BleepingComputer.com: Need New Computer (but a little clueless)

I would like to make a few changes to that.

CPU: Intel Core i3-2130 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz - $150 - I believe that the dual core i3 has plenty of processing power for the tasks you mentioned like word processing (excel), browsing the internet etc.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2H - $70 - This motherboard is higher quality and just simple.

Total(Including the other parts): $502 excluding rebates, taxes and shipping.

killerx525, on 18 January 2012 - 09:25 PM, said:

Thanks for the suggestions.
I was trying to figure out if I should get an I5 vs an I3.

My heaviest use is probably the stock trading platform. This will be 2 monitors, both with multiple charts on them updating real-time, along with quote boxes & time & sales.
At the same time I'll also have internet pages open & a couple excel spreadsheets.
Do you still think I3 is best for my needs? If so, what would make an I5 the better choice? (just curious)

My other uses are nothing out of the ordinary. I may get the bug to play some video games in the future, so I may add a video card at that time, and I'd like the computer to be able to handle the game ok. I usually just buy 1 or 2 older games per year.

Hmmm after reading your detail on the Stock Trading Platform, sounds to me like a CPU intensive application. Well if it is a CPU intensive application, you should get the this i5 cpu which is a quad core.

Or you could go here and check every day or so as they change a lot.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Promotion.aspx?storeid=33&name=DIY-PC-Combos&cm_sp=Pillar2-_-BuildYourOwn-_-http%3a%2f%2fpromotions.newegg.com%2fhomepage%2fpillar%2fhomepage2011%2fbnr_lifestyle_combo.jpg

Some of their bundle kits are OK. I went that route for the I7 based one I did for my brother since I wanted to change everything. I added a SSD boot drive and used the kits 1Tb as a data drive and he is quite happy with it.
He loves that it boots very quick, things open very quick and it shuts down very quick, it encode video very quickly and so on.

It was a ASUS motherboard for example and since I like ASUS, I've never had a problem with any that I used.

This I3 one is $369 just as an example. It is a econo bundle of course and you could probably buy the parts seperate with no hard drive for a $100 less.

Quote

You also have to figure in the cost of the OS on one you build versus one you buy from Dell for example.

This post has been edited by rotor123: 20 January 2012 - 01:54 PM

Well screw it................I got frustrated because everytime I added up a build it cost more than to buy one, so I just bought one instead.
Got a Dell XPS 8300. I7-2600 Processor, 500 GB HD, 8 Gigs Ram, GT 530 video card (crappy so I've read). $685 grand total.
I know the I7 is way overkill, but whatever. I'm tired of computer shopping. Dell wins.

I changed my mind & cancelled it after doing some more research. Ugh.....I suck.

This post has been edited by MacAttack7: 21 January 2012 - 03:12 AM

It's a overkill but it has plenty of power to do your tasks

These days the reason to build your own computer isn't to save money.

The reason to build your own is control over the components.

Motherboard brand & features for example.
Sound and video card selection.
Brand and Model of hard drive.
Brand and Model of DVD or BluRay burner, They are not all the same. I have a Pioneer and a LG BD burner. The Pioneer burns faster and is less picky about media too. Never had problems with LiteOn DVD burners either.
Brand and Model of power supply.
Brand and model of case. Appearance matters to some.

But to save money? Those days are over, prebuilt is cheaper, not neccessarily better unless cheaper is the criteria all else is judged by and not quality.

Good Luck
Roger

This post has been edited by rotor123: 21 January 2012 - 11:17 AM

Ok...........If I get an I5 processor do I then want an H61 or an H67 motherboard?

I read somewhere that you need an H67 if you want to use onboard graphics, but then I read somewhere else that's not the case.

I will most likely buy a graphics card in the future, but I don't really need one right away, so I'd like to hold off.

You could use that old graphics card you have if it is a PCI-E.

MacAttack7, on 20 January 2012 - 10:44 PM, said:

Finally done. I'm terrible at making up my mind. I think I have a shopping disorder or something.
Bought the exact same computer as above, but got it on the outlet site (refurbished) instead for $589.
Now I don't feel like I got a bad deal................wasn't feeling good about the $685 price for a new one.

Quantity Item Number Description Unit Price
1 8P7V4 Base,Mini Tower,Power Factor Correction,Extreme Performance System,8300 $571.65
1 0293D Module,Cord,Power,120V,6 Ft $0.01
1 07GHK Module,Label,Microsoft,Desktop,Windows Seven $0.01
1 0WFXT Module,Dvd+/-rw,Half Height,Dvd-ram,Optiplex,Hitachi Lg Data Storage $0.01
1 6C1P1 Module,Card,Graphics,Nvidia,M208N $0.01
1 72CN4 Ship Group,Extreme Performance System,L10,Foxconn,8300,Dell Americas Organization $0.01
1 CJ686 Module,Keyboard,104,United States,Liteon,Server, Server Chassis,Black $0.01
1 HXGW7 Module,Chassis,L6,460W,B3,8300,White $0.01
1 J662D Module,Mouse,6BTN,Laser Consumer,Logitech,Desktop $0.01
1 JFVVR Module,Dual In-Line Memory Module,8GB,4X2G,1333,Non-Error Correcting Code $0.01
1 RVW9D Module,Thermal,Heatsink,95W,MNTW/SLTW $0.01
1 WW41G Module,Hard Drive,500GB,7.2K,SGT-PHAR 6G $0.01
1 YDVND Module,Processor,I7-2600,3.4,8MB,SNB,D2 $0.01
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty $0.00
1 938-3290 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty, Initial Year $0.00
1 938-3350 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis, Initial Year $17.00

Item Sub Total $589.00
Item Ship Charge $0.00
Item Tax $0.00

Item Total $589.00