General Discussion

So recently, my PC went haywire, got a virus and is not working anymore. Realizing  getting it fixed would probably cost more than getting a new one, i have opted to get one.

 My old computer was 4+ years old, and since i can't check the stats, i have to recite them from memory. It was like 1.8 gHz, 512 ram , graphics was a radeon 9550 something or other, and thats all i can remember.

I'm looking for a new pc perferably pre-built that is somewhere in the middle ( better than this crap). It's been more than two weeks since i have touched a computer, and am typing this from a  friend's laptop. I prefer to get it from bestbuy/future shop (canada), but if i have to build one, i will. Again, i'm not looking for a top of the line to play AoC, but one that can play the asian clones on high, and the "decent" ones on medium-ish.

Help?

MSI Socket AM2+ 790FX motherboard-$190

Phenom 9850-$240

MSI factory Overclocking ATI HD 3870-$160

OCZ 4GB Platinum Ram-$80

Thermaltake 500watt powersupply-$50

Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit -$140

Total Cost about $860

Or

Lenevo 3000 Desktop PC $599.99

XFX GeForce 8800 GT $189.99

Total About: $790

Thanks for replying.

I've been searching up newegg (through the recomendations of others) for a PC. I'm not really that computer savvy, but i'm sure my friends could help with constructing a computer. My price range is around 700. i saw this one and was just wondering if it was okay

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227060

I checked out a Lenovo on there as well, but one of the reviews didn't recommend it at all. I don't care much for Vista either, and XP is just fine with me.

That Cyberpower one isn't too hot.  It is displaying the right stuff an Intel 8400, but under the hood its pretty limited.

Here are the problem areas.

430watt power supply.

GeForce 8500.

Vista Home.

2 Memory Slots- Maximum of 4GB

Realtek Audio.

CyberPower Badge.

You are going to get ripped off with it.  It has no real upgrade future.

Also Newegg doesn't have good pre-builts.  They have good priced PC components though.  That and Newegg doesn't ship to Canada, which is why I went to Tigerdirect.ca first.

By NO MEANS get a AMD Phenom. COMPLETE waste of money. $200 E8400 will out-perform it on every game and and quite a few applications. AMD has fallen behind and INTEL is now a mile ahead of them.

ATI I wouldn't recommend but they do make some solid cards, while having lots of issues for some reason.

Sadly to say but OCZ RAM isn't what it use to be. They are putting in downgraded modules on low-mid range (Platinum now uses bad modules compared to the Micron D7 they used 2 years ago).

Get Mushkin HP2 (Micron D8-9 modules) or Crucial. Cheap yet top of the line.

8800GT. No excuse not to get one as they are now going for $160 after rebate.

E8400 if you can swing the $200. then a E6750/E6850 when drop in price.

NEVER buy a prebuilt from BestBuy/FutureShop/Dell. Tigerdirect.ca has PROPER priced pre-builts even and if anything, just have them assemble it for you. You will save $200-500 getting a gaming machine yourself and having them put it together for you.

Oh and motherboard, you should never have to spend over $150 on one unless you NEED the accessories it provides.

ASUS P5K ($120) is a extremely solid board or if you think you will be doing SLI, then ASUS P5N-D (not a fan of nvidia chipsets as they run hot and provide sub-par overclocking).

Edit: Powersupply, minimum of 600-WATT. ULTRA, BFG, and ThermalTake are some brand names that I trust for products. Always look at reviews though. 10 mins of reading can save you hundreds and also increase your gaming performance by leaps.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yeah, i realized newegg didn't ship to canada after a while. I will check out tigerdirect soon. Are there any particular pre-builts you would recommend? Or some guidelines i should follow when looking for parts (i.e., minimum memory/ bare minium graphics card, companies/brands to avoid)?

You guys have been a great help!

Actually TigerDirect lately have been jacking up prices on a lot of things... I would still recommend just getting separate parts and having someone throw it together for $50. If you live around Mississauga Ontario I'll even take you to the stores, get the parts with you, and throw it together for $50.

And from the looks of what TD has to offer.. Nothing is good for pre-builts. Stay away from Dynex and RocketFish (horrible bestbuy brands)

Unfortunately, I live in Calgary, AB. However, my friends sister puts computers together for a living, so i can mooch off her.

If you could recommend the exact parts I could get at the local FS or BB, or even at tigerdirect, that would be great. I would prefer it under/around 500, but i can push it to 700 if need be. I dont need vista or anything, or anything top of the line if i can afford it. Its mostly going to be for gaming and movies, with some school related stuff (MS word/powerpoint, etc.)

pure wattage is not what to look for in a good psu. check the amperage on the 12v lines.