DENALIAKITAS
Banned
I am looking for a good deal on a new desktop computer. Places like slickdeals.net seem to only post deals on laptops. If anyone could point me to a place or knows of any really good deals please let me know. Thanks
Where to find computer deals?
- Thread starter DENALIAKITAS
- Start date
crewchief888
Well-known member
my desktop and last 2 laptops came from CDW.
seemed to be resonably priced, and fast shipping.
seemed to be resonably priced, and fast shipping.
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
you can try bensbargains.net , they do the coupon thing for dell, but I've bought a few desktops through there.. havent looked there in years, but there used to be desktops quite often
O_M_Jeep
Banned
build one, they arent hard to make, just takes a little research, check prices at places like geeks.com, tigerdirect and newegg, and you can always buy motherboard / processor combos if your not sure about socket specs.
I built this tower for less than $700
That is a AMD 6 core with 2 2gig SLI Nvidia video cards, 32g ram and all the trimmings, 17 blue LED cooling fans and the usual accesories.
I built this tower for less than $700
That is a AMD 6 core with 2 2gig SLI Nvidia video cards, 32g ram and all the trimmings, 17 blue LED cooling fans and the usual accesories.
somedumbname
Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2012
- Messages
- 20
Building by far is the best way to go bang for your buck. It's not all that difficult either to be honest. The hardest part is picking out parts, but even that isn't too difficult with a little bit of searching on Google, and looking at websites like Tom's Hardware.
If you can figure out how to wrench on a car, you can build your own computer these days. Everything either plugs or screws in place, and you just need to get the right parts. Then it's just popping in the OS disk and running through the installation screens that guide you through the process.
If you can figure out how to wrench on a car, you can build your own computer these days. Everything either plugs or screws in place, and you just need to get the right parts. Then it's just popping in the OS disk and running through the installation screens that guide you through the process.
O_M_Jeep
Banned
in the days of Windows 98se, 2000 and early XP yes, you had to reinstall your OS, today you dont if your not keeping your current desktop running, all you have to do is use your current hard drive in the new machine, the bios will find the config.sys and start windows, if you want to upgrade your hard drive thats fine too, just use both, its easy to set up multiple drives, way easier now with SATA systems, no need for the old jumpers to be set properly, more and more is just plug and play. The only place you need to pay close attention is in the power supply, needs to be big enough and support the motherboard, and wether you want on-board video or something you can game on. Mine is a top end gaming system, to buy retail would be $3500 or so, I built it under $700.
A basic PC these days is very capable for the average user. (You can only type so fast)
I recommend the Dell outlet for refurbished PC's:
http://www.dell.com/outlet
I have purchased PC's, notebooks, and monitors from them in the past.
Also look on newegg, check the clearance section as well
http://www.newegg.com/
If you subscribe to the newsletter, they will send you an email with great deals from time to time.
I recommend the Dell outlet for refurbished PC's:
http://www.dell.com/outlet
I have purchased PC's, notebooks, and monitors from them in the past.
Also look on newegg, check the clearance section as well
http://www.newegg.com/
If you subscribe to the newsletter, they will send you an email with great deals from time to time.
waggie
Well-known member
I seriously recommend building one. My main argument is this: It's not like computers are going away, so learning how to build one is a skill that will last you a life time.
Your current computer will eventually become outdated, you're going to need a new computer in a few years anyway. So every time you build a new computer, you'll be saving yourself several hundred dollars each time.
You can use parts from your current computer: First, your computer case is probably re-useable, that's at least $50. Second, your hard drive is also re-useable... If it's a SATA, perfect. If it's a slightly older SATA, it might be slower, but you can use it to store data that you don't access/need everyday (back up photos). Also, your optical drive (CD/DVD burner). It might be slow in burning cd/dvd's, but if that optical drive is less than a decade in age, it will read fast enough to let you install the operating system. New optical drives are at least $30..
Yes, you save a little here and there by re-using computer parts. But you use them til they break. So, you space out the replacement cost.
