870, 6g, for a few months now and I'm very happy with it. Watch for 20-25% off coupons. Also if you have AmEx Reward points, you can buy up to a $200 gift card (5000pts = $50.) for the Home computer section at Dell. Also us a credit card that extends the warranty by a year.

Also an Apple laptop with a either a Dell 2408 or 2209WA is a great combo.

**TechFan** · 08-10-2009, 08:48 PM

I appreciate the input guys, I really do. As for me *wanting* to spend a grand, I wouldn't exactly say that...but I do understand your point. I think the best way for me to explain it is that I would rather spend $1000-1200 and be completely satisfied than to spend $600-800 and then feel like I should have gone a little higher up the chain. I am not saying that this is totally rational...just that I know how I am.

That was a good article on the computer build and I am certainly open to AMD. I haven't owned an Intel-based computer in years. The author took a similar slant on building his as I did when I built my last one, with the exception of over-clocking. I just don't care to risk going beyond spec on a processor. Anyway, in the article he spent around $1K with onboard video, 4GB RAM and pretty solid components, and that is pretty close to where I was coming in when I just sort of mentally went through the exercise (I was thinking that I wouldn't recycle much off my current machine, given that I don't know exactly what my problem is). My thinking is that for around $200 more I get a machine with an i7 processor, over twice the RAM, a nice video card, on-board wi-fi, etc. I don't delude myself that the components would be of the same caliber as the build, however...and the power supply is around the 475 watt area, I believe.

Anyway, if nothing else I have probably demonstrated one of my biggest problems here....paralysis though analysis! I'm going to just have to make a decision and go with it...but I'm still open to any further input you guys would like to offer...

Thanks!
Randy

**BobJoe123** · 08-11-2009, 12:23 AM

Originally posted by TechFan

Interesting, thanks! I could get a Dell Studio XPS 435T (I think) with 6GB RAM, the 4850, 1TB, etc., for $999 after rebate, as well. It is tempting, as well....

Randy

That is the PC I have except 3GB RAM and a 600GB HD. It was $550 shipped. I didn't get a Win7 coupon but I preordered it for $50.

**Mep** · 08-11-2009, 02:54 AM

Having the free upgrade to windows 7 makes pulling the trigger a lot easier.

Though if you are capable of buiding your own, why not do so? Getting all the crap ware off an HP takes nearly as long is just building your own. Many just go for a fresh install when getting an HP or Dell to insure all the crap ware is off.

Either way, migrating to a new PC is a pain.

**Ajax** · 08-11-2009, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by TechFan

Hi there, Jack! Good to hear from you....

Randy

Hi Randy. Boy, do I feel silly mentioning Windows 7 to this crowd as though this isn't a tech savvy forum. DUH!

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