# Need to get a new computer, a little help please.

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [December 1, 2010, 10:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731 "2010-12-01T10:55:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Boarderx192](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@Boarderx192](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boarderx192)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 10:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/1 "2010-12-01T10:55:22Z")

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So currently I use a crappy Compaq laptop that only half works. My keyboard doesnt work so I have to use an external keyboard, and there is a really annoying glitch that moves the cursor to the beginning of a sentence mid typing along with moving a web page back to the top as Im scrolling down. TIME FOR AN UPGRADE!!

Budget: \< $1000

Im going to UNC Charlotte for Mechanical engineering with a focus in motorsports so I will be doing rendering, word processing, Internet, Music, etc. Im looking to get a desktop PC That will allow me to tackle the above with ease as well as use it as a HTPC down the road when I want. I was thinking about adding a second HD at some point that would be dedicated for movies and hook my tower up to my LCD in my room. This isnt a HUGE requirement but Is something that I would spend a little more for. I dont do ANY gaming BTW, only standard media.

So my question is this:

1. Are there any off the shelf systems that you can think of that would do what I need with ease?
2. Ive thought about building my own rig, but this would be my first. Is this something a computer beginner can handle?
3. I havent been “into” computers in a long long time. Any kind of constructive advice would be appreciated.

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**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 10:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/2 "2010-12-01T10:57:32Z")

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Building a computer is easy and they are much higher quality and much faster than pre-built.

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 11:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/3 "2010-12-01T11:00:45Z")

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+1 on building your own. As long as all the parts are compatible with each other there is really no problem. Then you aren’t dealing with proprietary parts and you can swap bits and pieces as they age or fail.

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**Author:** ![Boarderx192](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@Boarderx192](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boarderx192)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/4 "2010-12-01T12:07:41Z")

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How do I know which parts are compatible? I would ASSume there isnt a sticker somewhere on the box saying “I work with x,y, & z”

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/5 "2010-12-01T12:11:45Z")

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Like if you get an intel processor you can’t get an AMD board…Newegg has a few kits also. Basically just put them together. I assume you need keyboard, mouse and monitor also?

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**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 12:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/6 "2010-12-01T12:24:49Z")

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If your going to spend $1000 now a days you can buy a decent pre built for that price…

If you have never put together a computer before I wouldn’t start with some high dollar build.

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 12:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/7 "2010-12-01T12:30:52Z")

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Something like this might not be too bad:

[http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.558465](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.558465)

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**Author:** ![dezod](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dezod/32/7467_2.png) [@dezod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dezod)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/8 "2010-12-01T12:57:39Z")

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> [@boardjnky4](#):
>
> Building a computer is easy and they are much higher quality and much faster than pre-built.

Agreed 100%. I have built about 5-6 now for myself, friends, family businesses etc.

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**Author:** ![eskudo12791](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@eskudo12791](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eskudo12791)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/9 "2010-12-05T16:47:24Z")

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Building your own is where its at. For a first time starter I highly suggest the newegg combo builds. Cant beat the prices

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**Author:** ![Boarderx192](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@Boarderx192](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boarderx192)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/10 "2010-12-05T22:38:31Z")

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Any reason this combo wouldnt meet my needs?

[http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.548074](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.548074)

What could/should I upgrade? Other suggestions for combos?

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/11 "2010-12-05T22:54:21Z")

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Not a bad combo…still need a video card, power supply, optical drives, and a case

\<EDIT\> technically you dont need a video card since the mother board has one built in…I’d recommend one.

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**Author:** ![eskudo12791](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@eskudo12791](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eskudo12791)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/12 "2010-12-06T07:05:17Z")

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not too bad of a deal

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/13 "2010-12-06T07:17:42Z")

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Personally, I would go with an intel processor.

If you’re doing rendering, definitely get a decent video card.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eskudo12791](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@eskudo12791](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eskudo12791)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/14 "2010-12-06T07:20:46Z")

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imo. AMD cpus are doing quite well. In my lab at college for our hardware class we just bought 16 new machines. 8 Intel Machines and 8 AMD machines. We built them all ourselves and of all the builds the AMD systems had the least amount of failures. 1 Amd didnt work and only 2 Intel machines are querky.

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**Author:** ![Boarderx192](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@Boarderx192](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boarderx192)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 10:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/15 "2010-12-06T10:07:02Z")

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Ok, In Newegg ATM trying to get a list of components. I like the idea of getting one of the combos but I have a few more newb questions:

1. Difference between AMD and Intel? I know Intel has their i-3, i-5,i-7’s (all of which means nothing to me) and AMD has their lines. What would be a minimum/ideal for my application?

2. Graphics card- Again, I have no idea what these specs are that Im looking at so what is the minimum/ideal for rendering and movie playback on a 37" 1080P LCD?

