Desktop Buying Thread

albionmoonlight · 11-28-2016, 10:25 AM

I am looking to get the family a desktop computer. It has been so long since I bought a desktop (as opposed to laptop), that I am not sure what the best brands and/or sites are for shopping.

I was happy with xoticpc for laptop buying, but their desktop options seem limited.

Any general starter hints?

Thanks.

Dutch · 11-28-2016, 01:50 PM

Depends on price tag and needs.

Dell XPS is a good all around PC for productivity and gaming and you can get a decent one for around $1,000.

HP has a higher end one on sale for $1500 that is normally $2000. That's a cyber Monday deal.

PilotMan · 11-28-2016, 04:56 PM

Normally I'd ask why you want a desktop. I've migrated away from desktops for laptops across the board, but if you're really set for it, the first question is what kind of performance and multi tasking are you looking to do with it?

What kind of price tag are you looking at?

INDalltheway · 11-28-2016, 06:25 PM

I'd also bring up building your own. It is actually really easy to do, and will take an afternoon to accomplish.

I would suggest this site, PC Part Picker, to give yourself some ideas. I based my entire build off of this so I knew all the parts would work together, etc.

thealmighty · 06-15-2017, 03:28 PM

Time to replace my six year old desktop. What is a very good, or preferred, graphics card these days?

(No, I don't want a laptop. I am too old and too blind - close-up wise- to play games on a laptop)

RainMaker · 06-15-2017, 03:37 PM

First, build your own PC and save a bunch of money.

Second, what kind of monitor do you have? Some GPUs are overkill on a 1080p monitor that only gets 60hz. Are you planning to do any VR stuff? What kind of games do you play?

It's a weird time to buy a GPU because cryptocurrency miners have been buying up a lot of brands.

frnk55 · 06-15-2017, 05:56 PM

Last 2 desktop pcs I've gotten were from Digital Storm. Good pcs.

Edward64 · 06-15-2017, 10:38 PM

Used to build my own but nowadays I wait for Thanksgiving and get a Dell that is on sale ($600-$700 for an i7) and put in a mid-range graphics card (so I don't need to worry about the power supply or heat).

It was fun putting it together with my son when he was younger but can't be bothered now. If you need top of line stuff, then building may be more cost effective.

FWIW, if you get a laptop, get a docking station that you can plug a nice 24" monitor to it and you have a portable solution. For laptops (not gaming specific), I'm biased towards Lenovo Thinkpads.

11-28-2016, 01:50 PM	#2
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	Depends on price tag and needs. Dell XPS is a good all around PC for productivity and gaming and you can get a decent one for around $1,000. HP has a higher end one on sale for $1500 that is normally $2000. That's a cyber Monday deal. Last edited by Dutch : 11-28-2016 at 01:51 PM.

11-28-2016, 04:56 PM	#3
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Normally I'd ask why you want a desktop. I've migrated away from desktops for laptops across the board, but if you're really set for it, the first question is what kind of performance and multi tasking are you looking to do with it? What kind of price tag are you looking at? __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

06-15-2017, 03:28 PM	#5
thealmighty Pro Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: heaven	Time to replace my six year old desktop. What is a very good, or preferred, graphics card these days? (No, I don't want a laptop. I am too old and too blind - close-up wise- to play games on a laptop) __________________ Check out The Unofficial FOFC Movie Guide Here

06-15-2017, 10:38 PM	#8
Edward64 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2005	Used to build my own but nowadays I wait for Thanksgiving and get a Dell that is on sale ($600-$700 for an i7) and put in a mid-range graphics card (so I don't need to worry about the power supply or heat). It was fun putting it together with my son when he was younger but can't be bothered now. If you need top of line stuff, then building may be more cost effective. FWIW, if you get a laptop, get a docking station that you can plug a nice 24" monitor to it and you have a portable solution. For laptops (not gaming specific), I'm biased towards Lenovo Thinkpads. Last edited by Edward64 : 06-16-2017 at 09:11 AM.

11-28-2016, 06:25 PM	#4
INDalltheway College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Chicago	I'd also bring up building your own. It is actually really easy to do, and will take an afternoon to accomplish. I would suggest this site, PC Part Picker, to give yourself some ideas. I based my entire build off of this so I knew all the parts would work together, etc.

06-15-2017, 03:37 PM	#6
RainMaker Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	First, build your own PC and save a bunch of money. Second, what kind of monitor do you have? Some GPUs are overkill on a 1080p monitor that only gets 60hz. Are you planning to do any VR stuff? What kind of games do you play? It's a weird time to buy a GPU because cryptocurrency miners have been buying up a lot of brands.

06-15-2017, 05:56 PM	#7
frnk55 High School Varsity Join Date: Nov 2006	Last 2 desktop pcs I've gotten were from Digital Storm. Good pcs.

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