Need New Computer (but a little clueless)

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Need New Computer (but a little clueless)

#1 MacAttack7

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 03:48 PM

I’m not up-to-date on my computer knowledge, so I really have no idea what I’m doing.
After all my reading I read that no laptop will equal the performance of a desktop for the same amount of money, so I’m sticking with a desktop like I’ve always had.

I’ve also been brainwashed into thinking that the Intel I5 is the best option to start with.
But really I have no clue.

Uses:
Regular stuff like everyone else
Stock trading platform (5 charts & a couple other modules all open at the same time; all updating real-time)
Would like ability to add a 2nd monitor (with more real-time charts)
Not really into gaming or video editing or massive downloads. Nothing out-of-the-ordinary.

So I guess if someone could tell me where to start that would be helpful.
Maybe I should start with the processor, then I can at least narrow the choices down.

Thank you.

#2 killerx525

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 09:33 PM

Can you please elaborate on regular stuff like everyone else and what is your budget?

>Michael
System: CPU- AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Oc'ed to 3.8GHz, CPU Cooler- Noctua NH-D14, RAM- G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8G Kit(4Gx2) DDR3 1600, HDD- Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATAIII, GPU- Asus EAH6950 1GB Crossfire Oc'ed 900/1310mhz, MB- Gigabyte 990FXA-D3, Case- Coolermaster HAF 932, PSU- Corsair TX-750 V2, Soundcard- Realtek High Definition Audio Sound, OS- Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit

#3 MacAttack7

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 11:15 PM

killerx525, on 16 January 2012 - 09:33 PM, said:

Can you please elaborate on regular stuff like everyone else and what is your budget?

Regular stuff: internet, excel, maybe watch a movie, listen to music, load pics from my digital camera to picasa.

I can afford more, but I'd like to spend $500 or under.
I keep going back & forth between the I3 & the I5.
There are a few choices on the Dell Outlet sites (home & business) for a version of each under $500.
Probably about $80 savings or so going with the I3.

I just don't know what I need. I don't want something I'll be unhappy with, but I wonder if I'd even notice the difference
between an I3 & an I5. I was just going to stick with the graphics included with the chip.

(I'm not against building my own either, but I priced it out a couple times & it was cheaper to just buy one for some reason)

This post has been edited by MacAttack7: 16 January 2012 - 11:36 PM

#4 killerx525

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 12:16 AM

Just wondering do you need any peripherals like a monitor, mouse/keyoboard, speakers etc?

#5 MacAttack7

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 12:37 AM

killerx525, on 17 January 2012 - 12:16 AM, said:

Just wondering do you need any peripherals like a monitor, mouse/keyoboard, speakers etc?

No......I built my last computer (first & only time), so I already have all that stuff.
I'll probably get a new monitor eventually, but no need right now. (it stopped working once, but I replaced
the bulged resistors & it's ok now.......only I did a pretty sloppy job).

#6 MacAttack7

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 01:01 AM

This one is $409 at the Dell Outlet site (certified refurbished):

Inspiron 620
•Processor: Intel Core i3-2120 Processor (3.3GHz,3MB Cache)
•Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
•Inspiron Desktop 620
•500 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
•8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
•16X DVD +/- RW Drive

#7 MacAttack7

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 01:03 AM

This one is $419 (cert refurb):

Inspiron 620s
•Processor: Intel Core i5-2320 processor(6MB Cache, 3.0GHz)
•Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
•Inspiron Desktop 620 Slim Tower
•500 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
•6 GB DDR3 Memory (1X2G/1X4G), 1333MHz
•16X DVD +/- RW Drive

#8 Linda.Christ

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 05:46 AM

I will not agree that no laptop will not equal the performance of desktop? Now Laptop comes with good configuration that will work at par with desktop.

#9 ReviverSoft

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 08:28 AM

A system like this should serve you well:

Dell XPS 8300

Includes a dedicated video card which will easily support the 2nd monitor.

This post has been edited by ReviverSoft: 17 January 2012 - 08:29 AM

ReviverSoft - Happy to help!

#10 MacAttack7

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 10:18 AM

ReviverSoft, on 17 January 2012 - 08:28 AM, said:

A system like this should serve you well:

Dell XPS 8300

Includes a dedicated video card which will easily support the 2nd monitor.

Do I have to have a dedicated video card to add a 2nd monitor?
Is $649 a bargain for that particular computer?
Thanks.

#11 MacAttack7

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 10:24 AM

This one looks very similar to the XPS - $450 at the outlet site:

Inspiron 620s
•Processor: Intel Core i5-2320 processor(6MB Cache, 3.0GHz)
•Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
•Inspiron Desktop 620 Slim Tower
•500 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
•8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
•16X DVD +/- RW Drive
•AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB DDR3

Or for $500:
Inspiron 620
•Processor: Intel Core i5-2310 processor (6MB Cache, 2.90GHz)
•Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
•Inspiron Desktop 620
•1 TB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
•8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
•16X DVD +/- RW Optical Drive
•AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB DDR3

#12 ReviverSoft

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 10:55 AM

Quote

Do I have to have a dedicated video card to add a 2nd monitor?

Unlike the onboard graphics chipsets from AMD, the ones from Intel are pretty basic. A dedicated video card will definitely help run both monitors with ease. You also mentioned watching movies, which would play a lot better with the card.

Quote

Or for $500:
Inspiron 620
•Processor: Intel Core i5-2310 processor (6MB Cache, 2.90GHz)
•Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
•Inspiron Desktop 620
•1 TB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
•8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
•16X DVD +/- RW Optical Drive
•AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB DDR3

I think this hits the sweet spot!

This post has been edited by ReviverSoft: 17 January 2012 - 10:55 AM

ReviverSoft - Happy to help!

#13 MacAttack7

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 11:38 AM

Thanks for the help !

(hopefully that one sticks around for a bit; I have paralysis by analysis, but I think I might get that one before the day is over)

Just thought of something else.......I have an Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT.
Would that card do me any good with a new build?

This post has been edited by MacAttack7: 17 January 2012 - 11:45 AM

#14 killerx525

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 06:08 PM

I would leave it so you don't void your warranty.

#15 MacAttack7

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Posted 18 January 2012 - 10:23 AM

If I was going to build my own system would it most likely be higher-quality than the ones I could buy from Dell Outlet?
I put the system below together using NewEgg. Came to $522. I already have a case & dvd drive.
Just wondering if this would be a better option than buying one.

PROCESSOR $190: Intel Core I5-2400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

MOTHERBOARD $75: MSI PH61A-P35 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H61 SATA 6Gb/s http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130609

HARD DRIVE $80: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

MEMORY $42: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 (PC3 10666)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

PSU $25: COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046

SYSTEM $100: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit