Looking for a computer

[Gladius]

I am currently looking around the market to find a computer which I could play all the new video games, video edit(firewire enabled) and one which would work well in my computer science class.

I am currently looking at this one:

HP media center


Available Expansion Bays: No
Available Expansion Slots: 1 PCI
Cache: 1MB L2
CPU Speed: 3.0GHz With Hyper Threading
CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4
Disk Drive: 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive
Fax/Modem: V.92 56K ITU Flex Modem
Graphic Card: 128MB ATI Radeon 9200 8X AGP
Hard Drive: 160GB 7200RPM
I/O Ports: 6 USB 2.0, 1 Serial, See Below
Included Software: RecordNow, HP Image Zone
Network Card: 10/100 Ethernet
Optical Drives: DVD+RW Drive, 48X CD-ROM Drive
Other Control Devices: Remote Control With IR Receiver
Preloaded Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center
RAM: 512MB PC 3200 DDR SDRAM (Exp. To 2.0GB)
Sound Card: Integrated AC97
System Bus: 800MHz
Warranty: 1 Year Limited Hardware



COST: $1,500 at Future Shop.

I have heard good and bad things about HP, but I wanted to hear your opinion. I would also like it if you could post other computers, with the same price tag and where to buy them. ;)

Thank you :)

-Gladius.

[iceman887]

pretty good deal but since u get a lcd screen too, the only thing bad about it is the video card

[kockblocker1]

I have to advise you against getting an HP. If you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck than build the computer yourself. That way you get exactly what you need and want out of the computer. For the inexperienced it may seem like an overwhelmingly daunting task but if you do your research and plan your purchases carefully it can be a very rewarding experience. If you have any questions you can always post them here and we will do are best to help you out.

[D3V]

http://www.mgepconline.com/product_details_configurator.asp?PRID=2238

Here's a computer you can customize to however you want it. The listed price is $358. You can get your Firewire card here http://www.shopampm.com/product_info.php?cPath=56_215_213&products_id=95&

If you really want a good deal which can be setup for whatever you want, get a Dell.
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs You can pick what you want, what you don't want. Etc. And their warranty options are great, and so is their customer service.

[iceman887]

dell is expensive

[Medieval Bob]

First off, I'm not a big Intel fan. I'd reccomend AMD over it anyday. It's cheaper for a faster product.

Secondly, I don't see why that's so fucking expensive... I priced one as similar as I could get it at www.cyberpowerinc.com. I couldn't add the following:
Included Software: RecordNow, HP Image Zone
Other Control Devices: Remote Control With IR Receiver
Anyway, the price was 1152.00.

If you're looking at it for gaming, I'd swap Intel processor for AMD (save you ~300), get a better video card (cost you ~150), and double your RAM (Cost you ~100. Also, I'd reccomend Corsair over other brands of memory.) That'd put you at ~$1100 from Cyberpower (Shipping is $50.) I'd go price it, but I'm at work... The only downside is the customer service at Cyberpower is a little difficult to deal with.