3. PSU- A lot of the cases Im looking at have PSU included but they vary between them. I see a lot between 400-500w. Again, Min/ideal?

4. Motherboard- Anything special I should be looking for on the motherboard? Obviously I need a MB that will work with Intel if I go with Intel or AMD if I go with AMD.

I really appreciate all your help!!

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**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/16 "2010-12-06T19:05:34Z")

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> [@DrImodium](#):
>
> Ok, In Newegg ATM trying to get a list of components. I like the idea of getting one of the combos but I have a few more newb questions:
> 
> 1. Difference between AMD and Intel? I know Intel has their i-3, i-5,i-7’s (all of which means nothing to me) and AMD has their lines. What would be a minimum/ideal for my application?
> 
> **As boardjnky said Intel is making some pretty kick ass chips now (nothing against AMD). I’d say minimum you want an i5 preferably a quad core, 1156 socket is the most versatile.**
> 
> 1. Graphics card- Again, I have no idea what these specs are that Im looking at so what is the minimum/ideal for rendering and movie playback on a 37" 1080P LCD?
> 
> **Anything with DVI out (most cards have this now) will do 1080p out if your TV has DVI in. If not you can find cards that are HDMI out but might cost you a bit more. ATI cards are probably the fastest right now, but I am partial to Nvidia cards. [http://bit.ly/cZzPnR](http://bit.ly/cZzPnR) Decent card with HDMI out.**
> 
> 1. PSU- A lot of the cases Im looking at have PSU included but they vary between them. I see a lot between 400-500w. Again, Min/ideal?
> 
> **Minimum I’d say 500w. 700w if you want to be safe. Don’t cheap out on a PSU, you’ll just wind up buying another one down the line. Antec is my personal preference.**
> 
> 1. Motherboard- Anything special I should be looking for on the motherboard? Obviously I need a MB that will work with Intel if I go with Intel or AMD if I go with AMD.
> 
> **Right, Intel for Intel CPUs, and AMD for AMD CPUs. Look for DDR3 slots, if your going core i5 look for a 1156 socket board. SATA 6.0GBs is a plus, same with USB 3.0 but not necessary. If you’re going to be doing some heavy gaming or major programs, I’d look into getting a different heatsink for the CPU than the stock one that comes with the processor.**
> 
> I really appreciate all your help!!

I can try and build you something for ~$1,000

\<EDIT\>  
Modified a proposed build for my brother…  
[http://bit.ly/g30yuT](http://bit.ly/g30yuT)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eskudo12791](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@eskudo12791](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/eskudo12791)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/17 "2010-12-06T19:30:29Z")

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> [@ProgRocker](#):
>
> I can try and build you something for ~$1,000
> 
> \<EDIT\>  
> Modified a proposed build for my brother…  
> [http://bit.ly/g30yuT](http://bit.ly/g30yuT)

Only thing I would change is a different brand PSU. Such as PC power and cooling

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**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/18 "2010-12-06T20:06:56Z")

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> [@ProgRocker](#):
>
> I can try and build you something for ~$1,000
> 
> \<EDIT\>  
> Modified a proposed build for my brother…  
> [http://bit.ly/g30yuT](http://bit.ly/g30yuT)

That’s a good looking system, but I’d drop the pretty case and just get something basic to save some cash. Also, unless marathon gaming sessions where and over clocking that i5 are planned the heatsink and fan that come with the processor would be fine.

Don’t forget the cost of an OS as well. Microsoft is getting a lot better with their anti-piracy and make it a pain in the ass to keep hacktivating Win 7. If you’re a UB student or know one you can get one copy of Win 7 ultimate for around $10.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/19 "2010-12-06T20:15:32Z")

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> [@JayS](#):
>
> That’s a good looking system, but I’d drop the pretty case and just get something basic to save some cash. Also, unless marathon gaming sessions where and over clocking that i5 are planned the heatsink and fan that come with the processor would be fine.
> 
> Don’t forget the cost of an OS as well. Microsoft is getting a lot better with their anti-piracy and make it a pain in the ass to keep hacktivating Win 7. If you’re a UB student or know one you can get one copy of Win 7 ultimate for around $10.

Just don’t install Windows Update kb971033 :).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-to-get-a-new-computer-a-little-help-please/206731/20 "2010-12-06T20:18:42Z")

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> [@JayS](#):
>
> That’s a good looking system, but I’d drop the pretty case and just get something basic to save some cash. Also, unless marathon gaming sessions where and over clocking that i5 are planned the heatsink and fan that come with the processor would be fine.
> 
> Don’t forget the cost of an OS as well. Microsoft is getting a lot better with their anti-piracy and make it a pain in the ass to keep hacktivating Win 7. If you’re a UB student or know one you can get one copy of Win 7 ultimate for around $10.

To be honest, I completely disagree with the fan/heatsink. The stock ones are just plain garbage.

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