Quick question about buying a PC

[Nincompoop]

When I get to buying a new PC, would it be a good idea to focus mostly on the processor? I mean, aren't all the other components easy to upgrade?

So I was thinking of buying one of them Dell XPSs where you can customize what to be included and what not to be, and just choose the best processor and let the rest be standard, which should be enough for a while. Then later, if necessary, upgrade the other parts.

Is this a sound idea?

Btw, the reason I suddenly wanted to buy a PC, was due to them new core i7 processors of Intel. The look perdy neat.

Addendum; My current budget is around 1400 USD, but I would care to spend more if needed.

 

[crudus]

It just depends on what you want to do. Just in general pour more money into processor since it is easier to upgrade ram. You really can't add more processing power like you can ram.

 

[Nincompoop]

It just depends on what you want to do. Just in general pour more money into processor since it is easier to upgrade ram. You really can't add more processing power like you can ram.

Ye, that's what I was thinking. Thx for the reply. I just might try this method out =).

 

[Dys]

Generally starting with a solid processor is a good idea, bear in mind that a better quality motherboard is also important, as it's rather a pain in the ass to upgrade and will have a lot to do with what other parts you can update.

As a rule, I'd avoid dell. Typicially it's far cheaper to buy the parts from a small computer store (like MSY in melbourne), even if you plan on having them assemble it.

 

[Acaroid]

When I get to buying a new PC, would it be a good idea to focus mostly on the processor? I mean, aren't all the other components easy to upgrade?

So I was thinking of buying one of them Dell XPSs where you can customize what to be included and what not to be, and just choose the best processor and let the rest be standard, which should be enough for a while. Then later, if necessary, upgrade the other parts.

Is this a sound idea?

Btw, the reason I suddenly wanted to buy a PC, was due to them new core i7 processors of Intel. The look perdy neat.

Ummmm dont go dell

I split my money in %ages and usually have the same % for my graphics card and my processor.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

get a good motherboard that can handle speeds above what the chip you are getting can do. i'm going to suggest getting an asus motherboard, they are rock solid and have a ton of great features.

stay away from stuff like dell and such, they are nice but they cost too much for what you get

 

[xDarc]

Dells are ok. I work at geek squad and it's HPs that are utter trash right now. I see so many issues with HPs it's ridiculous. Lots of dead mobos. Otherwise they're all more or less the same. If you want a good deal, order parts from newegg.com and build your own.

 

[LoopyDood]

If you're going to use it for gaming, spend as much or more money on your graphics card as you do on your CPU. GPUs are much, much more important for gaming than CPUs are.

DX11 games are just around the corner, and if you want to take advantage of that, you need a DX11 card. The best (And only) DX11 GPUs right now are ATI's 5000 series, specifically the 5850 and 5870. They're about $300 and $400 respectably. If you want to go cheaper, they also have the 5750 and 5770 which are about half the price.

 

[Horticulture]

If you're going to use it for gaming, spend as much or more money on your graphics card as you do on your CPU. GPUs are much, much more important for gaming than CPUs are.

+1. A fast video card is vital for gaming, though not much help with other applications. If gaming is the only intensive use you have for a PC, it makes sense to focus most there.

When I get to buying a new PC, would it be a good idea to focus mostly on the processor? I mean, aren't all the other components easy to upgrade?

So I was thinking of buying one of them Dell XPSs where you can customize what to be included and what not to be, and just choose the best processor and let the rest be standard, which should be enough for a while. Then later, if necessary, upgrade the other parts.

Is this a sound idea?

The biggest limiting factor for upgrades is your motherboard. Replacing the CPU isn't actually terribly difficult, but swapping the motherboard often requires replacing one or more other components, as your MoBo has to be compatible with everything in the system. If you do get a pre-built PC with an eye for upgrades, make sure that it's using one of the latest CPU sockets (Intel 1156 or 1366 and AMD AM3) and DDR3 RAM. That way you won't run into compatibility problems in the near future. The power supply is also important for upgrading-switching to a monster video card on a tiny power supply will lead to instability.

As long as you're comfortable tinkering, building your own PC has its advantages-it's cheaper and you know exactly what you're getting, as opposed to models from OEMs like Dell which require some sleuthing to figure out the motherboard type and power supply specs. IF you let us know your budget and what you plan to run(for games include your resolution), we can give better advice.

