Looking into buying a new Desktop.

mike6623

New Member
Member
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I am looking for a desktop that has an i7 (5th gen preferred) with the ability to expand to 32gb ram. SSD is a plus. Looking at around 1200 is what I can spend.

Thus far, cannot find those specifics, except for an "iBUYPOWER" Desktop that is 1500, but I have never heard of that brand and also read a few crappy reviews. I am not looking to buy from someone here, just if anyone can point in the right direction i'd be grateful.




Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    Memory
    16GB
That's a lot of power, you may not need it but if you want it there are a few options. Dell, HP, Alienware, IBuyPower, and a few other ones that I can't think of right now. Some of those manufacturers can give you the ability to upgrade certain components. You'll likely be using all of your money however. Are you interested in building your own system, self supporting your own system, and troubleshooting if anything goes wrong? You'll get everything you want at the budget you want.

Are you looking to cut down on cost? Look at my system specs, with this hardware I run various virtual machines, launch a large amount of apps, play games and much more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD FX 6300
    Motherboard
    GYGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 Rev 3.0
    Memory
    24GB DDR3 (4GB/4GB/8GB/8GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 6850
    Sound Card
    Integrated (Realtek HD Audio)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 X 19" monitors
    Screen Resolution
    4580 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD 80GB
    WD 640GB
    WD 1,000GB
    WD 4,000GB
    PSU
    Rosewill Hive-650
    Case
    Antec 300 V2
    Cooling
    Stock Cooling
    Keyboard
    Saitek Eclipse II
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    D: 60Mbps U: 5Mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also have a hub for 6 extra usb port AC powered.
    Microsoft LifeCam 720P
    HP LaserJet Pro M1212NF
    2 x 8 Port GB Switches
    1 X Netgear Router Netgear WNDR3700 v2 W/ DD-WRT
    and Much more
That's a lot of power.
I agree. If you are not into serious gaming and/or heavy-duty video editing you will likely never take advantage of all the power.

Check the Benchmark Performance Scores on whatever CPU you are looking at as all i7's are not equal. You should also consider an SSD as a cache drive if not your primary drive, as this will significantly boost performance while still allowing you to have a standard HDD for capacity.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 64, LT -Windows 10 Home 64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 500-075 Desktop + HP 15-f018dx Laptop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3470 Ivy Bridge 3.2 GHz Quad Core/ LT - i3-4030U 1.9 GHz
    Motherboard
    Foxcon Joshua-H61-uATX
    Memory
    8 GB/ LT - 6GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD (DX10.1)
    Sound Card
    Integrated IDT 92HD73E
    Hard Drives
    1T HDD, 16G Sandisk Cache Drive, 2T Seagate 3.0 External
    Keyboard
    Wireless
    Mouse
    Wireless
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    CyberPower UPS, Macrium Backup, Revo Pro, Malwarebytes Premium
32gb of Ram is a ton, unless you are running multiple concurrent vm's this is likely not needed. I'd much prefer the SSD over that much Ram.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
pparks1, the Server we built for our church, that has two Xenon Quad Core CPU's in it, I do not even think if I remember that we put that much RAM in it. We are running two top of the line GPU cards, that would be used in tv production. The whole reason was because we needed a machine that could run photo editing, while also running the slides for church services, and stream out video & audio at the same time.

I am wondering if the OP is just trying to build an on the cheap gaming platform. But without more info, and just the little we have. As far as we all know. They will just be cruising the Internet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
That's a lot of power, you may not need it but if you want it there are a few options. Dell, HP, Alienware, IBuyPower, and a few other ones that I can't think of right now. Some of those manufacturers can give you the ability to upgrade certain components. You'll likely be using all of your money however. Are you interested in building your own system, self supporting your own system, and troubleshooting if anything goes wrong? You'll get everything you want at the budget you want.

Are you looking to cut down on cost? Look at my system specs, with this hardware I run various virtual machines, launch a large amount of apps, play games and much more.
Thanks. I realize it is a lot of power, and am only interested in the ability to upgrade to 32GB, sorry if I didn't clearly state that. I do, however, plan to set up a home lab at some point to having the option to upgrade is my preference. I am also not opposed to building my own system, but I have never done so before and would really need a specific detailed list of what I would need to do so, where to get it, my options for hardware, etc. Self supporting would be my goal as well. I looked at the iBUYPOWER but have never heard of it and have no idea if they are a reliable company, or a company at all lol.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion Elite
    Memory
    16GB
After ten years, I finally built myself a new Desktop PC.

I much prefer AMD cpu's over Intel cpu's so I bought a Gigabyte motherboard that would take an 8 core AMD cpu chip.
Then of course, I had to buy the CPU and new RAM, but for just starters I opted for just one 4GB stick of DDR3 Crucial ram.
I got all these items from "Tiger Direct.com".

I also grabbed a new case for just $29 from the Computer Warehouse in Orlando.
Assembling a new PC from scratch takes me less than an hour, even being very detail oriented in my assemblies.
I used to build PC's professionally, since 1980.

