Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

[mgoblue]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

My current PC is this:
HP Pavilion Elite HPE-250f PC
Intel Core i7-860 Processor
8GB DDR3
1 TB HD
Blu-Ray/DVD Burner
ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card w/ 1GB DDR5 memory
Wifi b/g/n
upgraded to Win 10

Not really looking for a gaming rig, but just in general trying to understand if this is just a dinosaur or if adding some memory might be good enough. It can play some games pretty well (I played the Tomb Raider reboot on it just fine) but I know it's like 5ish years old or so.

I'm not in the position to spend tons of money, but I'll see cheaper (200-400) laptops or desktops on sites like Woot or Dell clearance and wonder if it just makes sense to get something like that (eventually) and keep this as a media type server or something.

I'm not as current on my processors and whatnot, so appreciate the input! I didn't go super cheap on this originally, and it's still a decent computer...just wonder if I can build off it (or if it's worth it) or if I should think if I just want a laptop or something in the future instead.

[trobinson97]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

If you just want some decent gains in the games you have now the first thing I'd do is upgrade the GPU. That would be the most cost effective upgrade for that machine. Go for something like an R9 380 4GB or a GTX 960 4GB. You may or may not have to get a new power supply but that would still be cheaper than getting a new mobo and CPU, plus would give you more gains in most games.

You're fine on memory for the moment, that would be one of the last things worry about if everything is working properly.

[mgoblue]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

If you just want some decent gains in the games you have now the first thing I'd do is upgrade the GPU. That would be the most cost effective upgrade for that machine. Go for something like an R9 380 4GB or a GTX 960 4GB. You may or may not have to get a new power supply but that would still be cheaper than getting a new mobo and CPU, plus would give you more gains in most games.

You're fine on memory for the moment, that would be one of the last things worry about if everything is working properly.

Gotcha...I may consider that eventually...Probably just ride this PC out for a year or two then, especially if I decide to get a new graphics card....200ish isn't horrible and might help the system last longer.

Also tempted to figure out what quiet fans I might buy to upgrade and make the system a bit more quiet and better cooling

It chugs enough for what we use it, and not really in the mood or need to build a gaming rig.

Thanks for advice on the memory though, saves me the money there!

[Blzer]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Motherboard fried on my current laptop for the third time now in six years. I think it's about time I get a new one.

I'm looking at a few at Best Buy, but these ones stuck out to me.

($999.99) HP Envy m7-n109dx
($949.99) HP Envy m6-w105dx
($679.99) HP Envy m6-w103dx
($626.99) HP Envy m6-p113dx
($899.99) Lenovo EDGE 2 15 – 80QF0004US
($999.99) Lenovo Y700 80NW000PUS
($999.99) Asus Q553UB-BSI7T13
($899.99) Dell I7568-5248T

HP sticks out to me a bit more though because I already have essential stuff for it (extra cords and batteries) so I can move it from home (living room & bedroom) to work without any major issues. Plus, they still make the 17.3" screen, and me likey!

I'm not necessarily looking to do any gaming, but if Remote Play on PC ends up being something of a possibility or something that I want to do, I might look into having one that is at least gaming-capable. Plus, I stream MLB.TV and also record video lectures (as well as using my Hauppauge HD-PVR time to time) and operate/edit video playback up to 1080p & 60 FPS, so I need some things out of my machine. HDMI output is also a must, and the above laptops all have that.

Any preferences based on what I mentioned? I guess the real question is, how much headroom do I need for the stuff I mentioned? My previous computer was/is an HP Pavilion dv7-4065dx.

Keep in mind if I buy something that is not HP, there might be $100-$200 going in for extra batteries and AC adapters. Also, I still use the CD/DVD-ROM on these things, and I know some of these don't have those anymore.

[Blzer]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

So I went with the HP Envy m7-n109dx. So far, it's a beast and I love it.

What I was able to do was remove the optical drive and place a 1TB SSD as the primary, re-positioning the 1TB HDD into the optical bay. This thing boots up in like fifteen seconds now. I also really like the face scan login option (my other one had a fingerprint reader, but this one works out even better and faster), though I don't yet think I can log in to website automatically like I could with the fingerprint scan.

The only downsides so far are the following:

- GenieGO doesn't yet have Windows 10 support (not a computer limitation, but rather the OS).
- The touchscreen feature doesn't work on the brush for Photoshop (apparently this is an Adobe issue though, and is up to them to make it function).
- Only one headphone jack.
- Motion is ehh, it's not the best I've seen is the only problem but it's far from the worst.
- Apparently my charging cable and extra batteries don't fit this behemoth (the Envy models are different from the Pavilion models).
- Another Windows 7 limitation, but Cortana cannot operate with iTunes, other than opening it and stopping songs.

Provided that I already have a an external Blu-ray drive and a USB-to-VGA adapter, those things help take care of any other issues there.

I just hope this thing lasts, because I'm certain I voided the warranty the second I removed the optical drive. Let's just hope the motherboard doesn't fry with this one as it did my other one multiple times. I'll be keeping this baby protected for a while, though my other one did last me six solid years.

[23]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Are you using that thing for work?

[Blzer]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Are you using that thing for work?

I will be in some respects, yes. I do have a laptop that the school gives me and I use that for most things on campus. My primary use for this at work is to capture and record lecture videos.

Are you afraid that some of the credential things I use at work can be stolen? Curious.

[SoMiss2000]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Lot of money for an HP laptop. Had one fry on me years ago. Never will buy another.

[Blzer]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Lot of money for an HP laptop. Had one fry on me years ago. Never will buy another.

Eh, as I said, it covered my feature set. But you're right, my other one had motherboard issues. I don't blame it though, it got pretty beat up toting it around literally everywhere I went, including on softball fields doing stats, recordings, etc. Hung out in the bathroom when I would play music in the shower, often ran it overnight listening to a podcast, commentary, or music, etc. I'm going to be slightly more delicate with this one.

I figure six years is a good lifespan for a laptop, anyway. At that point, you're probably already looking at the next feature set. I mean hell, if people have gone through like six iPhones in less than the past ten years (I know there are upgrades that make it essentially free, but the point of the technology still remains), I suppose I am entitled to a new piece of hardware myself at this point.

Reliability aside, I'm definitely in love with this laptop, and I wasn't really in love with the other ones I was demoing in the store.

By the way, I'm hoping for a sales price drop within the next several weeks or so for a price match. That would definitely be nice to get like another $100 off (sadly I'm no longer an Elite Plus member at BBY for the 45 day return period).

[SoMiss2000]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Eh, as I said, it covered my feature set. But you're right, my other one had motherboard issues. I don't blame it though, it got pretty beat up toting it around literally everywhere I went, including on softball fields doing stats, recordings, etc. Hung out in the bathroom when I would play music in the shower, often ran it overnight listening to a podcast, commentary, or music, etc. I'm going to be slightly more delicate with this one.

I figure six years is a good lifespan for a laptop, anyway. At that point, you're probably already looking at the next feature set. I mean hell, if people have gone through like six iPhones in less than the past ten years (I know there are upgrades that make it essentially free, but the point of the technology still remains), I suppose I am entitled to a new piece of hardware myself at this point.

Reliability aside, I'm definitely in love with this laptop, and I wasn't really in love with the other ones I was demoing in the store.

By the way, I'm hoping for a sales price drop within the next several weeks or so for a price match. That would definitely be nice to get like another $100 off (sadly I'm no longer an Elite Plus member at BBY for the 45 day return period).

Hey it should last at that price point. I spent almost $700 for an Asus last year after buying budget laptops for the past 10 years. Hopefully spending a bit more means it'll last me longer than the 2-3 years my old ones have averaged. I'm also about to build a new desktop so that should help.

[23]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

I will be in some respects, yes. I do have a laptop that the school gives me and I use that for most things on campus. My primary use for this at work is to capture and record lecture videos.

Are you afraid that some of the credential things I use at work can be stolen? Curious.

Nah, that's just a pretty nice investment for some of the things you mentioned to just be a casual purchase.

Hey it should last at that price point. I spent almost $700 for an Asus last year after buying budget laptops for the past 10 years. Hopefully spending a bit more means it'll last me longer than the 2-3 years my old ones have averaged. I'm also about to build a new desktop so that should help.

Asus makes pretty stable products... over the years they've been pretty consistent.

[Blzer]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Nah, that's just a pretty nice investment for some of the things you mentioned to just be a casual purchase.

Definitely wasn't casual, but if you know me I don't spend money on a lot of things. I just knew that when I was going to upgrade my laptop the next time, I was going to be sure it was an upgrade.

I for sure didn't want to spend this money now, though. I was none too pleased having my motherboard fry on me last.

[23]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Yeah man there is no situation where that doesn't suck.

[SoMiss2000]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Yeah man there is no situation where that doesn't suck.

What up bro you still PC gaming a bit?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Ermolli]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Hi everyone.

I've decided after some time debating it about building a gaming PC. I'd like to build one that I could use it to play with wireless controllers and connected to a TV, I don't know if that's logical or possible. Having that said, I'd like to know if you could give me sites, Youtube channels, or something that could help me build one according to some criteria.

Thanks in advance.