 

[Nincompoop]

snip

Thx for the reply. I have often thought of building my own PC, so I might try that out. As to my budget, idk. 1400 USD is what I have atm. I would at least spend money on them core i7 extreme edition, decent ram and one of them top graphics cards. It's all the other 'redundant' things I am less interesting in, such as 24123TB hardrive and whatnot.

 

[Nincompoop]

snip

Thx for the reply. I know that GPU are more important, but they are easy to upgrade, opposed to the CPU.

So I should buy Radeon instead of nVidia?

 

[LoopyDood]

Definitely build your own PC. Browse Newegg and put together a wishlist of parts for it.

One HUGE disadvantage of OEM PCs is that the manufacturers often disable the overclocking features of the motherboards. This is a real PITA. They also like to give you extremely shitty PSUs that can't handle an added graphics card.

Since you're worried about compatibility problems with the CPU, get AMD. Their sockets are backwards compatible, unlike Intel. They're not quite as fast as Intel CPUs, but they're a hell of a lot cheaper. You can get a Phenom II X4 for $165 from Newegg, and it would have a lot of potential for overclocking.

 

[Gruthar]

snip

Thx for the reply. I know that GPU are more important, but they are easy to upgrade, opposed to the CPU.

So I should buy Radeon instead of nVidia?

The processor? The processor is cake to replace too. I'm going to go ahead and third their advice and suggest you worry more about the GPU than the processor. Unless you've got a bitchin' deal on it, the i7 EE costs more than it's worth.

As far as GPU brand goes, my stance has always been whoever has the better deal. Find cards that fit your budget, and compare benchmarks...

 

[Nincompoop]

snip

I can't buy from newegg.com, since I am located in the Faroe Islands.

AMD? But, but, I think I am in love with the new i7 =/, sounds and looks super neat-o. Nah, ultimately, I need to think about the money, so I think I have to reconsider a bit.

 

[2wenty6ix]

I think the graphics card is important too

 

[Nincompoop]

snip

Kay. It will probably get more expensive for me, since I'm located in the Faroe Islands.

After browsing a bit on main components, how would these look?

--

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition, roughly 250 USD

Sapphire Radeon HD5770, roughly 233 USD

RAM I don't know really. Advice on which manufactures and how much RAM is ideal for the AMD Phenom would be appreciated.

And of course a motherboard that works best with this setting.

 

[Kstreitenfeld]

1) Don't buy a pre-built PC

2) Order parts online, like Newegg.

3) Don't buy top of the line, always buy one step (or maybe even two - three steps) behind the current curve. You save a lot of money this way for a small performance drop.

4) If you can't build your own PC do one of the following:
- Read up / watch tutorials on how to do it, then do it yourself.
- Have a friend do it, if you know any who can.
- Pay a local PC shop to put it together for you.

 

[Kikosemmek]

I just bought my new computer about two weeks ago, and it's fantastic. It runs everything on highest settings without any drop in frame rate whatsoever.

Specs:

Gigabyte copper motherboard, i7 comaptible; Intel Core i7 2.66ghz; Nvidia GTS 250; 3gb DDR3 RAM, 2ghz; 32gb OCZ SSD (for OS storage); 2x 500gb 5400rpm drives (mirrored; will eventually buy two more drives and put them in RAID 10). Add a case, power supply, and a decent heat sink and you got yourself a machine.

Windows 7 loads in under 16 seconds.

I bought all the parts from Newegg for around $1350, which seems to fit your budget. I highly recommend you buy the parts individually, because the machine you build will be better than a prepared one of the same price.

 

[LoopyDood]

The HD 5770 wouldn't be my choice of graphics card. It seems more designed for an HTPC than a proper gaming PC, with less performance than the (cheaper) HD 4890, and sometimes, less performance than even the HD 4870 or the GTX 260. It can't even be overclocked that well, and its advantages pretty much run up to DirectX 11 support and low power consumption. If DirectX 11 support is important to you, you might as well consider it, but it's not really an optimal solution for a gaming PC.

Just thought I'd correct you on this. According to Newegg, the 5770 is about $170-$190, while the 4870 is $160-$180 and they pretty much perform the same. I'd say the DX11 support is worth the extra $10. The 4890 is $210-$250, so it isn't cheaper than the 5770.

Edit: This is in Canadian dollars, which are a bit higher than the US, but the ratios are still the same.

 

[Wintermoot]

it depends what you are going to do with it but yea its easy to upgrade the othe comopnents but it will break your warranty