Are there any good computer sales out there?

[Weeeooojr]

Hi, my 8-year old laptop is having some problems (which are probably easy to fix...?) but it's about time for a new computer anyways. Now, since it's not back to school or boxing day, I'm having trouble finding any sales. Am I missing something? Would it even be worth waiting for the sales? I've searched many sites already.

Originally I was planning on building one myself, but I don't think my parents trust me with that

I'm looking for something in the $500-$1000 price range. I "need" something with a good (or at least decent) graphics card. I was thinking about these two:
HP Pavilion Intel Core i7-2600 Computer (H8-1120) : Desktop Computers - Future Shop
HP Pavilion P7-1220 Desktop (A8-3820,8GB DDR3,1.5TB 7200RPM)(DVDRW): Amazon.ca: Electronics

Anything else out there have better value? If not, which of those two do you think I should go for?
Thanks!

Forgot to add that I'm mostly looking for an HP desktop PC.

[icangarden]

Are you a Costco member? I bought a new Toshiba intel core about six months ago and got a very good price through them. Purchased it online...you may want to check them out to compare pricing. Good Luck!

[Weeeooojr]

No, I'm not a Costco member :\
Thanks for the suggestion though.

[KrazE]

We have an i7-2600 here at home - awesome system

Recently we picked up an P7-1120 which is very nice for the kids to use; and I got an Acer i3-2330m (laptop).


Basically it is going to depend on what you will be using it for. Most systems will have integrated graphics, so you need to take this into account when you are looking at the amount of RAM in the system.

The P7-1120 that we have, so I will assume the 1220 you are looking at will be roughly the same.. but it has PCI-E 16x slot which would allow you to add a higher end graphics card - the only problem is that you would need to upgrade the PSU as they are typically 250W to 350W and you'll want 500W to 550W.

If you want something ready to go without worrying about having to add to it, then I would recommend the i7-2600.

These days it's not quite the same to build your own system compared to buying them ready to go.

[blackstaffer]

i5- 2500k is the most you'll ever need. Pricewise its 100$ less, performance wise its the same. Paying 100$ for hyperthreading, which you'll never use is pointless.

[Weeeooojr]

@KrazE Cool, just wondering, how much did you pay for you i7-2600?

@blackstaffer Honestly, I think I'd be happy with an i3, but the i5 and i3 computers that I saw are generally the cheaper ones, and so they don't have a decent video card

[Aslan]

You could also build a PC through NCIX. It will come pre-assembled, and you and pick and choose the specifications exactly.

http://pc.ncix.com/ncixpc_new/

Memory Express also offers this service as well.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/SystemConfig/Default.aspx

IMO this is a better option than any OEM, as the majority of HP's and Dell's consumer offerings have less than stellar build quality.

I also agree with blackstaffer. The i5-2500k is the most you'll ever need. You could also wait until April, as Intel's new Ivy Bridge CPUs will be released on April 8th.

[Weeeooojr]

Thanks Aslan, they look like cool sites. The Memory Express one seems more simplified than the ncix one though

There's a good chance I'll use one of those sites, but is one of them better than the other? (Otherwise I'll just go for Memory Express because it's less confusing.)

[KrazE]

@KrazE Cool, just wondering, how much did you pay for you i7-2600?

@blackstaffer Honestly, I think I'd be happy with an i3, but the i5 and i3 computers that I saw are generally the cheaper ones, and so they don't have a decent video card

It looks like it's listed for the price paid from the link you posted; it was well worth the cost.

[Aslan]

Thanks Aslan, they look like cool sites. The Memory Express one seems more simplified than the ncix one though

There's a good chance I'll use one of those sites, but is one of them better than the other? (Otherwise I'll just go for Memory Express because it's less confusing.)

I think they're both fine. I've purchased from both stores multiple times and I haven't had any issues. I think the best thing to do is configure the same system at both stores, and then purchase from the cheapest option.

Memory Express does have a Price Protection policy where they will beat a competitor's price by 25% of the difference, but I don't think it applies to pre-built systems.

[kkz23691]

If you build the system yourself...

Case for $20 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...372&CatId=1842

Dual core CPU betw $50 - 75
Mobo for about $50 - 60
dvd burner for $35
nice cpu fan for $30
PSU for $20
RAM for $20
22" Monitor for $130
video card for $30
500Gb hard drive for $80

Linux OS is free ;-)

Total of $500; + tax = $565

[Weeeooojr]

@Aslan What confuses me is...do I need to buy additional fans? Are there any that already come with the case?

If you build the system yourself...

Case for $20 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...372&CatId=1842

Dual core CPU betw $50 - 75
Mobo for about $50 - 60
dvd burner for $35
nice cpu fan for $30
PSU for $20
RAM for $20
22" Monitor for $130
video card for $30
500Gb hard drive for $80

Linux OS is free ;-)

Total of $500; + tax = $565

Yeah, I came up with a plan to make on for a couple hundred more than that (but better). I'm looking to be able to use it for some games.

[Weeeooojr]

We have an i7-2600 here at home - awesome system

Recently we picked up an P7-1120 which is very nice for the kids to use; and I got an Acer i3-2330m (laptop).


Basically it is going to depend on what you will be using it for. Most systems will have integrated graphics, so you need to take this into account when you are looking at the amount of RAM in the system.

The P7-1120 that we have, so I will assume the 1220 you are looking at will be roughly the same.. but it has PCI-E 16x slot which would allow you to add a higher end graphics card - the only problem is that you would need to upgrade the PSU as they are typically 250W to 350W and you'll want 500W to 550W.

If you want something ready to go without worrying about having to add to it, then I would recommend the i7-2600.

These days it's not quite the same to build your own system compared to buying them ready to go.

How long have you had the i7-2600 for?

[Aslan]

@Aslan What confuses me is...do I need to buy additional fans? Are there any that already come with the case?

Depends on the Case, CPU and Heatsink. Usually most cases come with fans, although sometimes manufacturers only include 1 or 2, when the case can support 3 or 4.

Most Retail boxed CPUs come with Heatsinks and Fans, although I suggest purchasing something Aftermarket, since OEM heatsinks tend to be less efficient and more noisy.

In terms of brands for Cases, I think the best at the moment are Fractal, Lian Li, Silverstone, and perhaps Cooler Master and Antec. I know that all of these manufacturers include fans in their cases, and most should have more than one. It's a bit hard for me to say what you should buy exactly, since Case selection is based as much on personal taste as it is performance.

Newegg.com/Newegg.ca is probably the best site for browsing. Their site is laid out much better than NCIX or Memory Express, although I'm not sure if I would buy a system from them as their shipping is much more.

With heatsinks, I'm guessing that you're not going to overclock, so in this case I would probably get something like a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. The performance is good, it includes a fan and it's only $36 at NCIX. You can get the previous 212 Plus also at NCIX for only $31. Another option is the Thermalright True Spirit, although I don't believe NCIX or Memory Express carry this.

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=64...e=COOLERMASTER
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=41...e=COOLERMASTER

[marstec]

We had one built by a local computer supply place that was very similar to Memory Express. I was very impressed by the Memory Express we visited in Calgary last summer. I would do this over buying an HP system; I've read about reliability issues and the extra stuff that's preloaded into it. Are you a gamer? If yes, I would buy the best system you can afford. If you buy a more advanced system, it will allow you to upgrade much more easily.

Aslan,
Our case is a Coolermaster HAF, it glows red when it's on...very sinister looking! I hardly use it since I've switched over to the Mac, but my son says this gaming computer runs at crazy speeds.