Best bang for the buck desktop?

Canon_Shoe wrote in post #16944895
Sounds like a good deal.....is the i7 worth the cost over the i5?

The i5 vs i7 debate for lightroom is still kind of.... umm... lame? The only time in Lightroom really utilizies the cores/threads is during import/exports. But during actually usage of the program it's very minimal usage. It's even better to have a single CPU that's overclocked than to have like two xeon processors.

If you look at the i5-4670K vs. the i7-4770K strictly from a standard computer user POV... They are near the same CPU but the i7 is $80 more. The only reason why I'd consider using an i7 was for something that utilizes hyperthreading, video renderings, etc...

But Windows 7 is an EASY program to use/learn if you're technically inclined and have the time. I have my computer so well maintained/protected, I never had a virus/malware on my computer etc... Or you can go the route texkam said which is even more 'nerder'

I can't think of a single case where an Alienware would qualify for "bang for the buck". They are severely overpriced.

If you want to go pre-built and highly customizable, then something from Cyberpower (or Ibuypower, same company) might be a better way to go. They are really the only big fully customizable computer shops around.

Here's one I quickly clicked through for you that is totally decked out, other than a lower end gaming video card (but high, high end for non-gaming) http://www.cyberpowerp​c.com/saved/1G49EF

I7-4770k factory overclocked 20% with upgraded cooling
32GB RAM
256GB SSD
3TB HDD
600W power supply
nice case
Windows 7 Pro (need Pro for >16GB RAM)
3yr warranty
$1719 + shipping (The RAM was expensive, could upgrade on own for cheaper)

tkbslc wrote in post #16945619
I can't think of a single case where an Alienware would qualify for "bang for the buck". They are severely overpriced.

If you want to go pre-built and highly customizable, then something from Cyberpower (or Ibuypower, same company) might be a better way to go. They are really the only big fully customizable computer shops around.

Here's one I quickly clicked through for you that is totally decked out, other than a lower end gaming video card (but high, high end for non-gaming) http://www.cyberpowerp​c.com/saved/1G49EF

I7-4770k factory overclocked 20% with upgraded cooling
32GB RAM
256GB SSD
3TB HDD
600W power supply
nice case
Windows 7 Pro (need Pro for >16GB RAM)
3yr warranty
$1719 + shipping (The RAM was expensive, could upgrade on own for cheaper)

This is very cool! So much cheaper than alienware too and many more options. Thanks!

One site you can use is http://pcpartpicker.co​m/

This allows you to build your computer based on where the parts are the cheapest. If you want I could build a computer for you and then just link it to you.

BobDawg wrote in post #16946240
One site you can use is http://pcpartpicker.co​m/

This allows you to build your computer based on where the parts are the cheapest. If you want I could build a computer for you and then just link it to you.

I agree, PCpartpicker is a great site for picking parts to build your own. My guess is that if the OP was looking at Alienware, he's not inclined to do that.

Canon_Shoe wrote in post #16945049
Great info guys! Whatever I get, I'm getting the new Dell 4k ultra sharp! Looks so impressive! Trying to find a PC upgradable to 32gb RAM, SSD and windows 7 is kind of a task!

Any PC can be upgraded with an SSD, they are seen by Windows in exactly the same way as a regular HDD, so if you can fit a new HDD in a PC, then you can fit a new SSD just as easily.

For RAM, that's more motherboard dependent. Most support 32GB of RAM although some of the most budget options don't.

tkbslc wrote in post #16946364
I agree, PCpartpicker is a great site for picking parts to build your own. My guess is that if the OP was looking at Alienware, he's not inclined to do that.

Well that's where we have to show him the way, the truth, the light... and don't go premade pc's or mac's :P

RWJP wrote in post #16946394
Any PC can be upgraded with an SSD, they are seen by Windows in exactly the same way as a regular HDD, so if you can fit a new HDD in a PC, then you can fit a new SSD just as easily.

It's not quite like adding another hard drive. You'll have to image your OS over to the new SSD and then make sure the SSD specific registry settings are enabled (like the ones disabling defrag and prefetch, etc). And a lot of imaging software has a hard time imaging to a smaller drive. It can be tricky if you aren't tech savvy (or interested in it).

Since the OP wants 32GB of RAM and Windows 7 then the other caveat is Windows 7 Pro. Windows 7 Home can only use 16GB. Regular Windows 8/8.1 can go up to 128GB, so that another option.

Personally, I can't see anyone but the most hardcore 3D designers using more than 12-16GB of RAM, but if the OP wants 32GB, who am I to argue? I've never used more than about 6GB of RAM with multiple photo editing apps running simultaneously.

BobDawg wrote in post #16946478
Well that's where we have to show him the way, the truth, the light... and don't go premade pc's or mac's :P

I'm always hesitant to push someone toward building their own if they don't have the desire. 90% of the time it goes pretty smoothly if you pick decent, compatible parts. But that 10% of the time, something doesn't work right and you are all on your own to sort it out. I don't want to push someone who isn't comfortable with hardware and OS support to spend $1500 on parts and then have them end up with an unusable or unstable computer.

