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Welp, found out today that my PC is much sadder and older then I previously thought. I was thinking about just using it as a base, and upgrade it from there to be a much better gaming PC (it seriously cant even play some free MMOs lol how sad) and all around better PC. Now Im not some hardcore PC gamer, so I dont need some insane crazy machine that can play the newest prettiest game on extreme mode, but I dont want it to be a pile of crap (as it basically is now)

Its a Dimension 2400 with a COUPLE factory upgrades and thats it. I can play WoW on the lowest settings, and if I get ballsy, I can kindda turn up a thing or two and laugh as the FPS drops.

My wife is really wanting a second PC for the same intensions as well, so Im trying to keep the prices down to respectable and so I went on to newegg and browsed. I quickly realized that just to upgrade mine, its going to cost almost as much a buying a cheaper PC with the same basic stats. So now Im thinking buying 2 PCs or laptops for the both of us. Heres 2 links, one is a desktop, and the other is a laptop. Im not very computer lingo friendly, as my father inlaw does all our PC needs, but I do know SOME things. Im just curious how these stack up? Id really like to be able to play the 40k mmo when it comes out, and so if these wont work at first, a simple few upgrades is fine with me. Mainly for now, I just want a PC that doesnt have to think about what its doing when I listen to internet radio, while surfing the web.

So let me know eh?

Laptop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152210

Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103259&Tpk=N82E16883103259

They arent bad for what you want, though I'd recommend trying to upgrade the graphics cards in them (which likely wont be possibly with the laptop)

The desktop will be much more likely to be upgradeable for Dark Millenium, though its a couple of years off and you might be better buying something new again by the time it comes out (from what I've read theres going to be pretty big advancements over the next couple of years, so no guarantee with low end stuff aty this point)

The other option would be to ask your father in law to do a custom build if hes savvy enough, youll probably end up with a better machine for the same price.

Ive thought of that, (the father inlaw building something sweet) but Ive just got this feeling that he is out of his element when it comes to making a PC for modern games. Just this feeling Ive got.

The problem now though, is I pretty much need a new computer last year lol. So really, if I have to upgrade a few things when it drops thats fine, itll be cheaper and smarter for me to get them now, then ride it out and see if this ol girl holds up that long.

I too was leaning more to the desktops as they are easier to upgrade

KingCracker wrote:Ive thought of that, (the father inlaw building something sweet) but Ive just got this feeling that he is out of his element when it comes to making a PC for modern games. Just this feeling Ive got.

The problem now though, is I pretty much need a new computer last year lol. So really, if I have to upgrade a few things when it drops thats fine, itll be cheaper and smarter for me to get them now, then ride it out and see if this ol girl holds up that long.

I too was leaning more to the desktops as they are easier to upgrade

Desktops are easy to build and maintain compared to laptops...

Laptops break allot easier and you have to send them away for repairs (personal Experience)

Desktops are allot more durable. If you want I can build you a Gaming Computer. Just PM me if you are interested.

What is the budget? Gotta give the budget for good advice.

Oh yea I guess that would be rather important


TBH Im not really sure yet, as itll wait for tax time. But Im re roofing my house, and remodeling the bathroom, so really itll be AFTER those when I am more sure on the budget


So lets just guess anywhere from $500 to under 1k. I just wouldnt feel ok spending that much cash on a PC. So lets be safe at 500-600

The biggest problem with buying a prebuilt desktop is that alot of the companies out there use non standard parts, so sometimes upgradeing can be difficult.

Just to give you a horror story from my past. When I went away to college, I bought this fancy Dell XPS gameing PC, at the time I skimped on the video card. When Oblivian came out, I found that my computer wouldnt play this game. So I went out and bought a new video card, turned out that my power supply wasnt powerful enough to run the new video card. So I go out and buy a new power supply, turns out that the new power supply wont fit into the dell case. So I go out and buy a new case, turns out that the dell motherboard wont fit into the new case. So I go out and buy a new motherboard, and now everything is happy...

When buying a prebuilt computer you really need to be careful.

My suggestion to you is to build your own. If your not looking for the latest and greatest hardware you can easily build one for under $600.


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Alternativly, I've never had a problem with Dell Laptops, I had one that lasted me 5 years, and Dell offers some very resonable finacing options.

$600 will buy you a decent computer. Not top of the line, not even a step down from top of the line, but certainly something that can play WoW for you.

Contrary to what Catyr is saying, I wouldn't suggest buying parts unless you really know how to build a machine. I've built many dozens of machines from parts, it's not hard, exactly, but it's a matter of buying the right CPU for the board, the right RAM for the board, the right vid card for the board, the right power supply to run it all, and then paying for the OS...

If you just go with a Dell it's usually cheaper and simpler.

If you have ways of getting a free OS, that changes things. If you know enough to match the components correctly, then yes, NewEgg is your cheapest option.

Phryxis wrote:and then paying for the OS....

I lold.

But I agree, unless you know how to build a PC, you are better off buying pre-built, unless you have someone to teach you!