Another point... it's really not all that complicated. most of the plug/jacks are designed in a way that you can't really plug things in the wrong place. Most hardware are backwards compatible anyway.
after you build a few pc's, you'll have eventually have enough left over parts. I've used left over parts to build computer a garage-computer (i'm acutally on it right now). I dont need to run into the house, and use my greasy hands on my "good" computer. Perhaps you can use left over parts to build a computer for kids? media-center computer?
Plenty of info on how to build a pc. google is your friend.
I bet a lot of diy-builders will attest to this: you walk by a display of computers at electronic stores or costco, and you think... gaaad, i can build a rig with higher spec for half that price.
that, alone, is worth it to me.
Your current computer will eventually become outdated, you're going to need a new computer in a few years anyway. So every time you build a new computer, you'll be saving yourself several hundred dollars each time.
You can use parts from your current computer: First, your computer case is probably re-useable, that's at least $50. Second, your hard drive is also re-useable... If it's a SATA, perfect. If it's a slightly older SATA, it might be slower, but you can use it to store data that you don't access/need everyday (back up photos). Also, your optical drive (CD/DVD burner). It might be slow in burning cd/dvd's, but if that optical drive is less than a decade in age, it will read fast enough to let you install the operating system. New optical drives are at least $30..
Yes, you save a little here and there by re-using computer parts. But you use them til they break. So, you space out the replacement cost.
Another point... it's really not all that complicated. most of the plug/jacks are designed in a way that you can't really plug things in the wrong place. Most hardware are backwards compatible anyway.
after you build a few pc's, you'll have eventually have enough left over parts. I've used left over parts to build computer a garage-computer (i'm acutally on it right now). I dont need to run into the house, and use my greasy hands on my "good" computer. Perhaps you can use left over parts to build a computer for kids? media-center computer?
Plenty of info on how to build a pc. google is your friend.
I bet a lot of diy-builders will attest to this: you walk by a display of computers at electronic stores or costco, and you think... gaaad, i can build a rig with higher spec for half that price.
that, alone, is worth it to me.
Gary S
Well-known member
Do you have any local outlets selling used computers? All my computers come from a local outlet that sells off surplus computers.
My computers all cost me $30-70 per machine. I'm not a gamer, so a used machine that is a couple of years old will serve me for a long time.
My computers all cost me $30-70 per machine. I'm not a gamer, so a used machine that is a couple of years old will serve me for a long time.
Zeke
Well-known member
Gary, what can you get for those prices? I don't seem to have copies of much of my applications, so I need Office installed along with a virus protection. And to run the virus and all the tasks, a couple gigs of RAM and over 3.0 GHz processing. I'm not looking for lightening speed and I don't game.
Also, take a look at the units on this page and tell me if there is something you would buy. TIA.
Also, take a look at the units on this page and tell me if there is something you would buy. TIA.
SGKent
Banned
The first step is to identify what you will use it for. The operating systems are moving to 64 bit as are the applications although they are lagging. Historically as support for older operating systems like XP or Vista are withdrawn, crashes come quicker and more frequently.
Office has many flavors depending on the applications needed. If Outlook, Word and Excel are the basic applications used, a stripped down version is probably the way to go.
As for anti-virus. Microsoft got into anti-virus and anti-mal/spyware big time a few years back because it is a source of pain for them when their software gets hacked. We use Forefront at work. If you own XP or Windows 7 you can get a free copy of Microsoft Security Essentials online which is the consumer version. It updates daily and works well. Every AV out there gets false positives and misses some new viruses. The protection rate on Security Essentials is no better or worse than the paid for versions from other vendors.
If you will use IE9 then you will want a computer that has a really high end graphics card as with IE9 the graphics card processes the web page. I have a five year old computer and the video card, top of the line 5 years ago, is too slow for IE9 so we use Firefox most of the time now.
I have a new 64 bit HP system at work and it is quite nice. The case however does not appear to have room for additional drives etc like older towers.
Gary S
Well-known member
My current computer I'm on today is a HP DC7700 Intel dual core with 2 gigs ram. I paid $70 for it, and the next time I stopped at the local outlet, they had more of them for $50. When those are gone, they will have more powerful ones for about the same price.
I'm not using the full power of this box, so I won't even consider spending more on a newer one.