I've been building computers for almost 20 years now and my last one I had a semi-flaky RAM stick with just a few bad addresses that had me chasing down every other part and driver in the system. It would look like a graphics card, then a processor, then a USB port, then my SSD. It took some high level troubleshooting to sort that one out. 2 weeks later after almost hourly crashes and blue screens until I finally got the bad RAM to show up on a memory test (Even though it passed memory test 2x prior). After replacing the RAM, everything has been fine. Just one example of how things can go wrong and some people just don't want the risk of that kind of hassle.

Cyberpower at least lets you configure a computer out of good brand name components and you'll have a machine that is like a home-built one, but with someone to call when/if something happens.

Yep, I'm not looking to assemble one myself although I'm sure I could do it. I'm looking for performance and reliability in a machine just like a car. Kind of like cars........if you modify your car, it's not as reliable as one that is factory most of the time I do like the options with Cyberpower.......they back up their product too

tkbslc wrote in post #16946676
I'm always hesitant to push someone toward building their own if they don't have the desire. 90% of the time it goes pretty smoothly if you pick decent, compatible parts. But that 10% of the time, something doesn't work right and you are all on your own to sort it out. I don't want to push someone who isn't comfortable with hardware and OS support to spend $1500 on parts and then have them end up with an unusable or unstable computer.

I've been building computers for almost 20 years now and my last one I had a semi-flaky RAM stick with just a few bad addresses that had me chasing down every other part and driver in the system. It would look like a graphics card, then a processor, then a USB port, then my SSD. It took some high level troubleshooting to sort that one out. 2 weeks later after almost hourly crashes and blue screens until I finally got the bad RAM to show up on a memory test (Even though it passed memory test 2x prior). After replacing the RAM, everything has been fine. Just one example of how things can go wrong and some people just don't want the risk of that kind of hassle.

Cyberpower at least lets you configure a computer out of good brand name components and you'll have a machine that is like a home-built one, but with someone to call when/if something happens.

I totally agree with you and Cyberpower actually was the first computer I bought ("many moons ago")and what got me into building computers. It's actually REALLY easy to build a computer if you have the patience and friends to occasionally help you out, you can save soooooo much money and build something better than what you can buy, and upgrade as you go... Nothing can beat it...

I build my own desktops and have since 1988. My suggestion would be to build an i7 machine with an ssd boot drive and a large storage drive (2tb at least). They are not hard to build today. Just buy rhw case, power supply, motherboard, cpu, ram, hard drives, dvd drive, video card, and whatever else you want to put in it.

As far as motherboards goes, that is usually the first thing i look at. I want to know how many external usb ports it has (mine has 8 external usb ports including 2 3.0 usb ports) also look at the sata ports and ide ports. Then look at how much ram it can handle. I have 16GB in mine and i think it can handle 32GB. Also mine uses the 64 bit cpu so it can handle more than 4GB of ram.

Everything connects to the motherboard.

Then from there I figure out what else I want in the machine. When building a new system I usually get the latest best cpu I can get.

That's pretty much it. I usually save anywhere from 200-500 dollars building them myself... cant do that with a mac...

I've assembled my last 3-4 PCs, and I have an engineering degree. I wouldn't suggest anyone who's not confident in their ability to work things out assemble their own PC. It's really fiddly, running cables everywhere, and diagnosing problems can be a PITA. My most annoying problem was the case power button didn't work, that took me a while to diagnose! I did it by bridging the power contacts on the motherboard with a screwdriver. I've never managed to get PWM fans set up correctly, I just bought a fan controller and do it manually.

CyberPower seems like a good easier option. I'd look at that next time, or a local version of them, so long as the cost isn't too high.

tkbslc wrote in post #16946664
It's not quite like adding another hard drive. You'll have to image your OS over to the new SSD and then make sure the SSD specific registry settings are enabled (like the ones disabling defrag and prefetch, etc). And a lot of imaging software has a hard time imaging to a smaller drive. It can be tricky if you aren't tech savvy (or interested in it).

I prefer a fresh install, but Reflect Free makes the process quite easy. It's much easier than ghost, which had trouble making a disk bootable, Reflect does everything for you.

Well, I don't have an engineering degree. As a matter of fact I don't have ANY kind of computer degree but I can build them with my eyes closed. There are plenty of tutorials out there on how to put a computer together from scratch.

All it takes is the desire to build one and some basic assembly skills. Take one apart and look inside. Basically, these are the parts needed to build a computer. If you feel that you can replicate that with newer hardware then maybe you can build a computer.

If you're intimidated by what's inside then maybe you shouldn't attempt it.

mike_d wrote in post #16944391
Give it a rest.

I did, to Microsoft