I already had my 650W PSU and NVidea GForce vid card from an earlier build, and of course my 1TB Seagate HD.
So in less than two hours, I had a new PC up and running, with Windows 8.1/x86.
Why x86, one might well ask, well.....it's because I still run 16 bit software that will not install on an X64 PC.
But can be made to run on x86 based PC's, running Windows 8.1.

I'm also testing Windows 10, 10130 on the same PC, but on a separate (spare) hard drive. And it's running quite well.

Good Luck!
TechnoMage :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
Building is quite easy. I just looked at new parts last night and might pull the trigger this summer. Looking at Antec 302 case, intel quad core i5 haswell, 16gb of Ram (2x8), Asus z97a mobo with USB 3.1, a 512gb Samsung SSD, with an eVGA gtx970 superclocked video card with a Corsair fully modular 750w power supply. Price approx $1200.

Probably will buy windows 10 pro (or the equivalent of the SKU) when its out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I much prefer AMD cpu's over Intel cpu's s
I'm not asking to flame, just out of curiosity, but what is your reason? I've been building PCs for the better part of 15 years, but I haven't been closely following the hardware scene for about 2 years now. I'm getting ready to build a new tower, and I'm not finding any reasons to consider AMD over Intel at this point. I've always prefered the Intel chipsets on mobos, which has led me to use Intel procs as well. Again, not trying to flame, I'm gathering information.

As for your 16 bit software, is it anything that needs direct access to hardware, like a scanner, etc? If not, you could always add more memory, run Windows 8.1 x64, and then virtualize the software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
That's a lot of power, you may not need it but if you want it there are a few options. Dell, HP, Alienware, IBuyPower, and a few other ones that I can't think of right now. Some of those manufacturers can give you the ability to upgrade certain components. You'll likely be using all of your money however. Are you interested in building your own system, self supporting your own system, and troubleshooting if anything goes wrong? You'll get everything you want at the budget you want.

Are you looking to cut down on cost? Look at my system specs, with this hardware I run various virtual machines, launch a large amount of apps, play games and much more.
Thanks. I realize it is a lot of power, and am only interested in the ability to upgrade to 32GB, sorry if I didn't clearly state that. I do, however, plan to set up a home lab at some point to having the option to upgrade is my preference. I am also not opposed to building my own system, but I have never done so before and would really need a specific detailed list of what I would need to do so, where to get it, my options for hardware, etc. Self supporting would be my goal as well. I looked at the iBUYPOWER but have never heard of it and have no idea if they are a reliable company, or a company at all lol.

Start with watching Youtube videos on users putting together computers. You'll learn (hopefully) how to properly handle and grab the parts. This will be among the most important thing, grabbing pieces by the correct area to avoid bending or breaking them. It will also give a general idea on what to expect. Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct,are among the most "mainstream" places to buy components but not the only ones. Always watch and read the online store's return policy and fees.

When buying computer parts warranty length from well known brand is important. A lot of products will have a 1 year, few will do 3 and rarely will they have lifetime. If it's lifetime be aware that you may have to pay for the shipping fees both ways.

Once you get all the basics down it's finally time to get down to money. Plan out the components, budget, and compatibilities. If you're still interested in building it yourself many of us will be eager to come up with builds. Or you can come up with one (which is the best part of custom building) and we can give you constructive criticism. We need a larger summary of typical usage scenario about your usage. Also what stuff you see yourself doing on it next year and so on. A good machine will not need to be upgraded for at least 2 years. Most of the times even longer. If you have any other questions or concern we're here to help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64-Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    N/A
    CPU
    AMD FX 6300
    Motherboard
    GYGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 Rev 3.0
    Memory
    24GB DDR3 (4GB/4GB/8GB/8GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 6850
    Sound Card
    Integrated (Realtek HD Audio)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 X 19" monitors
    Screen Resolution
    4580 x 900
    Hard Drives
    WD 80GB
    WD 640GB
    WD 1,000GB
    WD 4,000GB
    PSU
    Rosewill Hive-650
    Case
    Antec 300 V2
    Cooling
    Stock Cooling
    Keyboard
    Saitek Eclipse II
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    D: 60Mbps U: 5Mbps
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also have a hub for 6 extra usb port AC powered.
    Microsoft LifeCam 720P
    HP LaserJet Pro M1212NF
    2 x 8 Port GB Switches
    1 X Netgear Router Netgear WNDR3700 v2 W/ DD-WRT
    and Much more
I'm getting ready to build a new tower, and I'm not finding any reasons to consider AMD over Intel at this point.
Many people like to root for the underdog. I'm not preferential to Intel or AMD, but I haven't purchased an AMD based processor since the Althon X2 64 because that was the last time it was the better processor for the dollar. Some people have a specific workload where the # of processor cores really matter, but many just blindly think that 8 cores must be better than 4 cores. The mistake many people make is to compare an 8 core AMD and 8 core Intel and say, "Wow, the Intel costs a ton more". But what they fail to realize is that often times the comparably priced 4 core Intel outperforms the AMD 8 core.

I'd love for AMD to get out of the budget ranks, but I haven't seen any indication that things are heading that way.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
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