OP
DENALIAKITAS
Banned
Thanks for the replies so far. I dont game so i dont need anything regarding that. I use microsoft office (outlook, word excel etc) as well as photoshop quite a bit. I plan to go to IE9 as soon as i update to a newer computer (this one is 6 years old) I would like to have a solid state hard drive but its not that important. I want to get something thats new enough and powerful enough i can use it for another 5 years without having to upgrade. I could build my own as i have done it in the past (10+) years ago but no longer have any idea whats what as far as processors, ram, etc to know what to buy let alone whats good. I would like to stay under $400 not including monitor, keyboard, etc.
Your profile does not say where you are, but if you are near any Micro Center Stores I would check them out. Their store brand, Power Spec. are cheap and I have never had a problem (I keep mine for decades, not years. Currently have four in use).
http://www.microcenter.com/storefronts/powerspec/index.html
Never used the on line sales but in person sales are always great.
http://www.microcenter.com/storefronts/powerspec/index.html
Never used the on line sales but in person sales are always great.
shoturtle
Well-known member
newegg has deals as well.
So back to the original question.....
http://gizmodo.com/dealz-of-the-day/ They produce a pretty good list every day.
I personally can't see any reason to bother with building your own if you are not a gamer.
http://gizmodo.com/dealz-of-the-day/ They produce a pretty good list every day.
I personally can't see any reason to bother with building your own if you are not a gamer.
camarotoolman
Banned
I just bought a remanufactured one off feebay. My repair guy said that was a good cheap way to go, hope he is right!
PeterT
Well-known member
New egg or Staples this week,,
Staples has an HP for $399 you can either reuse your monitor - or pickup a 24" LCD panel. They have a 24" for $139
Staples has an HP for $399 you can either reuse your monitor - or pickup a 24" LCD panel. They have a 24" for $139
lrhredjb
Well-known member
Go to Techbargains.com and search for desktop computers. Most users find laptops more useful these days however. There are lots of other bargains posted there as well, even tools!
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
eBay. Look for factory refurbs, especially Dell and HP (Dell has a dedicated site.) Most have the original warranty, but you can buy more if you are paranoid.
If you are willing to take a bit more of a gamble there are places that buy off lease computers (usually 2-4years old) and resell them. Look for eBay sellers that have high volume and 98% or higher feedback. Buy and extended warranty on these even if it is from a third party.
If you are willing to take a bit more of a gamble there are places that buy off lease computers (usually 2-4years old) and resell them. Look for eBay sellers that have high volume and 98% or higher feedback. Buy and extended warranty on these even if it is from a third party.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
I would wait just a hair longer before you buy, they should have "Back to School" deals very soon... could save yourself a little $$$....
Falcon67
Well-known member
We buy a lot of Dell desktops, laptops, etc - like 50 to 100 at a time. Very few warranty issues, typically. HP makes a decent PC from what I hear. I don't build them anymore - quit doing that in the early 90s. Maybe for a super gamer-nerd box, but I don't have time or inclination for that. I still play the original 80s Duke Nukem once in a while though. And ASCII Star Traders. Dated me yet in computer years? 
darkk
Well-known member
Building your own computer is not likely to save you money. You generally do it because you can hand pick your components and get a far better system then you can buy. It's fun to do but can be very time consuming if there are issues.
It you want to save $'s and get a system ready to use then I'd buy a Dell refurb. Sign up at Dell and they'll send you discount codes which can save you even more. Dell refurbs are like new.
It you want to save $'s and get a system ready to use then I'd buy a Dell refurb. Sign up at Dell and they'll send you discount codes which can save you even more. Dell refurbs are like new.
Richball
Active member
Check out www.gotapex.com
Thry list salebeing run by Dell small business division and other Manufactures (HP) as well as deals by online venders. We often find that we can find better deals here than by what the manufactures offer us as a discounted price to the Universities.
Rich Ball
Thry list salebeing run by Dell small business division and other Manufactures (HP) as well as deals by online venders. We often find that we can find better deals here than by what the manufactures offer us as a discounted price to the Universities.
Rich Ball
DRP6833
Well-known member
Try www.pacificgeek.com. I haven't bought a computer from them (though I have bought other stuff) but they look to have really good prices.