Any computer gurus out there ?

[Ralph Kramden]

I'm looking for help in buying a new computer. We need to buy TOWER ONLY, but not sure what we need in terms of memory, hard drive size, processor. A friend of ours said to buy one with at least a 1200 mhz. front bus, and that a 800 mhz front bus is too slow. Is that accurate? He also said to get the Intel processor instead of AMD Athlon. Is that important? The HP P6212 on Office Max' website looks good, is $469, BUT the front bus is 800 mhz. It has 6 GB memory, 640 GB hard drive. We DO NOT watch movies or play games on computer. Are there any brands to avoid? We would like to spend $500 max(for tower only). This is what we use computer for:

1) Internet

2) E-mail

3) We keep a lot of photos on computer

4) Backing up DVD's with DVD Decrpter/Shrink

Thanks for any advice.

[markd]

For what you're looking to do, that HP would be more than adequate.  In fact, anything you'd buy today would be more than adequate for web surfing, email and digital photography.  Personally, I'm not a fan of HP computers though.  I've been happy with Dells (we've been buying them for years now at UWM and I've purchased Dells for several family members).  You can find similar deals in your price range from just about every manufacturer (that's a pretty standard price point for desktop computers, often including flat panel monitors).  Check out: http://www.techbargains.com/

[Ralph Kramden]

Thanks Mark. So you don't see any problem buying a computer with a 800 mhz. front bus?

[markd]

So you don't see any problem buying a computer with a 800 mhz. front bus?

For general computing, not at all.  A five year old computer with "only" a 533MHz FSB would still more than meet your needs.

[Rick_EE]

Thanks Mark. So you don't see any problem buying a computer with a 800 mhz. front bus?

The front side bus affects memory speed.  This may or may not affect the speed of the computer depending on the processor.  All it means is that you may wait a few seconds longer.

Like Mark said, that should be fine for your needs.

Asking computer guys for computer advice is somtimes tricky as it is hard for us recommend high end stuff.

[Tom Snyder]

Before you buy, make sure to check Dell Outlet. We've bought dozens of desktops, laptops and servers over the years and bought just about every one of them from the Dell Outlet. Great prices, quick shipping and awesome service. The machines are refurbs and scratch and dents, but never had one sent that didn't look brand new.

[jkane]

What everyone else said ... adding Athelon is a great processor.  Intel is all about marketing, not about performance.  An Athelon is as good or better.  Half of our home computers are Athelons.  Don't be afraid of it if it saves you $100!

[AndrewP]

My 2c:
1. HP are better then Dell, because you can easily upgrade/replace parts. Dell has lots of custom connections and will force you to buy upgrade from Dell and it WILL cost you.
2. OfficeMax lately has good deals, on HP. I will recommend to buy Intel quad core processor.
3. Check HPdirect.com.
4. If you go with OfficeMax or HPdirect, first go to bing.com, and then go to  OfficeMAx or HP direct - it will bring you back 5-10%.

[brewtownska]

I agree with the other guys...you don't need speed and high end computing for what you're planning to do, so any current computer will work fine for you.

There are lots of sites that help you find "deals" - the one I use is techbargains.com

You can search the main page which gets updated each hour with various deals.  For what you want, just go into Desktops section to see any good deals from the past few days.  Basically, you're letting people who know computers find good deals on computers for you...and you don't have to search all the various sites yourself.  If you're not in a hurry to buy, keep an eye on the site for a few days to get a general idea of what computers you can get in your price range, then pull the trigger when you feel you're ready.

Mike

[brewtownska]

Also be aware that even though you ONLY need the tower, you're bound to find you can sometimes get a better deal getting a package with a monitor.  If you have the space for it on your computer desk, setting up a 2-monitor desktop is VERY easy these days and can actually help you get more done with all the extra screen real estate.  So don't turn down a good deal just because it already comes with a monitor.  Plus, any LCD you get today will be leaps and bounds better than one from a few years ago.  I just upgraded my 4-year old Samsung 19" LCD ($400) with a 20" widescreen (was only $90 after rebate), and the new one is so much better than the old one.  Gave the old one to the in-laws who were still using a 17" CRT...everyone is now happier

[duncantuna]

I agree with pretty much everything everyone else said.   You could buy the cheapest Dell or HP or anything they have going on sale at OfficeDepot/Max/Best Buy and it would be far above the requirements you've set.  

Other comments:  Avoid a machine pre-loaded with Vista.  Most should have Windows 7 loaded already. -- I skipped Vista, never used it.  I got a Win7 laptop recently, and have been quite happy.    I have 2 GB of RAM, and again, am pleased with Win7's performance.

2nd comment:  Your friend who warned you off about 800 or 1200 Mhz bus speeds is spouting off statistics that have no bearing on you .. suggesting AMD processors are to be avoided over Intel, I would agree with what was written above .. the WORST processor you can buy off the shelf will be about twice what you need.  If it saves you $100, you'll never notice the difference.

I would place your friend in the "Cliff Clavin" class of technology hobbyists .. lots of big words with little understanding.

[Ralph Kramden]

Thanks everyone. I'll let Cliff Clavin know. If I want to add a Blu-ray burner down the road, does the tower need to have HDMI? Or would VGA work? Thanks.

[Bebop]

What everyone else said ... adding Athelon is a great processor.  Intel is all about marketing, not about performance.  An Athelon is as good or better.  Half of our home computers are Athelons.  Don't be afraid of it if it saves you $100!

Do they still make them? I have not heard that name in years.

[Tom Snyder]

HP are better then Dell, because you can easily upgrade/replace parts. Dell has lots of custom connections and will force you to buy upgrade from Dell and it WILL cost you.

Yes, as a caveat, we were having a problem with one of our refurbs. Dell sent out a replacement part. When that didn't help, they actually sent a local tech guy to take a look. He noticed that we had upgraded the video card, and said that that voided the warranty.

So we had to scavenge our Pentium dual core machine (which we bought 2 1/2 years ago for $350) for parts, and bought a new one for $279. Not home theatre quality but adequate for our needs.  

Just bought a two drive file server for $439.00.

[murdoc]

Thanks everyone. I'll let Cliff Clavin know. If I want to add a Blu-ray burner down the road, does the tower need to have HDMI? Or would VGA work? Thanks.

If you plan on just burning Blu-rays I'm pretty sure you don't need either of those.  If you want to output Blu-ray to a monitor or television you will need a graphics card with HDMI output and HDCP.  You monitor must also be HDCP compatible.