My computer hates me (and I need a new one)

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

and so I'm using the fact that it has frozen 10 times in the past 3 days as leverage for getting a new computer. So here's another recommendation topic because frankly, I suck at this.

I want a computer that can handle (not necessarily play at optimum settings) a lot of the new games coming out since my current computer can't play Portal, or Left 4 Dead, or Mirror's Edge, or anything new, really. Thing is, I'm on an invisible budget. I can't make this computer too expensive (800 is probably too expensive) because it's not my money. Maybe after a few days of griping my parents will talk about it some more and actually give me a budget, but until then, I'm clueless.

So yeah, should I build one myself or buy from iBuy? I've been going to their site every once in awhile for about 6 months now but I can never seem to make a computer I want for cheap.

Halp?

[Tintenfisch]

Re: My computer hates me

With 500-600 bucks you ca probably get a store brand one that will play all that.

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: My computer hates me

Yeah, I figured as much, but I really want to get the best bang for the buck here. My dad loves Dell and I hate Dell and so if we go store-bought that's what we'd get.

I really can't deal with another Dell.

[archerarmored]

Re: My computer hates me

Gateway makes a sick computer for the buck. I believe it's 849.99, though there may be cheaper ones.

This is: http://www.gateway.com/programs/lxse...pnav_computers

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: My computer hates me

My mom gave me an appalled look when I said what I wanted might cost 800~ dollars.

I'm really struggling now as I don't know enough about computer hardware to find a cheap (5$00-$600), GOOD computer.

Any more ideas? :[

[Sampson]

Re: My computer hates me

My mom gave me an appalled look when I said what I wanted might cost 800~ dollars.

I'm really struggling now as I don't know enough about computer hardware to find a cheap (5$00-$600), GOOD computer.

Any more ideas? :[

If all you can spend is 500 or 600 dollars, your best bet is to start hitting up all the retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, etc. as well as the online ones, and look for a close-out sale on a pre-built.

[Toaster]

Re: My computer hates me (and I need a new one)

I'll sell you my laptop that's held together with duct tape.

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: My computer hates me (and I need a new one)

I built my own on iBuy awhile ago. Buying a pre-built computer is just not an option for me because my dad's practically in love with Dell and that's all I'd be getting otherwise.

Case NZXT Gamma Gaming Mid Tower Case-Black

Case Lighting Cold Cathode Neon Light-Blue

Processor [=== Quad Core ===] Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 (4x 2.33GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)

Processor Cooling [Free Upgrade] INTEL Certified Liquid CPU Cooling System kit

Memory 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR3-1333 Memory Module-Corsair or Major Brand

Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 - 1GB-Single Card
Video Card Brand === High Performance === XFX Brand Video Card

Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EP45T-UD3LR -- Intel P45 Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, PCI-E MB

Power Supply 450 Watt -- Standard Power Supply

Primary Hard Drive 500 GB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s-Single Drive

Optical Drive 22X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive-[Lightscribe Technology] Black

Flash Media Reader/Writer 12-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer-Black

Sound Card 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard

Network Card Onboard LAN Network (Gb or 10/100)

Operating System None- Pre-formatted Hard Drive Only

Mouse iBUYPOWER Internet Mouse-Black

Speaker System iBUYPOWER 2.1 Channel Stereo Super Bass
Subwoofer Speaker System

Advanced Build Options Tuniq TX-2 High Performance Thermal Compound-The best interface between your CPU and the heatsinks
Subtotal $634.00

[Sampson]

Re: My computer hates me (and I need a new one)

What do you think of this build?

Case- Antec 200 ($50)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129070

Power Supply- Antec 550w ($65)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

MoBo- Asus M4A77TD ($70)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131397R

Processor- AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680

RAM- Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3 1333 ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145251

HDD- Western Digital 320GB ($65)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136141

Optical Drive- LiteOn 24x DVD burner ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335

Videocard- GeForce GTS 250 1GB ($140)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130514

Total Cost: $620

EDIT: It's not that much different than the iBuild one except the processor, power supply, and video card are all slightly better. However, the HDD is a little bit smaller.

At <$800, you don't really save much by building your own. It's always a cool experience though. If I was you, I'd probably work on getting your dad to look at other brands beside Dell. You'd get the most bang for buck finding a store that's trying to dump inventory.

[Red Dragon]

Re: My computer hates me (and I need a new one)

I like dell. thier customer service is coo'

But that's just me.